The Ghouls (2003)

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Too much of everything

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

The Ghouls is a shot on video horror film about a man who freelances for local news stations. He drives around at night and films whatever terrible things he can find, then sells the footage. We see that this life is taking its toll on him, but we don't learn until later just how far he has gone.I was lucky to discover this movie without knowing much about it. I can understand how some of the reviewers who saw the DVD box at the store would feel misled. This movie was done on a very small budget, and the horror element (in this case, zombie-like creatures) does not play as big a role as some may have hoped. It is more about this man's torment. He is barely making a living, he witnesses the worst things that go on, he can't keep a relationship, and he has zero respect from his peers or employers. Even the paparazzi don't have this bad an image.When the cameraman happens to stumble on a woman being attacked by the sewer dwelling creatures, he sees it as his big chance to capture an exclusive. Supposedly, footage of one of the attacks will lead to a big payday and a better life. He tries to get his ex-girlfriend involved, but we find out she wants nothing to do with him: she discovered a tape he made of two children trapped in a fire. He continued filming but did nothing to help them.Eventually, while trying to find the creature again, his camera is stolen by a mentally challenged man who uses it to record a murder. The man gets his camera back and the footage left by the special needs killer makes him a success.For me, the movie was successful at creating an atmosphere. The scenes of L.A. at night felt more realistic to me because it was shot digitally. The soundtrack, which was full of ambient noise and some sort of freaked-out jazz, helped the mood along. There isn't much gore because that isn't the point. It's more about what a bottom-dweller this guy has become. I would compare it to the Tony Curtis movie The Sweet Smell of Success. It might not be as well made, but for me, it was just as effective at transporting me into the life of a man who makes his living off of other people's misery.

Who in the world was able to view this horrid mess and walk away from the TV satisfied? This movie sickened me. i didn't think it possible to make a movie worse than the Death Tunnel, but i was wrong. I want my 5 bucks back. I knew it wasn't going to be Oscar worthy (it's shot on digital camera) but i didn't expect it to be the most atrocious thing ever to assault my eyeballs! This film has no likable characters, a paper thin plot and s***ty effects. The director (who should be jailed for making this train wreck) had to sell his car in order to get the 25 bucks it took to make the film. i'm not making that up. a 0 out of 10. and i thought Ulli Lommells Green River Killer was bad

Zero! From just plan bad filming (it's called light) to filming yourself? Acting (did dadaist start making movies?) - This was the worst thing I've seen or heard. Take the worst thing you can imagine - you know, 3rd graders with Dad's camera make a spook movie! This little beauty make it look like the entire extended Coen family mated with the Coppalas to sire it. You'll find it in those places where movies are sold by covers. I found it at Blockbuster during my "see everything for 15 bucks" month. It is REMARKABLY bad thought. You should not pay for the priviage (out of priciple) - but there's so much to learn from enduring it! Gots 2 wonder where they find people to package crap like this? Also check out Chad's (Ferrin) other listings - they all seem to have glowing reports at IMDb - what's up there? Well I would have let it go but I saw Uwe got a 2 for "House Of The Dead" and next to this 4 rating that just seemed way too harsh.

Bluntly , Chad Ferrin does not deserve the feedback, time, or thought for this movie. He is a 33 yr old who was done odd jobs as a production assistant on several 'productions' (AKA fetching coffee while a friend of a friend shoots bad student films) who has now found a taste of success with this film. I like to think it hasn't gone to his head and is humbled by it instead of hanging out in star-bucks in a black turtleneck with his nose in the air.(generalization cliché acknowledged)It is not a good film, it is not original, clever, or insightful. The dialog, acting, effects, plot , lighting, camera work are extremely amateur. It is a shame that Blockbuster tries and saves money by space-filing their shelves with this kind of cheaply obtained fare. However , My utter disdain for this movie would be all but gone if I had caught a viewing of this as part of a series of student films projected in a local Indy theater. I would have laughed and cheered at the sheer silliness of it. Don't waste your time with it. IT is not camp or classic simply because it is of poor quality. Just let Chad Ferrin drift into obscurity and hope in 20 years they aren't releasing a directors cut.