jeanie_821

I saw this film on the recommendation of a friend. Up until now, she'd never steered me wrong on a film. I guess there's always a first time. "Matthew" was bad beyond bad - criminally bad, to make a sick joke. A young boy kills his father, losing his hand in the process. Being too young to prosecute criminally, he's institutionalized in a mental health facility, during which time he's fitted with a metal hook in place of his missing left hand. Ten years later, some quack deems him cured and releases him to his mother and new stepfather. And if you can't see where this is going, obviously you've never been to a movie.

The plot is so thin it's nearly transparent, and the special effects are laughable even for 1971, but the actors do the best they can with what they have. With the exception of Angus Scrimm (acting under the name Rory Guy), it's no surprise that the cast has never been heard from again; they were probably embarrassed to show their faces on the silver screen after that.

Do yourself a favor - see something else. Anything else. Trust me, even "Plan Nine from Outer Space" is better than this turkey.

considering the brevity of the film (approximately 40 min. in length). Angela Webb (Deana Demko) was certain that her vacation house in New Jersey was haunted, and to prove her point, she invited two psychics (Michael R. Thomas and June Marlowe) to visit, then to a party, to show them that she wasn't imagining things. There are ghosts, all right - one sitting on the front porch, one hanging out in the barn, one in the bedroom...

This is a true story, and the house does exist - I had the privilege of speaking to Karl Petry, the director, during the making of the film, and he told me about visiting the house. He told me that while he was there, furniture moved from one side of the living room to the other, without anyone touching it.

If you're looking for some good Halloween films to scare yourself with, you should definitely include this one on your list.

I wasn't born yet when the events occurred, but seeing this film had almost the same impact. It just amazes me that people would be racist enough to kill innocent children - children who never really had a chance to live. Those who were alive and remember the events of that day will certainly feel the outrage anew, especially when the parents and relatives of the children who died speak of that day.

PLEASE NOTE: This film contains footage of the bombing site, newsreels of the marches on Birmingham, and autopsy photos. Many of these images are very disturbing. Those who are bothered by such images should not view this film.