Session 9 - huh???/ wow!!! (slight SPOILERS)

[zipperha]

What a wonderful movie. It wasn't just eerie it was realistic and mystifying. It relied more on the psychological effects of the asylum on the five workers rather than any sort of unknown entity haunting them. It also had striking visuals reminiscent of some in "Event Horizon" and "Suspiria". When most people go to see a rent or movie they look for something to entertain them. While this movie is not action-packed and is WAY not a slasher movie, it is so psychologically interesting you find yourself utterly enthralled. If anyone is talking while you are watching the last 10 minutes or so, do yourself a favor and shoot them.

My only critique of the movie is its utter confusingness. While this may be a sign of good filmaking (the writers must have thought of something brilliant or else the movie would be easy to understand), but I need closure after the movie. The correlation between Mary Hobbes/Simon/Gordon is never fully explained, but it wouldn't be as fun if it didn't screw with you.

On a final note this movie relies not just on atmosphere: thats whats so intriguing. Despite the lobatomy tables, inmate cells, dark tunnels, and eerie lighting/music aplenty, the film depends heavily on the psychological conditions of those who are affected by their surroundings and by what they allow themselves to imagine. This is style with substance.

[raphroehler]

The film was damn creepy. You're absolutely right about the atmosphere. That insane asylum just hooked me in and never let me go, and the great acting (especially by David Caruso) just made the film better.

[Elgyn]

I love this movie, I think it`s the best movie I`ve seen in recent years.

[zipperha]

What else has the guy who played Gordon been in? He's so wonderful in this movie. Even in the worst situations, he was very sympathetic. He looked like he could be Ewan McGregor's dad, also a plus.

[Psychocandy]

His name is Peter Mullan and he's been in some damn fine movies the best of which is probably My Name Is Joe in which he plays a recovering alcoholic whose life goes to pieces in some of the worse possible ways. A very good movie. He also directed a movie called Orphans which was nothing short of a masterpiece. He also had a small role in Trainspotting as Swanney. He is a very talented actor and being Scottish myself and a huge fan of horror movies I was very proud to see him do such a cool flick and put in such a deep and multilayered performance.

Anyway...I watched this movie tonight...in the dark...alone. Big fucking mistake. Anyone seen Ring? The final scene in Ring scared me real bad as did a couple of other scenes to a lesser degree throughout the movie. Session 9 pretty much scared me from start to finish. It was a combination of the setting & the quality of the acting on display. The performances were 100% on the ball right across the board. As for the asylum itself...i'm getting shivers up and down my spine as i'm typing this. That was one scary assed building. I'm gonna watch it again with some friends but i'm gonna hang off until Halloween. Those pussies are gonna need some fresh fucking underwear by the time Session 9 is finished fucking with their mind. This joins Ring, The Devil's Backbone and The Others as one of the finest horror movies in recent years. 4.5/5

[This message has been edited by Psychocandy (edited 08-04-2002).]

[Psychocandy]

In addition to my post above and the review therein...i'd just like to post this "review" of Session 9 I read at Amazon.com...

"This is a movie that attempts to be a horror flick, but is actually lacking in a plot. There is a setting, and a basis for what the characters are doing, but the storyline is impossible to follow about halfway into the movie. Scenes jump from one to another, and there is no indication of how the scenes are connected so you are left more frustrated than frightened out of the fact that you don't know what is going on in the movie. The movie doesn't have good acting performances and the story did not have any charactor development."

Eh? What fucking movie did this guy see? Sure as shit wasn't the same one as me. Opinion is one thing and everyone is entitled to their own but some of the comments in this review are just out and out lies. Idiot.

[Candyman666]

I love, love, love this movie, but I had to watch it twice because it was ruined the first time. Why, you ask? Because my friends have the attention span of goldfish, and according to them, the movie sucked.

It sucks having friends who consider a movie bad if it didn't cost over 30 million to make. Besides that they're cool though.

Hooray for me.

