The Wicker Man (2006)

User Rating:

3.5/10   

Director:

Neil LaBute

Writers (WGA):

Neil LaBute (written for the screen by)
Anthony Shaffer (based on a screenplay by)

Release Date:

1 September 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Some Sacrifices Must Be Made

Plot:

A sheriff investigating the disappearance of a young girl from a small island discovers there's a larger mystery to solve among the island's secretive, neo-pagan community.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Young Girl | Tavern | Car Accident | Dream Sequence Within A Dream Sequence

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Nicolas Cage	...	Edward Malus
Ellen Burstyn	...	Sister Summerslsle
Kate Beahan	...	Sister Willow
Frances Conroy	...	Dr. Moss
Molly Parker	...	Sister Rose / Sister Thorn
Leelee Sobieski	...	Sister Honey
Diane Delano	...	Sister Beech
Michael Wiseman	...	Pete
Erika-Shaye Gair	...	Rowan (as Erika Shaye Gair)
Christa Campbell	...	Truck Stop Waitress
Emily Holmes	...	Station Wagon Mom
Zemphira Gosling	...	Station Wagon Girl
Matthew Walker	...	Sea Plane Pilot
Mary Black	...	Sister Oak
Christine Willes	...	Sister Violet

Also Known As:

Wicker Man - Ritual des Bösen (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for disturbing images and violence, language and thematic issues.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA | Germany | Canada

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (No. 42255) | UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Germany:16 | UK:15 (director's cut) | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-15 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:U | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | USA:Not Rated (extended version)

Filming Locations:

Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The downstairs interior of Sister Summersisle's home is actually a women's club in Vancouver. The fancy wallpaper seen along the staircase was on a wall added by the art department to cover an open doorway leading to a large modern kitchen. The upstairs portion of the house was a set.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the beginning when Nicolas Cage's character is staring at a truck as it drives by you can clearly see a crew member in the reflection of the truck as it speeds by.

Quotes:

Edward Malus: [holding Rowan's doll] Is this hers? How'd it get burned? How'd it get burned? HOW'D IT GET BURNED, HOW'D IT GET BURNED?
Sister Willow: I-DON'T-KNOW!

Movie Connections:

References Inferno (1980)

The Worst Movie I've EVER Seen

This movie is the biggest waste of nine dollars that I've spent in a very, very long time. If you knew how often I went to the movies you'd probably say, that's hard to imagine, but never-the-less, it's true! After seeing the trailer for this movie, I knew that I had to see it! If you're a fan of horror, mystery, and suspense, why wouldn't you? The trailer is nothing less than intriguing and exciting; unfortunately, the movie is none of these.

From the cinematography, to the script, to the acting, this movie is a complete flop. If you're reading this, planning to go to the movie expecting some thrills, mystery, action, horror, or anything other than a waste of an hour and forty-five minutes I'm afraid you are in for disappointment.

"Why is it so bad," you might be asking yourself. Let me tell you. The movie was neither mysterious nor suspenseful. Nothing about the movie made me the least bit "on edge," frightened, or curious. The script was at best laughable. There were numerous times throughout the film where the dialogue was just so ridiculous I began to write it off as comic relief only to find out a few seconds later that it wasn't. The acting was absolutely dreadful. I like Nicholas Cage but this was a miss. Without exception, every performance in this movie was incredibly below average. The cinematography was awful with not one moment of suspense or mystique. Finally, the story is completely transparent. You can see the end of this movie coming a mile away.

I am not usually a very harsh critic. Frankly, when I go to see a comedy I want to laugh and when I go to see a mystery/suspense/horror, I just want to be surprised. This movie was boring, poorly acted, poorly written, and an overwhelming disappointment. Do yourself a favor and go see something else.