Reviews of Windigo 18

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  What's Eating the People at Kenzie House?
  A review of Windigo
  by Gary Wright on 04/01/2007
  I've been interested in the windigo legend and windigo psychosis for years, and have long thought there's an excellent movie in it somewhere; that's why I wanted to read this script. I like the film RAVENOUS (which features a windigo) for its fine performances, good story, quirky sense of humor, and excellent soundtrack, but find it shallow and disappointing because it fails... I've been interested in the windigo legend and windigo psychosis for years, and have long thought there's an excellent movie in it somewhere; that's why I wanted to read this script. I like the film RAVENOUS (which features a windigo) for its fine performances, good story, quirky sense of humor, and excellent soundtrack, but find it shallow and disappointing because it fails to address windigo lore in any meaningful way. This script is kind of the opposite of that. WINDIGO contains very little humor, which makes it a bit dreary, and the characters don't leap off the page for me. But... It's a very intelligent script. It's quite thoroughly researched, and contains some very insightful depictions of how aborigines and Canadians of European descent might interact if confronted with a windigo. And... The authors have done a great job of assembling the diverse (and often contradictory) characteristics of the mythical windigo, and melding that with a plausible depiction of a man suffering from windigo psychosis. A lot of elements there - kind of like juggling a bowling ball, a chainsaw, and an angry cat, and you didn't drop anything - very nicely done! But... I found myself wishing for a more sensational story - more scares and thrills. This quiet, psychological study (I can't, in good conscience, call it a thriller) is a sincere attempt to understand a unique cultural phenomenon, and a worthwhile socio-anthropological document. As it's handled in this draft, though, I don't think it would make a very entertaining film. I would like to see it find a home somewhere, but, personally, I would give it a pass. read
• 
  very interesting...
  A review of Windigo
  by south832 on 09/15/2004
  At the beginning, there are only three boys introduced, then the fourth one leaps out of nowhere.Good start, fast, hard, introducing the paranormal element.This is a stylistic issue more than actual critique, but I felt some sort of character description might help. For example, we find out that Izaak is Indian several pages after his appearance.Not clear if you intend for... At the beginning, there are only three boys introduced, then the fourth one leaps out of nowhere.Good start, fast, hard, introducing the paranormal element.This is a stylistic issue more than actual critique, but I felt some sort of character description might help. For example, we find out that Izaak is Indian several pages after his appearance.Not clear if you intend for native language to be subtitled or not.First it seems Isaak is killed, then the Father helps him stand up -- unclear. How did strangers manage to get into RCMP HALL during an award ceremony?The little touch with the 'devil baby' in the village was excellent.It happens in the 1950s, yet there is not definite sign of it -- I think it has to be announced earlier, because otherwise it comes as a surprise. Interesting structure, clear writing. Could use a little polish, IMHO. read
• 
  Like a man posessed
  A review of Windigo
  by CalistanWay on 12/16/2003
  I thought this was a solid effort with an interesting concept, reminding me a bit of the Azazel demon in 'Fallen'. While the flashbacks were okay for the most part, some of the jumping back and forth was a little uneven and interrupted the flow of the story. I also feel that Jack is a little underdrawn, especially in the interaction with his family. At no point did I get the... I thought this was a solid effort with an interesting concept, reminding me a bit of the Azazel demon in 'Fallen'. While the flashbacks were okay for the most part, some of the jumping back and forth was a little uneven and interrupted the flow of the story. I also feel that Jack is a little underdrawn, especially in the interaction with his family. At no point did I get the feeling that Pat and Jack would be together; I don't know, maybe show a few tender moments between them as opposed to having him give her the cold shoulder right off the bat. Also, I would have liked to see more of the Windigo, maybe run with the supernatural element of the creature/spirit a little more. Overall, a solid piece needing a few tweaks. read
• 
  "The old timers used to call it cabin fever..."
  A review of Windigo
  by brian3013 on 12/11/2003
  Well done! The supernatural element weaves nicely throughout, and I like the fact that it's sort of a period piece. I don't know if it'd work as well having it be set in the Great White North of 2003. There seemed to be a lot of characters to keep track of, but from the middle to the ending it all came together. The flashback narrative was great, and I agree with one reviewer... Well done! The supernatural element weaves nicely throughout, and I like the fact that it's sort of a period piece. I don't know if it'd work as well having it be set in the Great White North of 2003. There seemed to be a lot of characters to keep track of, but from the middle to the ending it all came together. The flashback narrative was great, and I agree with one reviewer that I kept wanting to get through the main story and back to what happened previously. Your writing is clear and concise, and I could see things very plainly as you described them. I'm not sure how graphic the film version could actually be, especially in regard to Issac killing his children, which frankly was very unsettling to me. Your script is a fascinating look into something that not very many people may know about, and it kept my interest all the way through. I think the December chill in the room as I read it helped enhance the story. Best of luck with this one! read
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  Windigo, where'd ya go?
  A review of Windigo
  by Booya on 07/15/2003
  I thought this was great. The story was very well written and unfolded evenly, keeping me reading on. The use of flashbacks was particularly well done, and many other screenplay writers could learn something from this piece. The dialogue was great also. The only thing that sort of irked me was the end, but these type of stories almost as a rule have to end like this one did... I thought this was great. The story was very well written and unfolded evenly, keeping me reading on. The use of flashbacks was particularly well done, and many other screenplay writers could learn something from this piece. The dialogue was great also. The only thing that sort of irked me was the end, but these type of stories almost as a rule have to end like this one did. Was Jack possessed? What happens? Where does Windigo go? As an aside, I think the only problem that a script as well written as this on is would face would be to draw interest into a story regarding the Indian spirits. I don't believe they are very well received, but that's just me. Thank you. read
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  Isn't It Supposed To Be Wendigo?
