Thirteen Ghost (2001)
Directed by Steve Beck
Written by Neal Marshall Stevens, Richard D'Ovidio, 7 other writers
Starring Tony Shalhoub, Embeth Davidtz, Matthew Lillard, Shannon Elizabeth
Release Date October 26th, 2001
Published October 26th, 2001
When was the last time you saw a scary movie that actually scared you? For me it would be 'Friday the 13th Part 2,' but what did I know I was nine years old when I saw that. For me horror films are like America's funniest home videos, some are painful to watch and some are truly hysterical. The 'Nightmare on Elm Street' series has provided me with some huge laughs some intentional, most not.
Sadly the newest addition to the horror genre 'Thirteen Ghosts' only has a few laughs one unintentional, a grisly murder meant for shock value that is made hilarious in execution; and one intentional laugh, a very funny line wondering what happened to the character whose murder provided the previous big laugh. That's all the joy one will take from Thirteen Ghosts.
The film is otherwise populated with been there done that attempts at scares. One of the selling points for the movie is the much talked about house in the film. The house is impressive in design but we've seen it more lavishly done, quite recently, in 'The Haunting' and more interestingly done in the very funny 'House On Haunted Hill.'
Meanwhile, the performances by Tony Shalhoub, Shannon Elisabeth and Embeth Davidtz are perfunctory, typical scenes of running and screaming. Elisabeth, who in commercials is played as a lead but only actually only appears in maybe a third of the film. I can say this about the acting; for the first time since 'Scream' I liked Matthew Lillard, his character provides a couple of good chuckles and his manic energy occasionally brings the film to life.
Of course I couldn't have expected 'Thirteen Ghosts' to be any good knowing, as I did, beforehand that it has been written by NINE different writers, yes, nine. I always thought four writers were the absolute kiss of death but NINE?
