Directed by Richard Valentine
Distributed by Echo Bridge Entertainment
Long before Clive Barker’s Candyman stalked our mirrors, the urban legend of Bloody Mary (a.k.a. The Mirror Witch), or Mary Worth as she was once known, can be traced back about one hundred years. Worth was a witch who was executed for practicing the black arts. Over the years since her death, as if we were playing the children’s game Telephone, her legend has been twisted, turned, modernized, and bastardized. Depending on whom you talk to and where they live, it can vary drastically. The only common thread is how the ghost is summoned. The brave, or stupid, need only do one thing — stand alone in a darkened room and call the name “Bloody Mary” thirteen times into a mirror. In fact, I dare you to go try! Then again, maybe you shouldn’t. I mean why bother when we can watch a fresh group of knuckleheads do it via DVD?
This latest telling of the tale follows the exploits of a woman named Natalie (Tyler) whose sister has inexplicably gone missing. During her quest to find her sibling, she discovers that both she and her friends/co-workers have been indulging in something called “The Mirror Game.” Could this have something to do with her sister’s disappearance? Of course it could! Why else would we be watching? Anyway … once Natalie comes to the realization that something paranormal is going on, she begins an investigation of her own. One that leads to a lot of eye-gouging deaths.
The real shame here is that even though the story is a muddled mess, the rest of the film is fairly entertaining. Sure there are plot holes a mile wide, such as why nobody cares about any of the other film’s characters who went missing thanks to Mary, but there’s also some good acting, killer sound design, spooky ghost effects, and a decent amount of nudity and gore. It’s a real shame all that goodness gets lost in a semi-coherent abyss of confusion.
Know what the true horror is here, folks? The stench of missed opportunity that permeates the air the second this DVD is cracked open. If there’s any truth to the legend of Bloody Mary at all, I’m sure she’s just waiting for Richard Valentine to stand in front of his mirror and dare try calling her. In a perfect world.
Oh well, just like Urban Legends: Bloody Mary this film nearly hits its intended mark. Although it does come a bit closer. Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of old Mary yet either. Just today I found a film called Dead Mary. laying on my desk. What’s next? A PG-13 rated film titled Slightly Bruised Mary? Oh shit. I may have just given someone an idea. Damned be my hands!
Special Features
Behind the Cinematography featurette
The Making-of the Witch featurette
“The Curse” music video
Outtakes
2 out of 5
Special Features
2 out of 5
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