[Inglorious]

At my local video store they have two copies of this movie on DVD and 2 on Video, 1 DVD was stolen and the videos are always gone. One DVD I thought was finally there, when I took it up he said "Rollerball and Jeepers Creepers are due back in 5 days, Seseme Str. is due back tomorrow" I said "Seseme Str.???" He said "Ya, elmos Adventure" or some shit like that. I had not looked at name on side of DVD case(You know Blockbuster has the case behind the box, you grab the one behind the box...) Well I never get to get it and I don't know if it's worth going to Hollywood Video, I'm 14 so I have no car I have to get a ride and take the lecture.....well it's worth it if I do right?

So what WERE you gonna be when you grew up??? http://www.joblo.com/ubb/frown.gif

[Batgirl1979]

I just rented this movie last week, alone and in the dark. I'll tell you I was up for quite awhile with all the lights turned on in my house.I highly recommend this film
to those who like to have their minds played with.

I never realised how fuck'in freaky
a "chair" could be till I watched this
movie.
---------------------------------
F.E.A.R~Fear Fuck Everything And Run
http://www.westwoodi.net/~smilies/contrib/edoom/microwave.gif

[Jewbo]

finaly saw it last night. it was damn good. some amazing and really freaky scenes. only thing bout it that i didnt like was the ending. just b4 the ending it was pushing the suspense really well then ud expect summin big at the end to pay of all the suspense (like ring does) and it doesnt. i was geting quite scared then the ending calmed me down. but it was still a fantastic film.

[Lord Crumb]

Originally posted by Jewbo
finaly saw it last night. it was damn good. some amazing and really freaky scenes. only thing bout it that i didnt like was the ending. just b4 the ending it was pushing the suspense really well then ud expect summin big at the end to pay of all the suspense (like ring does) and it doesnt. i was geting quite scared then the ending calmed me down. but it was still a fantastic film. Wow. Really??? I LOVE the ending. It's SO unsettling!

MAJOR SPOILERS: (highlight to read: )
When you hear Simon's voice saying "I live in the weak and the wounded". That statement is SO disturbing. Think about it: There is some kind of demon/ghost/etc. jumping from body to body for God knows HOW long! It was in Mary Hobbes (and you never know where it had been prior to possessing her!), and then it jumps into Gordon right at the beginning when he's touring the hospital and you hear Simon say "Hello, Gordon". I think it's one hell of an ending. Really gives me the creeps. You just wonder to yourself "How long has Simon been around and who's the next weak and wounded person unlucky enough to come across the spirit?"
END MAJOR SPOILERS

[Jewbo]

Originally posted by Lord Crumb
Wow. Really??? I LOVE the ending. It's SO unsettling!

MAJOR SPOILERS: (highlight to read: )

END MAJOR SPOILERS

thats probibly y i gave it 8/10. its a film everyone has an opinion on after. my opinion is that it could have been done better. tho after watchin it with the directors comentary on it made me think abit more about it. 1 the that dissapointed me was simons voice the other 2 were creepy as hell but his wasnt really.
still a great film.

[JivaFox]

Oh so THAT'S what it was all about! I didn't understand it. Now I do, and thanks, I actually enjoyed the film now I know what it was about. :D

8.5/10

[Tarman]

Movie sucks-over and out

[Lord Crumb]

Originally posted by Tarman
Movie sucks-over and out Hey, now that you mention it...it DOES suck! Man, and here I was, thinking what a phenomenal film SESSION 9 is.
Well, thank you SO much for enlightening us with your in-depth critique. Next time, would you be so kind to support your opinions with something other than "over and out". All this says is that you've got no backing argument and that pretty much nullifies your opinion.
SESSION 9 is one of THE most impressive genre films of the last twenty years. It's a masterpiece which rivals THE SHINING. Brilliant acting, direction, script, atmosphere, SCORE (oh, man, do I love that score), etc.
So, maybe you'd like to tell us WHY S9 sucks so bad???

[Dr. Giggles]

You say it brother. You gave him the business.

[Jewbo]

im with u there Lord Crumb, that score was amazing.

