It seems that everything ghostly has become a part of
today's culture. Not only are there three major ghost hunting series on TV now
but shows about haunting and paranormal experiences have flooded the airwaves.
While ghosts have been the subject of numerous movies it's rare that these
stories are done justice. With the release of A HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT a few
years ago that changed. Enough to warrant a sequel which has now ended up going
straight to DVD.
A HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT 2: GHOSTS OF GEORGIA has nothing
to do with Connecticut nor the ghosts found in that first film. Apparently the
producers wanted to start a franchise and felt that A HAUNTING IN GEORGIA would not have been a clear enough title for
fans of the first film. I think viewers are smart enough to figure this out,
even more so if a new state were added with each film. I doubt all 50 states
would have been hit though.
Once again "based on a true story", we have the Wyrick
family who have just moved into a new house with a large acreage for their
young daughter to roam around in. Bought cheap (never a good sign) and empty
for some time now things begin to happen right away. Heidi, the little girl,
starts talking to a man she calls Mr. Gordy and he's started telling her things
about the house and property. This might seem like an imaginary play pal except
for the history of Heidi's mother.
Lisa Wyrick is trying to get over a problem she's had for
years, one where she hears voices in her head and sees things that aren't there.
On medication she's rejected what her mother and her sister believed, that
their family is gifted with "the veil". This gift gives them the
power to see things others don't which would of course include dead people.
Sister Joyce has moved onto the property with Lisa, Lisa's husband Andy and
Heidi, living in an old trailer near the house. While Heidi's mother tries to
tell Heidi there's nothing there, Joyce explains what "the veil" is
to her.
Mr. Gordy at first seems to be a benevolent ghosts going so far
as to let the family know where some old money was buried. But when they begin
looking into his past they're not quite sure. Further delving reveals that Mr.
Gordy's grandfather was a taxidermist who used the property to aid slaves
heading north, a part of the famous Underground Railroad. Heidi and Lisa both
begin to see the images of slaves on the property with Heidi feeling nothing is
wrong but Lisa still trying to ignore all she sees.
When things begin to go bad, including the disappearance of
Heidi only to be found in a strange pit, they bring in a local preacher to help
rid her of what they think is a possession. But there is more going on on this
property than anyone realizes and a history that is far darker than anyone
knows or could imagine.
That dark back story makes this movie more interesting than
most. Many will toss this movie off as just another straight to DVD feature
that doesn't stand on its own merits but I would beg to differ. The story was
well thought out and the reveal is one most won't see coming. Extras on the DVD
include talks with the original family, Heidi now grown up, talking about what
they experienced while living there.
There are a few jump scenes in the film but this movie
doesn't play on the scare factor and relies more on the story to make its
points. It offers some nice entertainment value and will be a movie that makes
a nice starter point for people wanting to discuss ghosts and whether they
actually exist or not. The production values are extremely well done unlike
some horror films where night scenes are so dark as to not be able to see
anything. In this production everything from the camera work to the acting is
well done.
My guess is there won't be another HAUTING IN film made. I
would think that this film would be passed over in light of other major
releases coming out at the same time. But if you're looking for something a
little creepy that offers and interesting story along with a few scares then
you might want to give this one a try.
Click here to order.
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