  A review of Windigo
  by JimDooley on 06/18/2003
  Combining spiritual elements with horror elements, this screenplay really hits the mark. I thought the introduction of Jack and Isaac was very well handled, and the hints of "what happened out there" really ramp up the curiosity. It was interesting how the difference between the cultures was explored amid such horrific events. Sometimes, the most subtle revelation of prejudice... Combining spiritual elements with horror elements, this screenplay really hits the mark. I thought the introduction of Jack and Isaac was very well handled, and the hints of "what happened out there" really ramp up the curiosity. It was interesting how the difference between the cultures was explored amid such horrific events. Sometimes, the most subtle revelation of prejudice was the most powerful (Pat's admission to Jack). The twist on Jack's character, as seen by John Borden, was unexpected and beautifully foreshadowed the resolution. All of this built up a lot of anticipation for the trial sequence, and it delivered. The eerie uncertainty running through it (is Isaac spirit possessed, mad, or extremely devious?) didn't prepare me for the family slaughter sequence, though. That was numbing. A very well done work from beginning to end. read
• 
  Artic Chills.
  A review of Windigo
  by Learjet on 06/14/2003
  This screenplay delves into Indian mythology,and demonic possession of the soul.Concept is very good,but presented in a somewhat moderate fashion,for all it's twist,and turns,and seems to miss the mark by a narrow margin.Characters are mostly well put together,"Pat" seems a little thin,some later introductions not relevant to story, "Native Girls" in bar, case in point.Dialogue... This screenplay delves into Indian mythology,and demonic possession of the soul.Concept is very good,but presented in a somewhat moderate fashion,for all it's twist,and turns,and seems to miss the mark by a narrow margin.Characters are mostly well put together,"Pat" seems a little thin,some later introductions not relevant to story, "Native Girls" in bar, case in point.Dialogue is well written,concise and,believable for it's timespan.Story moves at good pace,by use of "Flashbacks" but suffers when it leaves the manhunt in the wilderness,and returns to Edmonton, the notebook can be confusing, courtroom needs infusion of drama,to equal manhunt. Structure works for plot.Overall a very good piece of writing, liked the "Jack/Tommy" scene with gun,but for some reason it starts to flounder in Act 3,and really doesn't do justice to what has gone before,needs a darker conclusion to really pull it off. read
• 
  Mostly chilling spiritual thriller
  A review of Windigo
  by jmanders on 06/13/2003
  Nicely done. I was intrigued and engrossed throughout most of the story. The uses of flashbacks were expertly done. All of them were compelling and did much to further the story. They were also well balanced with the courtroom/jail cell/mental evaluation sequences. What fell short, for me, was the Jack/Windigo storyline. It seemed we were being led down a path where Jack... Nicely done. I was intrigued and engrossed throughout most of the story. The uses of flashbacks were expertly done. All of them were compelling and did much to further the story. They were also well balanced with the courtroom/jail cell/mental evaluation sequences. What fell short, for me, was the Jack/Windigo storyline. It seemed we were being led down a path where Jack was taken by the Windigo spirit. Of course, he was wearing the protective necklace when the spirit fled Isaac's body, so I was a little unsure how he could be possessed. And then it seemed he wasn't, instead he was being driven by the Wolf, Isaac's hunting spirit. There didn't seem to be a payoff to that whole thing. Jack did his part after the attempted suicide, and made certain that isaac was found guilty. He was set to hang, and quickly if the prosecuton had anything to say about it. The courtroom killing seemed to make little sense and offer a bang ending to a script that had many more chilling moments. The Jack/Tommy toy gun sequence was inspired, and Isaac's retelling to Pat was so well done and horrid, that I was very dissappointed with the resolution. I would also agree that the prostitute bit was off target. For further notes, email me. read
• 
  This Review Does Give Something Away
  A review of Windigo
  by miriamp on 06/01/2003
  WINDIGO is very well written and I enjoyed it. I like the circular way the story is told: flashback and present action proceeding parallel to each other and leading back to the beginning seen from another angle that both reveals and illuminates. One mistake I noticed is that when one character speaks two or three times in a row the notation "(cont.)" is not used next to the... WINDIGO is very well written and I enjoyed it. I like the circular way the story is told: flashback and present action proceeding parallel to each other and leading back to the beginning seen from another angle that both reveals and illuminates. One mistake I noticed is that when one character speaks two or three times in a row the notation "(cont.)" is not used next to the name. I found the character of Bill Pearson to be a little too close to a caricature. The argument can be made that he has become what I think of as a caricature due to his time and place, but I feel that he is such an obcious alcoholic that he would have been removed from his position long since. The romantic and personal relationship between Jack and Pat seemed a bit forced. It's difficult to write dialogue for a married couple that is realistic and believable while still moving the story forward, so I will say that you made a good start on that and keep going. All in all, very good. read
• 
  Good eatin
  A review of Windigo
  by BrentT on 05/29/2003
  A very well written and unusual story about evil spirits and native legends. The dialogue was good throughout but with all the flashbacks the story was sometimes a little hard to follow. The notebook was particularly confusing and I'm still not sure what was in the original, what was in the copy, and how it moved around from Mcneill's desk to Jack's shoe etc. The sp would... A very well written and unusual story about evil spirits and native legends. The dialogue was good throughout but with all the flashbacks the story was sometimes a little hard to follow. The notebook was particularly confusing and I'm still not sure what was in the original, what was in the copy, and how it moved around from Mcneill's desk to Jack's shoe etc. The sp would read a lot better with proper formatting and page numbering. Windigo seemed to come and go at convenient times with Jack. Overall an entertaining read with lots of promise. read