Read Positive User Reviews for The House with a Clock in Its Walls

9

DufreshestOct 7, 2018

Cinematography: 9.439/10 The trailer does not do The House with a Clock in Its Walls justice. The film flows a lot better in viewing and is not as corny as the trailer makes it seem (at least to me).

Costume Design: 8.974/10 I like theCinematography: 9.439/10 The trailer does not do The House with a Clock in Its Walls justice. The film flows a lot better in viewing and is not as corny as the trailer makes it seem (at least to me).

Costume Design: 8.974/10 I like the tie-ins with the wardrobes to a theme on being one's self throughout the film.

Film Editing: 9.543/10 Solid. Each scene is enough.

Make-up and Hair-styling: 8/10 Decent.

Sound Editing: 8.782/10 I wanted to hear the clock more.

Visual Effects: 8.732/10 Decent. I wanted to see more magic.

Story: 8.792/10 The story is the first surprise for me. I find myself enjoying The House with a Clock in Its Walls more as the film progresses. It's a fun simple film that gets its points across with just enough. There are some torturous (yes, torturous - I've seen people walk out of theaters or fall asleep torturous - films in general, but in this case - ) family films: this is not one of them.

Acting: 9.213/10 The acting is the second surprise for me. (I don't actively seek trailers, they show before the film I'm viewing, so sometimes it becomes a bit of a comparative-referential point). Plus, my interest in seeing Mid90s has grown even more watching Sunny Suljic and Owen Vaccarro acting together (that whole motley crew of kids is nice to see in The House with a Clock in Its Walls though).

Personal: I'm glad about the film's turnout. Bullying is really terrible. Playing is fun. It's good to be weird in good ways. The actual process of growing is fun especially with everything in order (cause not too many kids have to pay bills, it's sad about the ones that have to and had to at far too young an age - but, no one is ever too young to begin doing what they are good at - enjoy - and making money). A kid from a well off family once told me he felt like he was losing his imagination. I told him he has to continue working on his imagination to build it - stimulate it. I do know circumstances may affect individuals in varying ways. I think The House with a Clock in Its Walls does a great job of showing the importance of belief and imagination as well as the processes occurring from experiencing a loss - of grieving and recovering. Good creativity and the imagination are so important to life.

Overall: 8.934/10

-K.D.

If you're into Poetry and other bits of creativity, check out my Instagram: @Dufreshest.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

Davrosdaleks1Sep 21, 2018

I'll be honest, I was a little worried about this considering that: a) This is the first children's film from torture porn horror director Eli Roth not to mention the first time he's helmed a film with an attempted big visual flair. b) TheI'll be honest, I was a little worried about this considering that: a) This is the first children's film from torture porn horror director Eli Roth not to mention the first time he's helmed a film with an attempted big visual flair. b) The film is more humorous than the book. I was afraid it might be too hard to be Goosebumps. Luckily, both my fears were abated.

Jack Black and Cate Blanchett have excellent chemistry together. They're both quite humorous, but they also nail the characters' more serious moments. It's weird that a trifecta of children's/family films has produced some of Jack Black's best roles. Although, you feel a bit more of the Jack Black personality here than in his other two roles, he does manifest the character of Uncle Jonathan, the fun uncle who also has a secret undertaken. Overall, all the characters are really well-fleshed out here.

Visually the film looks great from the 50s' setting to the entire look of the lavish house from the title, especially the scary visuals. Really, they rank with the likes of Tim Burton or Krampus. The film knows when to have fun, but it knows when to bring on the scares. As a child I preferred the original book and the other works of John Bellairs over Goosebumps, because the horror was played more directly and seriously, and this movie understands that. Cautious parents be aware that this is as scary as a PG movie can get. Well, maybe not as much as The Witches, but what is. This is definitely Coraline level.

The only downside is that at a running time of one hour and forty-four minutes, the second act, which is heavy on the character bits, drags a bit. Most of the action doesn't happen till the third act.

