Blair Witch (2016)

 

**This post contains spoilers**

The Story- Lisa (Callie Hernandez) sets out to make a documentary. The subjects? The Blair Witch, and the mystery behind the strange disappearance of her friend James’ (James Allen McCune) sister, Heather Donahue. James, Lisa, Peter (Brandon Scott), and his girlfriend, Ashley (Corbin Reid) travel together to the Black Hills Forest in Burkittsville, Maryland. The group reluctantly allows Lane (Wes Robinson), and his sister, Talia (Valorie Curry), two Blair Witch obsessed locals, to tag along with the promise of filming their own footage.

After a distasteful hoax, James agrees to give up on the documentary, and the search for his sister. But a series of bizarre events confirms the group’s suspicions: Someone or something is watching them, and they’re not alone in the woods….

My Thoughts- Ear cameras? That’s a new one! Well, it’s new for me, I guess. Logically, the ear cameras for Blair Witch are a perfect fit for a found-footage film. Yes, the group is always recording everything. But they’re not wasting time making foolish mistakes by using their phones, or whatever recording device is available, because “PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THIS!” or one of the usual nonsensical reasons different characters cling to for recording in found-footage films. 

Lisa and Lane only use their handheld devices, when they’re trying to capture footage for their documentaries, or when they need the light for dark places, and that’s perfectly fine. And you can add a few bonus points for the drone POVs adding aerial shots, possibly giving the group a better chance to find any escape routes.

Is Heather alive? Well, no. During, the fiasco inside the house, James’ sightings of Heather were not real. Just more mind games and bait from the witch to lure James into the house. No one escapes The Blair Witch here. And Lisa had to murder Lane out of self defense, because Lane completely lost his mind.

Also, something to pay attention to here is the video that served as a possible shred of proof that led everyone to the Black Hills Forest. The video on You Tube, supposedly featuring a shot of Heather, was already recorded by Lisa before the current storyline. Tying into the time loop/paradox problem, the video was a trick used to lure the group into the forest, and they were already doomed before they made the trip. 

I wasn’t surprised Blair Witch had a high kill count. With the way the story was going, you could tell early on they didn’t have any real plans for a sequel, or to continue the stories for this particular set of characters. 

Blair Witch was always going to be a one and done movie, and maybe that’s the best option? You can only go to the well so many times for the storyline about a group of people going to the Black Hills Forest to find the truth about the Blair Witch. There’s a well documented history of bad things happening to people, who sniff around in the forest, so why would different people continue to go knowing there’s a good chance you’ll die or disappear forever? Maybe if you’re an adrenaline junkie, who’s looking for a bigger fix, but that’s still not a good enough reason to do it.

One of my bigger complaints for Blair Witch? The characters are too thin, and it’s to the point, where you know they’re disposable. You can feel sympathy for James. He’s a good guy, who’s determined to find his sister, and he’s willing to risk his life to uncover the truth, but that’s about it. 

I did get a few good chuckles out of the little feud between Peter and Lane, no matter how one sided it was. After Peter’s reaction to the confederate flag in Lane and Talia’s living room, and the meeting at the trailer, Peter quickly dismisses Lane and Talia as two loony locals, who have way too much free time on their hands. 

Still, you can pick anyone from the main cast of characters, and I wasn’t surprised, or I didn’t care that much, if anyone died. Everyone is a candidate for a spot on the chopping block. You expect it in horror movies similar to Blair Witch, whether it’s a found-footage or traditional POV film, but at least give me a reason to care.

Blair Witch 2016 is a more polished film. If we’re comparing it to the original, Blair Witch looks more clean and sharp. The majority of spooky and tense moments throughout the movie revolved around strange noises, roars, and things that go bump in the night during the nighttime scenes. 

The big finale mostly delivered for me. Some good nail-biting moments, featuring the main characters looking for a way out during a stormy night, and I’m glad they never fully showed or locked in on the witch for any close-ups. You’ll get a few brief glimpses of her, and that’s the right approach. Otherwise, you’re just killing the mystique for a monstrous creature. The witch isn’t just an unseen force in Blair Witch. She’s a deadly threat, but you can only see her, when you need to, or during perfect timing scenarios. 

Blair Witch didn’t feel the need to misuse the source materials. Rustin Parr is mentioned more here, the stick symbols, and adding more layers to the time loop/paradox in the Black Hills Forest works as a good thought-provoking dynamic for the movie. A few scenes of nasty gore (e.g. showing the aftermath for Talia’s broken and mangled corpse, and that loud crunch, when Ashley snapped the wooden symbol. Ouch!), and some gross-out amounts, mostly centered around the cut on Ashley’s foot and the growth in her leg. 

Overall, Blair Witch is an okay sequel. It’s not bad, but Blair Witch is still a forgettable film. You’ll see a lot of shaky cam stuff, and characters making questionable choices. Why are you splitting up, or going to do something by yourself, when it’s clear you’re not safe and lost in a dangerous place? 

This is my third or fourth rewatch for Blair Witch, and if I had to choose, I still prefer the 1999 original film. The grainy footage, and the rough cut feel of it added a strong sense of realism. It was easy to believe three ordinary people just wanted to make a documentary. But they got lost in the Black Hills Forest, and it was all downhill after that. 

Blair Witch 2016? I was very aware of the fact that I was watching a found-footage movie with actors. Bottom line, with or without the Blair Witch label, Blair Witch 2016 is just a decent enough film. The home stretch delivers in certain spots, but it’s another case, where the original film still holds on to the number one spot. 

Rating- 5/10

Blair Witch (2016)(Minor Spoilers)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- Lisa (Callie Hernandez) sets out to make a documentary. The subjects? The Blair Witch, and the mystery behind the strange disappearance of her friend James’ (James Allen McCune) sister, Heather Donahue. James, Lisa, Peter (Brandon Scott), and his girlfriend, Ashley (Corbin Reid) travel together to the Black Hills Forest in Burkittsville, Maryland. The group reluctantly allows Lane (Wes Robinson), and his sister, Talia (Valorie Curry), two Blair Witch obsessed locals, to tag along with the promise of filming their own footage.

After a distasteful hoax, James agrees to give up on the documentary, and the search for his sister. But a series of bizarre events confirms the group’s suspicions: Someone or something is watching them, and they’re not alone in the woods….

My Thoughts- Ear cameras? That’s a new one! Well, it’s new for me, I guess. Logically, the ear cameras for Blair Witch are a perfect fit for a found-footage film. Yes, the group is always recording everything. But they’re not wasting time making foolish mistakes by using their phones, or whatever recording device is available, because “PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THIS!” or one of the usual nonsensical reasons different characters cling to for recording in found-footage films. 

Lisa and Lane only use their handheld devices, when they’re trying to capture footage for their documentaries, or when they need the light for dark places, and that’s perfectly fine. And you can add a few bonus points for the drone POVs adding aerial shots, possibly giving the group a better chance to find any escape routes.

I wasn’t surprised Blair Witch had a high kill count. With the way the story was going, you could tell early on they didn’t have any real plans for a sequel, or to continue the stories for this particular set of characters. 

Blair Witch was always going to be a one and done movie, and maybe that’s the best option? You can only go to the well so many times for the storyline about a group of people going to the Black Hills Forest to find the truth about the Blair Witch. There’s a well documented history of bad things happening to people, who sniff around in the forest, so why would different people continue to go knowing there’s a good chance you’ll die or disappear forever? Maybe if you’re an adrenaline junkie, who’s looking for a bigger fix, but that’s still not a good enough reason to do it.

One of my bigger complaints for Blair Witch? The characters are too thin, and it’s to the point, where you know they’re disposable. You can feel sympathy for James. He’s a good guy, who’s determined to find his sister, and he’s willing to risk his life to uncover the truth, but that’s about it. 

I did get a few good chuckles out of the little feud between Peter and Lane, no matter how one sided it was. After Peter’s reaction to the confederate flag in Lane and Talia’s living room, and the meeting at the trailer, Peter quickly dismisses Lane and Talia as two loony locals, who have way too much free time on their hands. 

Still, you can pick anyone from the main cast of characters, and I wasn’t surprised, or I didn’t care that much, if anyone died. Everyone is a candidate for a spot on the chopping block. You expect it in horror movies similar to Blair Witch, whether it’s a found-footage or traditional POV film, but at least give me a reason to care.

Blair Witch 2016 is a more polished film. If we’re comparing it to the original, Blair Witch looks more clean and sharp. The majority of spooky and tense moments throughout the movie revolved around strange noises, roars, and things that go bump in the night during the nighttime scenes. 

