Let's Scare Jessica to Death

Let's Scare Jessica to Death

Who's in it: Zohra Lampert, Barton Heyman, Kevin O'Connor, Mariclare Costello

What's it about: After being released from mental hospital, Jessica(Lampert), her husband, Duncan(Heyman), and her friend, Woody(O'Connor), move into an old spooky house. Jessica had been treated for chrionic fright and seeing things. In the house, there's a young woman who has been camping out there. Her name is Emily(Costello). The men start to fall in love with Emily and they only think that whatever Jessica says is crazy. Jessica is sure that Emily is a vampiric ghost coming after her.

What I Think: This was actually a pretty scary movie. It was released in 1971 and I thought that it was going to be a crappy old movie. Sure the effects sucked and the voiceovers that were put in were crappy, but the story and setting itself was great. I did not like Lampert because she seemed so manly. I thought that she did well though. Not fond of Costello's character but I admire her acting. She did a wonderful job. The men weren't really part of the story except boy toys.

7 Days to Live

7 Days to Live

Who's in it: Amanda Plummer, Sean Pertwee

What's it about: Ellen(Plummer) and Martin(Pertwee) move into a new house after the deaeth of their son. Martin is hoping to write another top selling book, and Ellen is hoping to move on with her life. Ellen begins to believe that her death is coming near. She is certain that the house is changing them and messing with their minds. After finding out the history of murders that took place within the house, she starts to worry that her fate will soon take her into the darkness that dwells within.

What I Think: I must first say that I loved Pertwee's accent. I, however, am a sucker for the Irish accent. I thought that the performance by Plummer was great. Some of the fear that she showed didn't seem as real as I had hoped, but she did well. As for the storyline, I thought that it could've used a bit more work. Maybe it could've had some more to it than just the facts. The twist in the end was perfect, but I think that there should've have been more meat of the movie.

Ghost Town

Ghost Town

Who's in it: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Téa Leoni

What's it about: Dr. Pincus(Gervais) is a British dentist who went in for a simple procedure in the hospital. After he unexpectedely died and was revived, he begins to see ghosts. Not the scary kind though, really bothersome ones. He tries to ignore them, but when a particular ghost, Frank(Kinnear), starts to really get on his nerves, he listens to him. Frank left a widow, Gwen(Leoni), and he's afraid that she's about to marry into a mistake. With Frank telling Pincus what to say, Gwen and Pincus start to fall in love.

What I Think: This movie was really funny. Gervais really seemed like a boring, geeky, middle-aged man during the movie, but when I watched the bloopers, he was hilarious. The plot of the movie was very interesting and I loved it. Usually, ghost movies are scary, but this one had alot of comedy wrapped in it. It was topped off with Gervais' British accent. Kinnear was really funny as well. I thought that he was a real jerk, but he was a great actor. Leoni was alright. I wasn't too impressed with her, but that's alright.

The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense

Who's in it: Bruce Willis, Haley Osment

What's it about: Cole(Osment) has always had a strangeness about him. He's always by himself or scared out of his wits. Dr. Malcolm Crowe(Willis) meets Cole and wants to help him become more normal. He spends most of his time around Cole and watching the way he lives his life. When Cole tells Malcolm his biggest secret, Malcolm becomes concerned and even more intrigued about Cole and his lifestyle. Malcolm is fighting his own battles at home and in the end, he loses.

What I Think: I think that everyone knows the story of The Sixth Sense. It's not uncommon among conversations around America. Bruce Willis is one of my favourite actors and his talent never ceases to amaze me. I thought that Osment did a good job as well with all of his different ways of showing emotion. The infamous twist in the end always makes me happy though. It's nice to have a great movie with almost everything perfect about it. The only thing that I might have changed was another ghost of two in the story. A little more to work with, but that's because I'm an overachiever.

Poltergeist

Poltergeist

Who's in it: Craig Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke, Beatrice Straight


What's it about: When 5 year old Carol Anne(O'Rourke) begins talking to a spirit within her house, her parents Steve(Nelson) and Diane(Williams) begin to wonder what's going on. After chairs begin to move and other weird things begin to happen, they call Dr. Lesh(Straight) to come and find out what's happening. Carol Anne is taken by the spirits and Dr. Lesh is left wondering what will happen to the family. The family is only wanting to have their little girl back in their arms.


What I Think: Given that this movie is one of the older ones, I was impressed by the computer graphics. The story was great but I think that the acting lacked in some parts. The events within the story were thought out and creative. The ending was very entertaining I thought. I think that the way that they decided to end the whole thing was pretty funny. It's hard to watch an older movie like this with my generations knowledge and not critisize it alot. For it's time, I think that this movie was done very well.

The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion

Who's in it: Eddie Murphy, Marsha Thomason, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker


What's it about: The Evers and Evers Real Estate just got a huge job when asked to sell an old mansion. Jim(Murphy) and Sara(Thomason) are on their way out of town and stop by to get ahead of their next week. The butler, Ramsley(Stamp), gets them situated, but a storm keeps them overnight. The story behind the mansion is that two lovers had died in the house and their souls still walked the halls. Master Gracey(Parker), the ghost of one of the lovers, thinks that Sara is the reincarnate of his lost love. Gracey attempts to steal Sara away from Jim, but Jim won't have it and does everything that he can to stop him.


What I Think: This movie was very different. Not one of Disney's best, but certainly not it's worst. I would have to say that the plot played out well. I was confused about how Disney could have the, quite distubing, ending that it did. Murphy is always a great man to watch. He was funny, but became serious when the time came for him to be. The effects were pretty cool, but still amateurish. Surprised to hear the word 'damn' several times in a Disney movie.