Roth surpassed my expectations here, and I hope he gets a chance at adapting the second book in the series.… Expand

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9

Megajohn85Sep 21, 2018

Mix Crimson Peak with Goosebumps and throw in a dash of Harry Potter and you get a film that’s surprisingly fun for all ages

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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9

manningn15Sep 25, 2018

The casts performances were stupendous especially Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and Owen Vaccaro. The banter between Jack Black and Cate Blanchett's characters was hilarious. The visual effects and set designs were spectacular. The story andThe casts performances were stupendous especially Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and Owen Vaccaro. The banter between Jack Black and Cate Blanchett's characters was hilarious. The visual effects and set designs were spectacular. The story and screenplay were fantastic. I also thought the film score was well done.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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7

Jim222001Jan 30, 2019

A bit too fast paced but fun. The kind of family film we haven’t had much of since the 90’s. Think Addams Family and Casper, While Jack Black and Cate Blanchett make a great combination start to finish. They charm throughout.

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8

NolanLundgaardSep 23, 2018

“House” was a pretty good movie. The beginning and climax of the story were SO good (10/10 worthy), I just wish I could say the same about the ending. This part of the story relied too much on CGI. While I don’t mind a little bit of it used“House” was a pretty good movie. The beginning and climax of the story were SO good (10/10 worthy), I just wish I could say the same about the ending. This part of the story relied too much on CGI. While I don’t mind a little bit of it used now and then, I felt a little hit over the head with it. I also would have appreciated less “bush-lion” poop jokes about using the litter box instead of blasting people with leaves (poop?). Besides that, I had a great experience with House, and I would recommend it to people who enjoyed the Harry Potter films, Doctor Strange, and the Goosebumps movie.… Expand

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8

CityOfGeekDec 9, 2018

At first glance, Eli Roth may be considered an odd choice to direct the adaptation of The House with a Clock in Its Walls, from the book by John Bellairs (with illustrations by Edward Gorey – hell yeah!). Roth, after all, is most famous forAt first glance, Eli Roth may be considered an odd choice to direct the adaptation of The House with a Clock in Its Walls, from the book by John Bellairs (with illustrations by Edward Gorey – hell yeah!). Roth, after all, is most famous for the the gory and violent Hostel and Cabin Fever series. For feature completion, we also have the Italian jungle cannibal throwback Green Inferno and the remakes of Knock Knock and Death Wish. None of these are particularly good, although I enjoy the majority of his films on an entertainment level; I note here I’ve not seen his take on Death Wish, or any of the original series. Much of that enjoyment comes from how obvious it is Roth loves the horror genre. This is likely why Spielberg himself reached out to Roth to direct the Amblin produced A House with A Clock in its Walls. Apparently he told Roth he wanted to scare the hell out of the kids. While I wouldn’t describe the movie as scary, it sure reached in and grabbed my horror-loving heart. It’s not perfect, but Roth made a damned good film.

Roth imbues this adaptation, it was adapted once before for a Vincent Price hosted anthology show (note to self: seek this out), with a love of the family-friendly horror of the past. Yes, it’s based on Bellairs book; but I haven’t read it, so my memories went to Bradbury and the feels of his October Country. Set in 1955, the story finds young and recently orphaned Lewis Barnevelt moving to a small town in Michigan to live with his eccentric uncle Jonathan. Jonathan (Jack Black) is a warlock, living in a deceased warlocks house, a house full of magical and sentient objects, along with that pesky clock in the walls counting down to…. Something. Next door is a witch played in purple by Cate Blanchett. This house is awesome. Production design – hell yeah! Sure, most of it is made by CGI, but it’s good CG – mostly. Some shots don’t seem done but for the majority, seamless. I want to go to there. I want to live there. I want to explore it. So long as I can burn the room with the dozen automatons, please.

