Knocking on Death's Door (1999)

Director:

Mitch Marcus

Writer:

Craig J. Nevius (writer)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

No one can hear you scream.

Plot:

Two paranormal scientists attempt to document the spirits which reside at Hillside House. They track down the murderer of a little boy...

Cast

Brian Bloom	...	Brad Gallagher
Kimberly Rowe	...	Danielle Gallagher
John Doe	...	Professor Ballard
David Carradine	...	Doc Hadley
Colm O'Maonlai	...	Young Doc Hadley
Caroline Rothwell	...	Bonnie Laurence
Stella Feehilly	...	Elizabeth
Freda Hand	...	Harriet Baker
Richard Farrell	...	Priest
Michael McCabe	...	Samuel Sr.
Brian Glanney	...	Samuel Jr.
Stuart Dunne	...	Judd
Brendan Costello	...	Fred Olson
William Hickey	...	Town Sheriff (as Bill Hickey)
Philip Sweeney	...	Patrol Man (as Phillip Sweeney)

Also Known As:

Haunted House (Philippines: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and some strong sexuality.

Runtime:

Philippines:95 min | USA:83 min (DVD version) | Argentina:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:18 | USA:R | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Trivia:

William Hickey's last film.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Danielle opens the music book, even though the song is labeled "London Bridge", it is not, but something like a beginner's composition exercise. Danielle then plays "London Bridge" in C and the other player plays it in G. When they play together, the music sounds in C but the keys are being depressed for the key of G.

Quotes:

Brad Gallagher: I will tear your soul apart!

Ehh...

Okay, not much of a title to this review, I know. But that was all I could say after watching this quite weak haunted house movie.

Bloom and Rowe play a newly-married couple, Brad and Danielle Gallagher, who are also parapsychologists. They move into the Sunset House up in rural New England, the house supposedly and quite candidly haunted. Almost immediately, the ghost starts to lash out, but I won't tell you why, it's so cheesy. Like, there's a story behind it, but on the outside, his (the ghost's) motive is so dumb. Anyhoo, a drunken gravedigger with his interests set on Danielle and a creepy doctor (Carradine) are thrown in for good measurement. Anyhoo, things go on very timidly, with only a few creepy scenes. And then the ending which totally heightens the cheese factor, and a twist made painfully obvious. In any event, the acting is sort of average, as are the scares. Overall, a pretty cheesy movie, which, apparently, takes itself seriously. I didn't. You could do better, so pass over this one.