Session 9

Howdy folks! Another day another blog and today I'm going to be talking about Session 9!

Session 9 is a 2001 movie directed by Brad Anderson (The Machinist). It tells the story of the Hazmat Elimination Team, an asbestos removal company, owned by Gordon (Peter Mullan, who has recently directed the film "Neds"). Employed by Gordon are Phil (David Caruso of CSI fame) who is second in command, Hank (Josh Lucas) who just stole Phil's wife, a law school dropout called Mike (Stephen Gevedon, also screenwriter), and Gordon's nephew Jeff (Brendan Sexton III).

The film begins with Gordon and Phil going to survey a job at Danver's State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital closed in 1985. While looking through the hospital, Gordon comes across an ominous looking corridor with a wheelchair in the distance (also the films trademark image), and hears a ghostly voice say his name, "Hello... Gordon".

As Gordon is desperate for the job, he say's he can do the asbestos removal in two weeks, but then lowers that to one week as he really needs the cash or the business will fold. Well needless to say they get the job and commence work.

On the first day there is an electrical problem. Mike goes into the basement to fix the problem and stumbles across a collection of 9 taped sessions by patient #444, Mary Hobbes who has multiple personality disorder. Mike gets fixated on listening to these sessions and finds out she has three personalities. Princess is childlike and innocent and likes to talk a lot. Billy is the eyes and see's everything. They mention the third personality as Simon, but are reluctant to talk about him.

As Mike becomes more engrossed in the tapes tension escalates within the group. The tension is slowly cranked up until the shocking finale!

Now i'm not one for completely spoiling movies so that's all I'll say on the plot. All that's left is to give you my opinion.

If you haven't seen this movie I urge you to look it out. It can be purchased from amazon for only a couple of quid so there is really no excuse not to have this in your collection. The film absolutely drips with atmosphere largely thanks to the film's location. Danvers State Hospital was a real insane asylum, rumored to be the birthplace of th pre-frontal lobotomy. Unfortunately most of the hospital was torn down in 2006 and made into luxury flats but there are plenty of pictures taken inside and around the grounds that are online if you fancy taking a look at them. I must say the place is pretty damn creepy!

The film is more about psychological horror and believe me it'll have you thinking about it long after it has ended. I bought this film last year after seeing so many recommendations online and wondered why I had never heard of this film before. Suffice to say I have watched it countless times since and it really does live up to multiple viewings.

Thanks for taking the time out to read this blog, and if you have seen the movie please comment as I would like to hear your opinions.

I just bought Grindhouse 2 disc blu ray which has the movies Planet Terror and Death Proof back to back whith the fake trailers, and also The Exorcist 2 disc blu ray with the original and extended versions of the film. Each movie is loaded with extras so they should keep me busy for the next couple of days and maybe I'll write about one of them.

Once again, cheers! :)