Blair Witch Project
To be perfectly honest, this was not one of my favorite films at all. I did not even bother to
yet rent the second version. I felt that this was a long drawn out mock documentary. I was at
no point scared even though it was billed as one on the scariest movies ever. Supposedly these
film students went into the Black Hills of Maryland looking to film about the legend of the
Blair Witch. They travel into the woods to investigate. The movie is what they have filmed.
We see them wandering around the woods in circles, getting lost, hearing things in the woods,
loosing the map, and such. There are some paranormal events occurring, such as pile of rocks
appearing, and the little logo for the film showing up in sticks. Each night another person
disappears until it is just the girl. She then runs into an old building and the camera goes
dead. Supposedly, the local sheriff then finds the film sometime later. It was very apparent
to me that they were acting this out even though it was billed as an actual event. Some may
enjoy this film, especially if they are creeped out easily. It just wasn't one that I really
enjoyed.
Casper
I am a huge fan of this live action mixed with computer generated imagery of ghostly effects
film by director Stephen Spielberg. Christina Ricci plays the almost teen daughter Kat, and
her on screen father Dr. James Harvey "ghost therapist" is played by Bill Pullman. The father
is hired by the newly inherited haunted manors owner. The ghostly trio of Stinky, Stretch and
Fatso are rude and obnoxious ghosts who stand between the owner and a supposed treasure in the
manor. Casper is also a resident ghost, but he is just looking for a friend. We see the
adventures, friendship, and love that grows between all the character, living and dead. I
consider this movie a family film and suitable for most all ages.
Ghost
This is really more of a love story than a ghost story. The main character played by Patrick
Swayze, is murdered very early in the movie. His friend and coworker had him "accidentally killed"
to try to cover a large sum of embezzled money. He speaks to his beloved, played by
Demi Moore, thru a supposedly fake and very reluctant medium played by Whoopi Goldberg. This
opens her up to a mirage of other ghosts wanting to speak with their loved loves, and puts her
life in jeopardy. Patrick Swayze's character has to set everything right with his untimely
death. Sort of the clique ghost having unfinished business that needs to be taken care of
before "crossing over". There are some good special effects in this movie. I liked the way
they portrayed what happens after death to both the "good" and the "bad". It even goes into
the pk side of poltergeist activity and how death does not alter personality. I see this movie
on television often. It is an enjoyable story, and not too scary.
Ghost Dad
This Bill Cosby film is suitable for all ages. It takes a humorous look at what could happen
if the patriarch of the family should suddenly leave. The widower father of three is in a
terrible accident that renders him in a coma. His spirit wanders. There are many
misadventures that incur. The "ghost" seems to learn the true importance of life and mistakes
made in life thru experiencing his own "death". Bill Cosby makes his usual expressions. It was
a very cute film, but made more for children and family. It does have a Hollywood ending. It
is not a scary film by any means. It is suitable for most all ages.
The Haunting
This movie was not well received by many. People seemed to think that it could have been
scarier. However, I LOVED it! It is a remake of a 1963 film of the same name. In the
original movie, it is a team of para psychologists who study the home. The remake, it is a group
of young adults who agree to take part in a sleep disturbances study. The doctor conducting
this study takes the three to an isolated old mansion called the Hill House. His intentions
are not really to study the sleep patterns, but to study fear. He gives the story of the house
to the guy in the study group who shares it with the two women, even though he is not supposed
to. Nell, the main character seems most open to this suggestion, and actually rolls with it.
The "sensitive" in the group is immediately attacked by the house which takes on a life of its
own. There are many creepy, scary, even gross (decapitation scene) and odd ghostly things that
happen in the house. There is the voices of the children that were murdered there, little
footprints in blood that appear, and later things like statues actually come to life and attack.
As a ghost hunter, I love to spot the things such as drastic temperature changes that may
indicate a haunt. The main character ends up being a direct descendant of the original owner.
They are locked in the property until morning, so once the ghost of the house decides to attack,
we get to see how and who survives the night. An excellent horror film!
