the best carpenter film you'll see since his 80s streak.

job playing girls that have been sent to the hospital with mental issues but Ambers character has been sent there for other reasons, mainly burning a house down. The twist at the end was one of those twists that you never see coming and it will surprise you. I give The Ward 10 out 10. Well done to all. Keep them coming Mr Carpenter.

approach, nonetheless: how many times have we sat through movies where the alleged filmmaker s didn't even know how to tell a coherent story...? The examples are legion. "As long as you are telling a movie story the right way, it's okay," he adds. From his lips to... Boulenger astutely points out that Carpenter's heroes are often mentally trapped as well as physically endangered. Carpenter concurs, and mentions his own depression: "It was not fun being trapped." Some of that particular insight manifests itself in THE WARD, wherein the heroine is trapped both mentally AND physically. Add to the pantheon of memorable screen Monsters the murderous Alice. Although there's violence enough in THE WARD, it's not the kind of overflow one finds in lesser movies made by lesser talents. "I'm aware that the movies I make now are not as scary as they used to be," he says: "But I'm not as scared as I used to be, either..." Be that as it may, rest assured that THE WARD has its share of "Joltin' John Carpenter" moments. Note: Carpenter's short THE RESURRECTION OF BRONCHO BILLY is on YouTube. Check it out.

not quite old enough to remember Dark Star or even Assault On Precinct 13 let's face it unless you're an avid reader of Fangoria, from the offset it was doomed to get slated by the mass media - why? Because it's horror. What doesn't help the situation with The Ward is that this is Carpenter's first film since Ghosts On Mars, so with the long gap what's wrong with taking a creative break? there is undoubtedly massive expectancy especially for the renowned master of horror to produce something that breaks new ground merging his previous ideas and styles together with 21st century technology. Correct? Absolutely not. John Carpenter, undaunted by the prospects of CGI and post Avatar computer generated wizardry that seems to be within the confines of well, lesser and unknown cartoon heroes at the moment has decided to stick to his own blend of paced horror that his trusty fans are familiar with, keeping the concept retro but not to the point of the film feeling dated in any way, or for that matter clichéd. This is especially important to address because we know how many asylum films exist, but The Ward stands on it's own two feet or more to the point foundations where John Carpenter proves again that if something isn't broken then why fix it.The film really is classic Carpenter, nothing more and certainly nothing less. The story is good and dark, with a great twist at the end. The acting is good, no annoying characters that you feel an incessant need to give long bouts of electro shock therapy to and the location/scenes are limited but nonetheless excellent. There are plenty of scary moments and anticipation and as usual, like Rick Wakeman reciting Mozart all of the notes just occur in the right place and at the right time. Character interplay is interesting yet not over the top and the film trundles along with a story that builds to a suitable and convincing crescendo and twist that only adds to the successful, albeit tried formula.Without giving much away the late, great Richard Harris' son Jared makes a great appearance as the somewhat gentile and quietly spoken asylum 'Guvnor', the type who wants you all to believe that he has nothing but your best interests at heart, yet there is a certain je ne sais quoi about him that gives off an unnerving feeling that at any moment he is going to open a leather bound case full of chainsaws and experimental Victorian surgical equipment.I won't say anything about the film's story because it is up to the viewer to enjoy it - and enjoy it you surely will. It's well worth the price of admittance if of course you can find anywhere on planet earth that's showing it.In a nutshell this is classic Carpenter - to his fans the style we all know and love and it is reassurance for those who were disappointed with Ghosts Of Mars although the similarities between such films could of course be compared to the artistic creations of Banksy and Picasso.It is obvious as a director that John Carpenter is stubborn enough to stick to his own style of filmmaking regardless of what the media think and there's only one ever word that can sum that up - respect.

being haunted by the ghost of a former patient, while her fellow patients help to build the plot. She shows great strength of character as she desperately tries to take control of her situation. The film is set in the 60's, but could just as easily be set in the current time period. But it does give an appreciation for the level of psychiatric treatment in those days. Many reviews of this movie I have read say that we have seen it all before, and there is nothing new. But really, you can say that about a lot of movies. I think the fact that it contains plot twists is what makes it a great mystery movie. It is not packed full of gory, insanely scary scenes, although it has its moments. It keeps the suspense rolling as you're trying to figure out what's going on. If you like mystery movies, watch this, you won't be disappointed.

around a girl or a group of girls at asylum with a ghost trying to kill them. Reason? Watch the movie and you will find out. The cinematography, editing, lighting, acting of lead actresses were top notch. I got a feeling like it has the same salt as Mad Detective of Johnnie To. If only Carpenter himself composed the score and edited the screenplay it would be a classic film after years. Anyway I am sure people will appreciate the movie in a few years like other Carpenter products.

possibly purchase it. I give The Ward a 8 out of 10.~Joe

admit, it's quite an easy job for a master like Carpenter, but nowadays, even if not too much surprising for thriller veterans, it remains a solid performance. Much better than torture porn around.Kudos to a master

takes you in a whole new direction. I thought I had the movie figured out twice, but it changed and took me for a new ride both times. I loved that part about the movie, because you were kept in suspense and in the dark, trying to guess what's going on. And the ending was really satisfying, especially when you find out what really is going on.Now, the five girls in the movie really did good jobs with their roles. And they really brought the movie and story to life on the screen. Had their performances been bad, the movie would have suffered horribly. So thankfully they had good talents on the sets. Thumbs up to Amber Heard playing Kristen , Mamie Gummer playing Emily , Danielle Panabaker playing Sarah , Laura-Leigh playing Zoey and Lyndsy Fonseca playing Iris . However, also to help carry the movie a good way was Jared Harris playing Dr. Stringer .The setting in "The Ward" was amazing. I loved the feel that they had brought to the institution and the ward. There were lots of good details and it was like you were there yourself. And the effects in the movie were good as well. There isn't a flashy show of million dollar-in-your-face-effects show off. The effects were fairly simple, adequate, but straight to the point.Being a horror movie, and being a Carpenter movie, you are in for a bunch of shocks as well. And true enough, "The Ward" has a good handful of scenes that will have you jump in shock, fear and dread. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful...If you like horror movies, then you most definitely have to check out "The Ward", because it has a solid story, it is well acted and it should be watched in the dark and with the volume cranked up! Trust me.Praise to John Carpenter for this wonderful contribution to the horror genre.