Do I see an end to this series? Yes....and no. Stephen King's web site says that part 8 is coming soon. Personally, I think they are trying to out live the Friday The 13th series. Many people that gave short reviews for Children Of The Corn 7: Revelation (2001) gave it very low ratings. To start, someone put the wrong synopsis on this film so I think that has confused people. When people think they know what they story basically is about and then it turns out to be something other than what they thought, most times people hate the film. Since I snuck a peak at the reviews before watching this film I knew ahead of time so wasn't disappointed by it.So what is COTC7 about? I shall tell you if you truly would like to know. Jamie (Claudette Mink) hasn't heard from her grandmother in some time and since her grandmother is the only family she has left, she is very worried about her. She finds out that her grandmother has been living in a run down apartment building that has been condemned. There are still a handful of people that still live there. There is Jerry (Troy Yorke), Tiffany (Crystal Lowe) and a guy that is never named but I assume is this guy listed in the credits as Cranky Man (John B. Destry). There is also two kids that seem to pop up out of no where all the time (Taylor Hobbs and Jeffery Ballard).
As the story starts to unfold, we find out that grandmother was part of a cult 60 years ago. When adults tried to stop the cult, the children set fire to themselves. All the children except one. A priest (Michael Ironside) tells Jamie that He Who Walks Behind The Rows doesn't think Jamie's parents or herself should have ever been born and wants to claim her. Can Jamie get away in time?
Really COTC7 is easily a stand-alone film. If it wasn't for the fact that they tied this movie in with the other movies by saying the cult was a corn cult and made of all children and the very quick reference to He Who Walks Behind The Rows, this could have been a movie with an all new title. It adds nothing new to what we already know except that the cult was around before we learn about it in the first movie. In truth, this is a ghost story. The children that died have come back to get the one that 'got away' and to get Jamie now that she is there.
I enjoyed the effects even though there wasn't a lot of them. Most of the effects was about the corn stalks coming to life and attacking people. Something that I haven't seen in this series since the third movie. I was glad to see that back. One of the more interesting deaths was when Tiffany was taking a bath and one of the two kids shows up beside the tub and drops some corn into the bath water. A few seconds later she is being attacked by corn stalks. I know it sounds stupid but trust me. The acting was fairly good as well. The only problem I really had with the characters is that the writers stereotyped them. Jerry is a druggie. Tiffany seemed rather slutty. And Cranky Man was just a very angry guy in a wheel chair. I thought they could have done a little better writing up the supporting cast.
I never figured out where this story was supposed to be taking place. From the scenes they show of the town I just assumed it was a small town out in the middle of no where but then they had a scene on top of the apartment building and off in the distance you could see some tall buildings that gave me the impression they were on the outskirts of a big city. Even so, I have to admit that I liked COTC7. It would have been nice if they had picked up the story where part 6 left off instead of taking a left turn into unexplored stories but it was still a good story. You really don't have to see the previous 6 films in order to understand this one. It explains everything you need to know for this story and only ties itself to the others by the ways I have already talked about. A nice little film for fans of the series and for those that enjoy ghost stories.
3 out of 5 Ghostly children
4 comments:
Well this sounds like one to add to my watch list, so thank you maam (tips my hat). I do not know if I could say I was a big fan of the series, but I have enjoyed all of them I have seen so far. But I do really enjoy a well made ghost story, so another reason to watch this one too, lol.
As we have discussed in the past, a movie without a lot of effects can still be a nice flick, if the effects are done well or make you visualize the rest of the action. You enjoyed the effects so that is a good sign for me as well. And like you, I would enjoy seeing the corn stalks coming back into play. Afterall, corn is suppose to be a major part of the series.
It is too bad they did not give the support roles a bit more substance. But if you think about it, those stereotypes are fairly common, not only in horrors but in many other types of movies as well. Sometimes they let them develop more into a real person for you, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule for me anyway.
But you can usually count on a least one druggie, and one not so virtuous lady, lol, and sometimes a geek is often included too. There seems to always be someone we tend to love to hate as well, usually an older male or female, that we smile when they buy the farm. Hey is that age discrimination....interesting thought, lol. Lmao, as you grow older you tend to think more about that issue. But Miss Heather has quite some time yet before you begin to ask that question (sticks out tongue).
Since the writer was brave enough to take that left turn, it is a shame they were not willing to flesh out those characters a bit more too. Maybe they tried to and the director cut things back to shorten the movie, who knows really.
Unlike many reviewers, I trust Miss Heather to tell it like it is, both plot and the strenghts vs weaknesses. I read your reviews and smile, because I feel like you are just discussing the movie you have just seen with a friend. You want them to know your thoughs so they can decide if they want to watch it or stay clear of the typical hype found on the dvd cases or in many reviews.
So thank you sweet lady, for being here for this friend/fan. You have added a ton of movies to my watch list, and reminded me of several I enjoyed in the past enough to want to find them again (grinning). And being willing to suffer through the really poor ones, so your friends/fans don't have to waste their time is a genuine public service in my book at least, lol.
I am writing this one, already wondering what your next movie will be. It won't be number 8 since it is not out yet, so whatever it is I hope this "I liked it" trend continues too.
I just got my bloody hands (a strnge grin while sharpening a long knife, lol) on two I really enjoyed. The Mummy (1932) with Boris Karloff, and The Howling (1980). I guess I cut my horror teeth on the classics, so The Mummy made me smile and brought back some very pleasant memories of my youth, lol. Those nice days when a good horror would make me check the closet and under my bed several times before I could hope to fall asleep.
Since I started with the classics, I enjoy werewolf movies if I feel they are done well anyway. I enjoyed The Howling, maybe because it was not so far out that it was hard to feel...that could never happen. Recently I watched Dog Soldiers, and probably preferred it a little more, because it tended to be faster paced, and mixed horror with action, although it clearly was a horror movie.
Just some food for thought, if any of these might sound intriguing to you sweet lady. I hope there is no b l o g rule I am unaware of that says the fan can not mention a few to the reviewer. But if there is, you have been sweet enough to never throw the rule in my face anyway (tips my hat). You suggest so many movies that I watch again or for the first time, I would be happy to return that favor to Miss Heather as well (grinning).
Well when you find the time, please keep your cards and letters comming...your fans really do enjoy them Miss Heather (tips my hat).
No there is no rule saying you can't suggest movies to me, in fact I don't mind it at all. With so many horror movies out there it is easy for a good film to slip by.
Dog Soldiers is on my list to watch but not sure when it will get here for me to watch. The Howling I have here on dvd. It is another film that spawned a lot of sequels. I also have all the old monster movies on dvd but have yet to get around to watching those. One day I will. I can't be a true fan until I hit the classics so I will do that someday.
You are making me smile when you say you have some of the old classics. Unfortunately sweet lady, they will not affect either one of us now like they would have early on for us. But I hope when you sit down and watch them, you at least smile some and think..you know for its day, this was something.
I am glad there is no rule, lol. You have given me so many I want to find and watch, I am happy to be able to return that favor Miss Heather (tips my hat).
Hello !!!!
Another cotc, huh??? I believe you are right , they are going for a record !!!! The truth is, this one sounds interesting. I like it when a series expounds away from the original thesis , but stays within reason. That tends to open up a bunch of possibilities. Another great job reviewing !!You are the best!!!See you later, my mermaid angel
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