Blair Witch Project - Lisa's Review

This is a movie I actually managed to get my hands on before it hit the cinemas in the UK.  It was a Japanese import.  I think because I saw the movie before the hype (an American friend who had seen it and liked it sent me a copy) and knew pretty much nothing about it, it enabled me to enjoy it more than folks who went in with expectations of being scared shitless.

I'm going to assume that anyone reading a movie blog will be aware of this movie and will know the rough detail.  In short, Blair Witch is a 'found footage' movie.  One of the best known earlier ones before the craze took off.  Of course there were others, but this movie really rocketed the genre through the roof.  It is shot in black and white in a documentary format on a shaky camera.  We follow Heather (of the famous snotty nosed movie poster), Joshua and Michael who travel to Burkittsville to film the urban legend that is the Blair Witch.

Week 186 - Blair Witch Project

Reviews / Author Comments due: long overdue

Position on Timeout list: 36

More Info: Wikipedia, IMDB

DVD: Link

Trailer

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - Lisa's Review

This is a movie I remember watching with my dad as a child.  I don't remember much about it apart from remembering feeling a bit overwhelmed and freaked out by it and dreaming about it for many nights afterwards.  I Watched it again, maybe in my teens and remember thinking it was quite lame and laughable....  Having watching it again for this review, I have to admit my child brain seemed to have this one down much better than my judgemental 'modern-movie effects loving' teenage one.  Sure it is a B movie, which I generally abhor, but this one I do have a special place for.  This movie has been remade several times, but in my opinion, the original is most definately the best.  So, to a scant premis if you've lived your life under a rock.

The movie starts with a hysterical Dr Miles Bennell relating his story to bemused Psychiatrist Dr Hill.  We view the happenings by way of his flashbacks.   In the town of Santa Mira where Dr Bennell is a local GP, patients start to come in reporting very odd occurances.  They seem to be under the impression that their loved ones are acting so strangely that they must certainly have been replaced by imposters.   Dr Bennell, like with any sensible family doctor put the increasing number of consults down to mass hysteria.    He is even unconvinced when ex girlfriend Becky returns to town and reports a family member having the same tall story.  Appointments with previously hysterical patients all being cancelled is also not convincing enough for him.  Dr Bennell unfortunately discovers that there actually is more to these stories.  Something much, much worse than mass hysteria.

Week 185 - Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Reviews / Author Comments due: long overdue

Position on Timeout list: 37

More Info: wikipedia, IMDB

DVD: Link

Trailer