Ghosting

Interesting and creative story but not very good acting and production. Some really weird soundtrack choices and unnecessary events.

Ghosting is a delight, simultaneously satisfying horror fans and pleasantly surprising skeptics of the genre. It leavens horror with mystery, romance, and humor, then adds plenty of jump-in-your-seat moments to keep things moving. From the very beginning you'll find yourself trying to see beyond the screen. Who's doing that? Why? What's really going on?

It's only later that you'll think about the fact that all this was embedded in beautiful cinematography, highlighting the various plot points without hammering on them. The light on the stream in the opening scene. The oddly ominous diner. The farmhouse that should be inviting but decidedly isn't. The photography is a perfect fit for the plot and the action, drawing you in and keeping you there.

But my favorite thing about the film is the relationships: Matt's fraught but loving relationship with his mother, the easy familiarity of Lindsay's parents. Most of all I love Matt's friendship with Charlie. True friendship between a man and a woman is not often represented in film, and its presence here is both appreciated and refreshing.

Ghosting strikes the perfect balance between creepy and fun, and is beautiful to look at in the bargain.

Is the pacing off here-and-there? Yup. Do the connections between narrative threads become clear? Not always. Is the acting AAA? With the exception of Paul Fahrenkopf, the answer is no.

However, for a student-style, low-budget film, "Ghosting" is quite good. The basic premise is that a young college student with a troubled home life becomes enmeshed in a mystery when he picks up a part of a bracelet belonging to another classmate. Contact with that bracelet allows him/the other student to see things in photographs that others cannot see.

What follows is a sort of X-Files episode where both natural and supernatural explanations are uncovered over the course of the students' investigation of what they are seeing and why it might matter. While the ending does not quite tie things together, it does just enough to work. And, frankly, given the budget, there were some really good choices for camera/lighting use.

The bottom line is that there is a definite plot here and the film does just enough to keep us guessing until the final act. If you are expecting big budget lighting, writing and actors, then look elsewhere. But for what this is, it is quite good. (I have found that the Baltimore/mid-Atlantic offerings are often both languid and quirky in a way that appeals to me. This definitely was the case here.)

A good movie one that reminds me of the cinema era. As all too often film is overshadowed with the needs of those who supply the nectar of the gods. This film is a gallant allegiance to the cinematic era. And cares for what makes cinema magic its viewers.

The contrast to the trend amongst modern film is more buoyant as far from dependent on the reception of media glitz. The film floats on faith in plot intrigue and the casts' belief in their roles.

Finally, this is a wonderful piece of American film making. And the director knows it. They remain true to traditional American cinema and it's a credit to all involved.

This had a suspenseful and promising start but lacked any real direction at the end, with a stupid finish & total anti-climax. Really cheap budget, wooden acting & dumb characters that really could've been a 'Scare Doo' instead of Scooby Doo - which is what it became.

The ghost in photographs that only 2 out of the 3 leads could see - were they schizophrenic? Were they linked psychically? What did the images mean? No link in the photographs which came from multiple sources of the owners - but a bracelet seems to hold the key. The hunt is on.

You get to the end & end up wishing for the time back. Really pathetic ending - the actors just completely gave up by then (as had I), Really half hearted attempt at what could've been a really decent movie. More like a student muck around without any really comedy. Film version of Scooby Doo & the Serial KIller. Not good! Save your time - at least this was free to watch (it's only saving grace!). Even the attempted twist at the end was pretty stupid & didn't make sense. Bah!