Book of Shadows - Blair Witch 2

Rating:
Summary: A CONCEPT FILM<>AND BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL
Review: More of a concept movie than an actual horror movie, this underrated sequel to the highly overrated "Blair Witch Project" is a joy to watch. Spooky, suspenseful and thought-provoking - much better than the dull and over-reaching original.


Rating:
Summary: Not "Blair Witch" but still a good flick
Review: I think this movie is very underrated because it flopped at the box-office. There are three reasons for this: 1. Many people hated Blair Witch and no way were they interested in seeing the sequel. 2. Many other people loved Blair Witch, and this sequel isn't exactly a sequel so they were turned off. 3. The director's approach was too minimal, and the studio's interference too ridiculous, making a movie "neither fish nor fowl," not true to the director's vision or the studio's desire. As a huge Blair Witch fan I was disappointed because the sequel isn't scary (which BW1 definitely was). But this movie is still very interesting and I have watched it many times on DVD without getting bored. The only things both movies have in common are the setting, title and "is there a witch or not" ambiguity. I feel that suspense fans who give this movie a chance on it's own, without comparing it to Blair Witch, will enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: What?
Review: That one woman who died and ended up in the closet wasn't too bad looking. Too bad she died. That goth girl was pretty ugly. This movie was a little better than the original. It actually had somewhat something of a story and stuff ahppened. It just doesn't shape up to the good movies of the suspense or horror genres. Rent this or buy it really cheap used. Don't get it neww, unless you like crap horror movies.

Rating:
Summary: Hate me if you wish, but I much prefer this to the original
Review: The Blair Witch Project was undoubtably a very original movie, and I give the filmmakers credit for that. However, originality doesn't neccesarily translate into a good film, and the Blair Witch Project reflects this well. Also undoubtably an attempt to capitalize upon the success of the original, Book of Shadows offers veiwers a different type of pyschological horror, something to think about when the movie is over, and a lot less running around screaming.

The characters are diverse and interesting, from the menacing Sheriff with his wonderful accent, the perpetually on-edge Jeff, enigmatic Tristen, wiccan Erica, all-bark Kim and slowly-losing-it Stephen. The acting is solid, especially for a cheap horror film that doesn't ask for much of it, and the sets (most of the movie takes place out of the woods, in an abandoned warehouse) always convincing. The ending gives the veiwer something to think about, not just frantic camera movements. I heartily reccomend the film. 7.5/10

Rating:
Summary: Book of Shadows - Blair Witch 2
Review: Book of Shadows - Blair Witch 2 DVD ~ Joe Berlinger should have been the book of junk(...)witch part 2 since there is plenty of overacting, cheap plot lines, bad special effects and a story line that is so bad that you are seriously thinking that it is a parody. It must be right, since the first one was so good? Bu, no this just goes on and on and must be one of the worst sequells ever.

Rating:
Summary: Different strokes for different folks I guess...
Review: Years after seeing this film (opening day in theaters, btw) I am still amazed at the negative reaction people seem to have to it. I can understand that some won't get it, that some will prefer the "reality" gimmick of the first film, and that it just won't be some peoples' cup of cinematic tea. But the level of vitriol is simply astounding.

Personally, I found this to be one of the more intelligent and interesting horror films that I have ever seen. The concept of time being fluid in the woods near the old town of Blair was brought up subtly in the first film (actually, it was more prominent in the tie-in book). This idea is played with extensively in this outing, and with some results that I found fascinating. The question of how much the kids in the first film were being manipulated by the Witch is also explored, as is the legend of the Witch herself. Some of these things are not dealt with in a simplistic, documentary fashion. You have to work for what you get out of this film.

The only real negative I could pinpoint was the actor who played the Sheriff. He was simply awful, almost making me want to leave the theater during his first scene (something I've never done). For some reason, however, he is the only one of the cast that I do NOT see torn apart in these reviews. Odd...

In short, do not expect anything like the original. Try to view the film with an open mind and be aware of the subtext. Reading both of the Blair Witch tie-in books is also a good idea.

I don't expect that many will love the film as much as I did, but give it a try. You might be surprised.