Leave the World Behind (2023) Part 1 - Haunted Amusement Park

The Netflix movie Leave the World Benind, produced by Higher Ground Productions owned by President and Michelle Obama had been creating nquite a stir. Full of symbolism and Easter Eggs. I know,  if you're reading this,  you probably think I have my tin foil hat on,  but, really, there is a lot to unpack. Even after watching it a third time,  I keep finding more,  so, check back from time to time.  

Plot: A family vacation on Long Island is interrupted by two strangers bearing news of a blackout. As the threat grows, both families must decide how best to survive the potential crisis, all while grappling with their own place in this collapsing world.

A link discovered in a QR code on the above map takes you to the website for Lake Shawnee Amusement Park. This note abandoned park is open for ghost tours and tickets can be purchased to visit the location. But why in this movie that is type with messages and symbolism would this place be so prominent? That's a great question and one I have yet to crack.

With it being privately owned and a small opperation, i would doubt that it has the finances to take part in a product placement ad. In fact, it wasn't an ad at all, since it was hidden in a QR code on a map. The state of West Virginia may have had it added, but again there are many other historical kandmarks that would make more sense.  So, let's look at the history. 

Technically, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park dates back to the 1920s, when in 1926 it opened its doors to its first visitors. However, Lake Shawnee has a history that spends generations and some of those may play into the legends that run rampant in this area.  

Built as a relaxation destination for early miners, proprietor Conley Snidow, Sr. Envisioned a vacation destination brimming with activity for the entire family.  It had everything from swimming areas,  rides,  to cabins.  Unfortunately,  this would not last,  and the park started to be plagued by strange accidents and deaths. This activity peaked in the 1950s and the shock locals began to lose interest, eventually firing the park to close in 1966.

After sitting dormant for decades, the park returned to life in the 80s with its signature ferris wheel and swings in tow. However,  this new life as short lived,  and the park shuttered after only three seasons due to rising insurance costs. It was one the parked closed that the owners made some incredible discoveries on the property that served to add to the lore telling the story of the original occupants, the Shawnee tribe, who seemed to vanish from the land in the 1700s. Included in the discovery was a mass grave,  with the remains of thousands of Native Americans that were laid to rest in the property. 

Of course,  the disturbance of these bones during the years of construction and activity on the property could have set the different owners on a path of despair.  Couple that with did of the mysterious deaths and the 1950s, you have a recipe for a haunted location. 

If not the specific location, what about the area.  Located in Mercer County, Lake Shawnee sits in the heart of Appalachia full of hunting and fishing (plus,  some cool cryptids), but really nothing more.  It is also in coal country,  an industry under attack by the Obama's and the majority of those on the Left. Again, making it a strange place to be featured in the movie (especially since the power grid is hacked and coal was a backbone of the industry for generations).

I really have no idea what the meaning is,  or if there is one,  but my gut tells me there is something here with this.  Maybe after more digging, I'll (or someone) will discover a reason,  until then,  I will keep looking.  Do you have any ideas? If so,  comment and let me know.  

The Axe Murders of Villisca (2016)

One thing that is a challenge during this time of the year is balancing the blog with my daughters travel softball schedule. This weekend was no exception, as we spent most of Saturday and Sunday in some brutal heat. Couple that with my Sunday evenings being dedicated to Twin Peaks and I have to skip some posts. That all changes on Mondays when I can get baVick to movies and the blog, like tonight when I ventured into the 2016 horror flick The Axe Murders of Villisca.

Plot/ Three outcast teenagers break into the Villisca Axe Murder house in search of answers but discover something far beyond their worst fears.

I had no idea what to expect from this one, but always being intrigued by the story of the Villisca Axe Murders, I decided to give this one a shot. Yes, there were some clichéd moments as the teens explore the house; yet, there is enough story development to make those moments easy to overlook. While the movie is not perfect, the storyline is interesting; the pacing works, and the atmosphere is much better than I would have initially imagined. Sure, the ending could have been better and there were some predictable moments, but that is somewhat typical in lower budgeted films. In the end, this one may not be for everyone and honestly; it did not reach its full potential. While it is not a bad movie, it could have been better.

Hollows Grove (2014)

Winter Storm Jonas appears to have come and went with a bang, leaving behind roughly two feet of snow behind for us to deal with. Fortunately, it was not worse, and I was able to maneuver around town a couple times today. Now, it is time to curl up and spend the night watching some horror. First up for review tonight is the 2014 found footage flick, Hollows Grove.

