DVD Ghostlight
Run time: 90 min
Rating: 6.6
Genres: Drama | Horror | Thriller
Director: Jeff Ferrell
Writers: Jeff Ferrell
Stars: Eden Campbell, Lisa Coronado, David A. Crellin
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Storyline Andrew wins a radio contest to spend one night alone in a haunted theater on the 80th anniversary of the bloody murder/suicide that occurred within its walls. His prize: $50,000. His task: To spend 12 hours alone inside. The catch: The theater has been reportedly haunted ever since the tragedy 80 years ago, and has been plagued by a series of mysterious deaths in the years since. As Andrew is locked inside the theater for the night, the ghosts and secrets of its past begin to reveal themselves to him. Will he make it through the night to collect his prize? And will he get out before the murderous ghosts take hold of him forever? Written by Anonymous |
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Details: Country: USA Release Date: 3 June 2014 (USA) |
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Ambitious and charming indie film from Seattle that pays tribute to HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, THE CHANGELING, THE SIXTH SENSE, and other classic ghost-horror movies. Sutherland wins a radio contest, but must spend the night in a haunted theater (filmed at the historic Everett Theater) in order to receive the $50,000 prize. Filled with genuine scares, witty dialogue and great actingwith Kleinsmith almost stealing the show as the theater's eccentric owner. The sound editing, however, is noticeably flawed even to the layman's ear, and director Ferrell's choice of the numerous fade-ins/fade-outs interferes with mood and pacing. Despite some bumps in the road, the film is an overall impressive and entertaining outing that has replay value.
*** (out of four)
"Ghostlight" is a paranormal thriller directed by Jeff Ferrell and follows a man who wins a chance at big money. Before he can collect though he must spend 24 hours in a haunted theatre. "Ghostlight" stars Brian Sutherland, Lisa Coronado, Dennis Kleinsmith, Russell Hodgkinson, and Ramona Freeborn.
The story of "Ghostlight" is your traditional, ghost story set-up, with a contest winner getting the opportunity to win some money, by staying in a haunted location. In this film that place is a haunted theatre, where the performance with bloody murder. This is a mature, somber thriller with a slow build to a terrifying and some what depressing ending. The arc is a proper string of suspense, with constant melodramatic, emotional connectivity, although the first half of the film is a bit of a sleeper with minimal thrills. Normally this would have me checked out permanently, however the strong story, decent acting and hints to a nice, tense ending held me to the film right until the bitter end.
The special effects in "Ghostlight" is a standard foray of gimmicks that one would expect in a paranormal thriller such as this. Most of the moments pay-off with some real suspense and creepy scenes taking place (most of which take place in the last half of the film). Now even though there isn't much new brought to the table with chilling effects in this one, "Ghostlight" manages to execute, a decent, steady ghost story that creates a haunting atmosphere with a nice finish. The sound effects and soundtrack does help build some suspense but it didn't really stand out as anything manager for me personally.
Overall "Ghostlight" is a well thought out little chiller. The first 45 minutes are bit slow and demand dedication when watching the film, but stick with it, the end is the big seller. The story is a mature tale that is worth a once over by paranormal fans. It is a classic tribute to both the theatrical and the ghost story that takes the genre serious. I enjoyed this film, it could have been a bit scarier, and the ending is a little more depressing than thrilling but still, it is a cool one that plays out nicely.