Thir13en Ghosts

[Knightmist]

The movie Thir13en Ghosts came out in 2001 and although there wasn’t an all star cast the movie did decent at the box off and was considered a box office success. The film stars Tony Shalhoub who many would recognize from the television show Monk. The film also had Mathew Lillard, Shannon Elizabeth and F. Murray Abraham.

The main plot of the film is that the Cyrus Kritcos has died during the hunt of a spirit called, The Juggernaut. Cyrus’ nephew, Arthur a mathematics teacher, inherits a house from his departed uncle and plans to move his family into the house. Arthur brings with him his daughter Kathy (Elizabeth), his son Bobby and a Maggie the nanny.

Upon arriving at the home Arthur and family are met by a power company employee who is actually Cyrus’ old assistant Dennis Rakin (Lillard). The family enters the home to find it filled with glass walls and Latin phrasing on the floors and walls. All seems going good for Arthur and his family as they are excited about the look of the place and the priceless artifacts within the building.

However things quickly turn when Rakin comes up from the basement and informs them of what dear old Uncle Cyrus was up to. This is when Arthur and family find out that their uncle was a ghost hunter and had imprisoned 12 spirits in the basement of the home. Rakin continues to explain the purpose of the Latin and how it’s used to keep the spirits trapped. You can imagine a mathematician using his logical brain to question the spirits until his daughter is attacked by the Jackal.

The rest of the movie follows Arthur trying to find and save his children who disappear as the movie progresses. We get to see Rakin use some of his knowledge of the trade to help Arthur search for his kids. This involves a set of glasses I wish I owned to help see spirits. The problem is that movies tile is Thir13een Ghosts and trust me we get to meet all 12 that Cyrus captured and well you must see the movie to learn about the thirteenth ghost.

We are introduced to the different ghosts, and I have to say that they all come with a unique story and very unique looks. At times you may find yourself feeling bad for some of the ghosts being held captive but there are others you certainly wish to never meet.

The movie is rather fast paced as its run length is about 90 minutes. The good news is you don’t get bored as you watch the film and the acting was well done especially by those actors who played the ghosts. There are some great scenes in the film and some of the best are those in which you get to see through the glasses a spirit coming, or attacking, while other struggle to figure out what is happening.

The set pieces used for this film especially the glass walls are well done and we do get to find out that are very versatile and can be multipurpose. Tony Shalhoub turns in a great performance as Arthur and was great to see him in a staring role. There are bits of comedic moments and often the come through the Nanny Maggie. This film is a remake of a classic movie with the same name and to me actually a better film. I’m sure it is due to the way the ghosts are portrayed that helped and of course the technology now available to the film makers. This is certainly a film worth checking out if you have never seen it or haven’t for years. It’s a quick simple plotted movie with enough twists and turns to keep you satisfied.

[Herb]

I just watched this last night (NetFlix). I liked the special effects, the overall story, and even a couple of the actors. I thought that this movie had a lot of potential. I like horror movies with a sci-fi or mechanical element, like the Cube series and the Hellraiser series.

Unfortunately, Thir13en Ghosts had bad writing, some characters without purpose, and the writers had to repeat their 'coolest idea' (the 12 ghosts represent the dark zodiac) three times in the movie. Did the writer know it was a poorly written screenplay and therefore that this concept had to be repeated three times so when some of the audience fell asleep they would have another chance to hear it?! I can't decide if the screenplay was as horrendous as it seemed or whether the director and editors were so unable to cut out the bad parts and rearrange the shots better.

The movie doesn't present itself as camp, so I can't forgive the incompetence. I can enjoy a good camp movie like Jason X (that sci-fi theme again, you know) and forgive the gaffs and bad jokes (that is part of the charm), but a movie that seems to try to be a 'serious' scary like Thir13en Ghosts

I barely made it through this movie, and considered it a waste of time. Too bad since it started with so much potential.

[Corey Howard]

i watched when it first came out on video i liked the idea of catching ghosts like the ghost busters did and i liked the maze idea with the enchanted walls but id give the movie a 6 out of 10 but then again back when i watched it it was up to date as far as special effects go

[Knightmist]

Yeah I can understand where y our coming from but if you think this is bad you should try the original movie out. I've learned while watching some of the movies I've posted reviews on I cannot go in looking for a "killer" script. To often you'll be disappointed after the first 5 lines said in a movie.

As for the camp piece, you could be right it may have a greater appeal if it did have that camp presentation but when I saw Shaggy ir I mean Mathew Lillard I guess I in away expected the camp based off of him being in the film. He really hasn't done any great movies and is best known for his slasher films.

I really wanted to see this film for Tony Shaloub as it was so great to see him in a staring role in a movie and not a supporting actor. Also it was nice to see him do something other then let Will Smith/Tommy Lee Jones blow his head a part just to re-grow it. :)


Herb Petro said:

I just watched this last night (NetFlix). I liked the special effects, the overall story, and even a couple of the actors. I thought that this movie had a lot of potential. I like horror movies with a sci-fi or mechanical element, like the Cube series and the Hellraiser series.

Unfortunately, Thir13en Ghosts had bad writing, some characters without purpose, and the writers had to repeat their 'coolest idea' (the 12 ghosts represent the dark zodiac) three times in the movie. Did the writer know it was a poorly written screenplay and therefore that this concept had to be repeated three times so when some of the audience fell asleep they would have another chance to hear it?! I can't decide if the screenplay was as horrendous as it seemed or whether the director and editors were so unable to cut out the bad parts and rearrange the shots better.

The movie doesn't present itself as camp, so I can't forgive the incompetence. I can enjoy a good camp movie like Jason X (that sci-fi theme again, you know) and forgive the gaffs and bad jokes (that is part of the charm), but a movie that seems to try to be a 'serious' scary like Thir13en Ghosts

I barely made it through this movie, and considered it a waste of time. Too bad since it started with so much potential.

[Knightmist]

I'll admit it I've seen this film about 4 times now and still find myself slightly impressed by the affects. I really really love the maze piece with the glass walls and the way that was brought into the film. As for the ghost busters I am looking forward to the upcoming film that appears to be closer and closer to getting into production every day now. They have plot ideas and I believe all of the original Ghostbusters will be back in some form.

Corey Howard said:

i watched when it first came out on video i liked the idea of catching ghosts like the ghost busters did and i liked the maze idea with the enchanted walls but id give the movie a 6 out of 10 but then again back when i watched it it was up to date as far as special effects go

[Audrey]

I enjoyed the movie but I like the classic movie much better. They always change things in the remaks thinking they are making it better.