A stand out among the herd, as the the only ghost-themed film of Horrorfest 2007, Crazy Eights ultimately doesn't provide enough scares to live up to the creepy atmosphere that begins the film.

Unfortunately, instead of a solid creepfest that chills you to the bone, we get a bunch of poorly done jump-scares that ruin the atmospheric plodding nature of the film. The script and story seem to suggest that there is some hidden depth in the film, with their "guilt and redemption" speeches and the ambiguous ending, but I suspect it's simply just a way to cover what is ultimately a thin premise.

Speaking of the premise, the film is set-up a lot like "It" and last year's Horrorfest pick "Gravedancers" - several friends, long since separated, come back to their home town for a friend's funeral, crazy things happen, etc. Kind of strange the only ghost story they choose is exactly the same as a pick from last time.

Another irritant was the quick editing and cutaways whenever the ghost shows itself - one one hand it was probably a good thing they don't show the ghost too much due to low budget, on the other they decide to show us just enough to be annoying. For example, a character gets their eyes torn out, but all we see is the ghost lay the hands on their face, then the next they are putting a bandanna over their eyes. Combine this with the jump scares and its very inconsistent with what tone they were going for.

On the plus side, the main score is very good, and fits the film...too bad we don't hear more of it. Luckily the "spooky music" that plays as our heroes wander through the bowels of the hospital isn't too shabby as well.

Despite some of the B-List names (Dina Meyer, Traci Lords), the acting is somewhat mediocre, people either under or overdoing it, especially Frank Whaley as Brent - his voice drove me crazy! Him trying to sound indignant was akin to a small child sounding forceful - just doesn't work.

Ghost stories have the potential to be truly terrifying or just be ridiculous, it's all in the delivery. Crazy Eights fails all over the place and just ends up dull and flat.

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