The big finale mostly delivered for me. Some good nail-biting moments, featuring the main characters looking for a way out during a stormy night, and I’m glad they never fully showed or locked in on the witch for any close-ups. You’ll get a few brief glimpses of her, and that’s the right approach. Otherwise, you’re just killing the mystique for a monstrous creature. The witch isn’t just an unseen force in Blair Witch. She’s a deadly threat, but you can only see her, when you need to, or during perfect timing scenarios. 

Blair Witch didn’t feel the need to misuse the source materials. Rustin Parr is mentioned more here, the stick symbols, and adding more layers to the time loop/paradox in the Black Hills Forest works as a good thought-provoking dynamic for the movie. A few scenes of nasty gore (e.g. showing the aftermath for Talia’s broken and mangled corpse, and that loud crunch, when Ashley snapped the wooden symbol. Ouch!), and some gross-out amounts, mostly centered around the cut on Ashley’s foot and the growth in her leg. 

Overall, Blair Witch is an okay sequel. It’s not bad, but Blair Witch is still a forgettable film. You’ll see a lot of shaky cam stuff, and characters making questionable choices. Why are you splitting up, or going to do something by yourself, when it’s clear you’re not safe and lost in a dangerous place? 

This is my third or fourth rewatch for Blair Witch, and if I had to choose, I still prefer the 1999 original film. The grainy footage, and the rough cut feel of it added a strong sense of realism. It was easy to believe three ordinary people just wanted to make a documentary. But they got lost in the Black Hills Forest, and it was all downhill after that. 

Blair Witch 2016? I was very aware of the fact that I was watching a found-footage movie with actors. Bottom line, with or without the Blair Witch label, Blair Witch 2016 is just a decent enough film. The home stretch delivers in certain spots, but it’s another case, where the original film still holds on to the number one spot. 

Rating- 5/10

Curse Of The Blair Witch (1999)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- Curse Of The Blair explores and examines the mysterious disappearances of Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael C. Williams, after their journey into the Black Hills Forest to record footage for The Blair Witch Project documentary. 

My Thoughts- Is this real? Did the legend of The Blair Witch destroy this quiet little town in Maryland? Curse Of The Blair Witch looks and feels like a real documentary. The presentation is spot on, and the talking heads are phenomenal. 

Bill Barnes (Bill Dreggors), a Burkittsville historian, easily steals the show here. Dreggors is an excellent fit for the old timer, who’s also a great storyteller. Bill Barnes is a bit crusty, but it’s not to the point, where he’s yelling and shaking his fist, because a bunch of kids are on his lawn. No, Barnes is the old dude, who still has some fire left in him, and it’s easy to crack a smile, or laugh during some of his segments.

Lucan Johnson, a self-proclaimed Wiccan, is a close number two for the best interviewees throughout the documentary. Johnson is eccentric. He comes off as a weirdo, and there’s a chance you’ll think he’s completely full of BS, but Johnson strongly believes in his words. 

Curse Of The Blair Witch is a damn good mockumentary. News clips, interviews with professors and other experts, and family members sharing stories. There’s a strong effort to bring authenticity and a sense of realism to produce a “real” documentary. Curse Of The Blair Witch also does a good job of humanizing and adding more depth to Heather, Josh, and Mike’s personalities. And it’s no real surprise if you’ve seen the movie, but Mike’s brother reveals he was a rebel with some anger issues during his younger years. 

You’ll also learn more about Elly Kedward (the witch) and Rustin Parr (Frank Pastor). Parr eerily looks like a normal guy, and there’s some good black and white footage from Parr’s arrest, his trial, and Parr’s explanation for what happened in the woods. 

Curse Of The Blair Witch is an informative and thought-provoking mockumentary about a small town that just couldn’t escape decades of black clouds, and a series of bizarre and violent events. Remember, they never found the bodies, so the case is still open, adding another mysterious and haunting layer to the mockumentary. 

It’s worth checking out for Heather, Mike, and Josh’s backstories, and more in-depth explanations for the origins of Burkittsville and The Blair Witch curse, if you’re a fan of the films. I honestly wish I could go back and watch this one without any knowledge of the films. Whether you believe in supernatural stuff or not, Curse Of The Blair Witch is more than capable of at least planting some seeds of curiosity. Also, ending the mockumentary with a missing persons flyer featuring Heather, Mike, Josh, and contact information for the local authorities, was a nice touch.

Curse Of The Blair Witch is available on You Tube, and you can check it out below, if you’re interested!

Rating- 6/10 

Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)

 

**This post contains spoilers**

The Story- Following the events of The Blair Witch Project, Jeff (Jeffrey Donovan) leads a tour group into the woods of Burkittsville, Maryland. Jeff, the leader, organizer, and owner of The Blair Witch-Hunt, a website and touring service, promises to deliver a surreal experience for Erica (Erica Leerhsen), Kim (Kim Director), Stephen (Stephen Barker Turner), and his girlfriend, Tristen (Tristine Skyler).

Jeff receives a series of stern warnings from Sheriff Ronald Cravens (Lanny Flaherty), and more troubling problems emerge for Jeff and his new clients, after a bizarre and baffling nighttime experience in the woods of Burkittsville….

My Thoughts- Erica is a Wiccan. Kim? She’s an eccentric young goth woman, who enjoys relaxing in graveyards. Oh, and apparently Kim also has psychic abilities. Stephen and Tristen are doing research together for a book on mass hysteria, and Jeff is the kooky Burkittsville local!

Yes, if we’re comparing this one to the original, Book Of Shadows features a variety of characters with more depth. The problem is, there’s a bit too much zaniness attached to the main cast. Erica’s act as a Wiccan is just too goofy and over the top. Jeff? Oh, boy. Jeffery Donovan is surely dedicated to playing Jeff. There’s no denying that, but the character just comes off as this unlikable and annoying douchebag, who ruins most of the serious moments throughout the movie.

Kim Director, playing the rebellious goth lady, looks the part, and she easily has some of the best scenes throughout the movie. Tristine Skyler and Stephen Barker Turner play the roles of two intellectuals, who really don’t fit in with the rest of the crowd. Kim and Stephen are boring characters, but I guess you could say that’s the whole point, to add to the dynamic and irony of two people, who decided to tag along with a group of kooks. 

Tristen is a witch! Or, maybe she’s not a witch? Security footage reveals the rest of the group (minus Erica, because she was already dead at that point) cornered and ganged up on Tristen. They tried to force a confession out of her, and Stephen is the one, who ultimately killed Tristen by hanging her from a rope.

Tristen was never a witch, so everyone in the group played a part in murdering her. We’re led to believe the group was under the influence of the evil forces from the woods, adding credibility to Erica’s claims about the group bringing something “back with them” from the woods after the short-lived tour. 

Tristen had a miscarriage in the woods. I’m guessing that was supposed to be the clincher, or the event that sparked Tristen’s slow transformation for being chosen to be a witch, but it’s clear she had a severe mental breakdown after the miscarriage happened, a breakdown that led to her erratic and bizarre behavior after the tour was over.

Well, the best thing I can say about the ending is, at least it’s an ending? The reveal for Tristen not being a witch was supposed to be a big shocker, but the twist didn’t do anything for me. When you sit through an overall bad viewing experience, a supposedly big shocking reveal is not going to save the movie, a strong case of too little, too late for this one.

I can’t remember the last time I watched Book Of Shadows. I barely remembered what happened, and I’m still confused about what they were trying to accomplish here. Is this supposed to be a straightforward horror film? Comedy horror? Or, a parody of a horror film?

Jeff and the locals are selling Blair Witch merchandise, including rocks, and you can buy official Blair Witch dirt, too! Seriously? Why would you shit all over the key items that added to the mystique and the spooky parts in the original? I just don’t understand the approach of making a mockery out of the dangerous and deadly physical reminders and warnings for the Blair Witch curse. Also, there’s a brief little feud between Jeff’s group and a different touring group named The Blair Witch Walk, because for some reason we needed more comedy.

Lanny Flaherty delivers a weirdly hammy performance as Burkittsville’s Sheriff, complete with a comically thick southern accent. It’s strange, because you would think the SHERIFF would be portrayed as a more serious character, but you could tell Flaherty was having fun.

The main cast? There’s nothing to write home about. I understand Jeff was abused in a local mental institution, but with the way his character is portrayed, it’s easy to get the impression they just decided to poke fun at the fact that he’s not all there upstairs. I honestly can’t think of one good or truly solid performance here, and the rigid dialogue in certain scenes is just terrible.

Blair Witch 2 adds more layers and details to the lore and the dark history behind the Blair Witch. But Book Of Shadows is a prime example for what you don’t want out of a follow-up sequel for a successful original film. 

The entire movie feels like a shameless cash grab, and they dropped the found-footage POV. Book Of Shadows opens with real news clips, clips from late night talk shows, interviews with locals, and Jeff talking about the Blair Witch and Burkittsville, but that’s it for the real footage side of the movie. Sure, you could say the production values are more professional and polished, but the end result is a forgettable and bad horror flick. 

