I have been a fan of horror most of my life and over the decades witnessed a regrettable change in the established elements that define the genre. Horror used to be less visceral, relying on building the terror on the psychological level. This was influenced by growing up in a time when many of the classic were frequently on TV such as the old school horror classic that Universal Studio released in the thirties. These films were better known as monster movies but they did require the audience invest the attention necessary to follow a story. It also demanded the film makers give more than a passing interest in what will get in the head of the viewer and scare them. This has, for the large part been replaced by mindless torture and ‘splatter’ horror; no plot just a lot of running and gushing blood. When a filmmaker comes along and attempts to create a more intelligent horror flick points have to be awarded for breaking away from the pack. One such example is ‘Ghost Image’ by Jack Snyder. This film is in the extended definition of horror through its supernatural plot devices but it is better placed under thriller with the right touch or suspense and a little mystery thrown in for good measure. The movie works on a level above the popcorn flick but will find some difficulty finding its audience. Many people have come to expect such extremes in thrillers and horror that when a movie sets out to tell a story the lack of gore becomes a letdown. This is more like the old time ghost stories told around a summer camp fire. You have to allow yourself to accept the premise and just go with it. If it is possible for you to approach a flick inn such a manner you will have an entertaining time.

Coming up with the story and screenplay were Jack Snyder and James Dean Schulte. Schulte’s prior work was mostly in the editorial department for a number of dramas and thrillers including ‘The Basketball Diaries’, ‘The Green Mile’ and ‘Lake Placid’. As a writer he has a couple on Indy thrillers under his belt. Snyder, who also directed, co-authored the prior scripts with Schulte so they are accustomed to working as a team. This is fundamental an old fashion ghost story presented with a modern technology twist. Jennifer (Elisabeth Röhm) is a professional film editor living with her camera enthusiast boyfriend Wade (Waylon Payne). He is constantly filming everything around him stating ‘life is temporary; film is permanent’. The couple is extremely happy and liked by a sizable group of friends. Snyder shows some imagination with the way he uses the camera to tell this story. The film starts with a Jennifer being attacked. Afterwards we see a recording of a party. The shot pans into the video bringing the audience into the party. Since the underlying premise is the dead communicating through video this helps in setting the understanding with the viewers. At the party there was a causal comment that also subtly introducing the concept; a Native American superstition that when a picture is taken it steals your soul. This is the manner much of the film utilizes. It doesn’t hit you over the; it respects the audience enough to pick up on these things.

Thing start to pick up when Jennifer has a dream where she walks down to the garage and sees Wade talking to one of her friends, Alicia (Stacey Dash). The two of them were a little too cozy at the party, something that Jennifer noticed. Jennifer wakes up with a pair police detectives Amos (Roma Maffia) and Childers (David E. Webb) at the door. Wade was in a car accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. Back in her bed room she notices the bottoms of her feet are dirty suggesting it was not a dream. It doesn’t take long until Jennifer is certain she can communicate with Wade through his film but this only makes her and the police doubt her sanity. The script had a good number of twists and turns particularly in the third act. This is typical the point where a lot of films begin to unravel but this story just pulls you deeper into her plight. It is great to see a movie in this genre that does not pander to the lowest possible juvenile expectations. This is certainly one worth adding to your collection.