The Blair Witch Project

Release Date: 1998
Released by: Artisan Entertainment
Genre: Horror/Thriller

Synopsis: Most people have heard and know about The Blair Witch Project, but I will give a brief overlay anyways. In 1994, three film students, Josh Leonard, Heather Donahue and Michael Williams embark upon a project to research the Blair Witch. The Blair witch is supposed to be a legend of a ghastly being which has haunted the town and surrounding woods of the town of Burkittsville for hundreds of years. The trio interview the townsfolk of Burkittsville and then they head out into the surrounding woods. Everything is going alright; they get rained upon, they hear weird noises in the evening, but they complete their mission. Then... they become lost, and they lose the map. The three panic, and begin fighting between each other. They continue walking, hoping to find the way out. But the noises continue... and they are attacked by something that night. Soon after, Josh goes missing, and Heather and Mike hear him call out in pain at night. With little or no sleep, food or water, Heather and Mike are at their breaking point from loosing their friend, and from the noises at night. The two decide at night to go out looking for Josh. They hear him calling from inside a building, but when they go inside they can't find him. They each separately go into the basement, where they apparently are murdered.

My Thoughts
I don't think my synopsis does The Blair Witch Project justice, but honestly, I do not know how it is possible to summarize this movie without giving away its truly great qualities. The movie is not by any means perfect, but I will discuss this.

Advantages
Despite its many critics, for me The Blair Witch Project is the most terrifying movie I have ever seen. When I say terror, I mean terror for Myrick and Sanchez know what scares people. They succeed admirably for a number of reasons. First, all the audience ever hears are noises. We never actually see the Blair Witch, which is probably best. As a case and point, I will say that it is the unknown that terrifies us.