Plot/ A young filmmaker documents his ghost-hunting, reality show friends as their routine investigation of an abandoned orphanage turns into a nightmare from which they can't escape.

What could be better than watching low budget horror featuring Lance Henrikson during a blizzard? OK, I can think of a bunch of things that could be better, but those are not readily available tonight as we recover from Winter Storm Jonas. Actually, Hollows Grove was not a bad consolation. While this found footage flick is not perfect with some uneven performances (Maybe even subpar performances) and predictable moments, there was a lot to like. This movie featured a solid storyline that was actually rather layered for the found footage genre, the atmosphere was rather creepy at times, and for a found footage flick it is actually somewhat entertaining. In the end, this is a decent example of how found footage could work. Is it perfect, no, but it is also one of the better low budget examples to come out in some time. I would not run out and buy it, but if you have some time on a winters afternoon, give it a shot.

Last Shift (2014)

This was a busy week as I worked on some college stuff and dealt with a return to the softball schedule. Still, I was able to find some time to squeeze in some horror into the little time I had. Now, after spending the early evening with my amazing daughter Genesis at the Fay West Honors Band concert on her 18th birthday, it was time to get back to the blog. Next up for review is a movie that was recommended to me during a conversation, and a movie that I have passed over in the past few weeks, the 2014 horror/thriller Last Shift.

Plot/ A rookie cop's 1st shift in the last night of a closing police station alone turns into a living nightmare.

Having seen this one at both the video store and Netflix, I had passed it over a few times in the past few trips, and I cannot believe that I did. This one was not at all what I expected from the cover, and was a movie that was definitely much better than some of my recent selections. Although this was a low budget entry, it did not fall into many of the same traps that plague lower budgeted films. Even with a small cast, this one creates an interesting story that has tremendous pacing, an effective soundtrack, and a dark and heavy atmosphere. More importantly, it did not shy away from the horror aspects and used some creative practical effects to create some bloody and dark visuals. Sure, there were some subtle flaws, with some of the lighting effects/scares being a touch off the mark and the ending (although perfect for the storyline) was somewhat predictable considering the smaller cast, but those are extremely minor in the overall picture and are easily overlooked. In the end, this low budget flick is well worth watching, and a movie that fans of horror should check out. It is a lot better than some of the mainstream horror flicks released in 2014.

The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill (2013)

As I continue to work on tweaking my fiction assignment for the week, I needed to find something to work as background clutter. While there are many flicks out there that would work, I definitely wanted something with some realism. In the end, I decided on the 2013 British flick, The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill.

Plot/ 50 years after an incident, the Clophill legend remains etched on the psyches of the local populace. In 2010, a documentary team was assembled to investigate the legend of the Clophill witches and to try to uncover the truth behind the paranormal events. What followed during that long weekend at Clophill was a terrifying journey into the unknown.

OK, I am a sucker for these found-footage mockumentary flicks. While this movie is not anything new or anything special, it does come across as something a touch more refined than most. Based on a real location that is full of mysterious history, there is a touch of realism added to the movie. Sure, there is little action and it plays more like an episode from one of the many paranormal shows, but there are at least some interesting moments that make me as an investigator smile. In the end, this one is definitely not for everyone. But, if you enjoy paranormal documentaries or television shows, give it a shot; you may like it.

Crazy Eights (2006)

While I did spend some time playing Murdered last night, I spent the majority of my time watching both Fringe and Zero Hour. Yes, both television shows are interesting and both open up some very intriguing questions, but sometimes I need something more mindless. In those moments, I dig into some of the horror I have on hand. That is the case with my next review, part of the 2006 After Dark Horrorfest, Crazy Eights.

Plot/ Six people are brought together at the funeral of a childhood friend. While settling the estate, they discover a map, which leads them on a search for a long forgotten time capsule, at the request of their dead friend. What they discover reawakens repressed childhood traumas and leads them on a journey through their long abandoned childhood home: a home with a terrible secret and a mysterious dead girl who will lead them to their strange fates.

It had been awhile since I ventured into the 2007 After Dark Horrorfest, and now I remember why. While I remembered some of the films, this is not one of them, which is why I grabbed it from the attic first. Yes, there were some good settings and the cinematography was not bad, there was really nothing else to write home about. The acting was scattered, the pacing was off, the script uneven, and although it was only 80 minutes, too many clichés were embedded into the flick. In the end, this one has to rank near the bottom of that set and is a poor attempt at a B-Movie. If you have not seen it, do not fret as you are not missing anything. Plus, there are much better films out there.

