"5 Reasons You HAVE to see I Am a Ghost at the Castro" by Frank Lee

Official release trailer

Right before Halloween, H.P. Mendoza's I Am a Ghost has a One-Day-Only engagement at The Castro Theatre on October 29th. And while many Bay Area horror afficionados were able to watch it during the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, many missed out. When people tell me that they're going to wait until a movie hits home video, I understand. But I've seen this film in various incarnations from rough cut to final, and I even edited the collectible hardcover screenplay. This movie is different. And I'm going to give you 5 reasons why you have to see it on the big screen.

5. It's not as scary as you think.

"More clever and cerebral than your typical ghost story, this one has chills, but may resonate more for fans of "In Treatment" with a taste for the paranormal."
- Jackson Scarlett, 7x7

Lots of H.P. Mendoza fans were disappointed that he's ditched the musical genre, but I urge them to watch this film. This isn't one of those "jump-out-and-scare-you" films that everybody seems to make. It's lessParanormal Activity and more Rosemary's Baby. A smart, edge-of-your-seat psycho thriller that uses concepts and ideas to give you a scare that lingers well after you leave the theater. This movie has the distinction of leaving me scared, even in broad daylight. Director Mendoza has stated at festivals that he had no intention of making a scary film, just one that makes you think.

4. It's scary as hell.
 

"TERRIFYING. The last twenty minutes of this film are some of the most intense and incredibly terrifying moments I've seen in a film."
- James Cortez, Planet Terror

That's a blurb from a guy who watches horror movies for a LIVING. Despite Mendoza's intentions of not making a scary movie, it actually is frightening. James Cortez (Planet of Terror) says the last twenty minutes are the most intense and terrifying moments he's seen on screen. And he's right. But only because of the philosophies and ideas presented in the first sixty minutes.

3. You can go in costume!

Word on the street is that repeat viewers will be coming to the screenings in costume. I joked with a friend about how there's only one costume you can really wear to a screening of I Am a Ghost and he reminded me of the myriad conceptual costumes you can wear. Like dressing like a giant fried egg. Or an electro-shock patient. Or "nothing". (Does that mean going nude?) Anyway, it's a great way to get some dress up time right before the Castro Theatre closes down for Halloween.

2. The cast and crew will be there.

"[I Am a Ghost's] eerie atmospheric soundtrack demonstrates Mendoza is a musical talent without limitations."
- Curran Nault, Artistic Director, Polari

Opera singer Carolyn Oliss will be performing the theme song live before the film and director Mendoza will also be hosting a Q&A with the cast and crew, which includes lead actress ANNA ISHIDA! The subsequent meet and greet in the reception area of the Castro Theatre should be lively and full of local filmmakers and musicians.

1. It looks and sounds absolutely beautiful on the big screen.

"Haunting [and] artfully crafted." Dennis Harvey, Variety
"Visionary. Made by a true cineaste." - Anderson Le, LAAPFF
"Meticulous mise-en-scene [and] frosty cinematography." - Curran Nault, Artistic Director, Polari

I served as editor on the collectible Kickstarter hardcover book which got me the chance to see this final cut of I Am a Ghost and it is GORGEOUS. The first 30 minutes consists of long single takes that makes you feel like you're in the house with Emily. When the camera starts to move, hold on to your seats because that's when the sound kicks in. And when it hits the fan, you'll be hearing things flying past your head and rumbling under your feet thanks to the sparkling new 5.1 soundtrack that will be soaring out of the Castro's loudspeakers. Unless you have a huge screen at home with a kickass sound system, you probably won't do better than this presentation.

October 29, 2013 - The Castro Theatre, San Francisco - BUY TICKETS

-FL