Timewaster's Guide Archive

Departments => Movies and TV => Topic started by: stacer on March 27, 2006, 03:02:42 AM

Title: Skeleton Key
Post by: stacer on March 27, 2006, 03:02:42 AM

Anyone else seen this? It's out on DVD now, and I rented it as part of my convalescence marathon. (I tell you, I've been bored silly this last week.)

I was discussing with Mad Dr. Jeffe while I was watching it how scary movie music is all the same--it's meant to manipulate you to be scared. But even so--it always succeeds with me. So that's one point in the movie's favor--lots of scary music.

Another thing I thought was really interesting was that it was really a Bluebeard tale. At the beginning of the story, the lady of the house gives the girl (Kate Hudson) a skeleton key that she says will open any room in the house--and upon exploring the house, which has no mirrors, she finds a hidden room in the attic with lots of voodoo (or rather, hoodoo) paraphernalia. And when she opens the door, she also opens a can of worms.

So, anyone else seen this? What did you think? I didn't expect to like it--it started out as your standard predictable horror flick. But it had a nice twist at the end that I sort of saw coming but didn't really get till it paid off at the end, and leaves you torn on which side you wanted to win.

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: Mad Dr Jeffe on March 27, 2006, 01:01:23 PM

Its fascinating that an old concept like Bluebeard translates so well into a modern story. But I think it grabs us precisely because it teaches us that curiosity can be dangerous. Oddly it doesnt teach us that its wrong. Thats an interesting point I think. Sort of a response to "its always been that way" a curious person explores using a powerful tool discovers a secret and then solves the mystery and "saves the day". Its a very greek philosophy type of story.

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: stacer on March 27, 2006, 01:09:30 PM

It also makes me wonder if Skeleton Key is based on some Creole version of Bluebeard. I hate to say too much for fear of giving away the twist. It was hard to know which point of view you wanted to be rooting for, though, given the backstory.

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: Skar on March 27, 2006, 01:31:01 PM

What do you all mean by "bluebeard"?

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: Mad Dr Jeffe on March 27, 2006, 01:33:00 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebeard

Warning potential spoiler... :D

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: Fellfrosch on March 27, 2006, 05:28:05 PM

What I want to know is, why hasn't Disney done Bluebeard yet?

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: stacer on March 27, 2006, 06:09:50 PM

Hahaha, now that would be an interesting Disneyfication process. "What do we do with the dead wives in the locked room, again?"

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: Mad Dr Jeffe on March 27, 2006, 07:30:41 PM

turn them into slapstick ghosts who conspire to help the newest wife escape.

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: fuzzyoctopus on March 27, 2006, 07:52:53 PM

Quote

turn them into slapstick ghosts who conspire to help the newest wife escape.

You know, he's right.  If you don't like the movie, try the band.  Skeleton Key is an awsome band.

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: Shrain on March 27, 2006, 10:57:53 PM

Quote

turn them into slapstick ghosts who conspire to help the newest wife escape.

Jeffe, you'll make millions one day.  ;D

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: Mad Dr Jeffe on March 27, 2006, 11:12:21 PM

I certainly hope so.

Im on the phone with Disney right now.

Title: Re: Skeleton Key
Post by: darkjetti81 on April 04, 2006, 08:48:20 PM

The Skeleton Key was an imaginative story, but didn't have a dramatic enough climax.  The plot was really going somewhere, but I was like "what the hell?" at the end of the movie.  

In conclusion... it's a rental, not something you should regret not seeing in theatres.