WitchboardYear: 1986 Director: Kevin S. Tenney Written by: Kevin S. Tenney Threat: Ghost Weapon of Choice: Axe |
Other movies in this series:
Witchboard 2
Witchboard III: The Possession
Rish Outfield's reviews
Tyranist is bothered by Ouija Boards. After seeing the "Witchboard Trilogy,"
I want one.
This was an interesting idea for a film--and they milked it for three. None
of the movies are great, but they all have good qualities. In this one, the
characters are somewhat interesting and fully drawn, the female lead (played
by Hair Band Video Princess Tawny Kaetan) is attractive, and the
subject matter is legitimately creepy. Still, there were a ton of useless
dream sequences (as I think there are in all three), and some fake scares
that just didn't work. In the end, I was left a little empty. The subject
matter doesn't disturb me at all, but it was taken very seriously, and could
have used some lightening.
Note: In this film, the not-at-all-sympathetic-but-changes-in-the-film best
friend character explains that the board is not pronounced "Wee-gee," but
"Wee-juh." From this point on, everyone in all three films says, "Wee-juh."
I refuse.
The tyranist's thoughts
In spite of the fact that this was remarkably well thought out and well written, I disliked this film. The plot follows a
relatively set horror pattern (ghost invades lives of innocents to the point that it is finally in control more than they are).
The actors did a fine job, at least, I think I hated the ones I was supposed to. It is just that the movie didn't do it for
me. It is like having a decently attractive man come on to me. I'm just not that interested. Sure he's nice to look at, but
that isn't what I'm after. Of course, if a decently attractive woman comes on to me, things are different. It is just part of
my personal tastes and this movie doesn't fit them. I have to concede that it isn't the fault of Kevin Tenney. He actually
did a fine job and has a fine little movie. He constructed one of the most tasteful OTS's that I have seen (at least, it
made me feel less like a voyeur). Most horror/ghost story fans will probably like this. Some may be like me and won't. I
guess this is similar to the way that Dead Alive isn't Rish's type.
Total Skulls: 15
Sequel | ||
Sequel setup | ||
Rips off earlier film | ||
Horror film showing on TV/in theater in movie | ||
Future celebrity appears | ||
Former celebrity appears | ||
Bad title | ||
Bad premise | ||
Bad acting | ||
Bad dialogue | ||
Bad execution | ||
MTV Editing | ||
OTS | ||
Girl unnecessarily gets naked | ||
Wanton sex | ||
Death associated with sex | ||
Unfulfilled promise of nudity | ||
Characters forget about threat | ||
Secluded location | ||
Power is cut | ||
Phone lines are cut | ||
Someone investigates a strange noise | ||
Someone runs up stairs instead of going out front door | ||
Camera is the killer | ||
Victims cower in front of a window/door | ||
Victim locks self in with killer | ||
Victim running from killer inexplicably falls | ||
Toilet stall scene | ||
Shower scene | ||
Car stalls or won't start | ||
Cat jumps out | ||
Fake scare | ||
Laughable scare | ||
Stupid discovery of corpse | ||
Dream sequence | ||
No one believes only witness | ||
Crazy, drunk, old man knows the truth | ||
Music detracts from scene | ||
Death in first five minutes | ||
What the hell? | ||
x years ago . . . | ||
Dark and stormy night | ||
Killer doesn't stay dead | ||
Killer wears a mask | ||
Killer is in closet | ||
Killer is in car with victim | ||
Villain is more sympathetic than heroes | ||
Unscary villain/monster | ||
Beheading | ||
Blood fountain | ||
Blood hits camera | ||
Poor death effect | ||
Excessive gore | ||
No one dies at all | ||
Virgin survives | ||
Geek/Nerd survives | ||
Little kid lamely survives | ||
Dog/Pet miraculously survives | ||
Unresolved subplots | ||
"It was all a dream" ending | ||
Unbelievably happy ending | ||
Unbelievably crappy ending |