I remember seeing The Blair Witch Project in theaters quite vividly. While vacationing in New Hampshire, My father took me to a rundown movie theatre in North Conway. The theater’s ambiance fit the film like a glove; old, historic and equally creepy and creaky. Leaving the theater I was in a daze. Still to this day I’ve never been so affected by a movie. We drove home through the mountains in the black of night, the wind whistling through the trees, and my imagination creating endless possibilities.
I know it that sounds spooky, but in my mind that memory is so special.
Anyways, great reminder from The Guardian speaking on The Blair Witch Project and how unique the film’s roll out was…
And it worked: many early cinemagoers thought the film was a documentary. It is still one of the most delectably scary movies out there, and its ingenious premise required it to break all the rules: no script, no jump scares, no music, no professional crew, no special effects, not even any witches. What it did have, which often goes unremarked upon, was totally convincing actors. Horror is traditionally about confronting our darkest fears but Blair Witch doesn’t really do that; instead, it shows us other people confronting theirs. The hysteria is contagious.
ddileo 