[Tarman]

All right captain since I have to explain myself to you and others.The movie never picks up and I feel is lacking in alot of departments.The acting was OK but I didnt like the plot of the movie.I think I went into the movie thinking it was going to be alot better.I think it just dragged to much and never really had much going on.The sessions on tape were pretty cool but that was about it.I kept waiting for something to happen and nothing really did.So I dont like it and others do.No big deal.

[Lord Crumb]

Tarman, It's not that you "have to" explain yourself, it's just that these boards are for discussing films...posts like that do not constitute a discussion. I don't like it when people say "that sucks" with no rhyme or reason. We're here to talk film, man, c'mon!
Anyhow, back OT, I must say tarman, that I think you should give it another watch sometime down the road. I know I had mixed feelings about it my first time, but after a second, third and fourth viewing, it just got better and better and BETTER. In terms of the acting being "OK", I have to disagree with you there...I think Peter Mullan (Gordon) gives an absolutely ASTOUNDING performance in it. He brought SO much life to that film, I can't even think of what it would be without him. I thought eveyone else was great as well, but it's hard to notice them in Mullan's shadow...never have I felt so much pity for a character...
Now as far as pace goes, yes, some may consider it slow, but I think it works beautifully. Do you like The Shining? that film has a very slow pace as well...maybe it has more of a pay-off for some, but I think S9 is just as good...if not better.

Anyhow, sorry if my post was a bit harsh, bud. No hard feelings. It's just one of my favs. ;)

[HAL]

Jewbo - I disagree with you about the ending.



SPOILERS

The overhead pan of the hospital, combined with the final dialogue ("...and where do you live, Simon?" "I live in the weak and the wounded...Doc.") was a wonderful way to end the film. Everytime I watch this film (I've seen it 3 times) the ending leaves me feeling quite disturbed and shaken. God, I love this movie!

[Tarman]

Well shit Crumb,maybe I should give it a second chance.Ill pick it up again this weekend and maybe it will be better the second time around.I dont see it anywhere close to The Shining but maybe another view will change my mind.

[Lord Crumb]

Originally posted by Tarman
Well shit Crumb,maybe I should give it a second chance.Ill pick it up again this weekend and maybe it will be better the second time around.I dont see it anywhere close to The Shining but maybe another view will change my mind. Depending on when you saw it, give it a couple of months in between viewings...oh yeah, and watching it alone in the dark always helps as well! :D

[HorrorIsLife]

I live only a few miles away from the Denver State Hospital...... You used to be able to go there before the movie was made, but now it's watched 24/7...no one can even get through the gate.
I've been there before the movie though....And let me tell you it's IS one Creepy place, and this is before I heard all the Shizat that went on there!!! I'm glad you can't get in anymore!!!

[Boogeyman]

This movie was really great! It scared the shit out of me. I love the last statement o the movie. Its just great. I suggest it to anyone and everyone.

later

[Giselle]

Originally posted by HorrorIsLife
I live only a few miles away from the Denver State Hospital...... You used to be able to go there before the movie was made, but now it's watched 24/7...no one can even get through the gate.
I've been there before the movie though....And let me tell you it's IS one Creepy place, and this is before I heard all the Shizat that went on there!!! I'm glad you can't get in anymore!!!

It was the Danvers hospital.

[C-Desecration-]

When you hear Simon's voice saying "I live in the weak and the wounded". That statement is SO disturbing. Think about it: There is some kind of demon/ghost/etc. jumping from body to body for God knows HOW long! It was in Mary Hobbes (and you never know where it had been prior to possessing her!), and then it jumps into Gordon right at the beginning when he's touring the hospital and you hear Simon say "Hello, Gordon". I think it's one hell of an ending. Really gives me the creeps. You just wonder to yourself "How long has Simon been around and who's the next weak and

Lord Crumb, I think you missed the point of the ending.
There is no demon/ghost, whatnot. It is purely split-personality syndrome.
" I live in the weak and the wounded"; reffering to another personality created one the origional cannot handle what is happening to them. With Mary, she had a trouble life--and thus created other personalities to handle what she herself could not.
Gordon was weak, wounded (his wife and whatnot)--he snapped. He had another personality that made him kill everyone (he was not possesed) Mary was weak--so she also created two personalities to handle problems. Gordy did the same (only created one; also, 'Simon' was just a name she gave her personalities, nothing more)
Hope I cleared that up--I'm sure someone else could explain it better.

