This was a great movie if your not a couch person.

After their bus crashes while touring in Brazil, a group of young adults find themselves in a world of misery...Not ever likely to be watched by members of the Brazilian Tourist Board, Turistas (AKA: Paradise Lost) is a whole mixed bag of a movie. Narratively it has been done before, a bunch of pretty types end up coming face to face with criminals and psychopaths in a land they don't know and barely understand.The build up to the horror elements is slow, and for some horror fans it takes too long. Yet conversely it's good that the makers have afforded time for the characterisations to build, allowing for some humour, some drama and an insight into a multi national group dynamic. You may not much care what happens to them, but at least you know them!Actually filmed on location in Brazil, there's a lot of mother nature's natural beauty (and her tough terrain at times) on show, all neatly photographed by Enrique Chediak (28 Weeks Later/127 Hours). However, the trump card is the underwater sequences, which are superbly put together, including a thrilling extended chase sequence that lifts the film out of horror/thriller averageville.There's messages in the mix that valiantly try to make a point, but they get lost as things go a bit cuckoo. Yet there's enough good craft on show, and a horror sequence guaranteed to make you squirm, to make this worth a viewing. It is a good bit better than what some of the hate poured on it suggests, though the caveat is that horror fans should know it only gets into horror territory late in the day. 6/10

Those of you who've read my reviews and commented to me on them know that my reviews are more about describing the film in general (production and performances)as opposed to the 500 plot rundowns on here...I consider myself a true fan of movies in general. My perspective comes from having studied the medium in school. So, typically, I'm a fan of classic movies of the past and independent, low budget, or small scallops movies of the present (with exceptions, of course). This movie was a guilty delight to meA lazy, Saturday afternoon on the couch watch that was a pleasant surprise. I typically don't like horror movies but every once in a while I throw one on. This movie was spooky, creepy and scary, three emotions which are vastly different. Spooky in that it had a dark undertoe throughout, creepy in that some of the themes are just plain out there without too much gore, and scary in that it had just the right amount of frighten-you-silly effects! Alex and his sister Bea (Josh Duhamel and Olivia Wilde - which by the way was a nice touch, having the main protagonists as bro and sis) are in Brazil with some friends when a bus accident leaves them marooned on the mainland. It's well directed, the actors are capable, especially Miguel Lunardi who swipes this whole pic out from under Duhamel and Wilde. Like I said above, better than I expected, a pleasant surprise!

I turned on this film wanting to watch something leaving my senses behind, just focusing on the eye candy, John Duhamel. But a few minutes into the film, though it was your typical tourist's and their dream holiday turned nightmare situation, there was a kind of realistic feel to the film. All the characters were likable, and as an audience, we could feel the fear and unrest caused by the scenario all the characters were placed in. Never boring at any instance, it was quick paced, well acted and they had settings that were as beautiful as some grubby and irksome. A fun ride, with a refreshing ending that gave us closure, unlike most of its kind with the clichéd 'twist' ending that would usually then pave way for a second terrible installment. Overall worth one watch.