The tone for Blair Witch 2 is all over the place, and all the attempts to be a more serious film are huge misfires. The reveal for the footage of what actually happened at Jeff’s warehouse and the woods at night during the tour is just laughable. Seeing the truth was supposed to deliver a big shocker, but it’s hard not to laugh at the footage from the woods. Yeah, I get it. Everyone is supposed to be possessed, but it’s easy to get the impression that you’re just watching a bunch of people, who were way too drunk and high doing silly things that intoxicated people would do. And of course, the group was drinking and smoking weed at the campsite, so that had to play a part in the evil shenanigans, right?

Rating- 2/10

Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)(Minor Spoilers)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- Following the events of The Blair Witch Project, Jeff (Jeffrey Donovan) leads a tour group into the woods of Burkittsville, Maryland. Jeff, the leader, organizer, and owner of The Blair Witch-Hunt, a website and touring service, promises to deliver a surreal experience for Erica (Erica Leerhsen), Kim (Kim Director), Stephen (Stephen Barker Turner), and his girlfriend, Tristen (Tristine Skyler).

Jeff receives a series of stern warnings from Sheriff Ronald Cravens (Lanny Flaherty), and more troubling problems emerge for Jeff and his new clients, after a bizarre and baffling nighttime experience in the woods of Burkittsville….

My Thoughts- Erica is a Wiccan. Kim? She’s an eccentric young goth woman, who enjoys relaxing in graveyards. Oh, and apparently Kim also has psychic abilities. Stephen and Tristen are doing research together for a book on mass hysteria, and Jeff is the kooky Burkittsville local!

Yes, if we’re comparing this one to the original, Book Of Shadows features a variety of characters with more depth. The problem is, there’s a bit too much zaniness attached to the main cast. Erica’s act as a Wiccan is just too goofy and over the top. Jeff? Oh, boy. Jeffery Donovan is surely dedicated to playing Jeff. There’s no denying that, but the character just comes off as this unlikable and annoying douchebag, who ruins most of the serious moments throughout the movie.

Kim Director, playing the rebellious goth lady, looks the part, and she easily has some of the best scenes throughout the movie. Tristine Skyler and Stephen Barker Turner play the roles of two intellectuals, who really don’t fit in with the rest of the crowd. Kim and Stephen are boring characters, but I guess you could say that’s the whole point, to add to the dynamic and irony of two people, who decided to tag along with a group of kooks. 

I can’t remember the last time I watched Book Of Shadows. I barely remembered what happened, and I’m still confused about what they were trying to accomplish here. Is this supposed to be a straightforward horror film? Comedy horror? Or, a parody of a horror film?

Jeff and the locals are selling Blair Witch merchandise, including rocks, and you can buy official Blair Witch dirt, too! Seriously? Why would you shit all over the key items that added to the mystique and the spooky parts in the original? I just don’t understand the approach of making a mockery out of the dangerous and deadly physical reminders and warnings for the Blair Witch curse. Also, there’s a brief little feud between Jeff’s group and a different touring group named The Blair Witch Walk, because for some reason we needed more comedy.

Lanny Flaherty delivers a weirdly hammy performance as Burkittsville’s Sheriff, complete with a comically thick southern accent. It’s strange, because you would think the SHERIFF would be portrayed as a more serious character, but you could tell Flaherty was having fun.

The main cast? There’s nothing to write home about. I understand Jeff was abused in a local mental institution, but with the way his character is portrayed, it’s easy to get the impression they just decided to poke fun at the fact that he’s not all there upstairs. I honestly can’t think of one good or truly solid performance here, and the rigid dialogue in certain scenes is just terrible.

Blair Witch 2 adds more layers and details to the lore and the dark history behind the Blair Witch. But Book Of Shadows is a prime example for what you don’t want out of a follow-up sequel for a successful original film. 

The entire movie feels like a shameless cash grab, and they dropped the found-footage POV. Book Of Shadows opens with real news clips, clips from late night talk shows, interviews with locals, and Jeff talking about the Blair Witch and Burkittsville, but that’s it for the real footage side of the movie. Sure, you could say the production values are more professional and polished, but the end result is a forgettable and bad horror flick.

The tone for Blair Witch 2 is all over the place, and all the attempts to be a more serious film are huge misfires. The reveal for the footage of what actually happened at Jeff’s warehouse and the woods at night during the tour is just laughable. Seeing the truth was supposed to deliver a big shocker, but it’s hard not to laugh at the footage from the woods. Yeah, I get it. Everyone is supposed to be possessed, but it’s easy to get the impression that you’re just watching a bunch of people, who were way too drunk and high doing silly things that intoxicated people would do. And of course, the group was drinking and smoking weed at the campsite, so that had to play a part in the evil shenanigans, right?

Rating- 2/10

The Blair Witch Project (1999)(Minor Spoilers)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- Heather (Rei Hance), Josh (Joshua Leonard), and Mike (Michael C. Williams) travel to Burkittsville, Maryland to film a documentary about The Blair Witch during Halloween season in 1994. Titled The Blair Witch Project, Heather leads the trio into the woods to shoot the documentary.

The group runs into a series of setbacks and mishaps, but they’ll have bigger problems to worry about. After a handful of strange occurrences, it’s clear Heather, Mike, and Josh are not alone in the woods, because someone or something is following them, watching, and waiting for the right moment to strike…..

My Thoughts- My one big complaint about The Blair Witch Project? Too much bickering. Yes, I get it. Heather, Mike, and Josh are scared. They’re frustrated, tired, hungry, cold, and they’re alone in the woods, while a witch is hot on their trails. But all the screaming, finger-pointing, and arguments eats up way too much time here. Occasionally, you’ll get the feeling the movie is picking up some momentum, but everything comes to a screeching halt, because Josh has to scold Heather for being a terrible human being.

If we’re putting the spotlight on the main trio, you can tell Heather is a good person, but she also pushes too hard. She wants to get the documentary done, feeling it’ll be the crowning achievement in her life, because she doesn’t have anything else to look forward to. The big problem is, she recklessly threw the group into a meat grinder, without any real backup plans, or an escape route.

Josh tries to be the glue that holds everything together until he finally reaches a breaking point with Heather. Mike? He’s a hotheaded asshole, but Mike actually has a few tranquil moments, when he realizes pouring more gasoline on already roaring fire will only make things worse.

I’m old enough to remember, when The Blair Witch Project was first released. The buzz, the hype, people questioning whether it was real or not. I HAD to see it. Decades later, my opinion on it hasn’t really changed. Lots of shaky cam, the movie hits one too many dull stretches, and while I understand the justifiable reasons behind it, all the constant arguing and fighting drives me nuts. Also, you can point to more than one scene, where there’s really no reason to record anything at all. Please, focus on protecting yourselves, and finding a safe place to hide!

Still, The Blair Witch Project has some positives. The strong sense of realism is believable. The grainy picture quality, blooper style footage (e.g. Mike munching on a giant leaf), and interviews with the locals, with Mary Brown (Patricia DeCou) stealing the show as that one old kooky resident, who tells wild stories. 

It’s a found-footage film that gives you the feeling you’re watching real, raw, and uncut footage about three people, who set out to make a seemingly harmless documentary. And you’re getting an unfiltered firsthand behind the scenes experience, documenting the chaos showing how everything devolved into a tragic mess. The Blair Witch Project taking place during Halloween season was a nice touch, and I’m always a sucker for horror films about a small town filled with dark secrets and a troubled past. Some good spooky nighttime scenes, and the finale truly delivers, complete with a strong and eerie cliffhanger. 

Whether or not The Blair Witch Project is overrated or rated appropriately, is something that’ll be debated for a long time. But you can’t deny the overall impact on the horror genre and what The Blair Witch Project did for found-footage films. We’re inching towards a thirty year anniversary for this one, and it’s a movie that’s still remembered and talked about in 2026. You can hate it, love it, or possibly fall somewhere in the middle, but a small team working with a tight budget managed to create a memorable horror flick with a lasting legacy, a truly remarkable accomplishment that deserves recognition.

Rating- 6/10 

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

 

**This post contains spoilers**

The Story- Heather (Rei Hance), Josh (Joshua Leonard), and Mike (Michael C. Williams) travel to Burkittsville, Maryland to film a documentary about The Blair Witch during Halloween season in 1994. Titled The Blair Witch Project, Heather leads the trio into the woods to shoot the documentary.

The group runs into a series of setbacks and mishaps, but they’ll have bigger problems to worry about. After a handful of strange occurrences, it’s clear Heather, Mike, and Josh are not alone in the woods, because someone or something is following them, watching, and waiting for the right moment to strike…..

