a movie review by: Sean McBride

1 1/2 Stars

2005 is shaping up as a banner year for fans of horror movies. In the first five weeks we’ve seen several high-profile fright-flicks which scared up box office gold despite their general mediocrity. This week “The Boogeyman” comes out of hiding, laying claim to the dubious title of the best horror film of the year due to the fact that “White Noise,” “Hide and Seek” and “Alone in the Dark” don’t offer up much competition.

Barry Watson stars as Tim, a young man who was traumatized in his childhood when a monster rose up and took his daddy away one night. Years pass and Tim somehow manages to get on with his life, despite his fear that the Boogeyman will be coming to get him. When his mother (Lucy Lawless) passes away, Tim’s doctor suggests that he return to his childhood home and finally confront the demons that have terrorized him for so long.

Gee, I wonder if the Boogeyman will be waiting?

“The Boogeyman” is one of those films that relies on a creepy atmosphere and music-enhanced frights to cover up the fact that the film doesn’t really make much sense. It’s an hour and a half of stylized cinematography and psyche-out scares, and it’s almost effective enough to make you forget that Barry Watson wasn’t a great actor on “7th Heaven” and he’s not much better in this movie. Indeed, the entire cast seems to be on autopilot, and the behind the camera crew doesn’t try any harder.

Still, I will admit that there are a few scary moments, and I’ve got to give credit to any monster that uses Saran Wrap as a deadly weapon. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but it should be just enough to make die-hard monster fans happy. For those more discerning horror movie buffs, I’ll take this opportunity to remind you that “The Grudge,” “Shaun of the Dead” and “Saw” are out on DVD.

Barry Watson Photo

Lucy Lawless Photo