Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 21, 2017

After achieving a cult hit in 1986’s “Witchboard,” director Kevin Tenney returns to the dark side with 1989’s “Witchtrap” (titled “The Presence” on the Blu-ray), which isn’t a sequel, but displays a similar fascination with dangerous supernatural terrain. Although it’s a low-budget feature shot on the quick, Tenney’s work here is surprisingly effective, putting in noticeable effort to jolt a tale of a rather specific haunting, using inventive special effects and lively performances to secure entertainment value. “Witch Trap” has its limitations, but its genre adulation remains endearing throughout, gifting viewers a scrappy, snarky, low-wattage take on a demonic uprising, offering enough carnage and panic to cover a few dramatic and technical potholes found during the journey.

Devon Lauder (Kevin Tenney) has inherited a mansion previously owned by his Uncle Avery (J.P. Lueben), but can’t find a way to make money off it due to the property’s problem with his relative’s ghostly presence. Calling in the professionals to help, Agnes (Judy Tatum) and her paranormal squad arrive to start work. Bringing along mental medium Felix (Rob Zapple), physical medium Whitney (Kathleen Bailey), and video tech Ginger (Linnea Quigley), Agnes is ready to catch Uncle Avery using a special electromagnetic vacuum, but her ambitious plans are halted by Q.T. Security officers Murphy (Jack W. Thompson), Levi (Clyde Tally II), and Vincente (James W. Quinn), who don’t trust the unknown, keeping their eye on groundskeeper Elwin (Hal Havins). Using their unique gifts to reach into the unknown and lure Uncle Avery out into the open, the ghostbusters discover the former illusionist’s powerful ties to Satan, while Vincente, the most cynical of the group, receives a front-row seat to a bona fide haunting.

“Witchtrap” is dripping with attitude, finding Tenney in a confrontational mood as he writes for Vincente, a disgraced cop who’s using his premiere detective skills with a security company, but doesn’t care for the cases, his boss, or the effort to deal with criminals. Vincente is essentially the breakout character of “Witchtrap,” with Tenney keeping the protagonist on edge throughout the entire picture, always ready with a quip or criticism for every occasion. He’s not an especially heroic man, he’s just capable, more so than the rest of the paranormal squad, who enter a hostile situation armed with little more than hopes and dreams of professional glory. And the vacuum thingee, which chirps all through the movie, perking up when Uncle Avery emerges out of thin air, looking like a cross between Houdini and an off-season Santa Claus. However, it’s Vincente’s smart aleck ways that define the viewing experience, which mixes modest servings of comedy with grisly horror encounters, and he’s the rare screen hero who definitely deserves every beating he receives in the film.

“Witchtrap” opens with a Sam Raimi-style haunting sequence, where a Las Vegas magician is driven insane after staying inside the mansion overnight, eventually hurling himself out of a window. Tenney never matches the intensity of the introduction, but he provides an amusing ride of combative personalities and gory events, with Uncle Avery manipulating the house to pick off the visitors one by one. One character is killed by possessed shower head, piercing the victim’s throat. Another is tormented by driverless car, smashed into gates before being run over. Special effects aren’t mind-blowing, but Tenney remains inventive, picking and choosing horrific moments instead of blasting the picture with constant violence. There are a few decent jolts along the way, sharp editing, and bright cinematography to help support the movie through lean moments. And when the story really kicks into high gear, the production maintains a funhouse atmosphere, delighting in the opportunity to mess around with certain fates as paranormal detective work reaches too far into the beyond, angering Uncle Avery.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Witchtrap" is a clear, sharp event. Detail is hearty throughout, identifying dramatic endeavors from the cast, with strong facial particulars. Textures on interior decoration and make-up effects are ideal, allowing fans to truly pick up on the creative work done in the movie. Colors are refreshed to satisfaction, bringing out powerful primaries from costuming and bloodshed, and area greenery remains secure. Skintones are natural. Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation is communicative throughout, working through some truly dark passages in the picture. Source is clean, without detectable damage.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is handicapped a bit by the feature's extensive dubbing, which, as far as I could tell, carries throughout the movie, providing unavoidable dramatic emphasis with distinct artificiality. Still, intelligibility survives, with nothing lost. The track isn't crisply defined, but it manages without incident, delivering consistent scoring cues that retain some synth-based energy. Atmospherics are comfortable, tracking interior echo and exterior expanse.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Kevin Tenney, producer Dan Duncan, cinematographer Tom Jewett, and actor Hal Havins.

• Interview (23:36, HD) with Tenney explores his early career, pulled out of film school to direct "Witchboard," which led to his second job on "Night of the Demons." The trials of low-budget moviemaking dominate the conversation, with Tenney recalling his adventure away from L.A. to make "Witchtrap," along with cast and crew shenanigans, and this Blu-ray, which is the first "unrated" version of the picture, created specifically for this release.

• Interview (13:40, HD) with Linnea Quigley covers her origin story as an actress in Los Angeles, building her career slowly in B-movies, her relationship with Tenney, and memories dubbing of her entire performance due to sound issues.

• Interview (15:09) with Jewett recounts his early education and leap to feature film work, getting along with Tenney after they met on a troubled production. Jewett celebrates Tenney's style and patience with cinematic artistry, and shares some anecdotes about his work on "Witchtrap."

• Interview (17:11, HD) with SPX supervisor Tassilo Baur discusses his early work with Tenney, brought on to his student film to provide a special explosion. Baur also discusses industry achievements and limitations, and talks specific effects in "Witchtrap" and "Witchboard."

• Audio Interview (8:18) features special effects make-up artist Judy Yonemoto, who examines her professional relationship with Tenney and fondness for the genre, also identifying her creative highlights from the picture. And if you listen close, you can hear someone's cat making a cameo during the conversation.

• Audio Interview (13:13) features music composer Dennis Michael Tenney, Kevin's brother, and he charts his sibling's directorial development, established during their shared childhood. Dennis also highlights his personal history with music, favorite composers, and creative approach to scoring the film.

• "Book of Joe" (23:23, SD) is a mid-1980s short film directed by Kevin Tenney, starring a few familiar faces from the "Witchtrap" ensemble.

• "'Book of Joe' Alternate Ending" (3:44, SD) is provided.

• Production/Promotional Still Gallery offers 12 photos from the marketing push, including a snap of Tenney standing in front of a freeway billboard advertising the home video collection of "Witchboard" and "Witchtrap."

• And a Video Trailer (2:55, SD) is included.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Witchtrap" builds to a satisfying grand finale, only making a few missteps in tone and technical achievements, and the screenplay's interest in spiritual debates is perhaps better left to a more sophisticated picture -- one without a killer showerhead. It's an engaging feature with a spirited take on ghostly horrors, transcending some of its B-movie limitations with enthusiasm for cinematic craftsmanship and sheer genre fandom. Tenney doesn't have much, but he packs a satisfying punch, creating an agreeable nightmare.