Logo

Cool News

John Robie looks at THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT

Published at:  Apr 27, 1999 11:22:32 AM CDT

Well our faithful feline felon furls his brow and takes a piercing peep at that film that has 'GOTTEN' to a lot of folks. This little film that could is going to be at CANNES, word has it that up in Chicago there's going to be some screenings (details are sketchy)... But you know... the film opens the same day as EYES WIDE SHUT, and ya know? See Kubrick first (don't be an idiot, Kubrick's last gift to mankind should be opened first) but after the 5 hours of excited spilling of words out of your mouth and the jabbering holes of your friends... Wander back to the theater (walk at night) and check out this one. It might just crawl under your skin... Here's Robie...



Blair Witch Project review—

To do this right I’m going to throw some advice out to any of you (any of you left who don’t know, that is)
who have heard a few whispers about this flick and are curious as to what the hell it is. Stop reading this
review right now, don’t read any other review of it you see in newspapers or the internet, shut off the
television if they start talking about it and stuff a tennis ball in your friend’s mouth if he starts spouting
off about what he heard it is. I even think the poster they had for it at Sundance gives away a bit too much,
and it’s only a black poster with a small image of half a face and a tiny little figure at the bottom and the
title “The Blair Witch Project.” If there was ever, EVER, a movie that will get under your
skin—ESPECIALLY if you know NOTHING about it before hand—it’s this movie. I apologize for all
those lame all-caps-I-STRESS-THIS typing, but I’m trying to get a point across here. Put the kids to sleep,
this movie is fucking awesome.

I beg you, if you want to really enjoy this movie, don’t read anything else I’ve written. Just click the back
arrow up at the top of the screen and say to yourself “what the hell was that guy’s trip?” I’m going to
keep this quick and vague, and I’m sorry if I pile on the adjectives of praise with so little explanation as to
why. I won’t go into what happens because it would completely ruin it.

I take that back. You could know the entire story of this movie, heck you could even memorize the script.
You’ll still get scared shitless when you go see this. The difference between the freak factor here and, say,
the first Friday the 13th is the difference between a leaky blow up doll and a booby dancer. You can get
older and look back and laugh (minor threat…) at Jason and Freddy, but I swear my fifty year old mother
would get absolutely frightened watching Blair Witch.

It’s the kind of scary you get when you’re walking along all alone at night in the middle of nowhere and,
even though you’re singing out loud to let all the baddies of the night know you’re not scared, deep down
you’re about ready to crap your pants. I always imagined that the freakish vampire from W. Murnau’s
Nosferatu was out to get me. Him and the robot lady from the end of Superman III. It’s that kind of scary,
the stuff you make up totally in your head, that Blair Witch plays on. Of course all types of scary you
make up in your head, but when those intangible fears start to materialize themselves in very real ways….

Just let yourself go into the theater, let yourself think that the movie isn’t going anywhere, let yourself
complain that it looks like a hack job up there on the screen. Then, after about 45 minutes, realize that the
supremely talented creators of this film have been messing with you—preparing you—all along. Then sit
back and watch your skin crawl. And see how great it is to bring something out of the theater with you
when you go home. Man, how great is it to see what good movies can do?



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 11:31:36 AM CDT

    I take it you liked it?

    by bitchass

    Sounds like you had fun with this one...I still want to know more.

    I get the Haxan newsletter eery few days and with all the advance screenings going on, there really should be more reviews kicking around.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 11:41:24 AM CDT

    Screening in Boston TONIGHT (4/27)

    by kane

    There's a 'Blair Witch' screening in Boston tonight at the Loews Nickelodeon Theater on Commonwealth Ave. near B.U. It's at 8pm. If you're going, I'm the tall mook with the goatee and sideburns.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 11:52:19 AM CDT

    The film that can save horror.