My Thoughts- My one big complaint about The Blair Witch Project? Too much bickering. Yes, I get it. Heather, Mike, and Josh are scared. They’re frustrated, tired, hungry, cold, and they’re alone in the woods, while a witch is hot on their trails. But all the screaming, finger-pointing, and arguments eats up way too much time here. Occasionally, you’ll get the feeling the movie is picking up some momentum, but everything comes to a screeching halt, because Josh has to scold Heather for being a terrible human being.

If we’re putting the spotlight on the main trio, you can tell Heather is a good person, but she also pushes too hard. She wants to get the documentary done, feeling it’ll be the crowning achievement in her life, because she doesn’t have anything else to look forward to. The big problem is, she recklessly threw the group into a meat grinder, without any real backup plans, or an escape route.

Josh tries to be the glue that holds everything together until he finally reaches a breaking point with Heather. Mike? He’s a hotheaded asshole, but Mike actually has a few tranquil moments, when he realizes pouring more gasoline on already roaring fire will only make things worse.

Long stretches of boredom throughout The Blair Witch Project, but there’s no denying the finale delivers. The final ten minutes or so of the movie are tight, tense, and genuinely creepy. The old abandoned house was the perfect setting. It’s dark, dirty, quiet, and when you see all the strange markings and hand prints on the wall, you’ll instantly know the house is a bad and horrible place, where unspeakable things happened inside. 

The final shot of an emotionless and dazed Mike standing in a corner of the basement, with Heather’s screams in the background before the camera falls to the ground to end the movie really works as a haunting visual. It’s a memorable moment, and it’s a shot that really sticks before the credits start rolling. Genuinely chilling stuff. 

I’m old enough to remember, when The Blair Witch Project was first released. The buzz, the hype, people questioning whether it was real or not. I HAD to see it. Decades later, my opinion on it hasn’t really changed. Lots of shaky cam, the movie hits one too many dull stretches, and while I understand the justifiable reasons behind it, all the constant arguing and fighting drives me nuts. Also, you can point to more than one scene, where there’s really no reason to record anything at all. Please, focus on protecting yourselves, and finding a safe place to hide!

Still, The Blair Witch Project has some positives. The strong sense of realism is believable. The grainy picture quality, blooper style footage (e.g. Mike munching on a giant leaf), and interviews with the locals, with Mary Brown (Patricia DeCou) stealing the show as that one old kooky resident, who tells wild stories. 

It’s a found-footage film that gives you the feeling you’re watching real, raw, and uncut footage about three people, who set out to make a seemingly harmless documentary. And you’re getting an unfiltered firsthand behind the scenes experience, documenting the chaos showing how everything devolved into a tragic mess. The Blair Witch Project taking place during Halloween season was a nice touch, and I’m always a sucker for horror films about a small town filled with dark secrets and a troubled past. Some good spooky nighttime scenes, and the finale truly delivers, complete with a strong and eerie cliffhanger. 

Whether or not The Blair Witch Project is overrated or rated appropriately, is something that’ll be debated for a long time. But you can’t deny the overall impact on the horror genre and what The Blair Witch Project did for found-footage films. We’re inching towards a thirty year anniversary for this one, and it’s a movie that’s still remembered and talked about in 2026. You can hate it, love it, or possibly fall somewhere in the middle, but a small team working with a tight budget managed to create a memorable horror flick with a lasting legacy, a truly remarkable accomplishment that deserves recognition.

Rating- 6/10 

Maggie (2015)

 **This post contains spoilers**

The Story- Infected with an incurable zombie virus, Maggie Vogel (Abigail Breslin) runs away from home. Maggie’s father, Wade (Arnold Schwarzenegger), eventually brings Maggie back to the family’s ranch, determined to protect his oldest child from a legally mandated quarantine.

Maggie is supported by Wade, and her stepmother, Caroline (Joely Richardson), but the clock is ticking, as Maggie’s condition deteriorates…

My Thoughts- Maggie turning into a zombie is a slow process from start to finish. You won’t see any bloody and violent zombie attacks, or the survivors running for their lives, while being chased by hordes of the undead here. Instead, Maggie chooses to put the focus on the emotional toll the outbreak takes on everyone involved. Wade loves and deeply cares about his daughter. Wade’s options are limited, and he doesn’t want to make the difficult decision to send his daughter off to quarantine, an inhumane death sentence for infected humans.

Maggie? She knows there’s no way out. She doesn’t want to be a burden to her friends and her family, so she isolates herself. Maggie drifts in and out of trying to live a normal life. The waiting room scene at the doctor’s office does a good job of shining some light on Maggie’s problems. A mother notices Maggie’s bite wound, and she quickly urges her children to stay away from her. Another example of Maggie trying to be a normal teenage girl, but it’s just not possible without a cure or a vaccine. 

Abigail Breslin nails Maggie. The fear for what’s about to happen to her, the conflict for Maggie wanting to give up on herself, but she doesn’t want to disappoint her father, so she tries to live a normal life, and she knows time is running out, fast. You can see and feel everything Maggie is going through, and Breslin’s sympathetic performance is one of the true highlights here. You’ll see every agonizing stage of Maggie’s transformation, whether it’s the decaying skin, Maggie’s cravings for flesh, or Maggie’s gory solution for dealing with a broken finger.

So what’s the solution? Does Maggie FINALLY go to quarantine? Does Wade give in to Maggie’s heart-wrenching request for a mercy killing? Well, Maggie chooses death in the form of suicide by jumping off of the roof.  

I had my fingers crossed for a cure, or at least the realistic possibility for introducing a cure to add more suspense to the story, but it’s still a good and poignant finale. Towards the end, Maggie is just too far gone. She’s ninety-five percent zombie, but she still had enough clarity to choose death without attacking Wade. And Maggie knew Wade having to be the one to pull the trigger would’ve destroyed him, so she decided to take herself out of the picture. 

Also, Maggie using memories of spending time with her deceased mother, Sarah, was a nice touch. Maggie remembers Sarah, as she’s falling to the ground, and you could say it was Maggie’s way of easing herself into the afterlife, with comforting memories of a cherished relationship with her mother. Good stuff.

I’m of two minds about Maggie. On one hand, if you’ve seen enough zombie movies, you already know what’s going to happen after the infection. But Maggie takes a slow burn approach to the full turn. Is she going to turn into a zombie or not? It’s a question I asked myself more than once throughout the movie. I KNOW where this whole thing is going, so can we just get there already? But Maggie does make an earnest attempt at trying to be a different zombie film. It’s a dreary and somber horror drama about a viral outbreak that completely tears families and friends apart. 

Maggie does a really job of showing everyone’s perspectives for what’s going on. Sheriff Ray Pierce (Douglas M. Griffin) is Wade’s friend, and he respects him, but he has a job to do. Deputy Holt (J.D. Evermore) comes off as an asshole. He’s more strict, serious, and you can tell he’s annoyed at the fact that Wade is getting preferential treatment for keeping Maggie away from quarantine. But Holt makes a good point: Maggie is infected. It’s far too dangerous to keep her around healthy people, and it’s the police force’s job to protect the community at all costs. 

Maggie’s ex-boyfriend, Trent (Bryce Romero) is infected. Trent is scared. Similar to Maggie, he’s beyond the point of no return. He doesn’t want to go to quarantine, but his options are severely limited. Maggie’s friend, Allie (Raeden Greer) tries to hold it together during a friendly reunion. But Allie can’t hide an emotional reaction, because she knows she’s going to lose her best friend.

Maggie feels a bit dull at times, because without the possibility of a cure, or a cure that’s available, there’s only one solution to Maggie’s problem. Still, I have to give a thumbs up for Maggie taking an unconventional and mostly successful approach to a zombie horror film. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a dedicated performance, as a father, who’s carrying around a heavy heart. Wade is a simple man, who lives a quiet life, and he loves his old rusty pickup truck. A solid all around cast, a fantastic ending, and Schwarzenegger and Breslin share believable father/daughter chemistry together. 

I’m also glad the vast majority of Maggie takes place in the countryside, and the more rural parts of America. Maggie’s set pieces are a perfect fit for the story. It’s eerily quiet, and you can see the devastation from the outbreak. Old homes, fields of burning crops, and a seemingly abandoned gas station. A clear visual representation that Wade, Maggie, and the rest of the cast are currently living in a hopeless world. No one is coming to save them, everyone is scared, and you have to worry about the possibility of your neighbors turning into zombies. 

Rating- 8/10

 

Maggie (2015)(Minor Spoilers)

 **This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- Infected with an incurable zombie virus, Maggie Vogel (Abigail Breslin) runs away from home. Maggie’s father, Wade (Arnold Schwarzenegger), eventually brings Maggie back to the family’s ranch, determined to protect his oldest child from a legally mandated quarantine.

