Chasing Ghosts (2014) Reviews

• Chasing thematic unity

  Lowbacca19772014-04-18

  A plot sparked by a young boy catching a strange image while filming a funeral, I'm still not entirely sure the best way to describe this film. The film he captures seems to set itself up to be some sort of spiritual or paranormal film, perhaps another film along the lines of Hereafter, which addresses a lot about ideas of death and the afterlife. However, the film then goes on to add a more comedic tone, and a part of this seems to be the interactions between Lucas (Toby Nichols) and Kimberly (Meyrick Murphy), which has a sweet sort of tone that I feel like I've seen in many films before, not as a criticism, but just as a familiar sort of interaction that I found very enjoyable, but a different tone. The third facet is the focus on dealing with grief, how it effects Lucas' family, and how Lucas turns to Chris (Tim Meadows) as a source of outside guidance to better understand all of this. My immediate reaction during the film was that it seemed to lack a sort of realism, as Lucas and Kimberly didn't feel like believable kids, certainly not at 11-years-old, and it seems more like a film that would need to be slightly older kids by a few years to seem believable. However, I reassessed this after seeing how Nichols and Murphy handled themselves during the Q&A, and the way they behaved really made me rethink the authenticity of those characters, and with a dynamic I already liked, I do think their development is my favourite part of the film. There's also some very entertaining bits that compare amateur film-maker Lucas with a very interesting set of notable directors, and it is one of the more memorable parts of the film. I was also impressed by Tim Meadows performance in a fairly serious role, as while there was certainly ways he brought comedy into the role, I didn't think he could pull off a character that had to be as emotionally nuanced as Chris turns out to be, and it was a pleasant surprise. The great fault in the role, in my opinion, is not anything that reflects on Meadows, but rather that the character seems very poorly defined and inconsistent at several points. It doesn't destroy the character's impact, but it did hinder it, especially early in the film. The film goes on a bit further than it should, in my view, and there are points to break the film slightly earlier and leave it as a suitable resolution. Instead, I think there's an issue with how the end of the film seems to try to tie everything up into one nice package, and it does so in a way that just seems phony and rather saccharine. It seems to run counter to the tone of the rest of the film, that at points takes an almost dark sort of humour, and certainly has a very grim or philosophical nature to it that just seems at odds with the film's ending. There's a lot I like about this, especially a lot of SCENES that I like, but as a full film, it just seems like there's a lot it's lacking in having an overall sense of unity. It feels more like a few different potential films of different tones and focuses that all are addressing the same fundamental questions about life, but those different tones don't make for a cohesive film, and I do wish it had been more consistent and unified, and not lacking in focus.

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• Fantastic in every way

  seedpetal2015-04-26

  Chasing Ghosts is a touching movie about a boy, Lucas, trying to figure out what death is all about because he had to deal with an incredible loss at such a young age. He does not seek out help from his parents because they too are hurting in their own way and have lost the capability to connect with him in a way he understands. Instead, he looks for answers at other funerals, and from a man, Chris, who had a first hand encounter with death himself. There is also a love interest in the boy's life with the girl next door, Kimberly, who shares the same personality quirks. There was nothing at all about the movie I did not like. The stereotype of having an overweight redheaded kid as the bully was the only thing that could have been changed. The two children act a bit old for their age but life experience changes children in a profound way and the influence of what parents let their kids do makes each child different. The acting was amazing from everyone in the movie, and the layers of each person's individual story line were seamlessly brought together as a whole throughout the film. The element of loss is directly and indirectly addressed with cliché's but it was put forth in a way that seemed like it was the first time anyone had said it. Kimberly is insanely adorable and Lucas is mega talented. The parents were very believable and Chris's character was heart warming. The score was great. This is the first movie ever that I watched for the second time immediately.

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• coping with loosing someone dear is not easy as a child of 11

  rubenkomkommer2015-04-22

  coping with loosing someone dear is not easy as a child of 11 a specially when most of the grown ups don't take you serious; filming funerals and 'filming something' that raises questions in a crazy minded mixed up world i love this movie and gave it as a kind of comedy drama with a feel good ending 10 out of 10 because maybe for some it's not a great movie far to slow - to easy going not happening much but I personally enjoyed this kind of movie making If one looses someone dear to you you understand very well why this film is made in this subtle childlike way cause it is not pretentious... The movies uses a kind of humor; it shows how crazy we can get sometimes near camera's especially when we're on TV and uses child like simple metaphors it moves along like a gentle stream much too slow for some maybe even a little boring perhaps at times - but i loved it I found it honest and gave a good 'feel good' feeling in the end!

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• ZOMBIE SQUIRREL

  nogodnomasters2018-09-28

  Lucas (Toby Nichols) is an 11 year old boy who has been obsessed with death and filming funerals when his brother died in a hit and run accident. While filming a funeral, the lens captures a ghostly imagine which he uploads on line. It goes viral and fame follows Lucas, as his parents try to cash in. Along the way, Lucas befriends Chris Brighton (Tim Meadows) a man who was dead for 9 minutes and didn't have any kind of experience. The theme of the film is about moving on with life. Touching, moving and funny at times. Kid safe.

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• Hour and a half of my life I'm never getting back...

  lauriejeangamble2015-05-12

  This film has a very Made For TV Movie vibe. The script is stilted and the characters are grossly underdeveloped. The main character, Lucas, is supposed to be unique and quirky but he just comes off like a little asshole. His parents are assholes too. The people that made this movie are assholes. The character of Chris, played by Tim Meadows was contrived at best. I really don't know what they were trying to do with him but the character and script did a great disservice to a solid actor. I suppose a redeeming factor for this film would be the little nerd girl. Her minor role brings a breath of fresh air to an otherwise stale cast. Acceptable for Lifetime Television for Women. Epic Fail as a blockbuster.

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