Watcher in the Woods

Inexplicably something of a cult favorite, this half-hearted attempt by the Disney studio to do a horror film in the late '70s probably wouldn't even scare a Mouseketeer. Bette Davis stars as an eccentric dowager who rents her English country house to an American family with two teen daughters--one of whom (skater-cum-actress Lynn-Holly Johnson) is especially troubled by the sight of unexplained phenomena (mirrors without her reflection, circles of blue light, triangles etched in glass, etc.) and the presence of a figure that may be the ghost of the homeowner's long-lost daughter. Hokey special effects, tepid performances, and several implausible plot developments eclipse the occasional directorial flourish. A spiffy transfer, two alternate endings, a commentary track, and an enclosed booklet make for a decent disc package, but this is still definitely an optional purchase. (T. Rich)