PG-13

FILM SYNOPSIS: A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.

Note from reviewer Phil Boatwright: This is not a review. I simply wanted you to know why I refused to see this film. Although I’m a fan of many films from the horror genre, I do have my limits as to what I will support. People aren’t going to most horror films because they think they’re going to get a deep spiritual message. They just enjoy having the Jujubes scared out of them. We enjoy being spooked so long as we don’t really fear for our safety. And when it comes to matters of demons and ghosts and the paranormal, most people viewing storylines featuring these subjects don’t really believe in them.

I do.

I believe there are demonic forces and we shouldn’t be subjecting ourselves to such concepts merely for entertainment’s sake. “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ Jude 1:9.

Let me give you an example of one film I walked out of and why. Although undeniably well written, directed and acted, my problem with the1992 Oscar-winner Silence of the Lambs was its demonic aura.  I left before the final twenty or thirty minutes of the film, and to this day refuse to view its conclusion. I truly believe the Holy Spirit was nudging me, as if saying, “That’s enough, get out.”  Hey, I’m I not going to argue with the Holy Ghost.

I won’t go into a sermon here, but I am reminded of a quote from the film, I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing.   “Your head is like a gas tank.  You have to be really careful about what you put in it, because it might just affect the whole system.”

Don’t dance with the Devil. Stay clear from him.

DVD Alternative: Occasionally a newer entry into the thriller genre stands out – such as Signs from 2004. Suspenseful Hitchcockian elements serve to unnerve the audience in M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller about alien beings coming to take over Earth.  Added to the unsettling atmosphere, the story's subtext concerns a man losing – and then regaining his faith. The film also has an intriguing take concerning coincidence in our daily lives: Do things happen by chance or is something else at work?  Signs is about finding our way – or finding our way back.  I guess you could say it's a thinking man's horror movie. Read our full review.