It was double movie night at Merlin Cinema’s Scala in Prestatyn and the second film of the night was the aptly titled, The House with the Clock in its Walls.
What’s that? Do you hear the ticking? I was invited to go on a magical adventure to The House with a Clock in Its Walls, the new magical movie starring Jack Black and Oscar-winner, Cate Blanchett. The movie has been brought to us by the folks that brought us the iconic classics such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Back to the Future and The BFG.
In the tradition of Amblin classics where fantastical events occur in the most unexpected places, Jack Black and two-time Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett star in The House with a Clock in Its Walls. The magical adventure tells the spine-tingling tale of 10-year-old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart. But his new town’s sleepy façade jolts to life with a secret world of warlocks and witches when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.
Imagine a movie that is like a cross between Harry Potter and Goosebumps and you have The House with the Clock in the Walls, sitting down to watch the film last night, I wasn’t overly sure of what to expect from the film, I have to say that I loved the trailer and it was the visuals in the trailer that sold it to me.
I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed with the film, it’s a film that is really aimed at the kids, no matter how big they are, the special effects in the film look brilliant and work well with the story, there are some moments that may scare the very young children such as a character coming back from the grave and the pumpkins that have a taste for flesh and spew out their sticky insides to trap their victims.
What really surprised me about The House with the Clock in its Walls is that the move was directed by Eli Roth, yes the same director that brought us Cabin Fever and the gruesome Hostel, but while watching the movie, you can see where is macabre humour comes into play for the film that is based on the novel by John Bellairs.
Jack Black is perfect in the part of Jonathan Barnavelt, but I did feel that at any moment he would find the Pick of Destiny and something crazy would happen, but it’s obvious that he doesn’t need that in this spooky movie. Being a fan of Cate Blanchett, I really enjoyed her in the role of Florence Zimmerman, a witch that has lost her spark and no matter how she tries, her magic just isn’t up to scratch.
Owen Vaccaro is charming as Lewis Barnavelt and he certainly brings the character to life on the screen as he takes up residence with his uncle (Jack Black) and starts to discover that there is more to his uncle, Florence and the house, which once belonged to Isaac Izard as Warlock that after returning from the war had changed him, great to see Kyle MacLachlan in the role as both the young Isaac and a very sinister one that wouldn’t have looked out of place at Twin Peaks.
The House with the Clock in the Walls is a charming and fun kids movie, one that parents can enjoy with the kids as well, the only let down for me was that of the CGI of a character in the last part of the film, I won’t tell you who as it will spoil it for you, but besides that one little thing, this is a movie that is crazy and if you love wizards and spooks then this is the one or you.
Can you hear the ticking?
Movie title: The House with the Clock in its Walls
Movie description: A young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world.
Date published: September 27, 2018
Director(s): Eli Roth
Actor(s): Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Summary
A fun family movie that is fun for all ages.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