Ghostlight (2013)

After suffering through Zombie Lake, I needed to watch something different. While it may seem a bit odd, I decided that it was time to venture back into the world of Brain Damage Films for a low budget indie flick. While these movies often have some issues, usually they are decently entertaining. My selection for Friday night is Ghostlight from 2013.

Plot/ Andrew wins a radio contest to spend one night alone in a haunted theater on the 80th anniversary of the bloody murder/suicide that occurred within its walls.

This no-budget indie flick was rather entertaining to watch. Was it perfect, no; but, none-the-less it was better than many cut from the same fabric. This movie definitely took inspiration from some classic horror cinema with noticeable homage being paid to movies such as The Sixth Sense and The House on Haunted Hill. While this helps serve as a baseline, there could have been a lot more. The acting is solid, the scripting spot on, and the storyline cliché but interesting. Unfortunately, the score, while fitting, suffers from some poor sound editing, the pacing is a touch off, and some of the cinematography elements are a touch uneven; all items that typically come to life in low budget entries. In the end, this is an entertaining flick from Brain Damage Films and a movie that was much better than I expected. Yes, it is not perfect, but it is a decent ghost story that has some value.

Lizzie (2013)

Now I am all for low budget cinema, and I believe that quality films can be made on any budget. Of course, some disappointing films also come from that same cloth, so it is a challenge to continually watch them. In many ways, tonight’s selection, Lizzie (2013) fit into that realm.

Plot/ Lizzie Allen suffers from an extreme case of childhood amnesia which not only lays dark her childhood memories but also her relationships. As she begins to settle to a new house, she starts to get a glimpse of her childhood memories along with clues as to what really happened in the Borden household in 1892.

So, my streak of decent horror flicks came to an abrupt end tonight. This low budget entry had a decent idea, but in no way lived up to that on the screen. The acting was stale, the cinematography so-so and the overall storyline was disconnected and never developed any type of atmosphere. Honestly, there is nothing here to wrap your head around; it was quite disappointing. In the end, this flick really bored me and left me frustrated. Yes, the premise was decent, but there was nothing there to pull it together. Stay away! 

The Conjuring (2013)

After a fun first-week back teaching after my two-week break, I started my weekend by going to the drive-in. There is nothing better than to experience a horror or Sci-Fi flick outside in elements, where the wind through the trees, the moonlight, the fireflies, all ad something to the atmosphere. This double feature was awesome, which makes it even better. The first flick on the docket, the classic supernatural true story, The Conjuring.

Plot/ Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

I rarely tell people to run out and see a movie in the theater, but that is exactly what I am going to do with this one. Go see it! I was lucky enough to have some added atmosphere by seeing it in the drive-in, but this film did not need it. The storyline is awesome, the realism incredible and the solid cast works perfectly and keeps you drawn in throughout the movie. More importantly, cinematography creates an eerie atmosphere, which adds to the fact that this is based on a true story, and legendary paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren sit at the heart of this film, making the scares even more alive and realistic. There are some uneven moments, but those are rare. In the end, this may be the best paranormal themed movie to hit the screen in some time and will likely have the same effect on viewers today as The Shining had on me when I saw it at the drive-in so many years ago. Check it out!

6 Degrees of Hell (2012)

Yesterday was movie day, in all; I think I watched six horror or Sci-Fi flicks. The day started with The Philadelphia Experiment and ended with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake). In between, there was religion (Stigmata), H.P. Lovecraft (Cool Air), creature features (The Bay) and one last flick, 6 Degrees of Hell.

Plot/ Six individuals are caught up in a supernatural perfect storm, as an evil lays claim to one of them while threatening to tear apart the soul of a small Pennsylvania town.

I had seen this one at the store for some time, but decided to pass. Finally, I grabbed it and I am glad I did. It was honestly not what I was expecting, and was surprised what little role Corey Feldman had. While that did not do anything with the film, I felt that the way it was packaged could have an impact on potential viewers who may not like his work. For me, I do not really watch movies because of the actors, so it was not an issue. The storyline in the movie is solid, with a slowly building intertwined plot that is actually rather interesting. Of course, at times, it does feel like there is too much going on within these layers and that does add some unneeded confusion. The acting is decent, the direction good and the make up and effects really work. There were some decisions with cinematography and editing that came across as amateurish, but that could have been my copy of the DVD. In the end, this may not be a perfect movie, but it was an entertaining indie flick that is a lot better than some of its competition. 

