Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Much as we like to be supportive of family-friendly films, especially independent works made on modest budgets, "Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour" (Freestyle) is, we're afraid to say, the kind of Halloween film you'd be forgiven for wishing would be run out of town by parents armed with pitchforks and torches.

The husband and wife team of John and Lisa Comrie, who wrote and directed this wretched rip-off of R.L. Stine's popular "Goosebumps" stories for preteens, has made a ghost story aimed at preteen girls, incompetently written, directed and performed. One senses, from practically the end of the opening credits, a cynical expectation that young audiences won't know better.

The plot, such as it is, involves plucky 17-year old Sarah Landon (newcomer Rissa Walters, forced to utter banalities such as "I'm telling you -- something is weird"), who, visiting Pine Valley, Calif., tries to help an older boy, David Baker (Brian Comrie, son of the directors-screenwriters) who is haunted by the ghost of Ben Woods (Rusty Hanes). The spirit has threatened to kill him on his 21st birthday because Baker's mother, Mary Ann (Nicole Des Coteaux), accidentally killed his nephew, Johnny (Ben Comrie, another son).

Parents who dispense the movie money might be better advised to hide behind a tree, jump out and yell "Boo!" This not only would provide exactly the same thrill level as "Sarah Landon," but the resulting savings could perhaps be used to buy a couple of "Goosebumps" books, rent a DVD of "Scooby-Doo" cartoons or, better yet for young girls, rent Jodie Foster's beloved 1977 film, "Candleshoe," which combines an intelligent child actress with a competent story. There would be more than enough left over to spend on soda and popcorn.

There are only a couple of "hells," fleeting images of ghosts and some spooky music to preclude the youngest viewers. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops