Latest news with #TheBlairWitchProject
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This iconic slasher movie is leaving Netflix — I'm not missing out and neither should you
Between the "Scream" franchise, "The Blair Witch Project"-induced "found footage" phenomenon and M. Night Shyamalan mind-benders like "The Sixth Sense" and Oscar-winning thrillers like "Silence of the Lambs," the 1990s were a great time for horror. One of the most crowd-pleasing (if not exactly critically acclaimed) titles in the slasher genre is "I Know What You Did Last Summer," which sees an iconic foursome of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Ryan Phillippe battle a hook-wielding maniac in their small seaside town. The movie comes from director Jim Gillespie and screenwriter Kevin Williamson, the latter of whom recently tapped into the "murderous coastal town" genre yet again with his new Netflix show "The Waterfront." And, as is always the case with the platform's ever-changing library, you now only have a few days left to catch the '90s horror favorite on Netflix before it departs the streamer on July 1. With "IKWYDLS" officially getting a present-day reboot scheduled for theatrical release on July 18, it's high time to revisit the jump-scare original. Here's why you should add "I Know What You Did Last Summer" to your watch list this weekend. "I Know What You Did Last Summer" centers on four teenage friends who accidentally hit a pedestrian following a beach trip to celebrate July 4. They don't alert the authorities and instead dispose the body, vowing to never discuss the horrible incident again. However, a year later, Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), receives a letter revealing that someone else was on the road that night and knows exactly what they did. Seeking revenge, a hook-wielding killer fisherman begins haunting the four friends throughout their town of Southport, North Carolina, set on taking out the kiddos one by bloody one. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Again, the original "I Know What You Did Last Summer" wasn't exactly an immediate hit with professional critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, where the film holds an approval rating of 48%, the critical consensus reads: "A by-the-numbers slasher that arrived a decade too late, the mostly tedious 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' will likely only hook diehard fans of the genre." However, some critics were more charmed by the horror flick, which, along with "Scream" a year earlier, helped revive the slasher genre. Derek Elley of Variety called it a "polished genre piece with superior fright elements that should perform at better-than-average theatrical levels," while Richard Harrington of The Washington Post dubbed it "a smart and sharply-drawn genre film with a moral center, and with a solid cast of young actors to hold it." In the decades since its release, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" has endured among horror fans (and been the subject of many a funny parody) thanks to its very nineties-ness, from those Williamson-penned precocious teens to the megawatt '90s names playing them ("Party of Five" star Jennifer Love Hewitt, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" icon Sarah Michelle Gellar.) It's a bloody-good-fun relic of a long-gone era, but one that's clearly still resonating with viewers all these years later. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025
Boston Globe
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Still finding trouble in the woods: ‘Blair Witch Project' star at center of Maine road dispute
But the last several months of Donahue's time in the Maine woods have been anything but magical, or peaceful. In a twist of fate harkening back to her movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals in her tiny, 700-resident town of Freedom that hinges on her marking trees with the kind of orange blazes that help people find their way in the dense forests. Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its Select Board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. Advertisement A blaze painted on a tree with temporary surveyor's paint is seen on a tree during Heather Donahue's walk on a rural road, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press The road at the center of the dispute The road in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several abutters of the road say the unimproved section is private and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. Advertisement Donahue painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the center of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall wasn't just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behavior by Donahue that chafed longer-established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanor and behavior toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Hadyniak said. Life after 'The Blair Witch Project' Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and traveling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away.' She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, left acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She isn't especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in 'The Blair Witch Project,' which was released in 1999 and is one of the most successful independent movies of all time. The film sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarized audiences with its homespun take on terror. It also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Advertisement Heather Donahue, the star of the 1999 low-budget hit movie The Blair Witch Project, poses next to a "posted" sign in on a rural road, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that weren't entirely comfortable: 'I had this really difficult moment of realizing my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees the disputed path is public. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine. And she's not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centered around being able to walk in the woods.'