The Haunting of Whaley House (2012)

 

 

In the midst of my paranormal and supernatural streak, there were a few flicks that I had failed to write up. Of course, that is something that happens quite a bit, as I watch a lot of stuff that I have not got to yet, especially when I am in the middle of some crazy research project (like recently). The last film that fell into this category was one loosely based on a true story. This flick was The Haunting of Whaley House.

 

 

Plot/ When a tour guide breaks into America's Most Haunted House, a bit of amateur ghost hunting with friends turns into more horror than they could have ever imagined.

 

 

When I saw The Asylum made this, I had my worries. The Asylum definitely does not have the best record of accomplishment for their movies. In this case, those fears were somewhat unfounded. Yes, this was far from a perfect movie as it was flawed, but it was entertaining and came complete with a decent story, some atmosphere and a few minor scares. Sure, the acting was not top notch, there were some pacing issues, and there were moments that did not make much sense, but it was still entertaining. In the end, this one was much better than many of the movies from The Asylum, and it was decently entertaining. If you like this style flick, and you can check it out, but don’t waste a lot of money.

Oogles... Old Wives Tale or Reality?

 

 

Charleston, SC. is one of the most haunted cities in the United States and their citizens are extremely proud of it. On almost every corner you can see advertisements for a haunted tour of some of their most famous haunts, they have it all, haunted cemeteries, haunted gardens, jails and islands. These haunted establishments and locations also sit in the middle of one of the most historic locations in the world.

 

A quick walk through the cobblestone streets can fill even the least interested person full of thoughts and questions when you consider you are walking in the footsteps of our famous ancestors such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. There is also a darker side to the history of this beautiful city. Pirates such as Blackbeard (Edward Teach) and Stede Bonnet all spent large portions of their lives in this area. It is this darker side of Charleston that seems to come to life.

 

When cities are rich with paranormal activity, many superstitions seem to arise and Charleston is no exception. Located in the "Lowcountry" as locals call it, many different legends and tales have been passed down for generations. One such legend is that of the Oogle. Lowcountry legends state that an oogle, a smallish, strange-looking clay figure should be carried around at all times to protect you from any type of ghost or goblin.

 

These oogles are needed because every night when the sun goes down, the streets of the low country fill with ghosts and goblins that come out in search of innocent bystanders without oogles. Do they protect you? Legend says yes, for me, only time will tell. If you are going to think about one thing when you are heading into a haunted location on vacation, think about picking up and taking an oogle along. It may be your last line of defense against the unknown.

             

Chernobyl Diaries (2012)

 

After a long strange day where I felt void of energy, I found myself very unmotivated. Honestly, part of me wanted to dive something conspiracy driven, something that maybe I could look into as a side research project. Unfortunately, I did not even have that in me. So, instead of something conspiracy driven, I decided on the 2012 disaster driven Chernobyl Diaries.

 

 

Plot/ Six tourists hire an extreme tour guide who takes them to the abandoned city Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. During their exploration, they soon discover they are not alone.

 

 

 

I knew going into watching this one that there was no way that the idea or potential of this flick would be far greater than reality. Seriously, the real visuals from this devastated area are extremely surreal and creepy, and although it makes the perfect backdrop for a movie, it will be difficult in capturing on film. That is the case with this one; there is so much inherent potential within the idea, that there is no way to match it. More of a thriller that horror flick, there are some solid moments in this one. Yes, the acting is so-so, the characters unlikable, the scripting uneven and there next to no suspense or gore, but there is a creepiness that does come through. Sure, this one is not for everyone, but it is also not the worst choice out there.

 

The Sacred (2009)

After some Civil War era zombies and an unfortunate burial of the daughters pet rabbit Alfalfa, I decided to unwind with some lower budget horror. Actually, I wanted to go with Pet Sematary, but was told to stop… Oh well, my selection for the evening had that native feel, 2009s The Sacred.

Plot/ A group of students travel to a remote and sacred Native American patch of land, in order to complete a thesis on Native American Folklore. This distant swamp area was used hundreds of years ago to judge and to punish murderous criminals. The land itself has magical powers, making it possible for the dead to come back and punish the guilty.

This low budget entry actually had a lot going for it. While the acting average at best and not the greatest, the characterization was lacking and some of the scripting was extremely predictable, it was not all bad. In fact, a lot of the cinematography and effects were decent and there was some good production value. Yes, the storyline was somewhat cliché and the atmosphere could have been heavier, but there is a lot worse out there. In the end, if you can look past the so-so acting and cliché, it is a somewhat entertaining flick. Would I watch it again? No, but that is a trend with many movies I watch.