The Curse of Rogert Rogert was a small village located in the outskirts of a dense forest. The villagers led a peaceful and harmonious life until one fateful day when a curse befell upon them. Legend has it that a witch, who had been banished from the village years ago, placed a curse on the villagers as revenge. The curse would bring misfortune and misery to the villagers for generations to come. It was said that the curse would manifest in different ways, affecting various aspects of their lives. As the curse took hold, the villagers noticed strange occurrences and witnessed unfortunate events unfold.
Emily and Kevin research the doll’s history. They discover the previous case of Jennifer Otto, who claimed Robert was responsible for murdering her husband and a babysitter, even though her ten-year-old son was charged for the crimes.
My dislike of North Bank Entertainment productions is well documented in reviews of Night of the Living Dead Resurrection review here , The Amityville Asylum review here , A Haunting at the Rectory review here , Poltergeist Activity review here , and the first Robert film review here. While it was initially believed that Jenny s former housekeeper Agatha imbued the doll with evil, a psychic later revealed that Agatha s brother Amos Blackwood was responsible.
As the curse took hold, the villagers noticed strange occurrences and witnessed unfortunate events unfold. Crops failed, livestock fell ill, and natural disasters seemed to be more recurrent. The once flourishing village soon fell into a state of despair and hopelessness.
THE CURSE OF ROBERT (2016)
Studio: 4Digital Media
Director: Andrew Jones
Writer: Andrew Jones
Producer: Lee Bane, Andrew Jones, Robert Graham, Beccy Graham
Stars: Tiffany Ceri, Jason Homewood, Nigel Barber, Steve Dolton, Chris Bell, Clare Gollop, Christopher Hale, Suzie Frances Garton, Richard Burman, Lee Bane
Review Score:
Summary:
A young woman confronts the cursed Robert doll when she becomes the new custodian at a museum where the deadly toy is displayed.
Synopsis: Show/Hide SpoilersA police officer sneaks the cursed Robert doll out of evidence and clandestinely sells it to wealthy businessman Walter Berenson, who puts the doll on display in his museum.
College student Emily Barker arrives at Berenson’s museum in East Falls to begin work as the night shift’s new cleaning assistant. Emily meets head custodian Ethel Mason as well as security guards Kevin Underwood and Stan Graves. Ethel shows Emily the popular Robert exhibit and explains that many patrons believe Robert is possessed.
Odd occurrences lead Emily to sense something is strange about Robert. Emily and Kevin go to a diner together after work and gradually begin a romance.
Robert suffocates Stan with a plastic bag while Stan is on his rounds. Kevin finds Stan’s body. Detective Bill Atkins and Officer Sardy open an investigation. Berenson tersely insists that the incident must not interfere with museum operations.
Days later, Robert puts a screwdriver into Ethel’s head. Detective Atkins interviews Emily about the homicides. Emily mentions that something doesn’t feel right about the Robert doll, but Atkins dismisses her suggestion.
Emily and Kevin research the doll’s history. They discover the previous case of Jennifer Otto, who claimed Robert was responsible for murdering her husband and a babysitter, even though her ten-year-old son was charged for the crimes.
Emily and Kevin visit Jenny at the East State Mental Hospital. Jenny tells them that the doll is possessed by the spirit of murdered boy Robert Crow. While it was initially believed that Jenny’s former housekeeper Agatha imbued the doll with evil, a psychic later revealed that Agatha’s brother Amos Blackwood was responsible. However, Jenny was unable to track down Blackwood and suspects he assumed a different identity.
Suspecting that Berenson might be Blackwood, Kevin bluffs that he copied deleted CCTV footage proving Robert killed Stan and Ethel to blackmail Berenson into meeting with him. Kevin and Emily report their suspicion that Berenson tampered with evidence to Detective Atkins.