Getting a director like Roth on board, and being told to scare the kids, was a great choice for the film. I don’t know how much comes from the book, or its eleven sequels, but I was glad with the places it went to. Too many people think kids can’t handle horror and certain levels of it. House went into darker territory than expected. Necromancy and blood majick places. In not holding back, it also doesn’t hold the audience’s hand. There is no talking down the expected audience, thus making the film just as entertaining for adults to watch without children (like my wife and me). Lewis is as precocious as many of his lead-kid brethren, but not annoyingly so. He love his dictionary and learning new words. He’s well played by Owen Vaccaro from Daddy’s Home; although most of what he has to do react to everything. The times where it moves to him to carry emotional weight there is something lost – especially as his fake crying is pretty awful. But when you’re competing for attention from Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and Kyle McLaughlin, it’s hard not to get lost. Black and Blanchett are wonderful, with more chemistry than most romantic comedy partners. In a refreshing change from most movies, they are a platonic couple – just friends who love to jab at each other. Blanchett delivers every line with relish and has a surprisingly emotional backstory as well. Black is more Jables than he was in the more restrained R L Stine in the surprisingly good Goosebumps from a few years ago (here’s to the sequel next week). On the not so good side is almost-friend/bully Sunny Suljic. Kid was bland and bored here; he’s the leading Mid90s; here’s to him being better there. Ultimately, his part could and should have been cut. Biggest issue with the film is the school subplot is distracting and useless; a quick rewrite would have gone around this. While I’m talking negative – dammit fart/pee jokes. You don’t’ fit here and took me out of the film.

A House with a Clock in its Walls is a real treat for horror loving families. With strong chemistry in its leads, a Bradbury/Spielberg feel, and allowed to go where it needs for the story, the film is a lovely throwback that should appeal to any horror person who will allow themselves to be a young person looking at the genre.

A-… Expand

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7

MrMovieBuffMar 3, 2019

When I heard that Eli Roth would be tackling a family adventure story, it reminded me of that time when Martin Scorsese - known for gritty crime films - tackled 'Hugo' (2011), in that, you have an artist stepping out of their creative comfortWhen I heard that Eli Roth would be tackling a family adventure story, it reminded me of that time when Martin Scorsese - known for gritty crime films - tackled 'Hugo' (2011), in that, you have an artist stepping out of their creative comfort zone in favor of doing something completely different. I think Scorsese succeeded greatly with 'Hugo' (2011), and Eli Roth only just about succeeds with 'The House with a Clock in its Walls'. Based on the novel by John Bellairs, the movie focuses on a young orphaned boy named Lewis Barnavelt (Owen Vaccaro) moving in with his Uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) and his neighbor Florence (Cate Blanchett). Jonathan and Florence are two very powerful wizards and the house they live in is full of dark magic. Lewis is still feeling sad that his parents have died in a car crash, this happened off-screen of course, and it seems like a tired cliche that the movie's opening and development of our main young character had parents who died in a car crash. Why don't these people learn how to drive? Or, if it wasn't their fault, why don't any of the safety equipment in their cars work? Seat belts, Airbags etc. anyway, he discovers that his uncle always lurks around the house every night to try and find something that's been frustrating him. It turns out, as he's told, that there is a ticking clock hidden inside the walls of the house, and that each tick is a sign that they are close to death at any literal second. They must find this clock before it's too late. Lewis also wants to learn some magic tricks since Jonathan is technically his family. The film is surprisingly good at capturing some good spirit and heart, even if the drama and comedy are a little uneven from time to time. I think it works best as an Eli Roth movie more than anything else, considering that he is known for his gory and sadistic horror films such as 'Hostel' (2005) to 'Knock Knock' (2015), Roth clearly shows that he can choose to switch genres as well. The performances from the cast are good, and the movie will probably entertain your children too, some of the story does get a little lost in focus and some of the whimsy can feel a little underwhelming, but overall, I enjoyed it enough, and am curious to see what Roth will do next.… Expand