brilliant actors, brilliant editing

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

If Mystery Science Theater 3000 was still on the air I would personally send this DVD directly to their studio door with a letter inside begging them to make an episode out of it. This movie was one of the outright funniest pieces of film crud that I've seen in decades. This one is like a newer take off of Manos: Hands Of Fate, a truly brilliant pile of hysterical digital stink. I mean gut busting funny. It's a riot. What more needs to be said. If you're a fan of MST3K it's a must see. If not then be careful, you might need medical attention afterwards.The director of this film may very well be the reincarnation of Ed Wood. The actors I don't think were even aware they were shooting a film. A ten year old could have made better special effects. The cost and feel of the production resembles soft core porn.This is strictly for lovers of grade-Z cinema.

And I have no friends because I watch crappy movies like this. Come on people, this movie is awesome! The opening scene is classic. Sure, the special effects in this movie are bad, but the gore is still pretty damn good. Lots of blood, gut-eating, although the plot is very weak and the acting is pretty bad. This is a huge HUGE improvement over Terror Toons (2002). Even though I liked Terror Toons, that is an awful, awful film. This one is slightly better. The acting is a little better, and the gore is a lot better. This is pretty watchable. I also got this for free, and it is worth free. If you like low budget movies with decent gore, bad acting, bad CGI effects, dumb plots, and one hottie who never gets naked, you will probably find Near Death a stunning and fun experience. Check it out, only 3 bucks in many stores.

"I loved you, now I'm going to kill you"This movie has so many priceless moments like that, it's hard to know where to begin. I don't think the ghosts are so much Ghosts, as people who've eaten too much black cherry jello brand gelatin who sneer and make noises like growling dogs. Check out the dime-store novelty cobwebs. And at the end, when the woman's face is torn off- check out the mouse in the mouth! Funny! And the exorcism? Woah... someone call William Friedkin! Also enjoy the exterior establishing shot obviously manipulated to be day and night, to poor effect. And whoops- the priest died... oh well. My other favorite was the golden-foil wallpaper them: brilliant art direction. The cheap digital effects made you feel like you were watching cheap digital effects (the Death of Heinrich scene). I spent most of the film trying to figure out how the actors were talked into doing this piece. 'Billy' had the best approach and neither over or underacted.I'll give these guys an A for effort, but I don't plan on watching another Castro effort, nor could I recommend this to anyone. It's as though the filmmakers said "let's marry our favorite films- 'Sunset Boulevard', 'Evil Dead', and 'Scooby Doo', but without a dog". The lighting was absolutely horrible- felt like you were watching a poorly lit home vido.

After watching this movie I can only ask: "Why would anyone produce something like that?" You get a feeling that you are watching 1-2grade students performing in school skit, with the addition of getters props and decore.One can't help, but wonder if this all the actors are capable of - most TV advertivements are better performed. One could say that these is a story befind it, but barely enough for a 1-2 page short story. As far as the director, it's dificult to imagine how he stood through it. I'll leave him with the benefit of the doubt, and speculate he just wanted to show how misguided the movie biz can get. If you've not watched this movie, I would suggest renting something else, or just watching the news.