    by spike lee

    Lets just hope Artisian opens this film wide, and get it into the mall megaplexes. Everything I have heard about this film rocks, and we need to show everyone that horror can be well done and written solid. I remember seeing the trailer a month or so here on AICN, and it was a perfect trailer. If anyone needs to see this film its Hollywood suits and A list directors, writers, and actors. Great horror films have always come from independent backgrounds, just look at the golden age of horror in the 70's (Halloween, Chainsaw Massacre, Night and Dawn of the Dead, Evil Dead)they were independents which hit on midnight showings and drive ins. Hopefully, Blair Witch will get everyone to respect horror again, and not destroy it more with Scream rip offs. I think if Blair Witch can open wide, it will really catch on the same way Pulp Fiction did.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 12:10:07 PM CDT

    Horror

    by dingo wrangler

    I like it when a horror movie is actually scary, that's why I am going to check out the Blair Witch Project. Anyone who can actually produce a movie which puts even an ounce of fright into me has my devotion. Which is why I enjoy the films of Tobe Hooper (check out Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Salem's Lot to see what I mean). Plus it is my opnion that big budget kills a horror movie. it's a low budget genre. the more crappy the film quality is, the more convinced you are that is real. Look at Chainsaw Massacre. the movie looked an extremely low-budget documentary and that worked for it. If a movie looks big and glossy it kills the suspense because you know it's fake. The Exorcist may have cost a lot, but it looked like it was shot through a tank of urine and that is what makes it chilling.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 12:41:34 PM CDT

    Already saw it . . .

    by jedilips

    and it is probably one of the most original, horrifying films ever made. Now, I know that's a cliched statement, because it seems that any film with a hint of originality is one of the most "original ever made," but this is the real deal. I managed to score a copy on video a couple of months ago (and I am going to the screening in Philadelphia tonight), and I have never seen anything like it. There are two aspects to this film; first, the fear of being lost, stranded in the woods in the middle of autumn with little food and water is frightening enough as it is (and that is what makes up a good chunk of the 1st 40 or so minutes). The second part comes from the object of their search, the Blair Witch and let me tell you my little droogies once the terror starts it doesn't let up. Not only are these kids dealing with the fear that they might die in the woods, cold and alone, but now something (or someone) is royally fucking with them. Night after night they are greeted with new and increasingly scary treats. And the ending is spectacular . . . it will leave the theater chairs stained with doo-doo, I can guarantee you. This is not for the weak of heart. This explores the heart of the "Things that go bump in the night" aspect of horror that has been absent for a long, long time. Remember that feeling of going into the basement at night, when the light was out and you hear something creaking in the back, but weren't entirely sure of what it was, so you ran back up the steps, but you still felt like something was following you . . . well that's the kind of feeling envoked by The Blair Witch Project . . . . Can't wait to see it again. This film will be better than The Phantom Menace; there I said it. Do I actually believe it . . . ? Maybe.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 1:26:52 PM CDT

    The Blair Witch Project

    by w. leach

    Man, I am DYING to see this film!! (no pun intended). Unfortunetely, it won't be released theatrically until July. Bummer. Anyway, I checked out the website, and it gave me the chills. If a freakin' WEBSITE can send them icy fingers up and down my spine, then think what the MOVIE could do -- in a darkened theater. Duuuude. I hope that the trailer for this one doesn't give anything away (in other words don't show ANY footage from the film) Remember the trailers for CITIZEN KANE and PSYCHO? You didn't actually see a scrap of footage, but the interest was definetely there. The trailer for THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT should be something like the website, which explains what happened when three filmmakers wandered into a haunted area...and never returned. That's all we need to know. Is it just me, or are trailers getting LONGER? Seems we spend an extra half hour in the theater just for the trailers alone. Now I admit some of 'em are pretty darn cool, but they give away too much, man. Case in point: that new Tim Robbins movie. He's supposed to be a terrorist or something. The trailer pretty much gives every major plot turn away. I'll probably see it, 'cause I'm a fan of Tim R. (loved THE HUDSUCKER PROXY), but I wish I didn't know so much. Now what was I talking about here ...? Oh yeah, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Can't wait to see it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 1:30:12 PM CDT

    Oh yeah ...

    by w. leach

    I DID see the trailer for THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Gotta lay off that orange soda...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 3:21:22 PM CDT

    Don't believe the hype

    by hdixon

    I saw the Blair Witch Project in a screening and it didn't scare me at all. In fact, I was annoyed by the two male actors who never seemed to get out of a Jeff-Spicoli-stoner state of being and the female lead had a voice that was as annoying as fingernails scratching a chalkboard. Furthermore, the ending rendered the whole film a c___-tease; you get all sorts of build and then nothing happens. I don't understand why so many people like this film.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 3:31:15 PM CDT

    The Facts of Life Halloween Special

    by soupeysails

    I want to see what all the hype is about. After learning how they did it, though, I wonder if SAG would approve...

