DeFi Daily News
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Advertisement
  • Cryptocurrency
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Altcoins
    • DeFi-IRA
  • DeFi
    • NFT
    • Metaverse
    • Web 3
  • Finance
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
  • Markets
    • Crypto Market
    • Stock Market
    • Analysis
  • Other News
    • World & US
    • Politics
    • Entertainment
    • Tech
    • Sports
    • Health
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
DeFi Daily News
  • Cryptocurrency
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Altcoins
    • DeFi-IRA
  • DeFi
    • NFT
    • Metaverse
    • Web 3
  • Finance
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
  • Markets
    • Crypto Market
    • Stock Market
    • Analysis
  • Other News
    • World & US
    • Politics
    • Entertainment
    • Tech
    • Sports
    • Health
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
DeFi Daily News
No Result
View All Result
Home Other News Entertainment

‘Witchboard’ is a Nostalgic and Enjoyable Tribute to 80s Horror Films

Rob Hunter by Rob Hunter
August 6, 2024
in Entertainment
0 0
0
‘Witchboard’ is a Nostalgic and Enjoyable Tribute to 80s Horror Films
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Telegram
Listen to this article

By Rob Hunter · Published on August 6th, 2024

If you’re a fan of 80s horror movies, and more specifically, a fan of films that celebrated their joyously nightmare-inducing practical effects, then you’re quite likely a fan of director Chuck Russell. He followed up his feature debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, with the remake of The Blob (1988), and both films remain favorites among horror fans even four decades later. He climbed up to the big leagues after that with The Mask (1994) and Eraser (1996) and then fell back down almost as quickly with a few thrillers seen by even fewer people. But now, in the year 2024, Russell has finally returned to the genre that gave him life, and he’s jumping back into that remake well with a new take on another horror favorite from the 80s. Welcome to Chuck Russell’s Witchboard… even if it’s not quite the successful homecoming you’re hoping for.

Emily (Madison Iseman) and her fiancé Christian (Aaron Dominguez) are foraging for mushrooms in the woods outside New Orleans, but instead of some delicious fungi for their imminent restaurant grand opening, they find an old witchboard — think a pre-Ouija board Ouija board — instead. An opening flashback set in 17th century France means viewers already know the trouble it holds, but for the young couple in love it’s merely window dressing for their culinary passion project. It’s not long before the board’s sole occupant, a long-dead witch named Naga Soth (Antonia Desplat) is possessing Emily and orchestrating murderous mayhem on Bourbon Street!

Russell’s Witchboard isn’t a legacy sequel of any kind meaning there’s no direct narrative connection to the 80s film, but his script still carries over some mostly minor nods. The basic gist remains, but this time out we’re subjected to some unnecessary flashbacks that drag the film’s momentum and pad a running time that’s already excessive for the material at just under two hours. As much as I love seeing Russell back in the horror saddle — and it’s clear that a real director helmed this one as opposed to some hack — but hoo boy does it need some trimming. The film absolutely drags between kills, a problem exacerbated by the fact that there are far too few of them until we get to the big finale.

We’re teased something more energetic and fun with the first modern day kill in the restaurant’s kitchen. It’s not quite a Final Destination-worthy setup, but it’s close as various elements come into play forming a chain reaction that ends with this film’s “DJ Qualls” character (Charlie Tahan) having his hand sliced off. It’s a fun bit, one preceded by Naga’s ominous reflections in various metal surfaces, but Russell plays it as a one-off preferring to make his straightforward plot a bit denser with the arrival of a wealthy freak named Alexander Babtiste played by a voracious Jamie Campbell Bower — seriously, the man is “hungry” and eats well in every one of his scenes leaving the rest of the performers in his dust. Between this and Horizon: An American Saga, 2024 is showing his long-term career path as a scene-stealing villain is already locked in.

As entertainingly evil as Babtiste is, though, his storyline feels like an ill-informed tangent in Witchboard. Unnecessary complications make his role somewhat confusing, and as mentioned above, it takes away from more opportunities for witchy shenanigans. The kills we do get use a combination of practical effects and underwhelming CG, but there’s not nearly enough for a two-hour investment. The history of the board, Naga, and Babtiste are the most uninteresting elements at play, but Russell insists on making them a priority for a B-movie that should know better. We get some minor smiles out of it and a handful of laughs, both intentional and otherwise, but viewers jonesing for more 80s-inspired antics are left cold until the third act finale — that comes before the film’s fourth act finale.

Witchboard is an okay romp, a slightly better one if Russell makes some judicious cuts before its eventual release, but it can’t touch the original or even come close to the highs of his own 80s classics. That’s fine, not everything needs to be the best, and if opens the door wider for Russell’s horror renaissance to continue? Well, that’s the kind of magic we can all get behind.

The 28th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival runs July 18th to August 4th in beautiful Montreal, Quebec. Follow along with our coverage here.

Related Topics: Chuck Russell, Fantasia Film Festival, Horror

Rob Hunter has been writing for Film School Rejects since before you were born, which is weird seeing as he’s so damn young. He’s our Chief Film Critic and Associate Editor and lists ‘Broadcast News’ as his favorite film of all time. Feel free to say hi if you see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.

