DEAD SILENCE (2007)
With special guest Luisa Colón
Intro, Math Club, Debate Society, Hot for Teacher (spoiler-free): 00:00-26:04
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy): 26:05-1:07:52
Superlatives (spoiler-heavier): 1:07:53-1:25:35
Director James Wan
Screenplay Leigh Whannell, based on a story by Wan and Whannell
Featuring Michael Fairman, Bob Gunton, Joan Heney, Ryan Kwanten, Laura Regan, Judith Roberts, Amber Valletta, Donnie Wahlberg
Released March 16, 2007
Budget $20 million
Box Office $22.3 million
SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS
Following the unexpected arrival of a ventriloquist dummy on his doorstep, and the sudden, violent death of his wife – two events that might be related – Jamie Ashen is arrested by Detective Lipton, a cop with a thing for electric razors. Lipton’s also a by the books kind of guy who’s convinced Jamie is responsible for his wife’s death. But Jamie doesn’t have time for games — he’s determined to find out who or what killed his wife and tore her tongue out in the process. His search takes him back to his home town of Raven’s Fair, where the superstitious residents suspect the spectral Mary Shaw, a long-dead ventriloquist, may be to blame. Seems Shaw was connected to the disappearance and ritual murder of families years back, then became the victim herself of a heinous crime. With Lipton on his tail, Jamie visits his aging father Edward, his young wife Ella, local mortician Henry and his demented wife Marion, who unspool a tale too fantastic to be true. And slowly, the truth about Raven’s Fair reveals itself to Jamie’s unsuspecting, and for now human, eyeballs.
SPOILER-FREE GUEST BIO
Luisa Colón is a New York City native who began her career as a journalist in the late 90s. Her work has appeared in numerous print and online publications such as New York, Latina, USA Today, The New York Times, and many more. Her first novel. BAD MOON RISING was published in August, and she has a short story in the upcoming horror anthology, DREAD, which is published by the aptly-named Cemetery Dance Publications. Luisa's other creative work includes illustration as well as two murals currently displayed at the World Trade Center. As an actor she starred in the award-winning 2006 indie film Day Night Day Night and played the titular role in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2007 short film Anna. Favorite recess snack: cheese, tomato slices, and Ritz crackers.
EPISODE NOTE
Music from Dead Silence by Charlie Clouser.
Read Luisa’s article “The Most Terrifying Women in Horror Film: A Ranking of Iconic Female Villains” from Horror Tree.
Thank you to Amy Shearn for introducing us to Luisa.
Why did Professor Louryk choose this film? Find out in our Blog.
TRAILER
SUPERLATIVES
The Gaspar Noe Award for Most Disturbing Scene
Luisa: The scene in which it is revealed that the soup Ella is feeding Edward has been collecting in a bowl inside his hollowed-out back
Eric: The scene in which it is revealed that the soup Ella is feeding Edward has been collecting in a bowl inside his hollowed-out back
Bradford: The scene in which it is revealed that the soup Ella is feeding Edward has been collecting in a bowl inside his hollowed-out back
The Ellen Ripley Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Live
Luisa: Lisa
Eric: Marion
Bradford: Lisa
The Michael Myers Award for Character Who Most Deserves to Die
Luisa: Detective Lipton
Eric: Detective Lipton
Bradford: Mary Shaw
The Ken Russell Award for Most Baroque Screen Moment
Luisa: Reveal of dummies and Michael Ashen > clown > tongue > Jamie underwater
Eric: End scene, when Jamie realizes Ella/Mary’s been behind this all along
Bradford: Reveal of dummies and Michael Ashen > clown > tongue
The Brad Dourif Award for Character Who Could (or Should) Have Been Played by Brad Dourif
Luisa: Detective Lipton
Eric: Mary Shaw
Bradford: Billy, the dummy
FINAL LETTER GRADE
Luisa: B
Eric: C-
Bradford: B