Solstice
(2007/Genius/Weinstein DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Feature: C-
Daniel
Myrick, who destroyed independent Horror Cinema as we know it with the all-time
hack job The Blair Witch Project is
back to ruin it again with the silly, dumb, repetitious, boring, unsuspenseful
and unnecessary Solstice. There is something in the atmosphere that
kills, but it is not a good script or good director.
Another
ghost is loose, one that likes turning car radios and headlights on and
off. Maybe he wants his money back from Blair Witch. Shawn Ashmore (X-Men) and R. Lee Ermey (Full
Metal Jacket) are among the wasted cast, but saddest of all is that this
feels like Blair Witch with its
hokey ghost tale again preceding the murders.
Even the loud sound jolts got boring quickly. Like a baked potato you don’t want to eat, put
a fork in it. It’s done!
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image is softer than expected, with some
gutted color and hardly any shaky camera work.
Unfortunately, by keeping the camera still, Myrick shows how bad he
really is now that he has to take his time and pretend to do something. Yawn!
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is too forward, a tad harsh and a flat mix
to be sure. The only extra is the
unintentionally funny Myrick commentary where he decides to share his
“expertise” with the audience.
Now, will
the sun just set on his career?
- Nicholas Sheffo