Maggie is supported by Wade, and her stepmother, Caroline (Joely Richardson), but the clock is ticking, as Maggie’s condition deteriorates…

My Thoughts- Maggie turning into a zombie is a slow process from start to finish. You won’t see any bloody and violent zombie attacks, or the survivors running for their lives, while being chased by hordes of the undead here. Instead, Maggie chooses to put the focus on the emotional toll the outbreak takes on everyone involved. Wade loves and deeply cares about his daughter. Wade’s options are limited, and he doesn’t want to make the difficult decision to send his daughter off to quarantine, an inhumane death sentence for infected humans.

Maggie? She knows there’s no way out. She doesn’t want to be a burden to her friends and her family, so she isolates herself. Maggie drifts in and out of trying to live a normal life. The waiting room scene at the doctor’s office does a good job of shining some light on Maggie’s problems. A mother notices Maggie’s bite wound, and she quickly urges her children to stay away from her. Another example of Maggie trying to be a normal teenage girl, but it’s just not possible without a cure or a vaccine. 

Abigail Breslin nails Maggie. The fear for what’s about to happen to her, the conflict for Maggie wanting to give up on herself, but she doesn’t want to disappoint her father, so she tries to live a normal life, and she knows time is running out, fast. You can see and feel everything Maggie is going through, and Breslin’s sympathetic performance is one of the true highlights here. You’ll see every agonizing stage of Maggie’s transformation, whether it’s the decaying skin, Maggie’s cravings for flesh, or Maggie’s gory solution for dealing with a broken finger.

I’m of two minds about Maggie. On one hand, if you’ve seen enough zombie movies, you already know what’s going to happen after the infection. But Maggie takes a slow burn approach to the full turn. Is she going to turn into a zombie or not? It’s a question I asked myself more than once throughout the movie. I KNOW where this whole thing is going, so can we just get there already? But Maggie does make an earnest attempt at trying to be a different zombie film. It’s a dreary and somber horror drama about a viral outbreak that completely tears families and friends apart. 

Maggie does a really job of showing everyone’s perspectives for what’s going on. Sheriff Ray Pierce (Douglas M. Griffin) is Wade’s friend, and he respects him, but he has a job to do. Deputy Holt (J.D. Evermore) comes off as an asshole. He’s more strict, serious, and you can tell he’s annoyed at the fact that Wade is getting preferential treatment for keeping Maggie away from quarantine. But Holt makes a good point: Maggie is infected. It’s far too dangerous to keep her around healthy people, and it’s the police force’s job to protect the community at all costs. 

Maggie’s ex-boyfriend, Trent (Bryce Romero) is infected. Trent is scared. Similar to Maggie, he’s beyond the point of no return. He doesn’t want to go to quarantine, but his options are severely limited. Maggie’s friend, Allie (Raeden Greer) tries to hold it together during a friendly reunion. But Allie can’t hide an emotional reaction, because she knows she’s going to lose her best friend.

Maggie feels a bit dull at times, because without the possibility of a cure, or a cure that’s available, there’s only one solution to Maggie’s problem. Still, I have to give a thumbs up for Maggie taking an unconventional and mostly successful approach to a zombie horror film. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a dedicated performance, as a father, who’s carrying around a heavy heart. Wade is a simple man, who lives a quiet life, and he loves his old rusty pickup truck. A solid all around cast, a fantastic ending, and Schwarzenegger and Breslin share believable father/daughter chemistry together. 

I’m also glad the vast majority of Maggie takes place in the countryside, and the more rural parts of America. Maggie’s set pieces are a perfect fit for the story. It’s eerily quiet, and you can see the devastation from the outbreak. Old homes, fields of burning crops, and a seemingly abandoned gas station? A clear visual representation that Wade, Maggie, and the rest of the cast are currently living in a hopeless world. No one is coming to save them, everyone is scared, and you have to worry about the possibility of your neighbors turning into zombies. 

Rating- 8/10

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

 

**This post contains spoilers**

The Story- Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) brings her new girlfriend, Bee (Maria Bakalova) to a hurricane party at her best friend David’s (Pete Davidson) mansion. At the party, Sophie reunites with Jordan (Myha’la), Emma (Chase Sui Wonders), and Alice (Rachel Sennott). 

Before the storm hits, the group agrees to play Bodies Bodies Bodies, a murder mystery party game. But the game takes a dark turn, when a real death happens. Alice’s new boyfriend, Greg (Lee Pace) is the primary suspect. And Max (Conner O’Malley), another friend in the group, is nowhere to be found after a heated altercation with David. Mistrust and nasty finger-pointing slowly tears the group apart, as they struggle to answer one crucial question: Who is the killer?

My Thoughts- Bee is struggling to fit in, but at least she’s trying? If I had to go with a pick for the best performance, Maria Bakalova easily takes the top spot. It’s easy to believe and buy into Bee’s personality. The shyness, Bee being afraid to speak up, Bee nervously voicing her opinions, and the awkwardness Bee feels, as she tries to loosen up. 

Sophie and her friends? They’re vultures ready to pick any bones clean, after the first dead body pops up. Bee? You can see she’s scared and nervous, carefully choosing her words, because Bee knows someone is waiting to snap on her during all the mud slinging. Bakalova does a good job of building sympathy for Bee. She’s a genuinely good person, who just wants to make friends, and she doesn’t want to disappoint Sophie. But she’s stuck in a mansion with a bunch of overly dramatic and whiny narcissists and cry babies, who are actively looking for a reason to shit on each other.

The overall cast features a number of good performances. Pete Davidson plays a goof, but David is also a jealous, deeply insecure, and thin-skinned young man. Lee Pace is hilarious as Greg. On the surface, Greg comes off as a laid back guy, with a hippie/surfer dude personality. But if you push Greg’s buttons too much, he flips the switch to activate a more mean and serious personality. 

Myha’la, playing an angry and agitated character, really nails Jordan. Taking Jordan’s side during the arguments works as the logical choice. She’s not afraid to speak unfiltered truths, but on the other side of that, it’s hard to not roll your eyes, because she’s clearly a bitter and mean-spirited person.

Rachel Sennott delivers a lot of laughs as Alice, complete with some genuinely funny hysterics. Alice is perky, and she’s kind of an airhead, and Sennott’s comedic timing is excellent. Also, Chase Sui Wonders delivers a solid performance as Emma, the actress, who makes herself an easy target in shark infested waters, because she’s too emotional.

Who is the killer? Well, David accidentally slit his own throat with a sword. That’s right. No mystery, no killer, David offed himself, because he was trying to prove he could pop a cork on a champagne bottle. Greg effortlessly did it earlier in the movie, and of course, David couldn’t handle another man upstaging him, or watching all the attention and praise go to someone else.  So David’s solution was to show he’s also capable of doing the sword trick, but it cost him his life.

Truly a surprising ending. I didn’t see it coming at all, but David doing something stupid is believable. Imagine that. Four friends said hurtful and unforgivable things to each other. Pointed fingers with serious accusations, and destroyed their friendships, because they believed one of them was a killer running around in the dark. David and Emma’s deaths were freak accidents, Bee murdered Greg, and Jordan accidentally shot and killed Alice. The stupefied looks on Sophie and Bee’s faces during the end, when Bee realizes she has reception on her phone, after watching David’s video with the champagne bottle and the sword is just perfect.

Bodies Bodies Bodies does a good job of balancing the comedy and serious moments for the appropriate reactions, whether it’s laughs or a jaw-dropping moments, cleverly interweaving the tonal shifts, when it’s necessary. It’s almost impossible to not laugh at the cast of characters here. There’s a chance a killer is on the loose, you’re stuck in a mansion with no power during a hurricane, but you’re wasting time arguing over petty bullshit? Please, take one second and look at the big picture!

You can feel sympathy for the victims here, but it’s also hilarious once you realize the bloodshed (excluding one death) could’ve been avoided, if everyone just came together as friends, one unit working TOGETHER to figure out what’s going on. What happened instead? A bunch of spoiled and rich youngsters wasted too much time trying to belittle and one-up each other for their manufactured “struggles.” 

One of my favorite scenes in the movie happens towards the end during the big group argument. Alice coldly reminds Jordan that she comes from an “upper middle-class” background…and Jordan gets upset? So someone else reminds you that your journey in life hasn’t been difficult, and that’s enough to piss you off? Seriously?

They threw in the car won’t start cliche for this one. There’s a good reason for it, and you can see it coming from a mile away. Personally, I’m just not a big fan of car trouble mishaps in horror movies. Still, Bodies Bodies Bodies really works as a funny and entertaining whodunit black comedy slasher-esque horror film, complete with a genuinely shocking finale for the big reveal. 