Recommended Reading

As we delve into Chuck Russell’s return to horror with “Witchboard,” it’s evident that while the film has its moments of entertainment and nostalgia, it falls short of recapturing the magic of his earlier works. The excessive runtime, unnecessary subplots, and lack of impactful kills detract from what could have been a more engaging experience for fans of 80s horror. Despite these flaws, Russell’s direction and the performance of the cast, especially Jamie Campbell Bower as the enigmatic Alexander Babtiste, elevate the film and provide some enjoyable moments.

Ultimately, “Witchboard” serves as a reminder of Russell’s roots in the horror genre and his ability to create tension and suspense on screen. While it may not reach the heights of classics like “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors,” it offers a glimpse of what could be in store for the director’s future projects. With some editing and focus on delivering more thrills and scares, Russell’s return to horror could be the start of a new chapter in his filmmaking career.

For more trending news articles like this, check out DeFi Daily News.



Source link

Tags: 80sEnjoyableFilmsHorrorNostalgicTributeWitchboard
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Has the Bull Run Come to an End? | Web3 Daily

Next Post

BREAKING: The US Treasury Steps in To Avoid 2024 Market Collapse | Crypto News

Next Post
BREAKING: The US Treasury Steps in To Avoid 2024 Market Collapse | Crypto News

BREAKING: The US Treasury Steps in To Avoid 2024 Market Collapse | Crypto News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
rewrite this title Haliey Welch Breaks Silence on Hawk Tuah Coin Collapse

rewrite this title Haliey Welch Breaks Silence on Hawk Tuah Coin Collapse

May 6, 2025
Exploring the Top Option for Streaming On-Chain Data – Moralis Web3 | Enterprise-Grade Web3 APIs as an Alternative to QuickAlerts

Exploring the Top Option for Streaming On-Chain Data – Moralis Web3 | Enterprise-Grade Web3 APIs as an Alternative to QuickAlerts

July 12, 2024
Revisiting Jennifer’s Body: A Review of the 2009 Horror Film

Revisiting Jennifer’s Body: A Review of the 2009 Horror Film

August 27, 2024
Can I buy A House With Crypto? RWA DeFi Revolution

Can I buy A House With Crypto? RWA DeFi Revolution

April 16, 2025
Brendan Murphy Releases ‘Spacemen’ Bitcoin Art Series Through Ordinals on Coin Media

Brendan Murphy Releases ‘Spacemen’ Bitcoin Art Series Through Ordinals on Coin Media

July 18, 2024
Forecasting Reserve Rights (RSR) Prices: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Through 2030

Forecasting Reserve Rights (RSR) Prices: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 Through 2030

September 18, 2024
rewrite this title Jade Cargill breaks silence after failing to qualify for women’s Money in the Bank

rewrite this title Jade Cargill breaks silence after failing to qualify for women’s Money in the Bank

June 1, 2025
rewrite this title and make it good for SEOFPIs infuse Rs 19,860 cr in equities in May on strong domestic fundamentals, global eco indicators

rewrite this title and make it good for SEOFPIs infuse Rs 19,860 cr in equities in May on strong domestic fundamentals, global eco indicators

June 1, 2025
rewrite this title Ethereum Climbs In Key Channel After Triple Consolidation Setup | Bitcoinist.com

rewrite this title Ethereum Climbs In Key Channel After Triple Consolidation Setup | Bitcoinist.com

June 1, 2025
rewrite this title In Da Anti-Clemency Club: No Sean “Diddy” Combs Pardon From Trump, 50 Cent Vows

rewrite this title In Da Anti-Clemency Club: No Sean “Diddy” Combs Pardon From Trump, 50 Cent Vows

May 31, 2025
rewrite this title with good SEO Tron (TRX) Future Retail Activity Indicates More Gains Ahead – Analyst

rewrite this title with good SEO Tron (TRX) Future Retail Activity Indicates More Gains Ahead – Analyst

May 31, 2025
rewrite this title Bitcoin Price Trend Above 0,000: The Good News And The Bad News

rewrite this title Bitcoin Price Trend Above $100,000: The Good News And The Bad News

May 31, 2025
DeFi Daily

Stay updated with DeFi Daily, your trusted source for the latest news, insights, and analysis in finance and cryptocurrency. Explore breaking news, expert analysis, market data, and educational resources to navigate the world of decentralized finance.

  • About Us
  • Blogs
  • DeFi-IRA | Learn More.
  • Advertise with Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2024 Defi Daily.
Defi Daily is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Cryptocurrency
    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum
    • Altcoins
    • DeFi-IRA
  • DeFi
    • NFT
    • Metaverse
    • Web 3
  • Finance
    • Business Finance
    • Personal Finance
  • Markets
    • Crypto Market
    • Stock Market
    • Analysis
  • Other News
    • World & US
    • Politics
    • Entertainment
    • Tech
    • Sports
    • Health
  • Videos

Copyright © 2024 Defi Daily.
Defi Daily is not responsible for the content of external sites.