Ghost hunting has taken on a life of its own in the past few
years. It truly began with several documentary style programs on networks like
the History Channel and USA before being dominated by programs like GHOST
HUNTERS and GHOST ADVENTURES. Of those two I’m a fan of GHOST HUNTERS where
they try to debunk more than confirm the troubles of clients who fear that
their locations are haunted. Yes, they occasionally find true hauntings and
also the odd EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) but they treat it with respect
and find nothing frightening for most involved.
As the ghost hunting shows have moved on to various ghost
hunting programs the ones that started it all have fallen by the wayside. Some
still show on the various networks where they once held sway but for the most
part they don’t get much attention. In truth that could be a good thing. Case
in point this release.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they don’t deserve some
attention or that they don’t offer some information at all but the method they
use to do so leaves much to be desired. I’ve never been a big fan of the
“recreation” style film making technique that these programs use. The actors
chosen to portray the real people one, never look at all like the people
they’re portraying and two, are most often the poorest actors ever committed to
film. If this doesn’t bother you then my guess is you’ll love this DVD set.
The two disc set offers just over 5 hours of programming
from History Channel programs MONSTERQUEST, VOODOO SECRETS, IN SEARCH OF
HISTORY, THE UNEXPLAINED and DECODING THE PAST. And while the title of the disc
is Poltergeists, the truth is the set covers several topics like voodoo, the
Salem witch trials, exorcisms as well as hauntings, ghosts and poltergeists. So
if all you want is poltergeists at least 3 of the episodes should satisfy you.
As I said most of these programs combined poorly re-enacted
events from the past or from witnesses joined with commentary made by scholars,
researchers or paranormal personalities. They do give some interesting
information on most and do a great job of letting you know the basics of each
topic. The problem lies in all looking alike, sounding alike and every one
using the most overdone spooky music heard in any program made, including the
old AIP drive in spooky movies. If that
doesn’t bother you then again, you will be satisfied with this collection.
The entertainment value in something like this will hold up
for children and pre-teens or the less discerning viewer. But fans of the
current lineup of ghost hunting programs will find most of these lacking. And
if you are strictly adhering to the title, the inclusion of other topics may be
a turn off for you. I’m guessing if you have an interest in the topic at hand
then you’ve seen some of these program and already know what I’m talking about.
If not the descriptions I’ve tried to offer should let you know what you’ll be
seeing should you pick a copy of this up.
As for myself I’ll continue to watch and enjoy GHOST
HUNTERS. I’ve given up on GHOST ADVENTURES since it feels more like frat boys
trying to goad ghosts and entities into a brawl on the front lawn (honestly
having met and talked with Aaron Godwin from the show he seems nice enough but
host Zach Bagans at the convention I went to seemed uninterested in his fans or
talking with others about ghost hunting so maybe that clouds my judgement a bit
as well). When it comes to this title I think I’ll pass. Watching it through
once was more than enough for me.
Click here to order.
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