Sunday, November 27, 2022

Remote Viewing: The Last Broadcast (1998) Movie Review

 The Last Broadcast (1998) was shot digitally rather than on film. This "Found Footage" movie actually came out over half a year before The Blair Witch Project, in so beating the more famous movie. It had a limited theatrical release in the US & Canada.


This is a "documentary" on two (possibly three) murders that occurred in 1995. The two hosts of the "Fact or Fiction" cable series on the paranormal, along with their cameraman, decide to increase their viewership by doing a live broadcast from the New Jersey Pine Barrens. They hope to investigate the Jersey/Leeds Devil phenomena with the help of someone who claims to be a psychic. When the three filmmakers are reported missing, two bodies are found and the surviving psychic is convicted of their murder. The documentary filmmaker hopes to prove him innocent of the crime, even though the survivor mysteriously died in prison.

The first three-quarters of the film is pretty standard for the sub-genre, but for me ruined by the last 15 minutes which takes a surprise turn and becomes a standard film. A lot of reviewers on Shudder and other sites agree with this. No spoilers, but be warned if you watch it that you might be disappointed by the end.

Some blood at the crime scene and the 'victims' are seen in crime photos, but not graphically. One thing that I found amusing is that the crime occurs on Dec. 13, 1995, which happens to be my birthday. By the way, looking at the posters and DVD covers (you can find them online) for this film you'll discover that one actually gives away part of the ending. 




 

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