Screenwriter Sarah DeLappe does a phenomenal job of convincing you that anyone is capable of being the killer, leading to a conclusion that’ll either make you laugh, or at least crack a smile at how a seemingly normal party descended into chaos. The casting is great. Everyone is a perfect fit for their characters, and you can easily pick one highlight reel worthy moment from each member of the cast throughout the movie. 

Bodies Bodies Bodies hits all the right checkpoints as a riff on people (usually the younger crowd), who will go to great lengths to convince themselves that their alleged hardships in life are too much to deal with. They’re stuck in a loop of always complaining and feeling sorry for themselves, because they can’t break out of their victim complexes. Also, I’m always a big fan of horror films with isolated settings. The big quiet mansion out in the middle of nowhere. A hurricane is roaring outside. No power, it’s dark indoors, and the remaining survivors are slowly turning on each other? Truly a good recipe for a chaotic, nutty, and hilarious film.

Rating 8/10

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)(Minor Spoilers)

 

**This post contains MINOR spoilers**

The Story- Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) brings her new girlfriend, Bee (Maria Bakalova) to a hurricane party at her best friend David’s (Pete Davidson) mansion. At the party, Sophie reunites with Jordan (Myha’la), Emma (Chase Sui Wonders), and Alice (Rachel Sennott). 

Before the storm hits, the group agrees to play Bodies Bodies Bodies, a murder mystery party game. But the game takes a dark turn, when a real death happens. Alice’s new boyfriend, Greg (Lee Pace) is the primary suspect. And Max (Conner O’Malley), another friend in the group, is nowhere to be found after a heated altercation with David. Mistrust and nasty finger-pointing slowly tears the group apart, as they struggle to answer one crucial question: Who is the killer?

My Thoughts- Bee is struggling to fit in, but at least she’s trying? If I had to go with a pick for the best performance, Maria Bakalova easily takes the top spot. It’s easy to believe and buy into Bee’s personality. The shyness, Bee being afraid to speak up, Bee nervously voicing her opinions, and the awkwardness Bee feels, as she tries to loosen up.

Sophie and her friends? They’re vultures ready to pick any bones clean, after the first dead body pops up. Bee? You can see she’s scared and nervous, carefully choosing her words, because Bee knows someone is waiting to snap on her during all the mud slinging. Bakalova does a good job of building sympathy for Bee. She’s a genuinely good person, who just wants to make friends, and she doesn’t want to disappoint Sophie. But she’s stuck in a mansion with a bunch of overly dramatic and whiny narcissists and cry babies, who are actively looking for a reason to shit on each other.

The overall cast features a number of good performances. Pete Davidson plays a goof, but David is also a jealous, deeply insecure, and thin-skinned young man. Lee Pace is hilarious as Greg. On the surface, Greg comes off as a laid back guy, with a hippie/surfer dude personality. But if you push Greg’s buttons too much, he flips the switch to activate a more mean and serious personality. 

Myha’la, playing an angry and agitated character, really nails Jordan. Taking Jordan’s side during the arguments works as the logical choice. She’s not afraid to speak unfiltered truths, but on the other side of that, it’s hard to not roll your eyes, because she’s clearly a bitter and mean-spirited person.

Rachel Sennott delivers a lot of laughs as Alice, complete with some genuinely funny hysterics. Alice is perky, and she’s kind of an airhead, and Sennott’s comedic timing is excellent. Also, Chase Sui Wonders delivers a solid performance as Emma, the actress, who makes herself an easy target in shark infested waters, because she’s too emotional.

Bodies Bodies Bodies does a good job of balancing the comedy and serious moments for the appropriate reactions, whether it’s laughs or a jaw-dropping moments, cleverly interweaving the tonal shifts, when it’s necessary. It’s almost impossible to not laugh at the cast of characters here. There’s a chance a killer is on the loose, you’re stuck in a mansion with no power during a hurricane, but you’re wasting time arguing over petty bullshit? Please, take one second and look at the big picture!

You can feel sympathy for the victims here, but it’s also hilarious once you realize the bloodshed (excluding one death) could’ve been avoided, if everyone just came together as friends, one unit working TOGETHER to figure out what’s going on. What happened instead? A bunch of spoiled and rich youngsters wasted too much time trying to belittle and one-up each other for their manufactured “struggles.” 

One of my favorite scenes in the movie happens towards the end during the big group argument. Alice coldly reminds Jordan that she comes from an “upper middle-class” background…and Jordan gets upset? So someone else reminds you that your journey in life hasn’t been difficult, and that’s enough to piss you off? Seriously?

They threw in the car won’t start cliche for this one. There’s a good reason for it, and you can see it coming from a mile away. Personally, I’m just not a big fan of car trouble mishaps in horror movies. Still, Bodies Bodies Bodies really works as a funny and entertaining whodunit black comedy slasher-esque horror film, complete with a genuinely shocking finale for the big reveal. 

Screenwriter Sarah DeLappe does a phenomenal job of convincing you that anyone is capable of being the killer, leading to a conclusion that’ll either make you laugh, or at least crack a smile at how a seemingly normal party descended into chaos. The casting is great. Everyone is a perfect fit for their characters, and you can easily pick one highlight reel worthy moment from each member of the cast throughout the movie. 

Bodies Bodies Bodies hits all the right checkpoints as a riff on people (usually the younger crowd), who will go to great lengths to convince themselves that their alleged hardships in life are too much to deal with. They’re stuck in a loop of always complaining and feeling sorry for themselves, because they can’t break out of their victim complexes. Also, I’m always a big fan of horror films with isolated settings. The big quiet mansion out in the middle of nowhere. A hurricane is roaring outside. No power, it’s dark indoors, and the remaining survivors are slowly turning on each other? Truly a good recipe for a chaotic, nutty, and hilarious film.

Rating 8/10

Character Spotlight- Skye Riley-Smile 2

 **This post contains spoilers**

Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) is back! The comeback tour is in full swing, after a successful and positive interview on The Drew Barrymore Show. The wildly popular pop star is almost ready to start a highly anticipated world tour, but there’s one big problem: Skye is the next target for the tortuous curse that already claimed the lives of Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) and Joel (Kyle Gallner).

Rose and Joel didn’t have the luxury of a solid support system around them to help fight the curse. Skye? Yes, you could say she’s surrounded by people, who actually care about her, including her mother, Elizabeth (Rosemarie DeWitt), her assistant, Joshua (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), and Darius (Raul Castillo), the head of Skye’s record label. But everyone in Skye’s circle has one main goal in common: they’re all there to keep the machine known as Skye Riley running smoothly, at full speed, and Skye is a machine that prints a lot of money. 

Is Skye a diva and a brat sometimes? Yeah, she’ll throw her tantrums and she can be demanding, but we’re also talking about a young woman, who’s clearly burnt out. Skye is cracking under the pressure in real time. Keeping up with appearances, photo shoots, dance rehearsals, autograph signings, and Skye having to give a speech at a disastrous banquet dinner. 

The life of a world famous pop star is exhausting. Always on move, constantly surrounded by people, and you’re always expected to present the absolute best version of yourself, whether it’s on stage during a performance, or if you’re just going out to do normal things that normal people do. No time to rest, breathe, or relax. It’s full speed ahead, move on to the next task, rinse and repeat, and maybe you can have some peace, when you’re sleeping. 

Labeling those closest to Skye as vultures is taking things too far. But there’s a fine line for pushing someone, when they need to be pushed, and pushing someone too hard to the point, where said person can’t take it anymore. They’re going to crack at some point, but you can sense more genuine compassion from Skye’s dance instructor/choreographer, Anton (Jon Rua). Anton is quick to suggest a break for Skye, when she shows signs of back pain. When Skye freaks out during a rehearsal after a gory mind trick from the curse, Skye berates her dancers. Anton? He’s quick to make an effort to help Skye calm down. He doesn’t get angry, or raise his voice, because he’s genuinely concerned.

The curse feeds off of trauma, and Skye can’t escape the demons from her past, a past filled with drug abuse, and a troubled relationship with her deceased boyfriend, Paul Hudson (Ray Nicholson). Skye is still carrying around the guilt for causing the accident that killed Paul. Skye also didn’t leave the accident unscathed, because she’s still dealing with chronic pain and nagging injuries. And Skye torpedoed her friendship with Gemma (Dylan Gelula).

Is Skye perfect? No, far from it, and there’s no denying she’s a flawed human being. But she’s also someone, who was clearly not ready for the spotlight at such a young age. She turned to drugs and a turbulent unhealthy lifestyle, because the pressure was just too much for her. Towards the end, you could see Skye was just sick and tired of being an icon, or in her own words, “a fucking wind-up doll.”

