Watch The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It
- PG
- 2007
- 1 hr 27 min
-
5.8 (2,991)
The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It is a 2007 family-friendly horror film. The movie is produced by Universal Studios and is directed by Alex Zamm. The film stars Emily Osment, Brittany Curran, Cody Linley, and Alex Winzenread in the lead roles. The movie follows the story of a teenager named Cassie (Emily Osment), who is having a tough time fitting in at school. One day, while browsing in a local bookstore, Cassie comes across a mysterious book titled "The Evil Thing." Despite the ominous description of the book from the storekeeper, Cassie decides to take it home with her.
Once at home, Cassie starts reading the book and becomes engrossed in the story. It's about a young girl who accidentally summons an evil creature known as The Evil Thing after reading a spell from the book. The young girl eventually finds a way to stop The Evil Thing, but Cassie is disturbed by the story's dark and gruesome descriptions.
As she reads on, Cassie starts to realize that the book might not be just a normal storybook, but instead, something much more dangerous. She soon discovers that the book is possessing those around her, including her younger brother Max (Alex Winzenread) and two of her friends. The book's power is growing, and the consequences could be dire if it's not stopped.
With Halloween fast approaching, Cassie, her younger brother Max, and her friend's brother Sean (Cody Linley), who is also somewhat of an outcast, decide to investigate the origin of the book. They soon find out about the author of "The Evil Thing," and learn that the book is connected to a dark and mysterious legend in their town's history.
As evidenced by the title, the movie is filled with plenty of spooky moments that will have younger viewers on the edge of their seats. However, it strikes a careful balance between being scary enough to keep audiences interested but not so terrifying as to traumatize them.
Emily Osment leads the cast with a strong performance as the likable protagonist, Cassie. She portrays the character's intelligence, resourcefulness, and courage well, making Cassie a relatable and engaging character. Additionally, Brittany Curran is also excellent as Cassie's acerbic best friend, Julia.
The younger actors in the cast also deliver impressive performances. Alex Winzenread is particularly noteworthy as Cassie's younger brother, Max. He is adorable and relatable and delivers some of the movie's most comedic moments. As for Cody Linley as Sean, he provides a good foil to the other two characters, balancing out the group dynamic nicely.
The movie also features some impressive special effects and makeup work. The Evil Thing, in particular, is a marvel of practical effects, looking genuinely frightening and unsettling. The cinematography is also sharp, and the movie's set design effectively builds an ominous and foreboding atmosphere.
Overall, The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It is a fun, family-friendly horror movie that will undoubtedly thrill kids while not scaring them too much. Its strong performances, clever script, and effective effects work make it a standout among other recent horror movies aimed at younger audiences. While it may not be suitable for children younger than six years old, it is still a solid recommendation for those who are a bit older and looking for some Halloween-themed fun.
The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It is a 2007 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.