Gallows, The (10/12/2015)

Rated R for some disturbing violent content and terror.

Starring Cassidy Gifford, Pfeifer Brown, Reese Mishler, Alexis Schneider, Ryan Shoos and Price T. Morgan

Directed by Travis Cluff and Chris Lofing

This film didn’t look good in the trailer…and it wasn’t.

Twenty years after an accident caused the death of the lead actor during a high school play, students at the same small town school resurrect the failed stage production in a misguided attempt to honor the anniversary of the tragedy—but ultimately find out that some things are better left alone.

I’ve said it before and I am saying it again, can we please stop making films where the characters are the cameramen?!? It’s been done to death and at this point it is just plain annoying. Ok sorry, I’m done venting…well at least until some other filmmaker decides to save a ton of money and just run around with a handheld video camera.

The cast is made up of relatively fresh faces. I want to believe they did the best they could have with what they had to work with, but they come across as more annoying than believable.

The story is a complete mess. There are major holes in the plot that include no explanation why the obnoxious jock is video taping everything thing like a geeked-out Steve Spielberg wannabe. There’s also a major gap in how Pfeiffer got Reese and his friends to come to the school to allow her to unfold her plan.

But my guess is filmmakers, like Travis and Chris, don’t care enough to answer those questions or to make a better quality film, they know that teenagers will go see this movie because it’s “scary.”

The shaky hand-held camerawork, the annoying characters and a serious absence of anything resembling a scary movie, The Gallows is a “Coaster.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Surprisingly there is no sex or nudity in the teen horror film, but there are several scenes that may frighten younger viewers.

There is 1 F-word and a few other mild profanity.

There are jump scares throughout and one scene where the ghost slowly creeps up in the background.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What is the “event” that has lead to the killings in this story?


2. What do you think would have happened if Pfeifer and her mom forgave Rick?

Read Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


3. How much have you been forgiven?


4. Who in your life do you need to forgive?