GL84 After having fun with an Ouija board during a party, a group of friends find themselves forced to deal with a girlfriends' growing attachment to a spirit summoned during the even who's sudden increase in violence threatens the whole group.While this wasn't altogether terrible, this one here is a moderate entry with enough good points to make it watchable. One of the biggest pluses here is there's some pretty good moments here-and-there which are quite exciting and enjoyable at managing to make the most out of the plot here with the simple fact that this one has a slight change of pace over most other Quija board-sprung films in that the demonic spirit being raised isn't in human form but remains visible throughout the film. There isn't a manifestation until late in the film, and most of the time is just reserved for the film being much more discreet about showing of the demonic entity which is always around here. The opening séance scene is pretty nice, with the throwing of objects and breaking of furniture to keep it interesting, while there's also the different hauntings that occur with the group in the house which are pretty nice and get a couple freaky moments with the freaky banging noises and startlingly helpful passes. These go great with a later scene where the spirit attacks in a shower, and the searching scene in the graveyard adds some creepiness to the film. While there's some really nice gore scenes in here from the few kills, there is a couple of big flaws in here that do manage to strike this one down. One of the biggest detrimental mistakes is that too many of its scare scenes are staged during broad daylight. There are at least two scenes in this film that squander away so much potential because of this. The construction site accident is the first big indicator of something going on after their game and it really could've used the extra suspense those elements provide to a scene. The other big one is the dock scene near the climax, which is probably hurt the most since the whole thing has a demonic twist to it that only would've been highlighted more through the use of it taking place at night. There isn't a high body count either since The spirit only goes after a couple of outside individuals rather than going after the ones that are there to provide a kill count, as there's plenty in here that could've been bumped off to provide more kills here, and it only uses a couple of those to a rather negative impact. It really could've used a couple more to make this feel even bigger and scarier. The last big flaw is that there's way too much down-time in here, making it feel really dull at times. The haunting incidents really should've been closer together or at the very least shortened the film a tad so that it wouldn't feel like it takes forever to get to the next haunting as it spends so much time with her fiddling with the board that it takes forever to actually get anywhere. This wouldn't have been so had the ridiculous amount of false and jump-scares been trimmed out of here completely, as the reliance of building up to some potential scare or stalking scene only to have it turn out to be one of the friends standing there behind them being something that can get annoying as well. This one here doesn't have too many, but the film is lowered by these problems. Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language and Brief Nudity.

ersinkdotcom I still remember my friends talking about the surprisingly good "Witchboard" when it first came out in 1986. 28 years later, it still both holds up well and reminds viewers of the cheese served up in the greatest decade of horror.Linda Brewster is introduced to a centuries old tool of communication with the dead called a Ouija board. Although warned of the danger it holds, she begins summoning the spirit of a 10-year-old boy named David. She soon realizes that her dalliances with the dead were a mistake as the presence becomes stronger and violent. What sinister entity did Linda let loose in our world?"Witchboard" is presented in 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) and DTS-HD Audio Mono. Like most of the Blu-ray upgrades we get from this era, the movie looks and sounds better than it ever has. However, its digital transfer hasn't sucked all the "real" film feeling out of it. Its upgraded audio enhances every scream and dramatic crash of the musical score.Loads of bonus material is included with "Witchboard." New audio commentary is provided by Writer/Director Kevin Tenney and actors Stephen Nichols, Kathleen Wilhoite, and James Quinn. Additional commentary features Tenney, Executive Producer Walter Josten, and Producer Jeff Geoffray chatting about the film. There are also new interviews with Kevin Tenney, Tawny Kitaen, J.B. Luebsen, James Quinn, Walter Josten, Todd Allen, and others. A vintage "Making of 'Witchboard'" featurette, theatrical trailer, TV spots, still gallery, and much more can be found."Witchboard" is rated R for violence, language, adult situations, and nudity. Everything you would expect from a 1980s horror film is what you're served here. Is the nudity necessary? Of course not, but sadly producers felt it was a needed item to sell genre films at the time.Most religious folks will definitely give "Witchboard" a thumbs down, and with good reason. The movie doesn't really tell people not to play with Ouija boards. It warns that you shouldn't play with them alone. This can cause one to become obsessed and then possessed by the spirit attached to it. What people should take away from the film is that it's just not smart to try communicating with the dead or get involved with the occult or anything with the power to unleash a malevolent entity."Witchboard" is full of all the wonderful schlock you would expect from a horror film released in 1986. There are naïve characters doing incredibly dumb things and meeting horribly entertaining demises. Why would someone continue to communicate with a spirit that is growing constantly more violent and active? How many weird accidents have to happen around you before you realize something's not right? Also, was it really legal to smoke in the waiting room of a hospital in 1986? None of those questions are answered in the movie. However, there are some fun scares to be had in the journey to its climax.

