Witchtrap

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Not to be confused with Witchboard.
Witchtrap
Witchtrap (1989) home video cover.jpg
VHS cover
Directed byKevin S. Tenney[1]
Written byKevin S. Tenney
StarringJames. W. Quinn
Kathleen Bailey
Linnea Quigley
CinematographyThomas Jewett
Music byDennis Michael Tenney
Distributed byCinema Plus
Release date
  • 1989 (1989)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Witchtrap (also known as The Presence)[2][3] is a 1989 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Kevin S. Tenney and starring James W. Quinn, Kathleen Bailey, and Linnea Quigley. The film follows a team of parapsychologists who attempt to exorcise a haunted inn with the help of a device designed to lure in and trap evil spirits. Despite the film's title, its central villain is a warlock.[4][5] Witchtrap was released direct-to-video.[3]

Cast[]

  • James W. Quinn as Tony Vincente
  • Kathleen Bailey as Whitney O'Shay
  • Judy Tatum as Agnes Goldberg
  • Rob Zapple as Felix Goldberg
  • Jack W. Thompson as Murphy
  • Clyde Talley II as Levi Jackson
  • Hal Havins as Elwin
  • Linnea Quigley as Ginger Kowowski
  • Kevin S. Tenney as Devon Lauder
  • J. P. Luebsen as Avery Lauter
  • Richard Fraga as Amazing Azimov
  • Lynn McRee as Q.T. Secretary

Critical reception[]

A contemporary review in Variety criticized the film's ending as "cryptic", and noted that the "makeup effects by Judy Yonemoto are okay".[3] In his book Creature Features: The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Guide, John Stanley wrote that "due to flat, nonatmospheric lighting, mediocre actresses and inadequate effects, Witchtrap limps along without much conviction."[4] Brian Orndorf of Blu-ray.com called the film "an engaging feature" that "builds to a satisfying grand finale, only making a few missteps in tone and technical achievements", though he noted that "the screenplay's interest in spiritual debates is perhaps better left to a more sophisticated picture".[6]

Home media[]

In March 2017, the film was restored in 2K and released on DVD and Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Paszylk, Bartłomiej (2009). The Pleasure and Pain of Cult Horror Films: An Historical Survey. McFarland & Company. p. 185. ISBN 978-0786436958.
  2. ^ Lentz III, Harris M. (1994). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits, Supplement 2: Through 1993. McFarland & Company. p. 641. ISBN 978-0899509273.
  3. ^ a b c Variety's Film Reviews 1989-1990. Variety. R.R. Bowker. 1991. ISBN 978-0835230896.
  4. ^ a b Stanley, John (2000). Creature Features: The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Guide. Berkley. p. 583. ISBN 978-0425175170.
  5. ^ Greene, Heather (2018). Bell, Book and Camera: A Critical History of Witches in American Film and Television. McFarland & Company. p. 150. ISBN 978-1476662527.
  6. ^ Orndorf, Brian (March 21, 2017). "Witchtrap Blu-ray Review". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Witchtrap – Vinegar Syndrome". Vinegar Syndrome. Retrieved January 14, 2020.

External links[]

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