First-time writer-director Todd Lincoln appears to be trying to ride the coattails of the Paranormal Activity found-footage horror phenomenon in The Apparition. On May 21, 1973, a para-psychological séance dubbed the “Charles” experiment featured six people concentrating on a drawing of the same deceased being, which produces a spectral figure. Years later, three college students—Patrick (Tom Felton), Ben (Sebastian Stan) and Ben's girlfriend Lydia (Julianna Guill)—try to replicate the experiment using computers and a 3D sculpture of the man they are trying to reach, with electronic help from 500 people. Once again, there seems to be brief contact with the supernatural realm, followed by a tragic incident. Cut to the present: Kelly (Ashley Greene) is busy minding a suburban investment home (owned by her parents) with her new boyfriend Ben—the same guy who unwittingly opened a poltergeist pathway with the reproduced Charles experiment. When the couple begin to notice strange things—lights flickering, black mold spores, and Kelly's clothes being tied into knots—they wonder if the place is haunted. So Ben beckons old buddy Patrick, who blows into their abode babbling pseudoscientific prattle. “The house isn't haunted. You are,” Patrick tells Ben before disappearing into a closet. An abysmally lame chiller, this is not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include “A Cinematic Specter” segment on the experiment at the center of the film (5 min.) and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are a featurette on the attempt to recreate the experiment (9 min.), a “Haunted Asheville” location featurette with ghost hunter Joshua P. Warren (8 min.), “The Dark Realm of Paranormal” segment on supernatural events (5 min.), and bonus DVD and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing horror film.] (S. Granger)
The Apparition
Warner, 82 min., PG-13, DVD: $28.98, Blu-ray: $29.98, Nov. 27 Volume 28, Issue 1
The Apparition
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