    Better keep it a non-union shoot!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 3:38:30 PM CDT

    Uh....

    by henrik

    I'm glad you liked it. What I don't get is, why take 2 paragraphs saying "Stop now if you want it to be fresh for you" and then, you didn't say ANYTHING about the movie except that you really REALLY liked it?
    I'm all for not giving things away, but at least say so up front.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 3:47:05 PM CDT

    WHERE CAN I SEE THIS FILM!!!!!!!!

    by nm movie man

    Damnit it's killin me i have no idea if there will ever be a test screening of this film here in Albuquerque New Mexico can someone please tell me if i can find a screening for this in NM????

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 4:09:56 PM CDT

    NY screening

    by pilgrym

    Pilgrym from NY just letting you know that tickets for the Blair Witch screening were snapped up in a hurry here at NYU--I'm going around begging all my friends for a spare ticket. All I know is that it's playing at a Loews theatre in Manhattan this Thursday.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 5:35:11 PM CDT

    Smelled like a scam then...

    by fred4sure

    I saw a few minutes of this film about a year ago. After about 30 seconds it became clear that it was a scam. Doesn't the movie fall kinda flat once you know it's phony?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 7:46:22 PM CDT

    Blair witch showing in albuquerque?

    by super69kid

    thats the question ive been waiting to have answered!its good to see that im not the only blair witch fan in albuquerque.hey assasin,do you know if the century will be showing it?i heard the lobo might get it...but anyways,harry if you got some info on this i would really appreciate.oh yeah assasin,its a small town and most people know each other...i work over at gateway in rio rancho...how about you?drop me a line...we might know each other.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 8:02:32 PM CDT

    So it's a scam

    by monkeychylde

    Ed Sanchez and Dan Myrick never intend to totally fool you into believing that this is "Actual" footage from some scared young uns. Sure it says so in the beginning, but if only a few people believe that, then that's even better. They just went out and tried to make a scary movie in a way that is fresh to those of us who feel flooded by the likes of Scream and IKWYDLS. I think that they do a good job from what I can tell. I can't wait to see the whole thing and I'll be glad to cough up my $7.50 to support any so called 'hack job' that these guys come up with.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 8:09:59 PM CDT

    Just saw it...

    by kane

    I just got back from the Boston screening of 'Blair Witch'. I don't know _HOW_ that person above me claimed to not be scared. Guys, this film WORKED. To those of you who anticipate this film more than any other, JUST YOU FRIGGIN WAIT. Not only were my expectations met, but they were actually surpassed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 8:35:26 PM CDT

    Effectiveness of psuedo-documentaries

    by the chief

    I am not sure why somebody wouldn't enjoy the film if they knew it wasn't a true story. Maybe somebody might feel as if they've been hornswoggled if they were temporarily fooled into thinking it was actual footage of a documentary.
    Back in the early eighties, there was a tv movie called "Special Report," or something like that. It was about live network news coverage of nuclear terrorism. It looked convincing, but a disclaimer ran continuously across the bottom of the screen to prevent panic and let people know there weren't really watching a news broadcast, a la War of the Worlds. The climax of this movie was cool and quite shocking, even if some viewers might have guessed what was going to happen. Ever you ever get a chance to see this as a rerun, watch it.
    Personally, I can't wait to see The Blair Witch Project. My ability to suspened disbelief is quite healthy, and I'm looking forward to getting the living shit scared out of me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 27, 1999 11:52:19 PM CDT

    Truth or Fiction, it's beyond the point...

    by down10

    To tell the truth, I have no preconceived notions about TBWP, even if it never happened. The execution is what matters. TBWP seems like an excellent film and one of the creepiest, bonafied GHOST STORIES in a long time.

