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Ghost Ship (Full Screen Edition)

Ghost Ship (Full Screen Edition)

List Price: $14.96
Your Price: $10.47
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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Purely Dreadful
Review: Since "Ghost Ship" starred Gabriel Byrne I figured that it would at least be a half way decent movie. I was wrong, very wrong.

"Ghost Ship" is about a salvage crew who has come across an abandoned ocean liner in the Bering Sea. The crew is led there by an enterprising young man named Jack Ferriman (wink, wink) played by Desmond Harrington. It seems Jack has discovered the existence of this ship and wants 20 percent of the salvage value for leading the crew to it.

When they get to the ship odd things start happening (of course). The crew begins to think that someone doesn't want them there, or worse, wants them to stay.

"Ghost Ship" is the perfect example of what is wrong with today's brand of suspense/horror films. What is wrong is that there is nothing particularly horrific or suspenseful about the film. "Ghost Ship" trods over an already worn path and, because it does so, offers nothing in the way of surprise. True terror and suspense comes from not knowing what is going to happen next.

Another major problem for "Ghost Ship" is that the ghosts on the ship are far too inconsistent in their interactions with the physical world. If they have the ability to turn nozzles on welding tanks, then how come they don't have the ability to pick up a wrench and club someone in the back of the head with it. If all your looking to do is kill the people, then do it already. Don't concoct some elaborate scheme when all you have to do is conk the person on the noggin.

Even with those two issues aside there is nothing at all remotely appealing about this movie. The cinematography and special effects are lame and the acting is worse than bad.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: I Was Very Glad that I Saved My Money.
Review: You figure that a first showing movie is going to run you between 7 and 10 dollars per ticket. My wife usually accompanies me and she's kinda of the ol' skool when it comes to outings, sort of...I get to pick up her tab, also. Not to mention popcorn, soda, candy, nachos...snackery items which each theatre admits are their true profit makers. Okay. So now we're in the 20 to 30 dollar range per person. Sixty samolians for a night out. Without a Senior Citizen or Student discount.

So, what does this have to do with this movie? I was able to catch it on a cable premium I subscribe to. So, in a way, I paid to see it, but way less than the 60 bucks per. Also, it was in the sanctity of my Couch Potato Palace. I thought that it was an awful movie, period. And normally I'm the type of Joe who gives everything the benefit of the doubt. Poor Margolis--I wonder if this is the type of Hollywood cinema she envisioned doing after her split with ER. And Gabriel Byrnes? I'm sure he was endowed with a huge paycheck from this so he can do more Theatre--his true passion. How bad is this picture? Envision rat poison in the vichyssoise. If you *really* want real chills from a modern day horror movie, get ahold of The Ring or The Others. Those two give you the willies without being so grisly.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Velveeta
Review: I was conflicted with how to rate this film. After letting it sink in after viewing it, I knew it was a pretty lousy film and was probably a one star film. But I do enjoy a ghost story, even if it's one that is typical, predictable, and filled with as many cliches as one could imagine being in one film, which pretty much sums up this film. But, because of the creep factor that the film possesses, the great looking ship itself, and the decrepid abyss that eats up the crew inside, I found myself enjoying the look and atmosphere. I always enjoy that kind of stuff. It made for a completely un-surprising film, but there were enough good looking scenes and moments of ghostly activity and kills that made it the guiltiest of guilty pleasures. The film opens with a rather bloody mess. A scene that, while looking incredibly fake and computer generated, was still pretty cool and gruesome. This bloody scene takes place on the italian cruise ship, the Antonia Graza. Skip ahead 40 years and we meet a rag tag salvage crew, captained by Gabriel Byrne. Why was he in this?. Certainly his distinguished career is above doing this movie?. "ER" alumnus Juliana Margulies is also part of the crew, as is Ron Eldard, who is Margulies' real life squeeze. They get an offer from a stranger, played by Desmond Harrington, who has stumbled upon the ghostly wreckage of the Antonia Graza. He convinces the crew to go and salvage the ship. Once they get there, it is obvious from the get go that the place hasn't lost any of it's passengers. Even though the ship has been there, in the Bering Sea, for 40 years. There is nothing new that comes thereafter. Typical hauntings here and there, some rather cool looking and fun, but in the end, expected. The effects are rather underwhelming as well. Nothing special, nothing new. It's one big cliche after another, but darnit, the ciches were okay to look at!. The acting is better than you would normally get in a cheap, cheesy flick like this. Mainly because, for some reason, they actually got name people, and real actors to fill their cast. Juliana does the Sigourney thing and she more or less gets the job done. Byrne, like I said, has had a nice and respectful career, and he does fine with what he has. But why did he agree to do it?!. All the others are adequate as well. This movie is pure camp all the way, but the look of the movie is fun, and there is always something kind of endearing about little pieces of thriller fluff like this.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THIS AIN'T NO LOVE BOAT!!
Review: GHOST SHIP came out about the same time as the somewhat similarly themed BELOW. BELOW got all the critical raves, but GHOST SHIP is by far a more entertaining, frightening and coherent film.
Director Steve Beck gives us one of the most fantastically staged opening scenes in recent horror cinema. With flawless editing and mind-boggling special effects, this scene is worth the cost. I don't know why this movie has received such negative feedback. It has atmosphere, a likeable cast, and some great effects, editing and music. Gabriel Byrne is a little wooden as the captain, but this helps balance out the ensemble acting; Julianna Margulies joins the list of Sigourney doppelgangers, and does it well; Ron Eldard as Dodge is great in his role as the salvage man secretly in love with Margulies; Isaiah Washington (who was so brilliant in TRUE CRIME) is very good as the soon to be wedded Greer; Karl Urban shines in his role as the "comic relief"; Desmond Harrington as the boyishly charming Jack Ferriman fits his role well; and Emily Browning as the little girl is wonderful (she was also good in last year's DARKNESS FALLING). Another memorable scene, which conjures up images of Brian dePalma's early works, is magnificent as Sarah shows us what happened on the boat.
I loved this movie and consider it one of the best in the genre in some time!
If you haven't seen it, give it a chance. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Oh and I forgot to mention the actress who plays Francesca, the night club singer. Oozing sexuality and malevolence at the same time, she's a beautiful addition to the spectral guests.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: CUT and PRINT!!!
Review: WELL, it's kind of "Titanic" meets "The Shining" 'an then sum ..... GREAT fun aboard this floating 'haunted monsoon' and plenty of nasty work afoot ...... a swimming pool that bleeds, spectral drinking scene along the lines of "The Shining's" ballroom .... a seductive torch-singer .... etc. THEN there's THAT little girl lost ......