Kevin and Emily meet with Berenson. Berenson pulls a gun on Kevin. Robert suddenly stabs Berenson to death and later cuts Kevin’s throat with a razor blade. Emily decapitates Robert and collapses afterward. Atkins and Sardy find her unconscious.
Emily wakes in a hospital bed with Detective Atkins over her. Emily insists that Robert killed Berenson and Kevin. Atkins explains that they did not find the doll before placing Emily under arrest for all four murders.
Officer Sardy sells the Robert doll to the Toymaker. The Toymaker repairs the doll and casts a spell on it. As Robert comes to life along with other animated dolls in the workshop, the Toymaker says, “let the games begin.”
Review:
My dislike of North Bank Entertainment productions is well documented in reviews of “Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection” (review here), “The Amityville Asylum” (review here), “A Haunting at the Rectory” (review here), “Poltergeist Activity” (review here), and the first “Robert” film (review here). North Bank’s apathetic assembly line of DTV rubbish is wholly unconcerned with content quality, dependent exclusively on eye-catching artwork and tying into a public property or urban legend to snag checkout line impulse buys.
With zero discernible improvement in storytelling or technical execution over this span of output, there is no reason to expect anything other than disappointment from “The Curse of Robert.” Watching it anyway can be blamed on my Charles Band childhood for instilling an addiction to B-movie sequels featuring killer toys, thereby overruling common sense founded on overwhelming empirical evidence. That’s a fitting reference since filmmaker Andrew Jones fashions himself as a UK-based Band, except Jones’ minimal-effort movies are just cheap and cheesy, without any of the charm Full Moon formerly put forth.
Maybe “The Curse of Robert” is marginally better than its predecessor. Though “Robert’s” bar is embedded so deep in the ground, it’s not like this sequel has to leave its feet to get over it.
At least this movie somewhat sticks to the story of the real-life Robert, something the first film barely does, by being set in a museum where the purportedly possessed plaything is causing trouble from his display case. “The Curse of Robert” even pays tribute to the doll’s sailor suit by regularly inducing seasickness, refusing to spend five seconds on a tripod for even the most basic establishing shots.
Dastardly museum owner Walter Berenson clandestinely acquires Robert from an officer who pinched it from police evidence. With stories spreading about the doll’s possibly evil origins, curious patrons have been coming by Berenson’s new display in droves for a snapshot. Berenson couldn’t be more pleased, because you know how lucrative a roadside tourist trap must be for a manicured businessman looking to rake in big bucks.
After seven minutes of prologue including an opening credits driving sequence, college student Emily becomes the new employee at Berenson’s museum, which looks something like a Sears stockroom circa 1987. It’s also barely bigger than said stockroom, making its night shift crew of two security guards and two custodians overstaffed by at least three people.
Almost immediately, Emily senses something strange about the dopey-looking doll encased in glass. Emily’s boss Ethel and schlubby security guard Stan are more interested in thumbing through tabloids than they are in the new girl’s nervousness. Handsome security guard Kevin however, lends Emily an ear. He gives her his eyes too, as the pair predictably strikes up a workplace romance by bonding over Emily’s suspicions regarding Robert.
Not long after, the first body hits the floor. Emily is certain Robert is responsible. Detective Atkins thinks Emily makes a more plausible suspect. When a second victim turns up, Emily enlists Kevin’s help to track down the doll’s former owner and solve the mystery, lest she be left holding the bag for these Berenson museum butcherings.
If it were possible to make a movie by exerting any less effort, “The Curse of Robert” would have certainly tried. Every drab camera setup, every monotone dialogue delivery, every hokey piece of puppetry screams, “let’s just get this over with.”
Cinematography, a term too good to describe the low-rent aesthetic on display here, is shoddily two-dimensional. If a scene takes place in daylight, forget about finding a shadow anywhere with photography this flat. Only one gaffer is credited and he pulled double duty as an assistant camera, so who knows if anyone did any calculated lighting.