    Having a "true" tag at the beginning or during the film (or even the lack of "false" tag) isn't really that important, besides making a few chumps in the audience have an even better film experience.

    As I remember, "Fargo" had the "true story" tag. ...You mean it didn't happen???

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 28, 1999 4:01:28 AM CDT

    this is coming to Australia right?

    by p

  • Apr 28, 1999 4:09:14 AM CDT

    Crap! I'm such a sucker

    by jeepguy

    man, i watched this whole movie thinking i was watching the actual footage that they found. So therefore this movie scared the absolute shit out of me the whole time. Shitty, if this was real footage the movie would be so much scarier , but since it isn't it's still pretty cool, but i wouldn't have shit my bed if i would have known this wasn't actual footage. Haxan, you owe me new underwear!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 28, 1999 7:13:03 AM CDT

    Saw an advance last night

    by lando

    Hey, I just saw and advance screening last night in Boston, and I only have three words...
    Pure, psychological terror. I don't think there's ever been a movie done quite like this before.
    One warning....bring some dramamine(sp) if you get motion sickness....there's no steadycam.
    A definite must see.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 28, 1999 7:13:21 AM CDT

    Non-Spoiler Review

    by kane

    I've had several people ask me what I thought of the film, so I figured I've give a little review. I sent one into Harry that is a bit 'Spoiler-ish', so I'll be kind to you guys and let your imaginations run wild. So how was it?
    If you have any preconception about how fucking cool this movie can be, if
    your anticipation level is off the charts, if your expectations are higher
    than Crispin Glover - rest easy. It's BETTER than you think. Seriously. The
    film starts kind of slowly but has several good laughs. Don't worry - no
    lame-ass one liners, no goofy characters, just real people saying stuff that
    you and I say between friends that make us laugh every day, you know?
    Anyways... When the terror kicks in, it kicks hard. I won't give anything
    away aside from my own true physical reactions during two truly frightening
    scenes. The hair stood up on my arms. I was chilled to the bone. FOR REAL.
    I've NEVER had this happen to me because of a film. For a basis as to what I
    find to be "true" horror: Nosferatu, The Exorcist, Amityville. Would I call
    "BWP" the scariest film I've ever seen? Maybe. What I CAN tell you is that
    there are those two scenes in the film which I can say without question are
    the scariest scenes in any movie I've ever watched. Even with the passage of
    time, I doubt I'll ever forget clutching onto my girlfriend's leg like a big
    pussy. I wish she'd remembered to cut her nails before the movie - my arm
    looks like a roadmap this morning. I believe that
    the handheld shooting presents the story perfectly. It puts you into the
    story like you were the fourth member of the excursion. Actually, the only
    negative commentary I've ever picked up on was that the shaky-cam bugged
    some people. Not me, man. 'Blair Witch' is a perfect black gem. It builds
    and builds and builds and doesn't let up. Without giving anything away, the
    ending will stun you. You'll probably be left in a state much like me and my
    fellow audience members were: silent and unable to move.

    July 16 can't come soon enough. I have to see it again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 28, 1999 5:36:51 PM CDT

    Blair Witch

    by karellan

    I was fortunate? to catch a short preview of the Blair Witch Project on the Independent Film Channel almost a year ago. The creepiness has stuck with me ever since. It should be a marvelously terrifying experience to see the entire film in a dark theatre. There wasn't much more to the preview than what's been seen on the haxan web site but every extra bit of film just makes it scarier.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 28, 1999 9:31:19 PM CDT

    Orlando and the film industry

    by randy

    Now, maybe Orlando will finally get the respect it deserves if "Blair Witch" does well. Most people see us as "the entertainment capital of the world." Thousands of you flock here every week to visit Disney and Universal and all the touristy areas, and think-"This is Orlando."