Plenty of plot twists and turns as the body count mounts ... leaving rather an 'interesting' conclusion.

Does not require great brainwork to follow this one - just line up and join the crew's conga~line, but watch out for those low flying objects!

DVD contains great additions re special effects and the 'Mystery' surrounding the deep ... [and for 'Ring' fans Karl Urban's in this one!]

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A ONE STAR CLASSIC (go figure)
Review: In Brief

When Canadian Air Force pilot Jack Ferriman (Harrington) recruits the salvage crew aboard the tugboat Arctic Warrior to investigate a mysterious vessel he has spotted adrift in a remote region of the Bering Sea, they discover the remains of the fabled Antonia Graza. Thought lost at sea for more than 40 years, once onboard the eerie cavernous ship, the crew discover that the decaying vessel is anything but deserted. It's home to something more deadly and horrific than anything they've encountered in all their years at sea.

Review

There is something knowing in this films charm. Yes its decidedly corny, but as it opens with 1940's period credits, one can't help but think its always giving you a sly nudge and wink throughout. Unlike other horror films, this doesn't rely on over the top MTV editing but rather classic jumps and scares, building a solid if what somewhat flawed 90 minutes of entertainment.

Opening with one the most original mass killings that I can recall, it is hilariously disgusting throughout. And while, the story slows briefly to introduce everyone, it picks up apace and has beautifully depicted montage to Mudvayne's latest song. Captain Sean Murphy (Byrne) is a slat weathered old hand, and lends the story some weight while team leader Maureen Epps (Margulies) and First Mate Greer (Washington) engage with the basic script aplomb.

Hidden within this film, is a twist that will have you kicking yourself, and while the haunted house concept of Ghost Ship has yet to produce a classic, its filled with moments that bring it close. The premise may be unoriginal but Ghost Ship is still worth a look, if only for a chance to laugh at an ending that is as knowing as it is ridiculous.

The Verdict

Ghost Ship provides a fun night out; its not necessarily going to scare you ridged, but how many films really do that in our desensitised days? It is gruesome, making me laugh on plenty of occasions, and with the talent on display here you have to conclude that they knew what they were creating. The Sun would call it, 'A fun filled thrill ride,' I'd call it 'A hilariously disgusting B movie,' either way check it out!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: goddamn awesome!
Review: I absolutely LOVED this movie. I know that it got bad reviews, and alot of the people who have reviewed it gave it low ratings. But when I saw it, I sat through the whole thing, thinking of what could happen next. The music is bloody awesome, especially 'Not Calling' and 'My Little Box' [the music to the part when the little girl, Katie, is showing Ebbs what happened].
I give it five stars. It is not scary, but pretty gory, with slight swearing and some nudity. I love it to bits, and I would love to see it again anyday.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Five stars
Review: Great actors, good music, and one hell of a good story.
A film that should be included on your must-own movie list.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Ghost Ship
Review: This movie was one of the better horror movies that I've seen. The music and the action was perfect together. I thought the ending was soooo good and Desmond Harrington was the very BEST in this. He was a little nerdy in the beginning and got better and better. I don't think people gave him enough credit. He deserves a whole lot more because I think he made this movie good. (O:

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Do Not Believe The Critics
Review: This movie is flat-out awesome. It has basically nothing new for
horror movie buffs, but it's better than most horror films. It
has a great cast, most of them unknown (except Julliana
Margules) but the people acted wonderfully. The opening scene,
in which a wire goes through a bunch of people's flesh is awesome
for me, because I haven't watched that kind of movie in a long
time. That scene is great, though it gets carried away with
special effects. The movie is totally awesome and provides a
great story and great acting. I hated the ending, because it
doesen't really tell you what actually happened. Hopefully, there
will be a sequel. We can hope though!

Parent's Advice
This movie contains graphic violence, nudity and very coarse
language. *15 and Up*


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