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's
looking for the truth behind the murders in the NJ woods. And it's
the truth, it's relation to the story, and its relation to us as the
viewer that's explored in this postmodern film.

This movie supposedly predates Blair Witch Project. If so, this movie
is the true genius behind that multimillion dollar phenomenon; if not,
this movie is a self-reflexive version w/ a Ballardian twist at the
end. It reminds me of JG Ballard's Atrocity Exhibition; the protoganist
who creates myths of the present.

"The media is the story", says the documentary filmmaker, the host of
the film. The movie examines the role of fact, fiction, truth, and
reality within the context of the media (and by extension itself.)
Was the film created before the Blair Witch Project (can you trust the
copyright?) Did the murders really take place? Was Fact or Fiction
a real cable access tv show in NJ? Did Jim commit the murders or was
it the Jersey devil? Is the documentary truly objective? Is the
documentary itself real?

A smarter, self-reflexive Blair Witch that examines the blurry lines
between truth and reality. (Mind you, it is slow in places, and
some people will think it's a less entertaining Blair Witch but it's
all in the subtext.) In the end, some of the questions asked above will be
answered but the format of the movie leaves a few unexplained.

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 these fella's get some big time sponsors, so they can keep the great movies coming!

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." However, 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.

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 Suerd, 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.