    What you all forget is people live here. Year round. Someone has to man those concession stands to sell you 3 dollar cokes. What you see is not the real Orlando. We have a top national univeristy in UCF (with one of the best computer and physical therepy programs anywhere), the National Community College of the Year in Valencia CC (who Bill Gates, the devil himself, just pumped a whole shitload of money into to help foster our own computer program), and hordes of businesses. Hell, we've got Lockheed-Martin, Lucent Tech, and others here for pete's sake!

    But I think one of the most overlooked aspects of Orlando is our film industry. Between Disney, Universal, UCF, Valencia and Full Dail (THE college in the country for film and audio), we have more than enough room to make movies, with the talent to make them to boot. Hell, how many movies have been shot at the closing navy base 2 blocks away from my house? Let's see...from the Earth to the moon, the Waterboy, Instinct...and like 2 others I can't remember fro sure off hand...There's a scene in Armageddon with one our cbs affiliate's news van promonantly displayed...They shot a foot locker commercial on my highschool football field....Hell, the manager at one of my ex-theater's sister theaters was an extra at the recent House on Hauinted Hill shoot on the Hulk coaster at IOA....They turned us into rural Mississippe for a recent episode of ER.

    I read some figures a while back that Central Florida more movie theatres (or was it screens....either one, it doens't matter) for the population density and city size than like New York or Chicago (can't think of which one right now).

    Point of the matter is, that Hollywood is seen as THE place to make movies. Well, years ago that was valid, but it's just too voerdeveloped. That's fine if you want your movie shot in a concrete jungle. What Orlando provides is flexibility. You have the built up area of downtown, but then you have various other areas that could easily pass as say...Lousiana swamp or the woods of Maryland (as they are portrayed in TBWP). We have several different styles of suburbs.

    Anyhoo, it just makes me proud that a movie, raised in obscurity, born and bred in the tourist capital of the world, can rise to the ranks of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters and beat them all out. Hopefully thsi will help to further expose the multifascted city I call home (you all might recall the Rolling Stones cover story or MTV's feature on our Club scene, one of the niggest and best next to New York, Chicago and LA...who knows, it might be better!!! Like the blair Witch, you'll be hearing the names Rabbit in the Moon and AK1000 real soon. They'll make you foregt the chemical Borthers and Keoki)!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 29, 1999 1:13:39 AM CDT

    blair witch sneak preview in portland (4/27/99)

    by dboo

    am still shaking my head, wondering how i made it through the screening.
    a genuinely freaky, frightening film.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 1999 1:28:45 AM CDT

    Blair Witch

    by cherokee

    I finally got to see this tonight at a screening in Chicago. I'm glad I heeded the advice of a friend,and didn't read reviews of it before I saw it. Knowing too much would have spoiled the mood of the film. I thought it was great. The final scene really got my skin crawling. Definatly see this one when it comes out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Apr 30, 1999 9:58:16 PM CDT

    Blair Witch Project

    by rapatu

    Ok..this movie freakin' rocks! Case closed! All you people need to go as soon as possible and check this film out. I saw it last night at a special screening Artisan held in Towson, MD. about an hour from where they shot it. Horror movies don't get to me, but this one...dude.. Rules!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 02, 1999 7:12:06 PM CDT

    Artisan

    by jack_torrance

    It's kind of sad to see a movie of this (possible) caliber be deistibuted by a pussyass distibutor as Artisan. Most of us won't be able to see it as Artisan's probobly just going to put in limited release, and for us that DONT live in New York and Los Angeles, get screwed by it.

    I'd like to start up an online campaign to get Artisan to distribute the film all over North America (US and Canada), because us people DESERVE to see this movie, small town or large city.