[Elgyn]

That`s your interpretation of what happened dude, I think there`s also scenes in the movie that support the "possession" angle. Like when the guys are touring the asylum with the owner near the beginning, and Gord hears Simon`s voice say "Hello Gordon".

[C-Desecration-]

Many effects aren't ment to be interpreted literally--some are just for ambience, or foreshadowing.
But yeah--I'm not trying to say "I'm right you're wrong".
I really never thought of a possesion angle...for me, it's like somebody popping up and saying "Can you believe the creeper in jeepers creepers represents Darry's fear of the night coupled with his sister's ability of telekonisis, thus creating an actual living, BREATHING form that would hunt them down?! And that the creeper in a symbolic reference to their relationship? Darry dies because Gina secretly wishes he would!"
...bad example.
Anyways, I was pretty dumbfounded when crumb mentioned the possesion angle.

[Elgyn]

Well, my personel take on the movie is it was a mixture of both - Gord was losing it, AND there was something supernatural going on in the asylum.
But the way the movie is presented, it could be either/or, that`s whats cool about it, it`s open to the viewer`s interpretation.

[Elgyn]

I re-watched this movie again the other night, and I thought of something else.

What about when Hank (the a-hole guy) finds all those gold coins etc. coming out of the wall? The end of the scene clearly shows that behind that wall is the crematorium. If there was NOTHING supernatural going on in the asylum, then who/what was pushing the gold coins etc. through the wall?

[Boogeyman]

Wait...there was nothing supernatural? I thought there was....

SPOILERS******************
something supernatural because of "Simon". Or did the filmkaers want to leave it up to the imagination of the veiwer? Like it couldve been "Simon" but it might have just been that he went insane.
SPOILERS ENDED************

later

[Elgyn]

Well that`s what we`re debating here Boogeyman.

Personally, I think that Brad Anderson (co-writer/director) kept it ambiguous on purpose, that way the viewer could decide for themselves if Gord simply went nuts, or if there was more to it.

[peepnklown]

I cannot say enough excellent things about Session 9.
I am actually possessed by the film.
I got the DVD for my birthday and have watched it too many times to count.
Talk about a wonderful psychological film.
It has so many different layers and brings up so many questions.
This is really a thinking persons film.
The voice of Simon alone is something to look forward too.
I am an atmosphere freak and this film feed my fix nicely.
The deep substance of this film has made me believe in horror again.

I also love produced scores and this score blows me away.
I don’t usually buy CDs but I am going to buy this one.
I am also a producer of music and I can appreciate all the sounds.

I love this movie.

[Shatter]

I was in a video store with a friend of mine a while back, and we saw this sitting on the shelf. It looked boring, but we gave it a shot. Man was I ever glad we did.

I don't want to give away anything but the ending is nothing at all what I expected, and this is coming from a guy who can usually figure everything out in the first 20 minutes or so. If you haven't seen it yet, then check it out.

[The Sandman]

I think this is more a terror movie and a good one!! I was freakin' alot and it's all about the ambience... very good one! (7,5/10)

[edgeofhell]

yep ,, its awesome...........the building itself is even more interesting than some of the characters.. my wife works nights so here I am alllll alone,, and I'm glad I'm alone so nobody can tell that session 9 made me piss my pants!!

[Reigh Kaufman]

I have met Peter Mullan several times (including buying the fucker four pints to his one). He made this movie two weeks after giving a lecture at my Uni, and told us that we should expect something totally fantastic in the pantheon of psychological horror. I now agree; the movie is an achievement that surpasses the completely banal Don't Look Now. It is that good (though I admit to being slightly biased due to his nationality and past record). Go see.