Skye truly suffered. She didn’t have one true moment of relief, when the curse entered her life. Eventually, it’s revealed the reunion with Gemma was just one long and elaborate mind trick from the entity, and Skye was devastated. Still, Skye tried to push forward, determined to break the curse’s chain, with some help from Morris (Peter Jacobson), a nurse, who lost his brother to the curse. The big problem with Morris’ plan to end the curse and stop The Monstrosity? Morris wasn’t real, just more mind games from the entity.

Skye pours her heart out in the freezer of an abandoned Pizza Hut, and we finally get to the root of her problems: Skye hates herself. You’ll hear bits and pieces of it, when Skye is urging Gemma to stay away from her, after Skye leaves the clinic. But Skye lets it all out in the freezer. She basically believes she’s a cancer, poisoning and ruining anything that she touches. 

Skye is a disappointment, because she couldn’t live up to the high expectations that everyone else set for her. This is what she believes, and of course the entity feasts off of Skye’s tortured soul. To make matters worse, Skye can’t forgive herself for causing the accident that killed Paul. 

Naomi Scott deserves a round of applause for her performance in the sequel. You can see and feel everything Skye is going through, including the stress, the anxiety, and the fear of not knowing what’s coming next. Scott delivers an energetic and appropriately frazzled performance. You would think Scott pounded energy drinks, or chugged a pot of coffee, because she never slows down or takes her foot off of the gas pedal, after the curse grabs a hold of Skye.

Rose Cotter was unknowingly targeted by the curse after Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey) committed suicide in front of her. Joel died, because he tried to help Rose. Skye? While it’s true there’s no way she could’ve known about the curse, or how truly dangerous it is, all of her troubles could’ve been avoided, if she wasn’t sneaking around to buy Vicodin from Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage).

You’re lead to believe Skye ALMOST defeated the curse. But in reality, Skye wasn’t seconds away from getting the better of the entity. She was trapped in an illusion. And Skye came face to face with a final boss, who was just too much to overcome: Herself. The entity took the form of the old Skye, bloody and battered, fresh off of the tragic car accident that acted as an anchor in her mind for so many years. 

There’s a lot of irony for Skye Riley’s gory and cruel ending. Under the influence of the curse, she bludgeoned herself to death with a microphone in front of thousands of her fans, while her mother, Joshua, and Darius watched in the audience. You can’t say Skye died doing what she loved, because her gas tank was empty for a number of reasons. She needed a breather, but Skye lost her life during a concert. 

Skye was trying to get away from the bright lights, the big stage, and all the fame, but doing whatever she had to do to (e.g. popping pain pills) keep her career going killed her. A screaming arena full of fans, and her loved ones watching her first concert after a hiatus wasn’t enough to break the entity’s tight grip. Instead, a shell-shocked Skye was frozen as she watched the entity, taking on the form of her current self, smiling at her seconds before The Monstrosity made its grand entrance to devour another victim. 

Character Spotlight- Joel- Smile & Smile 2

 

*This post contains spoilers**

Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) is cursed. She needs help, fast. Can she rely on her sister, Holly (Gillian Zinser)? Too much tension, bad blood, and bitterness on Rose’s side. And you can put the final nail in the coffin for the duo of two sisters working together after Holly’s son, Jackson (Matthew Lamb) receives the gory surprise of Rose’s dead cat, Mustache in a box for his birthday present.

Rose’s fiancé, Trevor (Jessie T. Usher)? He doesn’t believe Rose’s stories about “ghosts,” and he’s quick to remind Rose about the realistic possibility of suffering through a psychotic episode, and a history of mental illness in the family going all the way back to Rose’s mother.

What about Rose’s ex-boyfriend, Joel (Kyle Gallner)? Joel steps in and steps up, when everyone else in Rose’s circle shuns her, or questions her sanity. And luckily for Rose, Joel is also a detective!

You can see Joel is hesitant to believe Rose’s story about a curse, but he also realizes Rose is clearly struggling. She’s losing it, so Joel does anything he can do to help. Joel reluctantly allows Rose to look at graphic crime scene photos, surveillance footage showing a curse related death at a gas station, and Joel sets up a meeting with Robert Talley (Rob Morgan), a former victim of the curse, so Rose can find the answers she’s looking for.

Is there a chance Joel was hoping for a second shot at a relationship with Rose? Remember, Joel returned to the hospital to check on Rose, and he wasn’t interested in Nurse Wanda’s (Ura Yoana Sanchez) direct advances. Joel cared about Rose. He realized she needed help, someone to lean on, and he never turned his back on her. 

Rose believed she finally defeated The Monstrosity. She needed to feel safe, and Joel’s apartment was her first stop, after a long car ride. Why? Because Rose trusted Joel. But the reunion with Joel turned out to be another one of the entity’s clever tricks. Rose, after putting up a tough fight, finally cracked. She needed Joel, and the entity used her emotions against her one last time, while Joel (as the entity) laughed and slowly flashed a devious smile.

Fast forward to Smile 2, and Joel is a complete mess. The curse drains its current target. You can see the desperation and exhaustion on Joel’s face during the opening shot of the movie. He’s struggling to escape the curse, so Joel comes up with a plan to pass the curse to a gang of drug dealers.

It’s strange, but you have to admire Joel trying to hold on to some integrity during his final moments. Joel was desperate. He witnessed first hand what happened to Rose, dumping gasoline on herself and lighting the match to commit suicide. But Joel wanted to make sure he found the worst of the worst, so he wouldn’t feel bad about passing the curse. Find a bunch of lowlifes, who deserve a death sentence. Make sure they’re harshly punished for their crimes, and maybe Joel will have a shot at a normal life, when it’s over. Sounds simple enough, right? 

Of course, Joel’s plan horribly backfires. He unknowingly passes the curse to a petrified Lewis Fregoli (Lukas Gage), a small-time drug dealer, who obviously just stopped by to pick up his merchandise. To make matters worse, Joel is killed trying to escape a shootout, when a pick-up truck runs him over. 

Kyle Gallner easily delivers one of the best performances in both Smile films. Playing a somewhat timid, shy, and awkward guy, Gallner’s sympathetic performance adds another emotional layer to Smile and Smile 2. Also, Joel adds a few good laughs to the original Smile film, a movie that’s heavy on the drama and a handful of serious moments. 

Through a weird twist of fate, Joel reconnected with his ex-girlfriend under some bizarre circumstances. He could’ve walked away after Rose told him about the curse. Rose didn’t have anyone else to turn to. But Joel was willing to stand by her side, no matter how ludicrous the story of a curse that causes people to smile and kill themselves sounded. 

Joel paid the ultimate price in the end. Assuming Joel was just living quietly and peacefully, without too much stress, helping Rose cost him his life. The stunned and horrified look on Gallner’s face during Smile’s finale, when Rose’s body is engulfed in flames is just perfect. It’s a startling confirmation for Joel, because he realizes Rose was always telling the truth. 

Did Joel have any regrets about helping Rose? Yeah, you could say Joel’s response would be a resounding no, if he had to go back and do it all over again, knowing what’s coming once the curse grabs a hold of you. Or, you could lean in the direction for Joel and Rose being more prepared to fight together, to find a way to save themselves, possibly preventing the curse and The Monstrosity from claiming another victim. Joel and Rose clearly trusted each other, and that’s the kind of bond you’re going to need to stop a curse that feeds off of emotional pain and a dark past. 

Character Spotlight- Dr. Rose Cotter- Smile

 

**This post contains spoilers**

Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) probably expected a normal work day. But Rose’s life takes a dark turn during a tragic session with a newly admitted patient named Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey). Laura unknowingly passes a deadly curse to Rose, after she commits suicide in front of the good-hearted therapist. Plagued by a series of strange occurrences and creepy smiling faces, Rose’s life quickly spirals out of control.

Rose can rely on her fiancé, Trevor (Jessie T. Usher) for help and support, right? Well, maybe not. Trevor is noticeably rattled and irritated by Rose’s wild explanations for what’s happening to her.

What about Rose’s sister, Holly (Gillian Zinser)? Rose is still bitter about Holly leaving her alone with their mother, who suffered from mental health problems during their childhoods, so that’s another name to cross off the list of potential helpers. And Holly and Rose’s relationship hits another rough patch, when Holly’s son, Jackson (Matthew Lamb) finds Rose’s dead cat, Mustache in a box that was supposed to contain a toy train set for his birthday.

Noticing a pattern? Rose is relentlessly stalked by an evil entity. She needs help! Or, Rose at least needs someone that’ll listen to and understand her side of the story. Rose’s therapist, Dr. Madeline Northcott (Robin Weigert) tries to reach out after a disastrous attempt at an intervention planned by Trevor. But Rose was already at a point, where she was too paranoid to trust certain people. And the entity fooling Rose by impersonating Dr. Northcott complicated an already bizarre situation.

