Review: Sinister

Having had this in my "to-watch" list for some time, I finally decided to give it a go. The opening was sufficiently creepy: a super-8 recording of four people being hanged from a tree. (Let me get this out of the way before I continue: I lost count of how many times the phrase "people were hung" was used during this film. In my opinion, if you are going to go into writing as a career, you should be aware of the rules of the language you use. Pictures are hung, people are hanged.)
My expectations were immediately lowered when Ethan Hawke was introduced as our main protagonist. The Gattaca star has a long list of film credits to his name with the majority of his performances being completely forgettable. Nevertheless, I persevere.
The first twenty minutes are as mysterious as a game of Cluedo, with what the writer and director obviously hoped were subtle plot points practically being screamed at the audience - "What's rule number one? Don't go in daddy's office" - and hints as to how ridiculously reckless Hawke will act as the film goes on - "All I need is one more hit!" Finally the plot kicks in with the discovery of the super-8 footage in the loft, including the opening murders and several more. Desperate to write a best-selling true-crime novel, Hawke keeps the films to himself - the decision not to turn them over to the police is definitely poor, especially for the viewer's interest in the character  - and clues to the identity of the killer emerge as he investigates murders.
The filmmakers have added an interesting twist to the traditional haunted house story, but as this doesn't make any material difference until the end, the impression you get whilst watching it is one of horror cliches and cheap scares. The music composer deserves credit for creating suspense rather than the story, especially as Hawke is wandering around the house following banging sounds.
Forgiving a clumsy attempt at humour involving a young police officer, a real laughable moment occurs as the villain - referred to as Mr Boogie - conveniently appears like Where's Wally in all of the super-8 stock. As soon as the true nature of Mr Boogie is revealed - a good concept which is criminally glossed over - the ending plays out with frankly boring inevitability. It had scare moments, mainly down to the music, but I would have like to have seen a) more of the police chief, that character had potential, and b) more exploration of Mr Boogie, a villain dropped in with one line of explanation to tie several murders together in a way that seemed pretty lazy. As the credits role after one final scare moment, all I'm left with is apathy and Michael Jackson's Thriller playing in my head.