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The Frighteners | Year: 1996 Classification: Horror Directed: - Peter Jackson Actors/Actresses: - Melanie Lynskey - Michael J. Fox - Trini Alvarado Wicked fun Just before doing "Lord of the Rings," acclaimed director Peter Jackson (who can be seen in a cameo as "Man with Piercings") made an off-kilter horror/comedy movie called "Frighteners." Though "Frighteners" was barely in theaters, it's funny, creepy, well-acted and wonderfully directed. Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) has seen spirits and apparitions ever since the traumatic car crash that killed his wife. Now he operates an amateur "ghostbusting" operation that is supposed to exorcise ghosts from people's houses -- the underbelly of his business is that the ghosts who haunt those houses are in league with him (Chi McBride as the extremely opinioated afro-ed Cyrus, Jim Fyfe as the nerdy Stuart, and most of John Astin as what is left of The Judge). Frank's business certainly isn't hurt by the fact that for years after a serial killer's murderous spree, people have died mysteriously of heart attacks. Then Frank starts seeing fiery numbers emblazoned on the foreheads of people who later die, including the husband of doctor Lucy Lynskey (Trini Alvarado, who has an eerie resemblance to Andie MacDowell). As if trying to stop a specter of death weren't hard enough, crazed FBI agent Milton Dammers (Jeffrey Combs) believes that Frank is the one murdering people. And the evil specter is still killing -- and Lucy is the next victim. Peter Jackson once said that he has a "moronic" sense of humor, and it shows up in all its glory here -- from bug spray dissolving a ghost's face to a piece of talking oily sludge to a drill sargeant ghost with submachine guns, this is weird and absolutely hilarious. But he's also good during the more serious moments, such as Bannister's flashbacks to his wife's death, or a psychopath stroking her ghostly lover's face. One of the most effective shots is of a pair of murderous lovers giggling, kissing, dancing and holding a shotgun; it's stuff like that that got Jackson "Lord of the Rings." The opening shot is pure Jackson, with the camera swooping through a window, past fluttering curtains, and though a hole in the attic floor to a screaming woman below. Jackson also takes the opportunity to poke a bit of fun at more conventional ghost movies, with the big Gothic house, the ghost in '70s clothes, and Fox's hilarious turn as a ghostbuster. (One scene in particular seems to be spoofing "Ghostbusters") Big problem? Probably that would be that the opening scene doesn't seem to make much sense later on in the movie. But aside from that, there aren't many, especially since the conclusion makes a lot more logical sense than the average horror flick. Michael J. Fox does an excellent job as Frank, giving the right combination of cockiness and pathos to a guy who isn't perfect, but is good at heart. Trini Alvarado is excellent as a smart, kind woman who is a bit on the gullible side, but definitely not a damsel-in-distress. (Nor is she eye-candy) McBride, Fyfe and Astin are great as the big annoyed guy, the nerd, Dandy Little Thriller "The Frighteners" is one of those little known films that is really quite good and well-made. Michael Fox plays a ghostbuster who actually is a con man, using his three ghosts to whip up business. Add the storyline of an executed serial killer and his quest to amass the biggest body count in history, and you have one whale of a story. The special effects are very good, and the suspense is buffered with some black comic moments. Jeffrey Combs goes delightfully over the top as the FBI agent hell-bent on getting rid of Fox; Trini Alvaredo takes everything so seriously, she's very effective; R. Lee Ermey reprises his "Full Metal Jacket" sergeant as a deadly ghost; John Astin of "Addams Family" is barely recognized as the jaw-dropping judge; Jeff Dobson is perfectly awful as the hedonistic husband of Alvaredo; Jake Busey is a perfect demented killer; and the delightful Dee Wallace Stone is perfect as the rather twisted suspected conspirator of the aforementioned Busey; and one can't forget Julianna McCarthy (Snapper's mom on "Young and the Restless") as Stone's seemingly crazed mother. The movie is a lot of fun, but the opening sequence still baffles me. Dee Wallace Stone runs in terror from a ghost, which is all well and good to start the movie off ferociously, but by the end of the movie, you have to wonder what in the world was going on there? Oh, well, sit back and have a little bit of fun with a very different kind of thriller. A very funny look at spirits and the afterworld! I saw this movie in the theater years ago and I have always loved it! It is quite a thriller....fasten your seatbelt! I was laughing, crying, and screaming all at the same time. A must for any collection Buy The Frighteners at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Frighteners Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Frighteners This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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