The Babadook

[DoktorH]

I enjoyed the Babadook. kind of a Laird BArron meets Dr Seuss sort of thing.

I wonder whether this (or at least the original Struwwelpeter book) junk-opera by the Tiger Lillies wasn't an influence on the film

Shockheaded Peter - YouTube

Mark S.

[majickdog]

Quote Originally Posted by Hell-Ghost

I have yet to see this film; and I may never for I scarcely watch television nowadays, but this film does sound a little more inventive and interesting than most so-called "horror films" to-day, even if it does, as Mr. Davies claims, disintegrate into CGI, which is normally a sin I never forgive.

There's no CGI in the movie. Everything was done in camera, and there was certainly nothing ever the top about it. In fact, all of the criticisms on this page seem to be coming from people who never saw the movie. I only say that because all of the criticisms on this page are so very wrong that they seem to be describing other movies. This is like a smaller version of the incredibly wrong-headed True Detective thread.
It's a simple story about post-partum depression. A horror film for mothers; everyone else will be on the outside looking in. It's pretty good, but it requires a little patience. It doesn't exactly clip along.
Good flick, though. For what it's worth, it won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the Australian Film Institute awards.
This post will probably create some ire in the community, but I'm posting it anyway.

[Robert Adam Gilmour]

There are no wholly cgi creations but I'm fairly sure the creature's appearances are assisted with computer effects to blend in with the dark and obscure certain parts of it but I think it's done well. So that's definitely not one of my complaints.

The best thing I can say is that the director is clearly very skilled and although this was mostly a solid film, I expect she will do much better films. Just hope she isn't one of those people who never better their first film.

[teguififthzeal]

"Starry Eyes", about a satanic film agency who recruits an unknowing girl, is way better than the "Babadook".

[Stu]

I'll keep a look out for Starry Eyes.

[Biely Králik]

Great Italian Horror Film.

[Ascrobius]

I haven't seen it, but will. I would, however, like a copy of "the book" from the film if only one actually existed. When I saw the trailer, it evoked many strange, unsettling feelings of my childhood and how bizarre some pop-up books can be when you are a child, and it made me want to see the film for the "prop" and what would be done with it, as it were. There seemed to be a Ligottian "vibe" creeping around in there somewere, but again, I've yet to see it.

[Robin Davies]

Quote Originally Posted by majickdog

There's no CGI in the movie. Everything was done in camera, and there was certainly nothing ever the top about it.

Maybe I overstated the case. There's not a lot of CGI (or special camera effects or whatever they are) but it seemed to run into the same problem that so many horror films run into these days (The Woman in Black had similar problems). They start off by producing a real feeling of unease in the viewer by presenting plausible imagery and glimpses and hints of the supernatural - but then they feel they have to escalate things frantically so we get elaborate special effects, loud noises, furniture jumping around, people being dragged by invisible forces etc. etc. - at which point I just lose touch with it. I admit that this may be just my personal taste but I get so frustrated by films like this which promise so much but then go (in my view) over the top. I find films like Absentia and Lake Mungo much more effective because of their (comparative) restraint.
I know The Babadook has been highly praised, the acting is of a high standard and I wouldn't criticise anyone who likes it. I just wish I had liked it more.

Quote

In fact, all of the criticisms on this page seem to be coming from people who never saw the movie.

Um, as I said, I did watch it!

[Speaking Mute]

Quote Originally Posted by Robin Davies

Quote Originally Posted by majickdog There's no CGI in the movie. Everything was done in camera, and there was certainly nothing ever the top about it. Maybe I overstated the case. There's not a lot of CGI (or special camera effects or whatever they are) but it seemed to run into the same problem that so many horror films run into these days (The Woman in Black had similar problems). They start off by producing a real feeling of unease in the viewer by presenting plausible imagery and glimpses and hints of the supernatural - but then they feel they have to escalate things frantically so we get elaborate special effects, loud noises, furniture jumping around, people being dragged by invisible forces etc. etc. - at which point I just lose touch with it. I admit that this may be just my personal taste but I get so frustrated by films like this which promise so much but then go (in my view) over the top. I find films like Absentia and Lake Mungo much more effective because of their (comparative) restraint. I know The Babadook has been highly praised, the acting is of a high standard and I wouldn't criticise anyone who likes it. I just wish I had liked it more. Quote In fact, all of the criticisms on this page seem to be coming from people who never saw the movie. Um, as I said, I did watch it!

hmmm...it seems that your issue with supernatural horror films is that they actually show supernatural events?

I can understand that the missue of CG (or even practical) effects can render supernatural events mundane - a supposedly otherworldly monster gets reduced to a nasty octopus or giant bug or likewise. But this was not the case with The Babadook. However vividly it's manifestation was portrayed on screen, the Babadook kept a certain irreality so far as I'm concerned, never quite being fully part of our world.

I think Babadook did a much better job than Absentia in this regard . I think both suffered from slow pacing. But Absentia had much more needless melodrama. In addition, the monsters in Absentia were pretty much just playing with their food. I find predation a fairly boring motive, even if the predators are supernatural or extraterrestrial in origin. And then the monsters in Absentia were pretty much giant centipedes - not particularly interesting or imaginative. The Babadook's connection to the family was never resolved and never fully addressed, rendering the spirit - if it was that - a much more mysterious entity.