[BadCoverVersion]

Top-notch chiller.

Peter Mullan was superb as usual, and the lad who played his mulleted young nephew also impressed. The atmosphere was terrific and the setting *shudder*...what a fucking amazing location!!! I must admit, one particular part scared the living shit out of me...when the gambling guy freaked. I’d certainly like to see this flick again...the naturalistic performances and understated dialogue made for a completely unique horror film.

7.5/10

[edgeofhell]

OH MAN!!! I know the part you are talking about.......

the character "hank" is alone in the basement tunnel at night??!!??

fucking freaky

[ICP RULZ]

Ok,I didn't understand the ending at all. I wish they would've keeped the homless lady involved in the story. I kinda liked that ending a bit more

Peace,
Matt

[JCR]

I thought this film was too confusing- it was sorta funny to see peter mullan do his my name is joe style acting in a film like this- although the bit where the guy is running away from the darkness was pretty cool.

I actually sat next to peter mullan at a film festival screening of tim roth's film war zone a couple of years ago. He seemed normal enough to me at the time, so that could be why this film was not generally scary for me- it's hard to be scared of someone when you've met them and they are quite nice in real life.

[Elgyn]

Originally posted by ICP RULZ

Ok,I didn't understand the ending at all.


What didn`t you understand?



I wish they would've keeped the homless lady involved in the story. I kinda liked that ending a bit more



Eh, I didn`t like the homeless lady stuff personally I`m glad it got snipped.

[Boogeyman]

Originally posted by Elgyn
Eh, I didn`t like the homeless lady stuff personally I`m glad it got snipped.

I agree. It really just complicated the story. And this story was all about simplicity. So, I think they were wise to cut out that sub-plot. But the closing scene with him (***SPOILERS***)on the ground in his own pool of blood. And the ending monologue with Simon. Very eerie. (***END SPOLIERS***) But, I just love this flick. Classic horror.

later

[ICP RULZ]

Ok,I don't understand the ending. Like why did they add the girl with the split personalitys and everything and yet it was gord who had the split personality thing. Or was it the other way around. And who is Simon and what role does he play,same with Mary Hobbes(I think thats her name)

Peace,
Matt

[edgeofhell]

basically they added the mary hobbs story to get you familiar with the dark and evil entity "simon"

simon is pure evil and as he says "lives in the weak and the wounded" ......clearly peter mulan(gordon) was both of these so he was very suceptible to the influence.

MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT ************************************************** **************************************


the night that gordons company got the bid to do the asbestos removal in the old asylum, simon "made" him kill his wife and child.(remember when he was first touring the place and simon said "you can hear me")?........the entire time gordon was talking to her on his cell phone, she was already long since dead.

The more time he spends in the place, the more the evil gets ahold of him..so he kills the entire crew and makes his own "isolation" room by sticking HIS family pictures on the wall, the same way mary hobbs and the rest of the patients did....

its similar to the shining in that a weak man gets somewhat taken over by an evil presence

[Fulci_Fan]

C-Desecration- you forgot to enter some spoiler alerts man. Good thing I have already seen this movie. lol.



SPOILERS

But I love LOVE this movie! IT is so freaking eerie, and usually it takes alot to scare me. On first viewing I hated it.. Second time, turned into my favorite movie. The subplot did suck, but I did like how you could see someone walk by in the background that was really freaking scary, I think they should have added that to emply that there was a evil spirit because it doesn't really show any prove (Besides showing Gordan going insane) and I think they should have let people know early on that they weren't alone in the asylum. I just got the idea that his fears took over him and unleashed a side of him that he has never seen before.

Like the actor that played Gordan says in the mini biography on the DVD, "Insanity is just overactive curiosity."

[ICP RULZ]

Originally posted by edgeofhell
basically they added the mary hobbs story to get you familiar with the dark and evil entity "simon"

simon is pure evil and as he says "lives in the weak and the wounded" ......clearly peter mulan(gordon) was both of these so he was very suceptible to the influence.

MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT ************************************************** **************************************


the night that gordons company got the bid to do the asbestos removal in the old asylum, simon "made" him kill his wife and child.(remember when he was first touring the place and simon said "you can hear me")?........the entire time gordon was talking to her on his cell phone, she was already long since dead.

The more time he spends in the place, the more the evil gets ahold of him..so he kills the entire crew and makes his own "isolation" room by sticking HIS family pictures on the wall, the same way mary hobbs and the rest of the patients did....

its similar to the shining in that a weak man gets somewhat taken over by an evil presence


Ohhh,thanks. So in the end,Simon was just a evil spirit of some sort?

Peace,
Matt

[edgeofhell]

there are several debates about it but that is what the majority believes .........I wasnt real clear on all of it at first either, but after watching the directors commentary it explains it a little better

[ICP RULZ]

Originally posted by edgeofhell
I wasnt real clear on all of it at first either, but after watching the directors commentary it explains it a little better

And what do they say on the directors commentary?

Peace,
Matt

[edgeofhell]

basically that "simon" is an evil entity that has been around for god knows how long and caused this type of horror god knows how many times.....
one cool thing that anderson explained in the commentary was that it was NOT a crematory that hank found the treasure in......it was merely the back wall of the morgue. True there is a lable on the wall that says "hot" but its only to mark the heating duct that runs up the wall

hope I answered your question,,,feel free to email me with any

[Horror/GoreFanatic]

My take on the movie is a little different. I havent seen it in a while but this is what i remeber. I think he went insane AND was possessed. Later on the film he is carrying out a conversation on a broken cell-phone, and when he kills people he looks like he is dazed and "not-there" in a sense.

[edgeofhell]

I agree with you in a way..........Gordon was clearly frazzled from the added stress of the new baby, and his business was in financial trouble.... to me that is the "weak" part that simon prays on,, Gordons current state of mind is what allowed simon to enter and "make" him insane if you will.

thats my opinion, I could be wrong,, but hey thats what these boards are for right??

[Horror/GoreFanatic]

Hey could you guys also tell me what the alternate ending is?

[Elgyn]

Horror/GoreFanatic -

In the alternate ending, a homeless woman (who was living in the building) jumps out of nowhere and knocks-out Gord (the guy who went nuts).
It doesn`t really change anything (Gord already killed all the other guys), we just know that Gord got knocked-out.

[Horror/GoreFanatic]

oh, well i think they went with the right ending then

[edgeofhell]

I agree........I wasn't too crazy about the homeless woman angle

remember the part where jeff (mullet head) sees hank?.. then he gets uncle gordon and the rest of the crew and tells them?

as the crew are arguing about whether or not hank could possibly be in the asylum they hear someone running across the floor above them.....originally that was the homeless woman but since they deleted her from the movie they had to act as though it was hank running around up there.


that line "what are yoooou doing here"? still creeps me out

NO FUCKING WAY AM I GOING DOWN IN THAT BASEMENT TO DEAL WITH THAT SHIT

[Giselle]

Ok Guys,
I saw this movie once and thought it was pretty lame but everyones raving about it--worth a second viewing? Did I just go into with too many expectations? *Spoilers* I must admit I did love the scene where The guy runs from the darkness *Spoiler*.

[Elgyn]

Yes I suggest you watch it again.

[killuminati003]

possible minor spoilers

i didnt think that there was anything supernatural happening......i thought that Simon was just something that the dude made up in his mind after he heard those tapes and snapped from all of the presure........but then again i could be wrong....as i didnt realy understand this movie at all untill my second and third veiwings......

[Elgyn]

Originally posted by killuminati003

i thought that Simon was just something that the dude made up in his mind after he heard those tapes and snapped from all of the presure


The guy who snapped didn`t listen to the tapes with Simon - that was another one of the guys (the one who went to law school).

[Jack_Cheze]

I loved the movie, I enjoyed the ending that left several explanations open.

*********SPOILERS**********
The logical ending is that Gordon went nuts and killed everyone, I'm sure that's what a police report would say. But the Simon angle would end up in urban legend and scare kids for years.