Studio execs have to be pulling their hair out whenever this film is mentioned.

Rating: 8/10 (20 June 2005)

Film-making can be quite an interesting business. Some would insist on calling it an art, and they would also be correct. But make no mistake: Making movies is a business. When you think about the mountain of money this little indie project made as opposed to the paltry sub-fifty thousand dollar budget it had, you almost have to laugh. Then consider some of the big budget bombs we've seen recently like Kingdom of Heaven, Alexander, and XXX State of the Union that have been nothing more than an epic waste of money. You'll see why sometimes a little originality can lead to a big payday.
The Blair Witch Project is essentially a bogus documentary about three young filmmakers who journey into the Maryland wilderness to investigate the legend of some gruesome goings-on. The group quickly finds themselves hopelessly lost, and at the mercy of god-knows what just past their line of vision in the surrounding foliage. The film is absolutely scary. You cannot deny that for one minute, but to think that anyone could have believed this is actual footage of three people meeting their demise is laughable. Apparently some people insist on believing it, though. You cannot deny the success of the technique. What we CANNOT see is often more scary than what is right in front of us in plain view.
What we have here is a triumph not of special effects and great casting, but a triumph of ideas and atmosphere. Why is it that almost every mainstream film in the past couple years has been a sequel, a remake, or something based on a comic book? Is it any wonder why the box office numbers have been down for 17 straight weeks??? To all studio execs out there: The public is tired of watching crap! We need more inspiration and more originality! And to the makers of The Blair Witch Project: This Hound solutes you! Great job! 8 of 10 stars.