lost-in-limbo I picked up this cheap DVD knowing very little about it, other than it being a ghost story starring Terry O'Quinn who also made some other horror fables around this time; "The Stepfather" and "Pin". To my pleasant surprise, this rarely talked about (if not) enterprise actually turned to be a compelling and worthwhile dip. The word sleeper can get thrown around, but "The Forgotten One" is what you call a sleeper! More interesting than most. Novelist Bob Anderson packs up and moves to a new city buying an old creaky Victorian house, hoping to storm up ideas for his second novel and move on from the unexpected death of his wife. However he learns the house homes a long-dormant entity, which he discovers is the spirit of a murdered 19th century housewife Evelyn. Thinking that discovering the corpse and actually burying it would free the spirit, only seems to entice the spirit and Bob soon becomes obsessed with Evelyn who just won't let him go. While customary in its set-up, it actually managed to tell a complete, low-key ghost tale of harrowing heartbreak, haunting mystery and a certain amount of moody chills. Director / writer Phillip Badger's competent touch is atmospheric, sensual and suggestive in what is mature, slow-tempo storytelling with polished visuals, well-revealed twists, constant danger and respectably good performances from the likes Terry Quinn, Kristy McNichol and Blair Parker. Quinn gives such a strong performance with his neurotic presence really carrying it, but McNichol is not to be discarded in a very likable turn as the helpful neighbour. Then there's the striking beauty of Parker, who gracefully engages with a tormented, if sincere performance as the forlorn spirit trying to manipulate things to her own liking. Also popping up is Elisabeth Brooks as a steamy nightclub singer. The script is a character drama with its focus on haunted memories, love, and fate with the right balance of dry, witty humour. Subtle, slow-tempo and stylish low-budget horror chiller with the common theme of eternal love binning it all together."How do you kill something that's already dead."

cataratadoinferno One of the best haunting films I have ever seen. Much of what is made nowadays don't even come closer. When I first saw it, I was taken by a grateful surprise. Comparisons not taken for granted, but this one made me feel the same way I did when I saw The Shining for the first time. The atmosphere of the place and the beauty of the ghost woman are way too pleasing. Haven't seen it for a long time now. VHS disappeared from the surface of the earth, but I would certainly like a second try. Does anybody know of any plans for a DVD or even a Blu-ray? I am eager to buy it. Film Studio: think about it! Don't let such a gem get lost in oblivion.

Paul Andrews The Forgotten One starts as novelist Bob Anderson (Terry O'Quinn) drives into Denver, Colorado to begin a new life after the death of his wife several months earlier. He rents a nice house where he thinks he will be alright but he will be anything but alright as he begins to experience dreams which rapidly turn into nightmares & he has the worst case of writers block he ever has, he can't get past the word 'the' on the first page (now that's what I call writers block!). However Bob strikes up a relationship with one of his neighbours Barbara Stupple (Kristy McNichol) whom seem to like each other. One night Bob has a one night stand with a singer named Carla (Elizabeth Brooks) who, while walking around Bob's house, sees a ghost with empty eye sockets & falls out of a second storey window badly injuring herself. This is just the start as Bob himself is witness to the ghost, he hears voices & he sees her in his basement. Upon closer inspection Bob discovers a grisly secret in the basement & a tragic past that surrounds it that threatens his very life...Written & directed by Phillip Badger I thought The Forgotten One was going to be crap but as it turned out I actually quite liked it, it ain't perfect but it's a decent supernatural thriller/horror that probably deserves to be more well known. The script is sort of divided into two, the first half of the film is all about ghostly goings on & this is the horror part of the film with a nice creepy mysterious atmosphere to it but then during the second half it changes into a Fatal Attraction (1987) clone as our ghost Evelyn (Blair Parker) suddenly turns into a beautiful young woman who tries to seduce Bob & even ends up killing his cat. Obviously the first half is far superior to the second as it tries, & succeeds, to be a spooky horror film that builds itself up. Unfortunately the whole beautiful ghost, sex, piano tune, back story type themes that emerge during the slower second half just don't work as well & seem at odds with what has gone on previously but it still manages to both maintain interest & entertain, you can't really ask for more than that I suppose. It's slightly slow & sedate pace may put some people off as will the lack of any significant action or special effect scenes. There are only four character's in the entire film worth mentioning so it's a very character driven story which some may like while other's may not, the very downbeat ending won't sit well with those who like happy 'everythings worked out perfectly' Hollywood ones.Director Badger tells a pretty good tale although I wish the film as a whole was more consistent & he had gone for genuine creepiness & scares throughout the entire duration rather than letting things degenerate into a love story between the ghostly Evelyn & Bob. There's a nice atmosphere running through the film & it has some nice sequences. There is no blood, gore or violence as The Forgotten One relies on storytelling for it's effectiveness. There is however a fair amount of nudity & sex during the latter stages as our ghost Evelyn isn't scared to get her bits'n'pieces out for all to see.Technically The Forgotten One is fine, there's no flashy camera work or special effects but it's generally well made. The acting is pretty good & I don't have any complaints here.The Forgotten One was a lot better than I had expected but at the same time didn't quite do enough to totally impress, it's well worth a watch for sure but I doubt many would want to see it more than once & if only the second half had been as good as the first this could have been a little gem of a film, unfortunately it isn't so it ain't.

moonspinner55 Writer Terry O'Quinn moves into a house haunted by the spirit of a beautiful woman; with help from brash neighbor Kristy McNichol, he gets to the bottom of the mystery. Straight-to-tape item is a stylish low-budget effort aimed at thinking adults. There are erotic undercurrents that are not explored (curious, since the apparition is mostly seen nude), and relationships that seem half-baked, but O'Quinn is excellent here (with no "Stepfather" overtones). It's also a chance to see McNichol do good work before her youthful retirement. Not especially memorable or thrilling, but patient viewers will find some subtle surprises. **1/2 from ****