Seventh Moon (2008)

"According to Chinese myth, the dead are freed to walk among the living during the seventh full moon." Creepy enough for you?

From the director of The Blair Witch Project and Altered, comes yet another romp in the woods as American newlyweds Melissa (Amy Smart, Mirrors, Crank) and Yul (Tim Chiou) are in China to visit Yul's family. It just so happens to be at the time of the traditional Hungry Ghost Festival. After spending a day in the city, they fall asleep as their tour guide Ping (Dennis Chan, Kickboxer) leaves them stranded just outside a remote village. From here on out they learn that many Chinese who leave offerings, seemingly silly in fact, believe all too well in the horrors that awaits those who don't.

You know, except for a few things, this movie really appealed to me. It wasn't your typical Japanese horror type flick, and though I love those, I still liked this one. They used the supernatural myth idea seen in many of the genre, but it seemed to be more suited for a Western audience if you know what I'm saying. Acting was okay, "baddies" were extremely creepy and real, music helped tone and pace the film... but camera work, it could have used a freakin' steady cam or something sheesh. The movie overall got the blood pumping with the intensity of some of the scenes where you were sure they would be caught, excellent suspense. For a bargain bin horror movie, you can't go wrong here.

A little side note regarding the basis of the story. The Chinese Ghost Festival, which very much is celebrated in the same way as Mexico's Dia de Los Muertos (Day of The Dead) and in a way comparable to our Halloween here in the US, is generally held on the 14th day of the 7th lunar month (of the Chinese Calendar). It's a day where the living leave offerings and pay respects to their ancestors. The offerings are usually burned, and the smoke carries the gifts to the deceased in the heavens. Other traditions involve leaving paper lanterns out at night to guide lost spirits to their resting place.

6.5/10

Rated: R
87 mins