Ghouls (2008)

7/10

According to IMDB, this was a Sci-Fi channel movie, so you can set your expectations accordingly. I'll weigh in later. (Future self- much better than the usual Sci-Fi horror).

This film actually boasts some acting talent. Kristen Renton ("Days of Our Lives") plays Jen, William Atherton (the jerk from "Ghostbusters") plays her father Stefan, James DeBello ("Cabin Fever", "Scary Movie 2") plays Thomas, and Erin Gray (yes, Col. Wilma from TV's 'Buck Rogers', though starting to show her age here) plays Liz.

Jen, her dad, and dad's girlfriend Liz all go to Romania after Jen's grandma dies due to a case of lethal sacrifice by a cult to the Ghouls. They meet up with Jen's uncle/dad's brother, Vlad (hoo-boy, always got to be a Vlad somewhere in Romania), and hunter stud Thomas. With a title like "Ghouls", you are well assured that this will not be a 'Cosby Thanksgiving Special'.

We get a bit of Ghoul fighting in a Romanian forest. First time I ever saw Ghouls that could turn to smoke and fly around. Nasty looking buggers on the ground, though, but they don't seem to like shotguns and grenades. Thomas' dad bites the dust with the reminder "Remember your training". Plot point? Get back to you on that. (Future self- not so much).

The family arrives in Romania and meet the locals, who seem to be either hostile or afraid, except for Thomas. Odd things begin happening around town, including sightings of a ghost(?) grandma. We get some premonition dreams and visions from Jen.

The various good guys start to piece together clues that maybe not everything is kosher in this town. And all the good guys may not actually be good. Bad things happen apace. Nicely, the last part of the movie lasts for over a half hour. There is just a small lull while the movie is setting up the story. Oh, and the ending is quite nice, if a tad predictable.

The color seems to be off in some of the Romanian scenes; could be subpar film stock or bad color correction. The sound is good, no drastic variance between dialogue and other audio. Ambient audio is nothing special. The acting is better than normal for a usual Sci-Fi level film. The ground based Ghouls are conventional guys-in-suits, while the flying Ghouls are CGI. The CGI is better than usual for once since the Ghouls essentially look like mist flying around.

There are jump scares and some eerie scenes with good visuals. There is a TV level of violence and splatter, with a bit of gore.

I would recommend a rental; just expect a well-made TV/Sci-Fi movie (for once). I would say it has some replay value. A good buy if you can get it on the cheap in the bargain bin.

*** Spoilers ***

Everyone except Liz and Thomas are evil, even the dad. Jen is to become the new witch queen. She does, and kicks everyone's ass, before she kills herself to save the world. Then she lives. Huh?