The Hole (Joe Dante, 2010)

[Dylan]

Via Fangoria, here is a great early review of Joe Dante's upcoming "eighties style" horror film, The Hole, which also recently won the "Best 3-D film of the year" award at the Venice Film Festival.

Some choice excerpts from the review:

"Despite Dante working with a smaller budget than usual, viewers will find the lighting and visual flourishes impressive. The dazzling but unobtrusive 3D photography is deserving of its accolades and does, in conjunction with the engaging story, seem to place viewers in the middle of the action."

"Highlights include a disturbing encounter with a figure behind a bathroom stall and numerous scenes involving a grinning, yet malicious puppet that are sure to establish a clown phobia among a new generation of kids. There are no confusing or eye-strain inducing set-ups, and the camera movement is smooth."

"Strangely enough, regardless of large doses of black humor, a story featuring young protagonists and little in the way of graphic shocks (although there are a couple of disturbing make-up effects), The Hole is far more effective and flat out creepy than many of its more graphic, visceral contemporaries. At its most suspenseful, the dangers that threaten to consume the leads stealthily stalk their prey and are partially obscured in shadow or off screen, hiding in the darkness and being revealed only at the very height of tension. The much grander than expected score (composed by Javier Navarrete and performed by The Slovak National Symphony Orchestra), adds to the film’s jolt factor during its spine-tingling moments."

"On a purely nostalgic level, there are numerous touches and elements certain to remind fans of previous Dante films, like Gremlins and Small Soldiers, without leaving viewers with an unfavorable comparison. There is also an impressively expressionistic terror sequence, lit and shot in a manner visually reminiscent of the director’s segment from TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE. Sharp eyed will also note the presence of Dante regulars Bruce Dern as “Crazy Carl” and a wordless, yet hilarious cameo from Dick Miller (who came out of retirement for an evening to shoot it). And, of course, those willing to sit through the credits will also be rewarded."

Sounds like this will be (by and far) Joe Dante's greatest film since Matinee.

[HarryLong]

About time Dante was able to get another project off the ground.

[HypnoHelioStaticStasis]

I'm remaining somewhat skeptical, only because some reviews have been a little lukewarm (such as Variety's). I'll be the first in line to see it, though