Skip to content

DVD Review: THE GHOSTKEEPERS

Written By:

Rob Talbot
the-ghostkeepers-review

The Ghostkeepers Review

REVIEW: THE GHOSTKEEPERS / CERT: TBC / DIRECTOR: ANTHONY D. P. MANN / SCREENPLAY: ANTHONY D.P. MANN / STARRING: CHRISTIAN PAWLOWSKI, JENNIFER VERARDI, ANTHONY D.P MANN, SHERRI PATERSON / RELEASE DATE: TBC

While it’s difficult to imagine this micro-budget, Canadian shot-on-video effort being embraced by general audiences – or even the horror community at large – on its UK release, it is at least a brave attempt to fly in the face of modern genre extremes with a subtly chilling ghost story.

Young Barry Bird (Pawlowski) lives the fanboy dream by renting Marlowe House, the location of his favourite horror flick, bringing in two of the film’s stars and a medium for a retrospective podcast. Before long old secrets are revealed and the group become aware of a restless spirit in their midst.

Well, um, that’s about it really, but director Mann does manage to elicit a few creepy moments along the way. The film is heavily reliant on dialogue, which, while reasonably well written, has a tendency to over explain everything to the point that it isn’t all that scary anymore. Easily the best thing about it is Mann himself, in an entertaining turn as horror has-been Victor Brimstone. With his erudite English tones and Hammer-esque gait, he’s believable and convincing as the former star, even if he doesn’t seem quite old enough to have been making movies back in the ’80s when The House Where Evil Was Born (boasting ‘a Tangerine Dream score and a direct-to-video budget’) was supposedly unleashed on the world. In fact, the acting from all concerned is the film’s greatest asset.

Sadly, however, the problem is that, whichever way you cut it, films shot on video just look and sound horrible. Few will have the patience to actually get to any of the good stuff after they see the abominable high-end home video look and hear the dreadful video-recorded sound acoustics. Which is a shame really as it masks the artistry that Mann is obviously capable of. If you do stick it out, then you’ll be rewarded with some haunting images, particularly in the flashbacks to the heart of the mystery near the end. But you’ll still spend most of the time wishing that you were actually watching the fictional movie that the characters are talking about.

As patronising as this may sound, it’s hard not to admire Mann for giving this a go with such scant resources at his disposal. It would be interesting to see what he could do with more of a budget behind him.  

Extras: Trailers

Rob Talbot

You May Also Like...

First-Look Images and Sizzle Reel for Disturbing Shocker CARA

You can now get your first look at the upcoming disturbing kitchen sink horror film CARA, directed by Hayden Hewitt (Lips) and starring Ellie O’Hara, Johnny Vivash, Laurence R. Harvey,
Read More
chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More