Available today on Blu-ray and DVD is the family friendly comedy, adventure film, The House with a Clock in it’s Walls. The film is already available on digital.
The House with a Clock in it’s Walls stars Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Kyle MacLachlan and Owen Vaccaro, who played the adorable “Dylan” in the Daddy’s Home movies (part I and part II).
I don’t know why I have been do drawn to this film. Ever since I saw the trailer for it many months ago, I just knew I had to go and see it. It reminded me a lot of the Goosebumps movie (the original, I haven’t seen the second one yet). Maybe it’s because Jack Black is in both films, and his characters seem similar in both films.
Young Lewis (Vaccaro) is recently orphaned after the loss of both is parents. He is sent to go live with his mysterious Uncle Jonathan (Black) in a town called New Zebedee. Lewis doesn’t know that much about his uncle, or where he lives.
Upon arrival at his uncle’s house, Lewis is introduced to Uncle Johnathan’s snarky neighbor, Florence (Blanchett).
Right from the beginning, Lewis knew there was something “odd” about his uncle’s house, as well as his uncle’s behavior. His uncle always seemed to be looking for something, even in the middle of the night. Lewis even became afraid of the house, and tried to run away. In order to keep Lewis from leaving, Uncle Jonathan had to divulge some secrets about who he is and the strange house.
It turns out that Uncle Jonathan is a warlock and his neighbor Florence is also a witch (a more powerful one than Uncle Jonathan is). The house he lives in used to belong to his best friend and partner Isaac. Issac was married to Selenna. They both turned to dark magic and they were planning on ending the world. It is presumed that Isaac killed Selenna before he was killed.
Somewhere in the house is a special clock that Isaac was going to use to end the world. Uncle Jonathan and Florence have been looking for the clock on a daily basis all over the house, but have yet to find it. They need to find it quickly before it’s too late and the clock gets into a magical alignment that will destroy our world.
Uncle Jonathan gives Lewis rules he needs to follow while living in the house. Once of which is NEVER to open up a locked wardrobe. What is inside of it is very dangerous.
Lewis is a loner at school and not very popular. One day he is befriended by one of the popular kids at school named Tarby. Things seem to be going well, when suddenly Tarby has no interest in Lewis anymore.
In order to keep his friend, Lewis takes him to his uncle’s house and tells him about the powerful object in the locked wardrobe. That wasn’t good enough for Tarby. He wants to see what is in the wardrobe and the boys unlock it. It turns out it’s a powerful book that shows them how to raise the dead.
The boys take the book to the graveyard to raise the dead, but WHO they raise ends up to be a very serious problem.
Who did the boys raise from the dead? Will Uncle Jonathan ever be able to find the clock in the walls to destroy it? To find out the answers to these questions and more, pick up a copy of The House with a Clock in it’s Walls. Look for it where ever movies are sold, or download it on digital on your favorite platform.
I was sort of right about this film. It does have a Goosebumps-feel to it. I guess it’s due to Jack Black. He is a somewhat type cast character. Most of the characters he’s played in films are goofy, creepy and/or fun. Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone else who could play the part of Uncle Jonathan any better than Jack Black. He has He seems to be made for these types of roles. He can do creepy and funny all at the same time.
Little Owen Vaccaro is adorable. I adored him in both Daddy’s Home films. He played the role of shy, lonely Lewis very well. He may be young (currently 13 years old), but I see a long career ahead of him.
I enjoyed seeing Cat Blanchett in this film. I’m so used to seeing her in more serious roles. It’s refreshing to see her in a comedy. She has a great on-screen chemistry with Jack Black.
Overall I really enjoyed the film. Sadly, it lost my husband’s interest early on, but I honestly enjoyed it. The special effects are fun (I loved the purple monster trying to get out of the closet) and really add to the overall feel of this film.
There are some dark and sinister aspects to this film. It is a family friendly film, but little ones might find some of the scenes or content a wee bit scary (not so much where they won’t be able to sleep at night).
There are some bonus features worth checking out. I especially enjoyed the alternate opening and ending (I’m happy they chose the ones used in the film). I also liked the gag reel. It looks like they had a lot of fun on set while making this film. I also enjoy all the behind the scenes content, as well as how they brought the book to life with this movie (the movie is based on a book by the same name written by John Bellairs back in the early 7o’s).
Below is the film’s theatrical trailer for your enjoyment. The film is no longer in theaters.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
