Movie Review: Boogeyman boogie-woogie goodie

By Logan Niehaus

Horror movies leave viewers either exhilarated or completely enraged. Little room exists for anything in between, even the lack of gore, a poor story or unresolved ending can sink a film in no time. 2004 was an extremely disappointing year for horror films, with mindless filth like Alone in the Dark and White Noise insulting even the most amateur of movie viewers with cheap tricks and flimsy storylines.

An early exception this year to all of these problems is Boogeyman. Finally we have something original, stylish and truly fun, rather than insulting with this death ridden-thriller about the scary guy who lives in everyones’ closet.

Boogeyman offers the age old story our parents told us about the creep inhabiting the closet. Following the life of a young man named Tim (played by Seventh Heaven’s Barry Watson), the film explores his shadowy past which he continues to struggle with. As a child Tim watched his father beaten by the Boogeyman and now has a consistent paranoia for closets. Tim continues to watch those he loves fall at the hand of the closet creeper, ridiculed by others when explaining the disappearance of those lost. After his mothers death Tim comes home for the funeral and decides to spend a night in his childhood room. He finds the only way to deal with everything is to confront the reality of his past in a final showdown with the bastard in the closet.

Boogeyman is Stephen T. Kay’s debut film and produced by cult horror legend Sam Raimi. Through both camera direction and the unbelievably crisp sound, Raimi’s influence on Kay during the filming is obvious. Boogeyman success comes from its consistent setting, unique camera work and ear deafening sound. Much of the film, regardless of location, evokes an eerie presence through the use of fog and lighting in each setting. Various camera shots range from overhead movements to low defining views of the closet which help further the fury of what lives within. Whether it’s the chattering of kids voices in the background, rustle of leaves or simply the closing of a door, there exists an intensity throughout.

Horror movies are supposed to simply frighten and entertain. Boogeyman successfully achieves both. Stephen T. Kay, in his debut, takes audiences back to when horror movies longed to be in the past years: leaving you with a few questions, some assumptions and a slight fear for that dark spot in the corner of your bedroom.