Engaged babe summons up a malevolent ouija spirit, and her duelling suitors ride to the rescue. But with consequences ...From the era when actors styled their hair with molten cheese, and every second line was, "Goddammit, don't sneak up on me like that!" An earlier reviewer said this held up well over time - yeah, in the sense that today's ouija films are just as cr*p. Goddamm you, IMDb! I understand it was an inexperienced production, and it does have a good heart. But it shows a complete misunderstanding of horror, with unintended laughs. The final conflict is decent - but then the hilarious neck brace.Overall, no. Just no.

I still remember my friends talking about the surprisingly good "Witchboard" when it first came out in 1986. 28 years later, it still both holds up well and reminds viewers of the cheese served up in the greatest decade of horror.Linda Brewster is introduced to a centuries old tool of communication with the dead called a Ouija board. Although warned of the danger it holds, she begins summoning the spirit of a 10-year-old boy named David. She soon realizes that her dalliances with the dead were a mistake as the presence becomes stronger and violent. What sinister entity did Linda let loose in our world?"Witchboard" is presented in 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1) and DTS-HD Audio Mono. Like most of the Blu-ray upgrades we get from this era, the movie looks and sounds better than it ever has. However, its digital transfer hasn't sucked all the "real" film feeling out of it. Its upgraded audio enhances every scream and dramatic crash of the musical score.Loads of bonus material is included with "Witchboard." New audio commentary is provided by Writer/Director Kevin Tenney and actors Stephen Nichols, Kathleen Wilhoite, and James Quinn. Additional commentary features Tenney, Executive Producer Walter Josten, and Producer Jeff Geoffray chatting about the film. There are also new interviews with Kevin Tenney, Tawny Kitaen, J.B. Luebsen, James Quinn, Walter Josten, Todd Allen, and others. A vintage "Making of 'Witchboard'" featurette, theatrical trailer, TV spots, still gallery, and much more can be found."Witchboard" is rated R for violence, language, adult situations, and nudity. Everything you would expect from a 1980s horror film is what you're served here. Is the nudity necessary? Of course not, but sadly producers felt it was a needed item to sell genre films at the time.Most religious folks will definitely give "Witchboard" a thumbs down, and with good reason. The movie doesn't really tell people not to play with Ouija boards. It warns that you shouldn't play with them alone. This can cause one to become obsessed and then possessed by the spirit attached to it. What people should take away from the film is that it's just not smart to try communicating with the dead or get involved with the occult or anything with the power to unleash a malevolent entity."Witchboard" is full of all the wonderful schlock you would expect from a horror film released in 1986. There are naïve characters doing incredibly dumb things and meeting horribly entertaining demises. Why would someone continue to communicate with a spirit that is growing constantly more violent and active? How many weird accidents have to happen around you before you realize something's not right? Also, was it really legal to smoke in the waiting room of a hospital in 1986? None of those questions are answered in the movie. However, there are some fun scares to be had in the journey to its climax.

** out of (****)Growing up as a mere lil' fellar, I always had this cautious curiosity with the unknown. I always had this fascination with the paranormal and would be exposed to films such as "The Others", "The Ring", and so on. But one little gadget I had my heart set on was a Ouija board. I heard that absolutely nothing good had come out of it and I've heard some bone-chilling stories that would make the trickle of hairs on my neck stand up. When I recently found out a little 80's cult classic beauty named "Witchboard" surfaced the video shelves, my curiosity was intrigued, and with impeccable interest. Just glancing at the title "Witchboard", it's pretty sensible to assume it's about a woman who draws a connection to the Ouija board, which at first turns out safe and harmless, but as her obsession grows with the object, the board turns evil on her and evil spirits are released.Going by the concept, it sounds amusing enough and it is. One of the strongest suits about movies involving the paranormal is that they always find a way to keep things going. Whether shedding some light on the background history of them, a bump in the night, or a shadow in the day. It's always moving along, same with "Witchboard". It doesn't take long to get the ball rolling and when we're introduced to the little doohickey, all interest is piqued. The acting? Eh, not so much. The performers here aren't exactly the most likable and what they offer is next to nothing. It's almost as if the directors copied some good looking twenty or thirty-somethings and pasted them into the movie, and handed them their scripts. But granted, they aren't terrible. As the film progresses, so do the characters and you'd actually be surprised at the character's motivations or purposes they serve near the film's rising action. The direction? It's a bit on and off here. There are some moments where I thought it used the premise to its fullest potential and others I thought were a true waste of time. The pacing for the most part is right on the money. It feels like one cohesive picture, (possibly) save for the ending.Now the one million dollar question: is it scary? Unfortunately, no, but that doesn't mean it's not suspenseful. There are times where I sprung about a foot or two from my seat. And the tone is consistently suspenseful thanks to the score. But when I say there are some moments where it makes you jump, it's not because the director uses the jump-scare tactic (basically minimizing the volume for about 5 minutes and just making a U-turn with the camera and cranking up the speakers to haphazardly affecting your eardrums). It's because there are its moments that build up genuine suspense and creating a chilling atmosphere.But, my one gripe, that ending. Save for the last three or so minutes and I was contemplating on giving this movie a "6" instead of a mediocre rating, but that resolution just did it for me. They went in such a predictable and uninspiring route. It's almost like eating a nice sandwich, but then finding a hair in it when you're almost done.All in all, "Witchboard" makes for a decent watch. It has its moments and if there's one thing this movie accomplishes, its the setting and tone. However, the acting and the ending just kill "Witchboard". I bet you if I showed someone this movie, being a non-paranormal fan and replaced the ending, they might actually get into these types of movies. But now I see why people steer clear of them. It's just that typical Hollywood resolution.

I enjoyed Witchboard in those long ago days when I regularly haunted Blockbuster looking for late night VHS movies. I recently watched it again and, well, I wasn't as thrilled as I had been 25 years ago.I suppose the main thing is that, given that it's a horror movie, it isn't especially scary. Much of it takes place in bright sunshine, and there is little sense of menace. Things happen from time to time (knives whizzing across the room etc.), but with little dramatic impact. Even when someone is killed it's all rather gentle, with pretty bright red blood.Tawny Kitaen is pleasingly decorative (especially in her celebrated bushy shower scene) and screams in a mildly startled way at appropriate intervals. She probably wouldn't have her hair done like that these days. Todd Allen is annoying and sports a hairstyle which emphasises how much his ears stick out. Stephen Nicholls plays his part with a semi-hysterical intensity which rapidly becomes wearing. And Kathleen Wilhoite irritates beyond measure.But I suppose that, of its kind, it's OK.