Heart and Souls
This film is about the souls of four people who die due to a bus crash. They do not cross
over. They live with a new soul that was entering the world at that exact same time and place,
acting as guardians for him. This character is played by Robert Downing, Jr. He is the only
one who can see or hear them. They remain quiet for some years as people begin to think he
is loosing it, but then need his help. The character sketches are all wonderful. We get true
insight to all these people and their unfinished business. They all have a wonderful and
realistic relationships with each other and the character played by Downing. Downing's
character must help each finish their business in a short amount of time to move on. We see
each grow and intertwine with each other. Grab a box of Kleenex, this is a real tear jerker!
House on Haunted Hill
This is a remake of William Castle's 1958 classic horror tale. The original has Vincent Price
in it and is well worth seeing if you get the chance. The original is a bit cheesy with a
moving dancing skeleton, and well outdated special effects, but still a good view. In the
remake, there is a wealthy theme park tycoon who is in a not so good marriage with a lady who
also loves the occult. He decides to throw her a party at an old mental institute. There is
an odd computer glitch witch throws out the actual guest list. The people who do come to the
party are the decentness of those involved with the insane asylum. The building and ghosts of
past take over the party. The special effects are good, but it is a bit predictable. We get
to see who and why they do live out the night. It is a movie that can keep you on the edge.
I enjoyed most of it.
Poltergeist Movies
I have seen each of these movies. The first of these was the most interesting to me. This
movie is rumored to be based on a Wisconsin haunt of a home built on an old cemetery where the
head stones where moved, but not the bodies. However, in the movies, we learn that a religious
group had went to a cave under ground because they thought that the end of time was here. The
leader would not let those who began to wonder if the views were true or not, leave the group.
They ended up starving to death under this unscrupulous leader keeping them there. The souls
were never to rest because of this. The leader was drawn to little Carol Ann's life force in
the movies. This young actress, Heather 0 Rourke, actually perished at 12 during surgery for
of a congenial intestinal obstruction which was thought of as just the flu. The actress who
portrayed her older sister in the first movie also perished at a young age at the hands of her
boyfriend. He strangled her during an argument, and she died five days later while in a coma.
The man who portrayed the religious leader of the cult group, Henry Kane, played by Julian
Beck, died of stomach cancer in 1985. Will Sampson, who portrayed the Native American shaman
who tried to help the family overcome the other worldly phenomena, passed away in 1987 of
kidney failure following a successful heart and lung transplant. Some even go as far as to
say that they were cursed. However, the actor who portrayed the father, Craig T. Nelson, had a
wonderful run as Coach Hayden Fox on the series Coach. The mother was actress JoBeth Williams. To this day I am still up
to turn off a TV at the very first note of the star spangled banner! The first of the series
of film portrays a good view of a team of paranormal researchers doing an investigation at the
home. The following movies do a good job of showing those with a "gift" of sight and those who
do not believe making light of things, or explaining them away. Each succeeding movie becomes
less and less inspiring, but still a worthwhile watch!
The Others
I saw this movie for the first time at the theater. It is nearly two hours long, and I have to
admit that watching it through the first time, it seemed long to the point. However, this
movie is well worth the rental fee! Every time I see this movie, I catch something new. Like
the Sixth Sense, it is full of turns, twists, and an unexpected ending! Without trying to
give away too much, this movie is about a mother and her two young children who are living with
the possibility of ghosts in their home. The children can see and have knowledge of the
"others" in the home, while the mother wants to rationalize the occurrences. The movie is
elusive about the exact time frame, and who is who. We do know that it is during a time of
war, and that they live on an island, isolated from the general population and what is going on
in society. The children suffer from an illness in which they may not be exposed to direct
sunlight. A group of suspicious people come to the home to be caretakers. There is an older
couple and a young lady who is a mute. The mother is very protective of her young, to the
point of being dislikable. There is a sense of something not quite right with her. The
caregivers are suspicious in that you don't know if they are after the best interest of the
family or not. Things begin to happen to rise to the danger point in the home. There is the
possibility of home invasion. There is no way of knowing exactly who is who, and who belongs
in the home. The caregivers cover up the burial plots located on the premises. There are
death shot photos of people discovered. This reminded me of Wisconsin "Deathtrap" photos and
independent film. I really cannot say more, without giving away the ending. So my suggestion
is to rent the movie, and let me know what you think! Another drama/thriller that I suggest.
