Witchboard (1986) (Blu-ray/DVD Review)
Directed By: Kevin Tenney
Starring: Tawny Kitaen, Stephen Nichols, Kathleen Wilhoite
Rated: R/Region A/1:85/1080p/Number of Discs 2
Available from Scream Factory
It’s called a Ouija Board and it’s been used for thousands of years to communicate with the souls of the afterworld. For beautiful Linda Brewster (Tawny Kitaen, Bachelor Party), it brings the playful ghost of a dead ten-year-old boy. But when the friendly spirit develops a sudden taste for violent murder and demonic possession, Linda’s boyfriend (Todd Allen, Django Unchained) and her former lover (Stephen Nichols, House) must race to destroy the ferocious portal of the damned.
Oh the evil Ouija Board! A device soo evil that it was once sold in the toy isle! Here we have one of those boards causing some major trouble to a group of freinds that also have underlying issues of their own. What starts out as a harmless party game where they contact a ten year old boy quickly becomes a deadly mess. The film is very interesting for what it is and it packs some moments of shocking deaths that are pretty cool in their own right. The film stars 80s hottie Tawny Kitaen and we can’t get much more 1980s than that. She plays the role of the girl who is getting a little too close to all this spirit and ghost madness that is going on. Meanwhile her ex and current man try not to kill each other while trying to solve the ghostly problem they have. Maybe we could have stood to have had at least a little more gore, but what we get is fun regardless.
The movie has a few obvious twists that you see coming from a mile away, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the movie for what it is. When we reach the ending, some could say we get a cheese overload with the end, but I think for 1986 that is just fine and dandy. The ending does make way for some interesting camera tricks that are pretty neat and somewhat random. When all is said and done, I don’t think this is a film you will have on any top 10 list, but I do believe it will be a fun movie that you will enjoy if you are a big fan of 1980s horror like I am. The transfer here is just about as flawless as you could hope for. Outside shots at day especially pop off the screen and look crystal clear with details. I just don’t think this film will ever look any better than it does here.
– NEW Audio commentary with Writer/Director Kevin Tenney and actors Stephen Nichols, James W. Quinn, and Kathleen Wilhoite
– NEW Interviews with cast and crew including writer/director Kevin Tenny, actors Tawny Kitaen, J.P. Luebsen, James Quinn
– Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Kevin Tenney, Executive Producer Walter Josten And Producer Jeff Geoffray
– The Making of WITCHBOARD
– Still Gallery
– Theatrical Trailer
