Flawed Masterpiece

Rating: Null/10 (14 November 2003)

A flawed masterpiece of psychological suspense, "The Blair Witch Project" nevertheless is fascinating and truly frightening in several sequences. It works thanks to it's simplicity. Contrast this movie with "Poltergeist" in which Spielberg loaded on so many overt special effects that anything truly frightening was subverted. (Don't write back saying the Steven Spielberg didn't direct "Poltergeist" that it was Tobe Hooper. The story is that Hooper lost his mind making it and Spielberg stepped in and directed the bulk of the movie.) In "The Blair Witch Project" virtually nothing is seen. It's all inferred like the feeling one gets walking into a dark room (or basement). Yes, some of it doesn't really make sense. For example, why would the three of them keep filming when they felt or knew they were doomed? Obviously, without that, there'd be no film. If you've ever camped out in a rural area or the deep woods, the feeling the film gives you is 100% correct. A great BOO movie. ONE VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: How and where you see this movie is important. I saw it in a movie theater and the effect was amazing. People were screaming and the darkness definately helped the effects. Other people I know saw this movie at home with the lights fully on. They didn't "get it" at all. It's like the first time I saw "Carnival of Souls". I watched on a sunny, Saturday afternoon. No effect. Two or three years later, I catch it late on a Sunday night (around 11:30 PM). Scared the Hell outta me. Gave me the creeps. Atmosphere is important for horror-thrillers like these.