- The indie film that spawned a new generation of filmmakers
- First came the Blair Witch Project, about as independent of a film that could have been made for around $300,000. Someone at Artisan became interested in the marketing aspect of the film and suddenly it exploded into one of the most popular films (if not only the best marketed) of 1999. As far as success stories go, this is something for all filmmakers to watch and learn from. Every aspect of a filmmakers' dream was included - keeping the filming budget low, having actors who could actually do their jobs and improvise where needed, marketing unlike anything ever seen before and selling the film for umpteen dollars.
 The Blair Witch Project (Artisan)
- The surprise blockbuster hit which surprised the public by the [assumed] realness of the film and the industry by the ability of a dirt-cheaply made film to harbor multimillions of dollars in return (none of the extra profits going to the actors or others involved). The film's atmosphere comes off as spooky and dirty with the attempt at creating a mystery as the actors went along day by day. There are a few editing rifts that show how the film was spliced together - noticed only to those who know filmmaking (as in any student filmmakers who watched the film). It is most surprising that so many people were taken in by a film that offered little gaffes here and there [Josh's mentioning that it was a park in one scene was a humorous blurt]. I don't know if I found the film as "terrifying" or "gripping" as so much of the general public did. For that matter, even after reading an interview with actress Heather Donohue in which she fully explains the process of making up the whole story, a few people have written into this publication still asking if it the film was a factual documentary. At this point, the DVD with "newly discovered extra footage" is worth getting just for the cult attraction of it all. The documentary by the film's creators along with the added "Curse Of The Blair Witch", which aired on the Sci-Fi Channel originally, makes The Blair Witch Project DVD a good buy.
 The Blair Princess Project (Picture This! Entertainment)
- A hilarious take on the blockbuster horror tale of 1999. This 8 1/2 minute foray is about three Jewish Princesses on their way to a wedding of their friend Blair, to a doctor. As they make their way with a mixed-up map they get lost in the woods. Their escapades include such twisted takes on the original as finding three piles of dog poop - "one for each of us". Come to think of it, The Blair Princess Project almost does a better job of telling a documentary-style story in just under 9 minutes - neater and to the point. The entire Blair Witch Project story is told neatly, with practically every mystery twist and turn, without the extra 1 hour 30 minutes - only far funnier and with all the swearing - and then some. As an added feature, this video also includes a second 10 minute feature funny short.
 The Oz Witch Project
- One of the cleverest spoofs to appear to date, the Oz Witch Project tells the tale of Dorothy and the gang in search of the Yellow Brick Road ultimately becoming lost. Hearing sweet Dorothy (played by Meredith Salinger) curse about 2/3 of the way into the film is a riot. The Scarecrow kicks the map into the stream because - he has no brain. The politeness of the original Wizard Of Oz morphing into the paranoid schiz of the Blair Witch Project is really funny to watch. Watch also for the bubbling snot in the solo apology section in which Dorothy apologizes (amongst other things) for not being able to take the camera out of zoom in. One of the best.
 The Erotic Witch Project (SeductionCinema)
- Of all the films so far, even over the original one, I would have to say that this is the best. By far the funniest if nothing else. This takes the concept of "amateur filmmaking" to the most current level (as "amateur" video now usually lends itself to home porn movies) as a soft core romp through the woods with three lovely lasses who become cursed by the Erotic Witch. The legend in this film is that the Erotic Witch enchants normally very non-sexual people and makes them super-horny. Overall, a very funny concept in the idea of a proper parody of three lonely people in the woods. Katie Keane, Darian Caine and Victoria Vega, hotties all, star in all their lady-loving frenzy. The only complaint that I would have is that certain particular scenes were obviously faked with hands placed in strategic blocking ways to prevent any actual action. Too bad. Otherwise, this story and action kept me interested throughout most of the film. Worth the rent.
 Da Hip Hop Witch (A-Pix)
- This could be the nail in the coffin for both Hip-Hop and Blair Witch parodies (one can only hope) as this films unfolds a nefarious plot to destroy rival rappers and selling more albums by unleashing a "Hip Hop Witch" story onto the press. A supposed witch is attacking rappers, and one token white pop artist (Vitamin-C) as a reporter, as well as five white kids from the suburbs, attempts to track down the truth. The truth is, though, that this film is a cheap excuse to let a bunch of rappers concoct new ways (weak in many examples) of cursing on film in order to look cool. The end idea after painfully watching this all the way to the end is - Why???. I don't think that even the rappers who appeared in here would stoop as low as to rent this one.
- The Bald Witch Project (Almaden Films)
- More of a retelling than a truly funny parody, The Bald Witch Project tells the tale of three student filmmakers, along with an added traveler named Chicago, who are in search of a legendary witch who is bald - or shaves peoples heads and then dismembers them. The bald witch leaves trails of hair near her victimization sites. The students bicker, just like in the "real" movie, and need a map (again, just like in the original). They meet Chicago (KARA radio DJ Rich Amooi) who happens to sell maps, on the roadside, to the bald witch. Although it's considered a parody, the whole "student filmmaker" feel of the film, without actual pointed parodying jokes at the original, leaves it feeling more like a remake. For that matter, keeping in mind that the actual Blair Witch Project was supposed to represent an annoying film project done by an annoying group of people, any copies - parodies or otherwise - will most likely come off just as annoying and less funny. The biggest problem would be to redo the film with the same length, as the Bald Witch Project has done. The idea is there but the original is not something to watch more than once so neither would most parodies without something outstanding involved. A good effort but at 85 minutes, it's too long.
- and for those not buying into the hype, check out:
- Written by Philip Anderson
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Philip Anderson is a musician, in addition to being a writer/photographer. He has performed as a guitarist/vocalist, as well as songwriter, in several bands over the past 20 years. As a writer and photographer, he has been published by several magazines and in several books, and had his works appear on television. |