Toronto Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
'Blair Witch Project' star at centre of Maine road dispute
Published May 17, 2025 • 4 minute read Heather Donahue, the star of the The Blair Witch Project, pauses on a walk to watch a songbird,Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Freedom, Maine. Photo by Robert F. Bukaty / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. FREEDOM, Maine (AP) — Heather Donahue is walking through the woods once again. The star of the successful low-budget horror movie 'The Blair Witch Project' has an on-screen history of getting into scary situations in a forest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But this time she is merely picking up an old soda can someone carelessly left on a trail. And she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. 'For me, reading fairy tales, I always wanted to live in the forest,' said Donahue, 51, who moved on from acting long ago and now lives in rural Maine. 'It is absolutely as magical as it seemed in those storybooks.' But the last several months of Donahue's time in the Maine woods have been anything but magical, or peaceful. In a twist of fate harkening back to her long ago movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals in her tiny, 700-resident town of Freedom that hinges on her marking trees with the kind of orange blazes that help people find their way in the dense forests. Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its Select Board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The road in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several abutters of the road say the unimproved section is private and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. Donahue painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the center of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall wasn't just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behaviour by Donahue that chafed longer established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanour and behaviour toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Hadyniak said. Life after 'The Blair Witch Project' Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and traveling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away.' She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, left acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She isn't especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in 'The Blair Witch Project,' which was released in 1999 and is one of the most successful independent movies of all time. The film sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarized audiences with its homespun take on terror. It also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that weren't entirely comfortable: 'I had this really difficult moment of realizing my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees the disputed path is public. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine. And she's not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centred around being able to walk in the woods.' Toronto Maple Leafs Sunshine Girls Golf World Columnists
South Wales Guardian
17-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Blair Witch Project star at centre of woodland dispute
Heather Donahue starred in the low-budget 1999 film about three film students who disappear in the woods while making a documentary about a legendary figure known as the Blair Witch. Now, 50-year-old Donahue – who left acting behind years ago – lives in the US state of Maine, in the town of Freedom, which has around 700 residents. In a twist of fate harkening back to her movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals that hinges on her marking trees with orange blazes to help people find their way in the dense forests. Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its select board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private property. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. The route in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several people whose property abuts the road say the unimproved section is private, and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. The former actress painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the centre of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall was not just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behaviour by Donahue that chafed longer established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanour and behaviour toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Mr Hadyniak said. Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and travelling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away'. She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, quit acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She is not especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in The Blair Witch Project, one of the most successful independent movies of all time. An extreme close-up of Donahue's character in distress close to the film's climax is one of its most memorable moments. The movie sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarised audiences with its homespun take on terror. Becoming lost in the woods is a key component in its spooky charm. Unfortunately, The Blair Witch Project also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that were not entirely comfortable. She added: 'I had this really difficult moment of realising my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles north-east of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in the town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees that the disputed path is public land. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Mr Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine – and she is not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centred around being able to walk in the woods.' And she says of her life in the woods: 'For me, reading fairy tales, I always wanted to live in the forest. 'It is absolutely as magical as it seemed in those storybooks.'
Powys County Times
17-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Blair Witch Project star at centre of woodland dispute
The star of the classic horror movie The Blair Witch Project has found herself in the middle of a dispute in her remote US community – thanks to her efforts in helping people lost in the forest. Heather Donahue starred in the low-budget 1999 film about three film students who disappear in the woods while making a documentary about a legendary figure known as the Blair Witch. Now, 50-year-old Donahue – who left acting behind years ago – lives in the US state of Maine, in the town of Freedom, which has around 700 residents. In a twist of fate harkening back to her movie career, Donahue has been embroiled in a spat with locals that hinges on her marking trees with orange blazes to help people find their way in the dense forests. Donahue had been a member of the town's governing body, its select board, but lost a recall election recently after a controversy about whether a rural road that cuts through the woods is public or private property. The matter remains unresolved, with the town and abutting landowners fighting it out in court. The route in question is Beaver Ridge Road, a narrow, partially hilly stretch flanked by wild plants and songbirds that goes from paved to gravel to dirt as it stretches deeper into the forest. Several people whose property abuts the road say the unimproved section is private, and to use it for activities such as all-terrain vehicle riding constitutes trespassing. Donahue, and the town itself, hold that the entire road is public. The former actress painted the orange blazes using historical maps to show what she holds is the centre of a public easement. Abutting property owners were incensed and the first successful recall petition drive in the town's 212-year history followed. Donahue was removed in April and an election to pick her successor is planned for next month. Tyler Hadyniak, one of the abutting property owners, said the recall was not just about the orange blazes or the woodland trail. He said it addressed a pattern of behaviour by Donahue that chafed longer established residents in the year since she took office. 'I was relieved that the recall was successful. I thought Heather's demeanour and behaviour toward others was just unbecoming of a town official,' Mr Hadyniak said. Donahue, who is originally from Pennsylvania and has spent long stretches of time living in California and travelling abroad, said she is aware of her status as what she called 'a lady from away'. She arrived in Maine after a winding journey in which she struggled with alcoholism, quit acting, became a medical marijuana farmer and wrote a memoir. Donahue said she came to the Pine Tree State eight years ago, overcame her addiction and bought land in Freedom in 2020. Recently, she has worked as a life coach and shared her passions for gardening and medicinal plants with anyone who will listen. She is not especially interested in reliving the glory of starring in The Blair Witch Project, one of the most successful independent movies of all time. An extreme close-up of Donahue's character in distress close to the film's climax is one of its most memorable moments. The movie sparked a resurgence of interest in 'found footage' style horror movies, wowed critics and polarised audiences with its homespun take on terror. Becoming lost in the woods is a key component in its spooky charm. Unfortunately, The Blair Witch Project also led Donahue to years of legal wrangling over compensation and the right to her likeness. Donahue makes occasional tongue-in-cheek references to the movie in passing, but also said it struck her several years ago that her life was inseparable from the film in ways that were not entirely comfortable. She added: 'I had this really difficult moment of realising my obituary was written for me when I was 25.' Ordinarily, the hottest gossip in Freedom concerns the peskiness of the local blackflies or the quality of the fishing on Sandy Pond. But the row over the road has become the talk of the sleepy town some 30 miles north-east of the state capital of Augusta. Donahue has defenders in the town, including Bob Kanzler, who served on a local roads committee and agrees that the disputed path is public land. 'Heather has done a wonderful job in researching these discontinued roads in town,' Mr Kanzler said. 'I know the road is public.' Despite the ongoing battle over the road, Donahue said she has found peace in Maine – and she is not going anywhere. 'I mean, this is where humans flourish,' she said of the Freedom woods. 'I've figured out a way to do a lot with very little. That was all kind of centred around being able to walk in the woods.' And she says of her life in the woods: 'For me, reading fairy tales, I always wanted to live in the forest.
