The Haunting of Barney Palmer

This is an unusual family mystery from New Zealand that I found entertaining. It concerns a family with certain members that have an inherent power. That power can be seen as a talent or a curse. Eight year old Barney is being haunted by a figure in a trenchcoat. This ghost is childlike who seems to want to be at play with Barney. The spirit needs company and warns Barney that a lonely childhood can lead to wickedness in later life. This 'ghost' turns out to be his Great Uncle Cole who has the family's magical power. Cole is played well by the recently late American actor Ned Beatty. Beatty's kindly features distort into the sinister in such a great way in this movie. There are some decent little character studies. As well as Cole the other two standout characters for me are dried-flower arranger Great Uncle Alberic and the stern Great Grandmother.