    Anyone interested in helping with this campaign, please write me at jack_torrance@hotmail.com

    I really wish Artisan didn't get the rights... now most of us are fucked because of it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 04, 1999 6:33:54 PM CDT

    Lovecraft

    by lord shell

    It sounds a lot like H.P. Lovecraft's "Diary found in an abandoned house" (Although I think that was a Derleth story) motif taken logically into the electronic age. Neat! I always loved that gimmick for creating tension, and video makes it more intense and personal. All and all, a brilliant idea. Now you've got me all pumped to see it-so WHEN this summer is it premiering? All I've heard is 'summer'. What date? And is it in (shudder) limited release?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 08, 1999 10:27:21 PM CDT

    ED SANCHEZ

    by noahsark

    Let me just say here & now that I AM IN LOVE WITH ED SANCHEZ!!! And I haven't even seen his film yet...but I can't think of a single movie that has creeped me out as much as the short clips I caught of BLAIR on IFC's "Split Screen"! I'd have to go back to my childhood & those damn flying monkees that gave me such nightmares! (That one had a pretty freaky witch, too - Rest in Peace, Margaret Hamilton!) Closest to it was THE HAUNTING with Julie Harris & Clair Bloom, soon to be remade with Lili Taylor, Catherine Zeta-Jones & that big, Irish hunk of man, Liam Neeson! But Blair will kick all their butts, I'm betting. By the way, does anyone remember this public service announcement for the polio vaccine that played in the 60's: on a blank screen you hear a tinkly musicbox, then a marrionette comes dancing in from the side of the screen; he's followed by a giant pair of scissors that cuts the strings & the puppet falls in a heap. That commercial used to scare my sister & I so much that we'd scream & run out of the room as soon as we heard the tinkly music! The fear is so vivid that I think it would stll scare me if I saw it today!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 09, 1999 9:35:40 PM CDT

    Blair Witch

    by sureshot

    This was the most bugged-out, craziest, illest, fuckin' movie I have ever see. That's because I thought I was watching real footage, and I'm still not 100% that I wasn't. I probably won't until I see those three [actors] on ET or Access Hollywood or some shit. The 6 of us who saw the movie all participated in this argument outside of the theater. Needless to say, my girl was scared shitless as was everyone else in the theater. My girl said she looked at the people seated behind us and they were covering there eyes. I wouldn't know because I never turned around. I wasn' tryin' ta miss shiiiiit!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 16, 1999 12:13:43 AM CDT

    freaking awesome

    by 1515

    I was just lucky enough to see this movie, and, lemme tell ya, it scared the freaking bejeezes out of me. I finished it over an hour ago, and its keeps getting scarier the more i think about it. I don't intentionally plan on spoiling this for anyone (so stop reading if you havent seen it, I dont give anything away, but it might get you thinking), but I would love to know what people thought of the movie. As people have said, this is a film that lets your imagination take over and create the horror for you, and I would love to hear what people think about the movie, specifically the ending. I cannot recommend this movie enough.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 25, 1999 11:34:42 AM CDT

    Dream on Orlando...too bad this film was great!

    by p. joseph

    Saw a screener of the film last night. Man, it really was amazing. Wether or not people know the realtiy of the film, the execution is awesome! I plan on seeing again in theaters.

    By the way, for people who think that this will put Orlando on the map...forget it. Orlando blows. When someone good comes out of that town, they do the smart thing. THEY LEAVE!

    pJ

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 31, 1999 2:20:07 PM CDT

    Blair witch

    by cobra commander

    Damn, this movie fucking rocks! If your sick of all this bullshit mtv horror garbage, and want to see something that will actually weird you out, do not miss this one! It has that same weird vibe that sticks with you after words, much like similiar to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, or a good Argento Giallo. does.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 16, 1999 5:54:17 PM CDT

    Blair Witch ...

    by amosmagee

    I really, really, really want to see this movie, but I have a phobia of vomiting. I know I sound like a freak -- but I'm not -- really! Please, anyone who has seen it, write me and let me know whether it has vomiting in it or not. Thanks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 05, 1999 8:52:35 PM CDT

    A few thoughts from a jaded movie buff.