Joel (Kyle Gallner), Rose’s ex-boyfriend and a detective assigned to her case, tries to help, but Rose just couldn’t conquer the demons from her past. The big one? Rose’s mother. Remember, we’re talking about an entity that feeds on trauma, and Rose couldn’t move on from a stressful and traumatic childhood with her mentally ill mother. 

Trevor mentions Rose’s mother and the possibility for a hereditary connection for her problems. Mental illness is in Rose’s DNA, and she’s reached a point in her life, where it’s finally becoming a problem. Trevor’s theory kicks opens another door. Yes, Rose is cursed, but you can understand why others are quick to dismiss her side of the story.

To make matters worse, Rose is dealing with the unbearable stress of being stalked by a relentless entity, AND she’s basically being labeled as a crazy person. Rose’s primary job is dealing with and trying to help people, with mental illnesses, but now she’s on the other side of the finger-pointing. That’s a jarring whirlwind for having your world turned upside down, and you can’t go to your own sister and fiancé for support. Instead, pleas for sympathy and understanding are met with harsh accusations, scolding, and cold shoulders. Rough stuff.

Rose’s story has an ironic and tragic ending. She died in her childhood home, the place, where it all started, and the direct source for the deep wounds from her past, facing the entity in the form of her mother. Rose Cotter was a good person, a selfless workaholic, who wanted to help as many people as she possibly could. 

But you could also say Rose tried to push herself too hard. She was burnt out, working long hours, and her boss, Dr. Morgan Desai (Kal Penn) urged Rose to take a break after witnessing Laura’s suicide. Is there a chance Rose could’ve survived the entity, if she had a stronger support system? Who knows, but Rose was a prime target for the curse. Her mind was clouded by a troubled past, and you have to believe Rose dedicated her life to being a good therapist, because she couldn’t save her mother. Help others, fix their problems, be the source of comfort she never had as a child, no matter what. Maybe that’s the best way to sum up Rose’s mindset, but she still couldn’t find the closure she was looking for.

Sosie Bacon delivers an excellent performance as Rose Cotter. You can see and feel everything Rose’s is going through. The short scene, where Rose is getting ready for Jackson’s birthday party shows Rose is struggling to hold it together. You’re watching a frazzled character falling apart in real time, and the close-up shots in the mirror are just perfect.

There’s also something that’s important to remember: Rose could’ve easily avoided the curse. Go back to the early stages of the movie, and you’ll notice Rose is getting ready to leave work. Coat on, door closed behind her…..but the phone rings. And of course, Rose eventually meets Laura. Why did she go back to answer the phone? Because Rose believed she could help one more person before the end of the day, always prioritizing the patients over her own well-being. 

Character Spotlight- Rachel Carruthers- Halloween 4 & 5

**This post contains spoilers**

Michael Myers has his sights set on returning to Haddonfield, Illinois, after a violent escape during a late night ambulance ride. Myers’ new target? His eight year old niece, Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris). Jamie, haunted by nightmares and visions of Myers, leans on her adoptive family for support. Jamie’s stepfather, Richard (Jeff Olson), and her stepmother, Darlene (Karen Alston) are dedicated to building and providing a loving home for Jamie. But her stepsister, Rachel (Ellie Cornell) is more concerned about having to cancel her date with Brady (Sasha Jenson), because she’s the fill-in babysitter for Jamie. 

Rachel is stressed out. Brady quickly moved on with Kelly Meeker (Kathleen Kinmont). But Rachel has to put the Kelly (aka “little miss hot panties”) dilemma on the back burner, while Michael Myers tears through Haddonfield on Halloween. A night of trick-or-treating with Jamie takes a disastrous turn, leaving Jamie and Rachel with three options: run, hide, or stand and fight.

This is Michael Myers we’re talking about after all. The Shape, The Boogeyman, or as Jamie also calls him, The Nightmare Man. Michael single-handedly annihilated the entire police force, and Myers, the unstoppable killing machine, doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Sure, Jamie has a handful of supporters ready to protect her: Dr Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasence), Sheriff Ben Meeker (Beau Starr), Brady, and I can’t forget about local bar owner Earl (Gene Ross) and his gang of “beer bellies.”

A collection of townspeople and Dr. Loomis are all armed to the teeth, but bullets are not enough to completely stop Myers. Jamie also needs emotional support, and that’s why Rachel plays a crucial role in Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers.

The relationship between Jamie and Rachel has a few awkward ups and downs. There’s the one scene, where Rachel feels the need to have a tricky conversation with Jamie about their relationship, explaining the differences between biological sisters and stepsisters, while reminding Jamie she still loves her all the same. 

Rachel whines and pouts about having to cancel her date with Brady. She quickly apologizes to Jamie (after a few strong and harsh words from her father), and you could say Rachel was just throwing the kind of tantrum that’d you expect from a teenager, who’s upset about missing out on a date.

But Rachel slowly corrects her mistakes, confidently stepping into the role of a big sister. Is she nervous? Scared at times? Sure. Still, Rachel fiercely acts as a shield for Jamie throughout the movie. She’s willing to risk her life during a deadly cat and mouse game. After tossing Earl’s corpse on the side of the road, Rachel, exhausted and fed up with Myers, hits the gas on the pickup truck to run Myers over. Yeah, hitting Myers with a pickup truck wasn’t enough to take him out, but it’s still a big moment in the movie. A few good shots with blood smeared on Rachel’s face, determined and deadly serious about delivering the final blow to Myers. 

Michael Myers is back in Halloween 5, ready to leave another trail of bloody destruction to get to Jamie. Rachel knows how truly dangerous Michael is now. You have to believe she’s more prepared for a fight this time around. Protecting Jamie is the main goal. But there’s a big problem with Rachel’s role in the story for The Revenge Of Michael Myers, because Michael murders Rachel during the early stages of the movie.

Killing off Rachel well before the halfway point of the movie is one of those weird decisions I’ve never been able to understand. She was an important character, filling the role of Jamie’s guardian and her protector, the big sister, who threw herself in harm’s way to ensure Jamie’s safety. 

Rachel’s death is easily one of the more disappointing death scenes in the Halloween franchise. They didn’t even give Rachel a chance to fight back. Michael surprises her, stabs her with the scissors….and that’s it. No struggle, no big chase scene, or any kind of tension to at least give Rachel a chance to survive. Rachel deserved a better send-off. Her death scene is the kind of throwaway kill you save for a newbie character to add to Michael’s kill count. You don’t do THAT to Jamie Lloyd’s big sister.

You can see and feel Rachel’s absence after her death. Sheriff Ben Meeker is still around, but he’s busy trying to organize his police force to hunt Myers. Dr. Loomis is deadly serious about putting an end to Michael’s reign of terror, but age is catching up with him.

So who else can Jamie depend on? Tina (Wendy Kaplan)? She’s more concerned with partying, pulling pranks with Spitz (Matthew Walker) and Samantha (Tamara Glynn), and dealing with her boyfriend, Mike’s (Jonathan Chapin) mood swings. Deputy Nick Ross (Fran Como) and Deputy Tom Farrah (David Ursin)? They’re both numbskulls and bumbling fools. You can take one look at Ross and Farrah, and you’ll instantly know they don’t stand a chance against Myers.

The final images of Rachel in the Halloween series? Her corpse is sitting up in a chair amongst Michael’s creepy collection of dead bodies in the attic. It’s an emotional scene. Rachel is dead, and Jamie is heartbroken, calling out to Rachel for help, because she knows Myers is closing in. To be clear, I’m not against killing off Rachel, BUT her death should’ve meant something. Rachel could’ve been by Jamie’s side during the big finale, fighting with her sister until the end, and maybe Rachel’s death would’ve had a bigger overall impact on the story.

Rachel deserves a spot on Halloween’s list of memorable characters. Ellie Cornell always delivered earnest performances, and the sisterly bond with Danielle Harris was believable. Rachel was forced to make life or death decisions. You always got the impression she was someone, who had to quickly figure things out before Michael had a chance to get his hands on Jamie, a real person dealing with the dangers of trying to survive relentless attacks from a maniac. 

Of course, my only complaint about Rachel is, she should’ve had more screen time in Halloween 5. Rachel and Jamie only have one scene together. Rachel visits Jamie at the children’s clinic, and that’s it. Maybe they didn’t want to do a retread of the events in Halloween 4, reusing the Jamie and Rachel run and hide from Michael, waiting for the right opportunity to strike back formula. But I would’ve preferred watching Rachel guide, and protect Jamie through the madness of surviving Halloween night against Michael Myers over seeing her dead body added to the collection of corpses for Halloween newcomers.