Movie Review: Thirteen Ghosts

Thirteen Ghosts

I like horror movies as a general rule. But what I truly love is a horror movie that's different from the usual slice-and-dice, and Thirteen Ghosts fills the bill rather nicely. The move is a high-tech remake of the classic horror film by William Castle. I've not seen the original, but I liked the remake just fine.

In Thirteen Ghosts, Cyrus Kriticos (F. Murray Abraham) is a trophy hunter. Only instead of animal heads on his walls, Cyrus collects ghosts which he keeps locked up in his basement. When Cyrus dies during one of his "hunts", he leaves his home and all of his other worldly goods to a nephew he's only rarely seen and doesn't really even know, Arthur Kriticos (Tony Shaloub). Arthur has had a difficult year raising his two children alone after the untimely death of his beloved wife, and so the news he's inherited what could prove to be a substantial estate brings hope and happiness to his family. Accompanied by his uncle's lawyer and the family's nanny, Kalina (Embeth Davidtz), Arthur drives to his Uncle's home to see what now belongs to him. The spectacular home, built almost entirely of glass and furnished with a variety of valuable antiques and collectibles, is the subject of real awe for the family. All too soon, however, it begins to seem as if the house itself is conspiring agaisnt them. Aided by Rafkin (Matthew Lillard), a psychic and former assistant to Cyrus, Arthur tries to unravel the mystery, save his family, and escape the malevolent house. It proves increasingly difficult for him to make progress, however, as the captured ghosts are somehow getting free and they begin to attack.

The acting in Thirteen Ghosts is fine, albeit a bit on the hammy side occasionally. And the script, too, is good. But what really sets Thirteen Ghosts apart is the special effects. The house is a marvel, and the ghosts are both horrible and very, very real. There's also enough blood, gore, and gruesome death to satisfy almost any horror afficianado.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Thirteen Ghosts is rated R for violence, gore, and nudity. It's also very intense and very scary at times. This is not a movie for the kiddies. Anyone age 16 and up who likes a good thrill or a stomach-churning and very creative death or two won't be disappointed by Thirteen Ghosts.