Is it simply a board game or a tool to communicate with the supernatural world? That's been the question facing players since ouija was first introduced in 1890 by Charles Kennard and Elijah Bond at their Kennard Novelty Company. According to folklore, when they asked the board what it should be named, it spelled out O-U-I-J-A, then G-O-O-D-L-U-C-K. Now, it's become the basis for this psychological horror thriller. The plot revolves around teenagers Laine (Olivia Cooke) and Debbie (Shelley Hennig), best friends since childhood. One of the cardinal ouija board rules is that no one should play alone, so Laine is shocked to learn that this is just what Debbie was doing when she hung herself using a string of Christmas lights. Driven to find out what happened, grieving Laine recruits her younger sister (Ana Coto), her boyfriend (Daren Kagasoff), and two pals (Bianca A. Santos, Douglas Smith) for a séance using the antique ouija board that Debbie discovered in her attic. Sure enough, they end up making contact with a malevolent spirit, after which they track down a former resident of Debbie's home, Paulina (Lin Shaye), who is now confined to a mental institution. Husband-and-wife team Stiles White and Juliet Snowden crafted the screenplay together, with White making his directorial debut (with the full support of game manufacturer Hasbro). Although aiming for spooky and scary, Ouija unfortunately relies on cheap jump scares and loud noises, resulting in a disappointing boo-movie. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an “Adapting the Fear” behind-the-scenes featurette (4 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the production segments “Icon of the Unknown” (4 min.) and “The Spirit Board: An Evolution” (4 min.), as well as bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a small extras package for a lackluster horror film.] (S. Granger)
Ouija
Universal, 90 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $34.98, Feb. 3 Volume 30, Issue 1
Ouija
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