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The
Uninvited
(1944)
(1944)
Starring:
Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey
One of my all-time favorites! A good, creepy old-time
ghost story set in an old house above an eerie
oceanside cliff. Ray Milland and Ruth Hussey play a
brother and sister who buy a house on the Cornish
Coast. Soon after they move in, odd things start
happening, and they investigate the goings on. Who is
haunting the house? Why? And how is the landlord's
granddaughter involved? A classic haunted house story,
intelligently told with fine performances. Available
on VHS (but also shown now and then on cable movie
channels). Running time: 98 minutes.
The
Changeling
(1979)
Starring:
George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere
This haunted house tale is a scary story, without gore
and high tech special effects. While a little dated
and hokey in places, it has some fine moments. The
plot is a rewarding mystery, with George C. Scott as a
widowed musician renting a large estate house haunted
by a ghost who needs his help. Watching George C.
Scott and Trish Van Devere is a pleasure. Available on DVD. Running time: 109 minutes
Below
(2002)
starring Matthew Davis II
Below, directed by David Twohy, who
did Pitch Black. is set on a WWII submarine.
Aside from the crew dealing with the tension of trying
to avoid the Germans, very strange things start
happening onboard right after three survivors are rescued
and taken on. The claustrophobic atmosphere and
suspense ratchet up as the film progresses. Is there a
ghostly presence? If so, what is it, and why did it
suddenly start? I liked this film,
and found it to be a great rainy Sunday afternoon
entertainment.
Ghost Ship
(2002)
Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Julianna Margulies
When a salvage crew heads out to a long-abandoned cruise ship to
claim it very creepy happenings ensue, as well as the members of
the boarding crew getting eliminated along the way. While the plot
itself is reminiscent of other horror movies this film is well directed
with good effects and acting, and I found it a well done example of the
"B" horror movie meant to thrill and chill. Note: some of the
violence is pretty graphic. Run time is 91 minutes.
Picnic
at Hanging Rock
(1975)
Starring:
Rachel Roberts, Anne-Louise Lambert, directed by Peter
Weir
Set at an Australian boarding school in 1901, this
movie is about the strange disappearance of three
girls and their teacher during a picnic outing. The
movie is atmospehric, creepy and mysterious. Don't
expect to have all the questions answered at the end,
but do expect to enjoy an unusual movie. On
DVD. 107 min.s
The
Gift
(2001)
Starring:
Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, Greg Kinnear Cate
Blanchett plays a small town psychic in Georgia who
becomes embroiled in a murder mystery. A wonderful
cast and great acting by Cate Blanchett really add to
this supernatural thriller. I found it quite
gripping. On DVD,
111 minutes
Haunted
(1995)
Starring:
Aidan Quinn, Kate Beckinsale
Set in 1920's England, Aidan Quinn play a skeptical
psychic researcher who accepts a desperate invitation
to help with the ghosts at Edbrook Mansion. Once
there, he encounters a housekeeper and three siblings:
two brothers and a sister who are odd, immature and
quite seductive toward each other. Quinn not only has
to deal with the paranormal at the mansion and the
strangeness of the siblings, but has his own personal
ghost he carries with him -- that of his sister who
drowned when they were children. This is not a great
movie, but will fill the bill if you're in the mood
for a ghost story. On DVD. Running Time: 108
minutes. Rated R
What Lies
Beneath
(2000)
Starring:
Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer
Harrison Ford is a
professor in Vermont where he and his wife, Pfeiffer,
live in his family home. In one of many homages to
Hitchcock in this movie, Pfeiffer starts to wonder if
something sinister has happened to her next door
neighbor. However, her explorations lead to strange
happenings in her own house, and she gets involved in
mysteries that strike closer to home. I
like this movie very much. Available on
DVD.
A Stir of Echoes
(1999)
Starring:
Kevin Bacon
After
his sister-in-law hypnotizes him and gives him a
post-hypnotic suggestion to "be open to
everything" Kevin Bacon's character starts seeing
visions of a ghost in his house. This completely
upsets his solid blue-collar conventional view of the
world and changes his life. With a good cast and
script, this is a very enjoyable and suspenseful
movie. Available on DVD.
The
Haunting
(1963)
Starring
Julie Harris and Claire Bloom
Based on The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley
Jackson, several people are assembled at haunted Hill
House by a professor. A chilling movie with perfect
pacing for the escalation of suspense and creepiness.
Especially notable for being so scary while never
using any special effects. A classic haunted house
movie, and deservedly so. Now on DVD. Running
time 112 min.
The Sixth Sense
(1999)
Starring: Bruce Willis and Haley
Joel Osment
Okay, has any ghost movie aficionado
not seen this (at least twice?)? The story of a
boy who "sees dead people" and the
psychologist determined to help him, this is an
excellent movie. So here's the link in case you want
to order a copy of your own. Available on DVD.
The
Others
(2001)
Starring: Nicole Kidman
I would think that people will be
divided on this movie. I know many reviews and
viewers felt this was a wonderful creepy movie with a
great twist. Personally, I found it long and drawn
out, and agree with the review I read that described
it as "glacially paced." If mood and
atmosphere is enough to carry a movie for you, then
you'll like it.
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