Sinister - B

Rated R, 105 minutes

Creepy, entertaining "Sinister" strikes a familiar tone

Ethan Hawke in "Sinister"

Those looking for a few decent chills this Halloween season might enjoy the new horror thriller "Sinister," starring Ethan Hawke and a bunch of creepy kids. The demonic child routine has been mined cinematically many times before and the film falters some in its final act, but no doubt about it, these nasty young ones provide some tense moments. "Sinister" is about a washed-up true crime novelist (Hawke) looking for the next big story but who gets far more than he bargained for when he and his family move into an old house where a grisly crime occurred. He then discovers a box of old films that plunge he and his family into a supernatural nightmare that will always haunt them. "Sinister" is an above-average horror film that employs some conventional horror film elements (is it ever a good idea to get up and go into a dark room to check on that mysterious noise?) but is at its most terrifying when it relies on the unknown and setting the right mood. Directed and co-written by Scott Derrickson ("The Haunting of Emily Rose"), you'll see elements of many other horror films from "The Shining" to "The Ring" to "Paranormal Activity"; it combines traditional cinematography with some lost-footage sequences, which seem less gimmicky here than before and is one of the more chilling aspects of the film. Derrickson sets the hauntingly perfect atmosphere with shady lighting and a memorable score that alternates between pulsating electronica and some highly unusual sounds. On the downside, the backstory is a little murky and seems too summarized in a brief phone call near the end, making "Sinister's" last act seems rushed and out of place. Hawke anchors the film well, and he's paired well with British Shakespearean actress (go figure) Juliet Rylance, along with Clare Foley and Michael Hall D'Addario as the children who are more than just lovely faces. Watch closely for former politician and "Law & Order" actor Fred Thompson in a small part as a gruff, cranky sheriff. Those looking for a handful of scares will have a good time with the disturbing and disturbingly familiar "Sinister."

Wes's Grade: B