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"The Blair Witch Project" is a real shocker,
not because it's so scary - it isn't even close to being scary,
and I've heard from countless sources that this is the scariest
movie ever. (The day I saw the film, I first had lunch at a
restaurant, where the waiter took it upon himself to inform
me that his friends in California had seen "Blair Witch", and
they were still having nightmares.) And then there are all the
rave reviews touting "Blair Witch" as "terrifying", etc.
Granted, although I don't scare easily, I anticipated the "Blair
Witch Project" to be thrilling, or suspenseful, or something
to that effect. I believe the only reason "Blair Witch" was
rated R is because of the liberal use of strong language - it
certainly isn't disturbing, or even violent. (You never actually
see anyone get murdered, because everything is implied.)
Three students decide to do a documentary on the "Blair Witch",
a sleepy little town's favorite legend. Reports on the Blair
witch vary highly: Some say she killed many children in the
1940's; others say she's some sort of half-woman, half werewolf-like
creature; still others say the Blair Witch was a man who killed
seven children in his basement.
The three students head off into the woods with a camera, in
search of - who else?- the Blair Witch. At first they don't
find much, aside from a few strange stick figures hanging from
the trees. Later, however, they get lost in the woods, and something
(I guess you're supposed to think it's the Blair Witch) starts
haunting and hunting them.
If you're stupid enough to believe that this is a real documentary,
which of course it isn't, despite many reports to that effect,
this movie would be disturbing. It could also be frightening
if you have a very vivid imagination - because the screaming
sounds and other weird noises leave it all to your imagination.
One thing that bothers me is that you never actually see the
Blair Witch, nor does she ever do anything really "witchy",
aside from leaving strange little stick figures lying around.
This depiction of witchcraft is very vague and completely ridiculous.
And, it really serves no purpose. After all, you don't need
supernatural powers to be a murderer.
Another thing that irked me was the way the end just leaves
you hanging - no explanation, no conclusion, nothing. I couldn't
help feel a little cheated, and think "The Blair Witch Project"
has been seriously over-hyped by the media and filmgoers.
Yet despite its flaws "Blair Witch" was interesting for a while,
probably because it's so different from what you normally see
in movies. (For example, the photography is amateur, which does
make the film look more realistic, although still not believable.)
But it never even came close to being ghastly, gruesome, fear-
inspiring, or whatever other adjectives over-enthusiastic critics
and fans have used to describe it.
Nightmares? Give me a break.
My rating: 2 stars
Rating : Rated R (For language)
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