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