I finally watched Troll Hunter this weekend. Like many films that would have otherwise flown under my radar, I heard about this one from Alex J. Cavanaugh. It was a fun, entertaining movie.
Like a lot of low budget films coming out these days, this is a "found footage" mockumentary, or in other words, a fictional film made to appear real. Most of it is very well done. Unlike The Blair Witch Project, or Cloverfield, the hand held camera aspect never gets so herky-jerky that it makes you dizzy. The special effects are also mostly very good. There was one scene near the beginning that got a little cheesy and could have been done better, but after that most of the shots were amazing. The scene on the bridge in particular was incredibly well done, if you've seen the movie.
Anyway, this dark fantasy is definitely worth a rental (it's currently on Netflix streaming, so if you have that, it's free) if you enjoy that kind of thing, but might be a little scary for young children. It's rated PG-13 for some sequences of creature terror.
From IMDB:
A group of students investigates a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter.
I've heard many good things about this movie, but have been hemming and hawing a bit because I don't like handheld camera work. But if you say it's not Blair With or Cloverfield quality, I just might give this a view.
ReplyDeleteBlair Witch was awful and overrated. I may give this one a try though.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check this out. When I watch a movie by myself because I doubt my family would watch it with me.
ReplyDeleteI loved Blair Witch, but do admit I had more than a couple minutes of vertigo while watching.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this one, but for some reason I find it so funny that part of the premise is a group of students investigating a series of mysterious bear killings. I suppose this is covered in the movie, but why do students care about bears and what qualifies them to "investigate" them?
See? If you and Alex hadn't mentioned this, this movie wouldn't have even made it across my radar. It it was called Troll and Sensibility, maybe.
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong that I've never heard of this film? I bet it will be out in the UK, like, a zillion years from now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation. We do have netflix so it is always nice when we don't have to pay extra on our movie nights.
ReplyDeleteTroll hunter. Seriously, Matt? ;p
ReplyDeleteMATT! I have this on my list to view! My friend recommended that I'd watch it...I have the original Swedish version w/ subtitles (I think it's Swedish, anyway!) He raved about it, knowing just how much I love those mocumentaries. I thought Blair Witch rocked and Cloverfield scary (I saw this in the theater and the jets flying overhead blew me away!) Okay, I'm definitely going to watch this next! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI watched it. I thought it was great. Laughed out loud at the troll under the bridge scene.
ReplyDeleteA mockumentary? lol!
ReplyDeleteMatt, I haven't see it yet although I know my guys want to.
God, I hated the way Cloverfield was shot. It was too distracting. Ugh.
Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
I liked Cloverfield. Maybe I would like this.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to give this a chance if it's more exciting than Blair Witch. Everyone loved that movie. I thought it was boring. Running around, running around, running around and crying... and then the only 'exciting' stuff happens during the last 2 minutes. Blah.
ReplyDeletePlease Hollywood, don't remake!
ReplyDelete:-)
Take care
x
Sounds good to me. I'll have to add it to my Netflix queue.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check that out! I've already got Attack the Block on my queue thanks to Alex.
ReplyDeleteGlad you checked it out! It came highly recommended by George at Cinemarvellous, which is why I watched it. Word of mouth really does work.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this movie so much! It was just so fun and also kind of terrifying.
ReplyDeleteMy 15-year-old is the cinephile in the family, and this sounds like his sorta thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm all proper and costume drama, as befits the Brit roots. (Downton Abbey = Yay!!)
Blogger isn't showing me whatever pic/vid you have chosen to start the piece. You might want to investigate, or it could just be me.
Happy PD. (All the kids are at home, but poor wife has to work.)
Yay!! The photo's there now. That's one knobbly-kneed, hairy-a**ed behemoth. (Might be worth watching after all!)
ReplyDeleteI'm undecided about how I feel about that herky-jerky kind of filming - I think I prefer my movies a bit more polished looking. Blair Witch and Paranormal Activity kind of annoyed me...but it could be because I wanted a good scare and they didn't deliver. I might give this one a try...I've got THE RIVER TV series uploaded and waiting to be watched. My hesitation has been the filming style.
