• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Film

Film Review: The House With A Clock In Its Walls

While the prospect of Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel, Grindhouse) as a kid’s movie director might feel like a strange concept to most, in reality, and as weird as it might sound, it looks like the master of gore and tasteless horror has managed to pull off the impossible in his brand new Amblin produced adventure, The House With […]

Linda Marric by Linda Marric
2018-09-21 22:22
in Film, Film Reviews, Uncategorised
The London Economic

The London Economic

FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

While the prospect of Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel, Grindhouse) as a kid’s movie director might feel like a strange concept to most, in reality, and as weird as it might sound, it looks like the master of gore and tasteless horror has managed to pull off the impossible in his brand new Amblin produced adventure, The House With A Clock in its Walls. Based on the first volume of a much loved children’s series of books written by John Bellairs and illustrated by Edward Gorey, the film may not present a wholly new idea, but it still manages to offer a fun and engaging story full of playful hijinks and a rather impressive steampunk aesthetic.

After the death of both of his parents, ten year old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) goes to live with his eccentric uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in a creaky old house which appears to have a mysterious ticking noise living inside its walls. Soon Lewis discovers that both his uncle Jonathan and his highly-strung neighbour Florence (Cate Blanchett) are in fact two powerful warlocks who seem more than happy to pass on their vast expertise onto their new charge. All hell breaks loose when Lewis accidentally uses dark magic to awaken a recently deceased sinister figure named Isaac Izard (Kyle MacLachlan), a powerful dark wizard who is hell-bent on destroying the world and everyone in it.

While some might be tempted to make the comparison between Roth’s film and recent favourites such as Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (Brad Silberling, 2004), what really stands out in this particular offering is that it is far scarier and darker than the films it tries to emulate. Capitalising on its shambolic aesthetic, and a deftly handled dialogue, The House With A Clock in its Walls appears to be more than aware of its demographic, even if some parents might feel the need to consult the BBFC before committing themselves to this hugely enjoyable, brilliantly anarchic caper.

Jack Black offers a wonderfully ornate and fitting performance as the shambolic uncle Jonathan, a performance which benefits hugely from Black’s own brand of physical comedy and likeable japes. For her part, Cate Blanchett is as delightful as ever in a role which is a million miles away from her usual Oscar winning turns, but which she nevertheless still manages to make her own. 

On the whole, and despite its less than perfect screenplay, The House With A Clock in its Walls still manages to offer something out of the ordinary in this fantastically well observed family film, which mixes horror and comedy with great results.

RelatedPosts

Cannes 2022 Review: Top Gun: Maverick

Cannes 2022 Review: Final Cut

Oscars: Ricky Gervais mocks Will Smith as length of ban slammed online

Film Review: Cry Macho

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

‘Difficult to say what Government will do’ as UK to expect tens of thousands of deaths in second wave

Brexit might cause ‘black Friday’, says George Soros

Young Brits Are Working Too Hard – It’s Time For A Decent Holiday

Electric vehicle owners may soon be able to recharge their cars in just 10 minutes

Boris tells UN General Assembly: Kermit the Frog was wrong

Economic round up – April 2018

Weather forecast, alerts and UVB index for London, Tuesday 24 November 2020

‘Barbaric:’ Scottish & Welsh ministers condemn proposals on Channel crossings

Jonny’s Shares

Supermarket bosses warn October Brexit could hit Christmas shoppers

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.