Emily and Kevin visit Jenny at the East State Mental Hospital. Jenny tells them that the doll is possessed by the spirit of murdered boy Robert Crow. While it was initially believed that Jenny’s former housekeeper Agatha imbued the doll with evil, a psychic later revealed that Agatha’s brother Amos Blackwood was responsible. However, Jenny was unable to track down Blackwood and suspects he assumed a different identity.
The curse not only affected their physical surroundings but also the harmony among themselves. Friendships were shattered, families were torn apart, and the once close-knit community turned against each other in fear and desperation. The curse had not only brought misfortune but also sowed seeds of discord among the villagers. Efforts were made to break the curse. The villagers consulted wise elders, sought the help of shamans and spiritual healers, but all in vain. The curse seemed to be unbreakable, and the villagers started losing hope. Years passed, and the curse continued to torment the villagers of Rogert. However, amidst the suffering and despair, a ray of hope emerged. It was a young, brave villager named Isabella who decided to take matters into her own hands. Isabella spent days and nights studying ancient texts, legends, and folklore related to curses and witchcraft. She believed that the key to breaking the curse lay in understanding its origins and finding a way to counteract it. With newfound knowledge and determination, Isabella devised a plan. She called upon the villagers to come together and perform a ritual that would unite their energies in an attempt to break the curse. Despite their skepticism, the villagers agreed, desperate for a glimmer of hope. On the appointed day, the villagers gathered at the center of the village. Isabella led the ritual, guiding the villagers through various chants and actions. It was an intense and emotional experience as they poured their collective energy into breaking the curse. As the ritual came to an end, a moment of silence followed, filled with uncertainty and anticipation. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the village, and the curse was lifted. The villagers felt a sense of relief and joy fill their hearts as they realized they were free from the curse that had plagued them for so long. From that day onwards, the villagers of Rogert lived in prosperity and unity. They remembered the curse as a painful reminder of their past but also as a testament to the power of resilience and community. The curse of Rogert served as a lesson to the villagers, teaching them the importance of coming together and fighting against adversity. They learned that even the darkest of curses can be broken with determination, knowledge, and unity..
Reviews for "Haunted by Rogert's Curse: Real-Life Encounters with the Paranormal"
1. Amy - 1 star
"The Curse of Rogert was an absolute disaster. The plot was predictable and cliché, with no originality whatsoever. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect or care about their fate. The acting was subpar, leaving me cringing throughout the entire movie. Additionally, the special effects were poorly executed, making it laughable rather than scary. I would not recommend wasting your time on this film."
2. John - 2 stars
"I had high hopes for The Curse of Rogert, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The storyline had potential, but it was overshadowed by poor pacing and choppy editing. The scares were lackluster, relying heavily on jump scares that grew repetitive and ineffective. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the film. Overall, it was a disappointing and forgettable experience."
3. Sarah - 1.5 stars
"The Curse of Rogert was a complete letdown for horror enthusiasts like myself. The movie failed to deliver any genuine scares or build a suspenseful atmosphere. The plot was disjointed and confusing, leaving me bewildered throughout. The characters were painfully one-dimensional, and their decisions were often illogical and nonsensical. The lack of originality and creativity in this film was evident, making it a forgettable addition to the horror genre."
4. Mark - 2 stars
"As a fan of horror movies, I was eager to watch The Curse of Rogert. However, it turned out to be a disappointment. The storyline had potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments that dragged on unnecessarily and others that felt rushed. The scares were predictable and uninspiring, failing to elicit any genuine fear. Overall, The Curse of Rogert fell short of its promises and left me underwhelmed."
5. Emily - 1.5 stars
"The Curse of Rogert failed to deliver on its premise. The plot was convoluted and poorly explained, leaving more questions than answers. The characters were unlikable and their actions often made little sense. The visual effects were amateurish, and the film's attempts at creating tension and suspense fell flat. Overall, it was a forgettable and unsatisfying horror experience."