Written and directed by Eric Bress. Starring Brenton Thwaites, Theo Rossi, Skylar Astin, Kyle Gallner, Alan Ritchson, Shaun Toub and Billy Zane.
Plot: during World War II, five American soldiers are told to hold a French castle, but what they experience there ends up being more frightening than anything on the battlefield.
Five soldiers enter a haunted house sounds like it may be the beginning of a bad joke, but this movie is anything but a joke. It was laced with a bit of humor. Dry and witty mostly. However, it is a completely serious story that gives a powerful message. And I know some people don’t like message movies, but we love them.
In Nazi occupied France, 1944, five soldiers are given the task of holding a French castle and keeping it out of enemy hands. Only, they find it to be haunted. There’s no lack of Freddy Claws here. None of them know what they’re truly seeing or hearing, but they all admit that it’s likely ghosts and they decide to leave. Then, of course, the ghosts warn them that if they leave, they die.
This is a scarily interesting story. It was original and it followed all of it’s rules. It’s not very rewatchable, but for all the best reasons (for instance, I cried and I screamed). The acting and directing was superb. Think Gallner should be given high accolades specifically. DJ would have ended the movie slightly differently, but not in any major ways. He still loved it. And since I’ve seen the movie shit on in many places, I’m here to tell you, it’s worth your time.
I suppose I could list my favorite movies here, but instead I'll give you a strange glimpse into what makes me TaraRomero.
1. I met George Romero. He was the kindest and sweetest man. He talked to me for longer than he should have with the line getting longer. He also held my hand. And when he noticed the ladybug I have tattooed on my wrist, he said he liked it and asked me it's name. Till then, it had not had a name. Now, I call him George.
2. I love stickers. All stickers. I just adore them. I even ask for stickers for Christmas! As a matter of fact, the birthday that just past, every member of my immediate family gave me sticker packs as gifts. Affordable and extremely appreciated.
3. I have never put much stock in astrology or horoscopes, but I LOVE the magic of the MBTI. Omg. I am an INFP and it actually sounds just like me. Introverted mostly. Creative always. Heart before head and not the most logical. Totally me! For better or worse.
4. It's no surprise I count horror so high up on the list of things that make me, me. However, it's so within my soul that I was part of the Horror Club in college. Interesting bunch. And even took a Horror Lit class as an elective. I got an A.
5. Coffee always makes me happy. Always. I'm particularly fond of caramel macchiatos. But I'll drink black coffee if it's the only thing available.
6. I hate shock for the sake of shock and endings that depress me. I always mention the movies Within (2016) and the Eli Roth produced, written and starred in, Aftershock (2012), as proof of this distate I have. I abhor the idea that just because I like horror, some people think I'd actually praise a movie that lets you think the "Final Girl" just made it through the night, only to slap her in the face with a tsunami.
7. We are big time animal people. I mean, if I could, I'd have an elephant, a bear, a zebra, a penguin, an otter and a meerkat, living with me. Seriously though. We have 2 dogs right now and 2 cats. Both cats we picked up when they each came to our front door hungry. And both dogs we got from 2 different sets of neighbors. Both who, unfortunately, don't know how to care for pets long-term. But they're happy and healthy now!!
8. Revisiting my love of horror, one of the above cats, my cat, is a little black guy named Church. Because Pet Sematary. His middle name is even Pascow. To give credit where credit's due, the name was DJ's idea. But he loves horror too!
9. I'm big into art. Along with movie posters and an Anne Frank quote, I have some actual paintings on my wall. I really think Dali paints beautifully when he wants to. And if I don't get to see Michaelangelo's Pieta in person some day, I will be very disappointed.
10. Lastly, I find Emily Dickinson's poetry intriguing. I took an elective course about her as well. But do you know I injected horror even there? I was given a poem to dissect and I picked one on death, of course. Then, I researched old "Death Photos" and even printed out copies for everyone in the class. They were so interested in looking at them that it stopped them from all looking at me, and I was able to deal quite well with my stage fright. Haha
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2 thoughts on “Ghosts of War (2020)”
Thanks for the review. I’ve had this in my queue for a while and keep wanting to watch it, but then I don’t because I’ve never watched one of these war-meets-ghosts (or zombies) that I’ve enjoyed yet. But after reading this I’m going to give it a try.
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Thanks for the review. I’ve had this in my queue for a while and keep wanting to watch it, but then I don’t because I’ve never watched one of these war-meets-ghosts (or zombies) that I’ve enjoyed yet. But after reading this I’m going to give it a try.
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You really should. We thought it was just excellent.
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