The Saint Francesville Experiment
This film was at first released as a documentary, not unlike the Bell Witch Project. I am a
huge fan of Troy Taylor, which is what interested me at first. It starts out with Troy going
over equipment that is used on a ghost investigation and what it is used for. He is not on the
actual investigation though. The movie is about a group of "ghost hunters" going to a haunted
location in search of real ghosts. There is a group of college age people including a psychic
going to Louisiana. There is a real house rumored to be actually haunted with pretty much the
same history and background given in the movie. Many slaves were abused and died in the home.
Perhaps I was just expecting too much out of this movie. It was a sad disappointment for me.
It seems to be what started as a documentary that turns into a Hollywood enhanced film. The
psychic hears voices not captured on film or heard by anyone else, and acts a bit freaky. The
other characters are very predictable. It was not really frightening, to me at least. It was
somewhat interesting, but a big disappointment to what I thought it would be.
The Sixth Sense
A highly recommendable film to those interested in the ghostly aspect of the paranormal realm.
This film is about a psychologist and a young boys interactions about the after life. The boy
has a sixth sense about those who have passed on. He can see and hear the ghosts. This makes
him a bit of a freak in the eyes of most others. There is much symbolism in this film which
may need more than one viewing to catch. There are many clues to the surprise ending that may
be missed. Every time I see this movie, I seem to catch some foreshadowing of the ending that
I missed before. It truly shows that not every gift is a blessing! I do not want to give away
the ending to those who may not have seen this movie before! It is a wonderful film, well
worth the rental, or even purchase! The plot and acting are very well done. Bruce Willis
gives a wonderful performance of a child psychologist in this film. He portrays a doctor who
feels compelled to help the boy with his visions of the deceased. There are many turns and
twists in this film. Also, a huge surprise ending, which I did not catch the first time
through~! This is one drama/thriller that I highly suggest.
The Shining
A movie based on the Steven King novel by the same name that he wrote inspired by an actual
haunted resort he stayed in. In this movie we see a dysfunctional family put into an isolated
situation with a ghostly history. Jack Nicolson gives a great performance in this movie.
There is ghostly activity and psychic abilities explored in this horror/suspence film.
The family moves into a resort hotel in the off season as caretakers. The father is a
recovering alcoholic and writer, the son a sensitive, and an enabling dependent mother. The
building takes on a past live of it's own right along with the people who had lost their lives
on the premises. I am a huge fan of Steven King. I never think that the movies do the book
justice, but this one was not too bad. If you have not yet seen this one, rent it, turn off
the lights, and pop the popcorn! Watch out, here's Johnny!
13 Ghosts
This remake of the 1960 classic campy horror film was actually done fairly well. You don't get
the little glasses to see the ghosts like in the original version though. The premise of this
film is that a family who has recently lost the mother in a fire is broke. An unknown uncle
(and collector of souls and devil machine device) has supposedly passed away and left them his
house and money. They go to check out the house made entirely of glass with huge cog wheels
turning in the middle of the front room. They investigate the house, temporary unaware of the
souls that are being held behind spells carved on the glass walls. In order to see the ghosts,
they need to wear special glasses. The ghosts each had a personality that coincided with black
arts astronomy characters. There are a few twists and turns of who is who, but it is a bit
predictable. This movie does contain some violence, a lot of blood of guts, and nudity. The
characters were well developed and really had personality. I would have liked to have more
background information on the ghosts though. I found the techniques that they used to capture
the ghosts fascinating. The special effects were well done. I enjoyed this horror film!
Respectfully submitted by:
msghosthunter