ReplyDeleteDarn, I cancelled Netflix, and, apparently, after searching for a way to watch Pulp Fiction on Friday night, have found out that there are very few video stores on the Eastside (I'm not driving to Renton to rent a flick.) What to do, what to do?
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this one, but I was married to him once. The Troll not the hunter.
ReplyDeletehi mr matthew! i didnt ever hear of this movie before and it sounds pretty exciting. i like that kinda movie. we got that netflix streaming so for sure im gonna watch it maybe even tonight. thanks for posting about it.
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
Funny, I wrote this one down from Alex's blog too. Sounds like it might be a little hard core for my crew (7 and 10) so it'll have to wait a few years.
ReplyDeleteOooh. Adding the queue. Didn't know it was streaming on Netflix!
ReplyDeleteThat movie poster made me laugh. Like, all it takes is one carefully placed Troll footstep and voila! The movie's over. Bye bye, protagonist!
ReplyDeletePerhaps it will become another of those B movie favorites.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a take on a 'Sasquatch' in the photo. (a creature found in the northwestern rainforests, so they say)
If it was troll hunting in Paris -- then maybe I'd rent it (like hunting for Quasimodo).
Well, if it's at all scary, count me out. I can't do scary at all. I'm a total coward when it comes to movies.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to let my older sons watch this one. It sounds right up their alley!
ReplyDeleteChris Columbus is gonna do the H'wood remake to this. Fact.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get through the Blair one but I'll definitely give this one a bash.
ReplyDeleteI've had this in my hands before at Hastings and put it back for some reason. Time to add it to my queue! :)
ReplyDeleteI thought this movie was stupid.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been into many of the mockumentary type of movies. I think The Blair Witch Project sort of turned me off. But if the camera shots aren't as bad - or make me feel nauseated - then I wouldn't mind giving this on a chance.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so ridiculous that it could just be awesome. I'll give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteSounds cool. When's the book coming out?
ReplyDeleteThe photo from it looks kind of silly. Like the truck dropped from the troll's pants.
ReplyDelete:)
But if you say it's good, I believe you! :)
Yeah, I enjoyed it, though a few of the monster shots were a little silly. Less is more might have been better with some of those scenes, but it was definitely interesting. Particularly as I've actually been in some of those areas. :)
ReplyDeletesounds interesting, sir shaved ape!
ReplyDeleteCool! I'll have to check it out. I'm not that into creature terror-type-stuff these days, but I'm interested in the handling of special effects and other elements in low-budget films. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the film too. The trolls were awesome for such a low budget film.
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend this one to my husband because it sounds like something he'd enjoy (and hey, we have Netflix streaming), but Blair Witch made him sick--we had to leave the theater!
ReplyDeleteI've almost watched it half a dozen times. I never seem to be able to quite pull the trigger on starting it though. Maybe I will soon.
ReplyDeleteAfter several glasses of wine? Sure, I'd watch it :)
ReplyDeleteit sounds like something that is going to show up on CHILL or SCIFI...I love these kind of movies!
ReplyDeleteOooo, i'll have to stick this up on Netflix soon. I've been wanting to give it a shot for a while.
ReplyDeleteI watched MoneyBall with Brad Pitt last night and cried like a bloody blithering idiot! What a great story.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen it yet?
I'd never even heard of this one until now. I might have to check it out, though by size it looks more like a giant than a troll.
ReplyDeleteMy wife gets queasy with shaky-cam movies, so I don't get to see many of them. I really liked Blair Witch and Cloverfield, though, and I want to see Chronicle. I haven't heard about this one, I'll try to sneak it in some day...
ReplyDeleteLooks cool. Is there any gore? If there's gore I might have to hide under the bed covers through those bits ;o)
ReplyDeleteI love found footage mockumentaries. This is something I'd watch.
ReplyDelete