    by trdow

    A few thoughts on "The Blair Witch Project":
    1. This is the first time in years that I actually found myself sitting in a theatre, repeating quietly that "this is only a movie". The characters seemed so real that it was hard to remember that it was merely some imaginative director's fantasy.
    2. I am now completely and totally sick to death of special effects. Ever since the first "Star Wars" movie they have been done to death. In "The Haunting" staues come alive and beds entrap their inhabitants...boring! As a mental excercise imagine if "Blair Witch" ended with some ridiculously expensive effect,say having the earth open up and a scowling, horrific computer generated witch sprang forth, propelled by the very fires of hell. Stupid, right? Kind of ruins everything that came before? Makes you leave the theatre giggling, wouldn't it? The important lesson is that horrors which are not seen are truly the most scary. Too bad the director of "The Haunting" didn't know that, he could have saved about 80 million dollars.
    3. The "Blair Witch" directors managed the feat Hitchcock worked so well, in that you wanted to leap from your seat and intervene on behalf of the characters. Remember in "The Birds" when you wanted to yell a warning to the guy lighting a cigar, unaware he was standing in gasoline? By the same token I found myself wanting to catch the next plane to Maryland, where I would go charging into the woods armed with sandwiches, a satellite phone and a half-decent compass. The need to save those three kids, who seemed like your brother, sister, friend, whatever was almost palpable.
    4. Finally, and most impressively, this was the first movie I have seen in years if not decades that actually gave me nightmares.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 08, 1999 8:29:06 AM CDT

    blair witch project

    by caman21126

    one thing!!! what the heck was so scarry about this movie? it wasnt scarry one iota.it started getting a little better 2-3 minutes before it ended.then it died.what a farce it was.i was so dissapointed .supposed to be the scarriest movie in years? god what a lie that was.it sucked.freddy was more scarry than this movie was.i really need to know what was so scarry about it? did i miss something here? ive seen more scarry movies on the discovery channel.very dissapointed movie goer here.blair witch is a farce,and not scarry one little bit.waste of my money.wait till its out on video.save your money.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 08, 1999 8:58:03 AM CDT

    blair witch project scarry? my butt!! it sucks

    by caman21126

    well here i am again,still wondering what was so damn scarry about blair witch?it wasnt scarry at all,it wasnt psycological,it wasnt gripping,and most of all it wasnt true.even if it was true,it still wouldnt have been scarry.when i heard of it,and all its hype.i figured i gotta see this movie.rushed home from work ,grabbed my girl.and rushed to the theatre,to be scared.well to say the least,i got to the theatre,and was dissapointed.the best part was the last 2-3 minutes.then it was over.and i really have a hard time believing that the public is so naieve, to believe its a true story.do people really think,if it was true.these kids parents,and the law would let some movie maker,use the actual footage?does the paragraph at the end of the movie that says" this movie is entirely fictional,and any likeness to any real persons and such is completely coinsidental"mean nothing? i cant believe people would believe such a thing.well that does to show you what media hype can do.it can actually make people believe that something fictional, is really true.god bless the media.maybe someday they will do something right.the media can make the public eye, believe something as rediculous as this movie is true.but they sure dont work as hard making the public believe things that really count.long story short.this movie is a farce,they made it for $20,000,sold it for 1 million.and made 28 million on its first weekend at the theatres.and me and millions of other americans thought it was going to be truly scarry,and true.and after seeing it,i was very dissapointed.i was about to walk out of the theatre,then it started getting a little better.and then 2-3 minutes later,it was over.and i mean a screeching halt.when i heard all the hhype over it,i thought to myself.great another "exorcist" but this movie doesnt even come close to a real horror movie." exorcist" is a real horror movie.or the " shinning" but as for
    "blair witch" ?????? well you know what i think of it already. IT SUCKS THE BIG ONE come on guys make something thats REALLY scarry.and dont make up false stories,and police reports,and concocted interviews with actors,trying to get people to think its a TRUE STORY.what movie makers wont do,to make money.and the public was naieve enough to fall for it.WHAT A JOKE. maybe next time guys? blair witch on a 1-10 scale ,for me is a 2 maybe 3.guess ill wait for the "6th sense" or "sleepy hollow" to be a little scarry ,at least.blair witch SUCKS THE BIG ONE

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2006 5:35:17 PM CDT

    Did he just say his butt sucks?

    by wolfpack

User Login

Forgot password? Retrieve it here

or register as new user

Quick Talkback Form

Please login to post talkback