Shout Factory has recently released the 2001 remake of William Castle's Thirteen Ghosts on a collector's edition Blu-ray.
In 2001, Steve Beck - in collaboration with Robert Zemekis and Joel Silver's Dark Castle Entertainment - directed a remake of William Castle's gimmicky classic, 13 Ghosts. Starring Matthew Lillard, Tony Shalhoub, F. Murray Abraham, Embeth Davidtz, and Shannon Elizabeth, this remake - much like the 1999 reboot of House on Haunted Hill - boasted its large budget by turning the material into a showcase for flashy special effects and campy B-movie shenanigans.
There are three elements here that keep this remake from completely sinking, and they are Matthew Lillard, the character designs of the ghosts, and the set design, the latter of which is absolutely breathtaking. The story - about a family that inherits a literal glass house full of spirits - is as forgettable as they come. It is missing the charm that made the House on Haunted Hill remake so much fun, and turns out to be nothing more than an occasionally pretty mess with a standout performance from Lillard.
The Blu-ray from Shout Factory should please fans, however, as it is packed to the gills with special features. The film itself has been beautifully restored, as well. If you are a fan, be sure to grab one!
In 2001, Steve Beck - in collaboration with Robert Zemekis and Joel Silver's Dark Castle Entertainment - directed a remake of William Castle's gimmicky classic, 13 Ghosts. Starring Matthew Lillard, Tony Shalhoub, F. Murray Abraham, Embeth Davidtz, and Shannon Elizabeth, this remake - much like the 1999 reboot of House on Haunted Hill - boasted its large budget by turning the material into a showcase for flashy special effects and campy B-movie shenanigans.
There are three elements here that keep this remake from completely sinking, and they are Matthew Lillard, the character designs of the ghosts, and the set design, the latter of which is absolutely breathtaking. The story - about a family that inherits a literal glass house full of spirits - is as forgettable as they come. It is missing the charm that made the House on Haunted Hill remake so much fun, and turns out to be nothing more than an occasionally pretty mess with a standout performance from Lillard.
The Blu-ray from Shout Factory should please fans, however, as it is packed to the gills with special features. The film itself has been beautifully restored, as well. If you are a fan, be sure to grab one!
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