clogsdon

I know more than one person who watched this film, claimed immediately after that it wasn't very scary and then called me a few hours later telling me that they were freaked out.

Highlight: For me, the best concept in the film is the video-feed dream sequence. Oh man! It's creepy and exceedingly ominous and the shaky-cam newsreel quality gives it an extra punch.

The plot: You don't have to be a genius to understand what is going on in this film, but you do need to pay attention. The supernatural physics is a little nonsensical, of the "Popular science" variety, but the basic premise is explained in layman terms.

The characters: Actually, while the "science" is hocus-pocus, I really liked that the film's characters were mostly grad students. The actors do a great job of portraying annoyed, skeptical science grad students. Horror flicks are filled with numbskull undergrads, and it is nice to see the hidden sector of college life revealed in its nerdy glory.

The skinny: I'd describe it as a Biblical/Lovecraft horror film. It's got the whole "evil universe" theme running alongside an effective "Hell breaks loose" plot.

People really some to either love or hate this film. I had a group of friends over last Halloween to watch it. Half of them were freaked out and the others were just puzzled. Most of the puzzled crowd didn't understand what was going on in the final frames, or were unable to suspend their disbelief enough to enjoy it. Too bad for them.

Sure, the film has weaknesses, but do yourself a favor and don't fixate on them. Instead, focus on the greatness of the film. The makers of The Blair Witch Project showed that you can make a great horror film with a couple of crummy cameras and a kick-butt classic ghost story.

If you have not seen it and are thinking going to, just make sure to pay attention to the details of the Blair Witch/Rustin Parr legend as they are laid out. Ignore the hype and just watch it alone with the lights out.