THE GHOSTS OF EDENDALE
2003, Warner Home Video, DD-5.1/MA/LB/ST/CC/+, $19.98, 89m 51s, DVD-1 By Shane M. Dallmann
Steven Avalos, co-creator of THE LAST BROADCAST [re- viewed VW 59:54], served as writer, director and editor of this supernatural salute to “old- school” Hollywood mythology. Top-billed Paula Ficara is Rachel, ex-model and signifi- cant other of Kevin (Andrew Quintero). Screenwriting ambi- tions and a too-good-to-be-true deal bring the couple across the country to make their home in the community of Edendale—a hill steeped in silent film history and once owned by legendary cowboy actor Tom Mix. The neighbors seem an agreeable bunch, but it soon becomes clear that they’re harboring
sinister secrets... and while ghostly manifestations haunt Rachel, Kevin starts developing unhealthy obsessions with his script in progress. The inspiration for the story
is, unfortunately, all too obvi- ous—one expects Kevin’s script to consist entirely of the phrase “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” To his credit, Avalos (who also appears in a supporting role) attempts a dif- ferent approach to the scares; the spirits make themselves known in passages that seem to take their cue from recent Japanese ghost thrillers, minus any graphic elements (the “R” rating was awarded for language alone)—however, the timing never quite allows for any genu- ine jolts. Far more advantageous to the project are the sincere per- formances and the use of true Hollywood tales to lend in- trigue and authenticity to the
goings-on in the authentic background of Edendale itself. Warner’s DVD offers the
digital video feature slightly matted to 1:66:1 wi th f ine Dolby Digital sound and plenty of extras. Avalos and producer Marianne Connor share a com- mentary track, while composer Vincent Gillioz gets one to him- self. Deleted scenes, “making of” footage, a look at the vari- ous transformations of a cli- mactic scene, a trailer and plenty of “Easter Eggs” round out the package.
SSSSSSS
1973, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, DD-2.0/16:9/LB/ ST/CC/+, $14.98, 98m 37s, DVD-1 By Bill Cooke
“Don’t say it, hiss it!” com-
manded the ads for this exercise in ophidiophobia directed by Bernard L. Kowalski (ATTACK OF
An apparition surfaces through the turbulent waters of a hot tub in THE GHOSTS OF EDENDALE.
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