MovieProductions ** out of (****)Growing up as a mere lil' fellar, I always had this cautious curiosity with the unknown. I always had this fascination with the paranormal and would be exposed to films such as "The Others", "The Ring", and so on. But one little gadget I had my heart set on was a Ouija board. I heard that absolutely nothing good had come out of it and I've heard some bone-chilling stories that would make the trickle of hairs on my neck stand up. When I recently found out a little 80's cult classic beauty named "Witchboard" surfaced the video shelves, my curiosity was intrigued, and with impeccable interest. Just glancing at the title "Witchboard", it's pretty sensible to assume it's about a woman who draws a connection to the Ouija board, which at first turns out safe and harmless, but as her obsession grows with the object, the board turns evil on her and evil spirits are released.Going by the concept, it sounds amusing enough and it is. One of the strongest suits about movies involving the paranormal is that they always find a way to keep things going. Whether shedding some light on the background history of them, a bump in the night, or a shadow in the day. It's always moving along, same with "Witchboard". It doesn't take long to get the ball rolling and when we're introduced to the little doohickey, all interest is piqued. The acting? Eh, not so much. The performers here aren't exactly the most likable and what they offer is next to nothing. It's almost as if the directors copied some good looking twenty or thirty-somethings and pasted them into the movie, and handed them their scripts. But granted, they aren't terrible. As the film progresses, so do the characters and you'd actually be surprised at the character's motivations or purposes they serve near the film's rising action. The direction? It's a bit on and off here. There are some moments where I thought it used the premise to its fullest potential and others I thought were a true waste of time. The pacing for the most part is right on the money. It feels like one cohesive picture, (possibly) save for the ending.Now the one million dollar question: is it scary? Unfortunately, no, but that doesn't mean it's not suspenseful. There are times where I sprung about a foot or two from my seat. And the tone is consistently suspenseful thanks to the score. But when I say there are some moments where it makes you jump, it's not because the director uses the jump-scare tactic (basically minimizing the volume for about 5 minutes and just making a U-turn with the camera and cranking up the speakers to haphazardly affecting your eardrums). It's because there are its moments that build up genuine suspense and creating a chilling atmosphere.But, my one gripe, that ending. Save for the last three or so minutes and I was contemplating on giving this movie a "6" instead of a mediocre rating, but that resolution just did it for me. They went in such a predictable and uninspiring route. It's almost like eating a nice sandwich, but then finding a hair in it when you're almost done.All in all, "Witchboard" makes for a decent watch. It has its moments and if there's one thing this movie accomplishes, its the setting and tone. However, the acting and the ending just kill "Witchboard". I bet you if I showed someone this movie, being a non-paranormal fan and replaced the ending, they might actually get into these types of movies. But now I see why people steer clear of them. It's just that typical Hollywood resolution.

Boba_Fett1138 This is a movie that definitely had some potential, since it featured a good and interesting enough horror concept but this gets ruined by its unimaginative story and approach by its film-makers.This is a movie with a story that would had worked out great as a supernatural thriller but it instead picks a more easy and common horror approach. It's really made like a typical horror flick, while its story called for a more subtle approach. This really goes at the expenses of all of the tension and build up of things. Instead now we have a movie that is lacking in good horror and in which besides far too little is happening.It really isn't until half way through that things really start to kick in. But just when you thought the movie was getting good and interesting again, it gets ruined by its final 30 minutes, which aren't really in tone with the rest of the movie and it ends things quite abruptly as well, which is so disappointing. In fact, the ending was just plain bad and even made me laugh at how clumsily it all got done and was looking.This movie is really some wasted potential.5/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/