Apparitional

First, this movie is definitely worth watching. It is a lower-budget ghost-hunter movie that really exceeds expectations. It is really well acted with only a few scenes as the exception. It has a proper dose of humor throughout as well. At first I thought the lead guy was going to be like a poor man's Josh Gates, but soon realized I was wrong and his acting was spot-on. The other characters were enjoyable to watch also, and did a fine job. Don't get me wrong, there are some scenes that highlight the modest budget they must have been on, but on the whole it was a fun film to watch. The scares were there in the 2nd half mostly but the whole thing was done as well as could be expected. I took note that it was a good script if not always delivered the best way. It surprised me how much I enjoyed it. So if you're looking for horror and have seen most of what's out there, don't miss this one. One of the better portrayals of ghost hunting, the way it's done nowadays, that I've seen.

This is your standard low budget horror movie about ghost hunters who finally find the real thing. There's a formula for that kind of movie and this movie follows that formula. I like that. If you are a horror buff who likes ghosts then this movie will deliver the emotional roller coaster ride that you expect. For me that makes it a success. I enjoyed this movie and recommend it.

Also, all the protagonists are decent likable people. I really like that in a horror movie, and IMO it's one of the reasons why Asian horror is often so much better than US films. I want to like and care about the characters on the screen. In this movie that is easy to do. That fact alone makes this movie better than similar fare like Grave Encounters.

Low budget horror that follows the crew of a TV ghost-hunting show as they investigate a haunted prison. Not 'found-footage', thankfully. No 'name actors', other than Dee Wallace, who gets an early scene as a foul-mouthed, ball-busting network exec. The location (the real life, closed Missouri State Penitentiary) is terrific, the cast are far better than normal for this sort of thing, and whilst the story is pretty generic, they do go for a 'twist'. Unfortunately, the CGI looks cheap, the music jars sometimes, and - despite the great setting - there isn't much tension. 5/10.

A group of paranormal investigators need to deliver the goods to boost the ratings of their struggling TV show, so agree to film an episode in an old abandoned prison. Although long since abandoned, turns out the place might not be so empty as first thought of! 'Haunting of Cellblock 11' is a decent little low-budget horror/thriller with solid dialog and believable characters, and, despite a fairly slow start, a couple of effective scares pop up here and there. It's also a competently shot multi-camera affair, so despite the premise, there's very little in the way of single shaky camera 'found-footage' elements.

But one thing that instantly stands out are some better than average acting performances, and ultimate praise must go to the on screen husband and wife Jeffrey Johnson and Linara Washington. The pair share a convincing chemistry and very supportive, believable partnership throughout the film, and the few scenes where the sadly discuss their inability to have children is very touching, you literally want these two to make it through the ordeal. It's probably their relationship and the skill of the two actors that keeps you watching right through to the end.

Unfortunately some of the scares rely on pretty unconvincing CGI enhancements that are more ambitious than successful, and the film would have probably been more effective without them at all. Another problem is that something bad happens to one of the lead characters about half way through, and when he suddenly reappears later on, when asked what happened he essentially answers 'Oh man, I have no idea...', and it's never brought up again!

But 'Haunting of Cellblock 11' is still worth a watch. It tells a decent tale, has some reliable scares and all-around solid acting. I'm assuming there might also be a chance of some of the characters returning for another film?

7/10.

A ghost hunting team travel to a reportedly haunted prison in an effort to save their ailing TV show which has yet to have a ghost sighting. They get more then they bargained for when they start finding angry prisoner ghosts and the door to get out is chained.

This one is not very good as most scare factors are shutting doors, falling objects and the odd ghost image. Nothing too heavy. I was surprised it wasn't done as a found footage. Dee Wallace has a three minute scene at the beginning which probably was where there entire budget went in paying her wage, flight and hotel. The other actors in this one you'll forget after the film is over as I already do. Skip this one.