The Last Broadcast (1998)

Good dose of postmodernism

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 21, 2001

"I don't believe in fiction", says the data woman. She'slooking for the truth behind the murders in the NJ woods. And it'sthe truth, it's relation to the story, and its relation to us as theviewer that's explored in this postmodern film.This movie ...supposedly predates Blair Witch Project. If so, this movieis the true genius behind that multimillion dollar phenomenon; if not,this movie is a self-reflexive version w/ a Ballardian twist at theend. It reminds me of JG Ballard's Atrocity Exhibition; the protoganistwho creates myths of the present."The media is the story", says the documentary filmmaker, the host ofthe film. The movie examines the role of fact, fiction, truth, andreality within the context of the media (and by extension itself.) Was the film created before the Blair Witch Project (can you trust thecopyright?) Did the murders really take place? Was Fact or Fictiona real cable access tv show in NJ? Did Jim commit the murders or wasit the Jersey devil? Is the documentary truly objective? Is the documentary itself real?A smarter, self-reflexive Blair Witch that examines the blurry linesbetween truth and reality. (Mind you, it is slow in places, and some people will think it's a less entertaining Blair Witch but it'sall in the subtext.) In the end, some of the questions asked above will beanswered but the format of the movie leaves a few unexplained. Read more Less

better than "Blair Witch","0

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Oct 4, 2000

a real chiller

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Feb 3, 2000

I liked this film, it starts creepy, and keeps you going right until the end, when it yanks the rug out from under you. It gets a positive vote from me. I do see a few similarities to "blair witch", but it's two totally different concepts. I hope th...ese fella's get some big time sponsors, so they can keep the great movies coming! Read more Less

It sucked!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 17, 2000

I can't believe that movie sucked like that! For all intents and purposes, the mockumentary was pretty good. That's where my rating comes from. It was VERY nicely done, with newscasts, interviews with people who "knew" the victims, even "experts." H...owever, it is SO boring that, as the movie progresses, you feel like there's going to be a big breakthrough, but it never comes. Then when you get to the end-Oh how disappointed you're going to be! It took a HORRIBLE turn in the last 15 to 30 minutes. It was literally unbelievable. I can't believe after all that build-up the plummet back to the bottom was quick and painful. Read more Less

Pre-Blair Witch & Unsolved Mysteries

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 8, 2000

The Last Broadcast, actually made and released before The Blair Witch Project, gives a documentary-type account of the murder and/or disapperance of three youths in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey searching for the Jersey Devil. A fourth youth, Jim S...uerd, is the only one to return alive, and is subsequently arrested. This film mixes film footage of the youths with interviews of law officers, acquaintances, and the like. Watching this movie amounts to watching a 90 minute segment of "Unsolved Mysteries", with a completely shocking and surprising ending. The accounts and interviews, etc., are presented flawlessly and keep the viewer wondering what will come next. This isn't as scary as TBWP, but it's character development and plot is arguably better. Read more Less