Product: The Haunting [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
The House is alive...
A film that is absolutely recommended for the entrepeneur of parapsychology. Herein, is described actual manifestations of spechtral activity, brought to life to be actualized in a past story bent from the 60's, in a classic remake of this wonderful film based upon several visitors to this old house in order to determine whether or not it is haunted. However, in this presentation, modern effects are used to accentuate those scenes which were left to the imagination before - although it is questionable whether or not these were a positive inclusion or a negative. Personally, I would side with the original, in keeping with the perceptions of the originator of the horror genre, as it is ultimately more mystical or "creepy", if the various ghostly manifestations were left to the imagination. Still, it must be expressed that the effects created for this film are up to CGI callibre. I would side with the original Myself, in that the scenes are left to be personally experienced for the deeper experience of a haunting. Actually, I believe actual parapsychologists were consulted for the manifestation of the details of ghostly apparitions. And it is well done.Dr. Marrow is assigned to caretake over several participants in an experiment in sleep deprivation, which hold various personality traits which serve to ultimately accentuate the atmosphere. There is a sensitive personality, who has been sheltered all her life while taking care of her mother, who eventually becomes an avatar of the forces in the house; another who is an adventurous sort, a brunette bisexual lovely; & others who fill the other various traits such as the jock {who resembles 'Flash Gordon'}; & the doctor who initially summoned them all forth. Interestingly, two of the entrants dissappeared from the movie completely, never to be seen again.They all eventually discover that the house to be haunted, by a deranged former owner whose spirit has possessed the house so thuroughly that his essence permeates the property completely, to the point where his very essence, or "soul" manifests in the very beams, the ceiling, the furniture, & the furnishings thereof, which by & by shows itself in various manners, to the horror of the inhabitants.