The Moth Diaries Film Review (2012)

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The Moth Diaries (IFC Films) 1 hr. 22 mins. Starring: Lily Cole, Sarah Gadon, Sarah Bolger, Scott Speedman, Judy Parfitt, Anne Day-Jones Directed by: Mary Harron MPAA Rating: R Genre: Horror/Supernatural drama Critic’s rating: ** stars (out of 4 stars) One thing is for sure…Hollywood certainly knows how to milk a cash cow. Serving up yet another vapid vampire entry to suck in (no pun intended) the ‘tween crowd, the low-budget gothic horror show The Moth Diaries tepidly arrives on the scene. A banal blood-sucking soap opera looking to shamelessly capitalize on the Twilight sensationalism, The Moth Diaries drains any remnants left of guilty pleasure goosebumps or recycled romantic regurgitation from the fidgety teen scream genre. Let’s face it…we need another teeny-bopper vampire vehicle much like a bald men’s convention needing an urgent supply of combs and shampoo. Surprisingly, this supernatural sludge is from heralded director Mary Harron (“American Psycho”). Harron provides a tedious bite with her hapless horror thriller as there does not seem to be any convincing titillation or imaginative chills which overrides this vacant vampire drama that has about as much hair-raising suspense as a one-fanged Dracula vacationing in sunny Miami Beach. Although murky and moody, The Moth Diaries struggles to bring some structured frothiness to the forefront. Elements of challenging feminine adolescence, sexual neuroticism, dark cynicism, creepy curiosities, and fear of immortality are virtually sketchy. Harron never properly serves up the macabre meatiness in a sinister fashion…something that is usually her trademark when exploring the weird depths of her cinematic nose for off-kilter exploration. At best, The Moth Diaries is an irksome and atmospheric boofest that foolishly stands in the shadows of quality and quiet fright fare such as the acclaimed Let the

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