“Some people are dying to get into the movies…” says the tagline to this haunted flick, The Ghosts of Edendale. And it’s so much easier now: All you need is a dream and a DV camera. Make a movie independently on a video camera, press it directly to DVD, and submit it to Amazon.com for sales, and viola! you’re a filmmaker. Such is the case with Ghosts.

At least writer/director Stefan Avalos and his two main actors, Paula Ficara and Stephen Wastell, have some talent. A nicely presented DVD keep case with good artwork, and more inside than just a cover to judge by, the story follows Kevin and Rachel, a young married couple who move into an ‘Old Hollywood’ neighborhood in hopes of making it as screenwriters. Their new home, left very quickly by its previous occupant, is still fully furnished and even has food in the fridge. (Nothing you’d want to actually eat, mind you.) Kevin and Rachel quickly meet their neighbors, and are invited to a party. This is a big, deal on “the hill” – being invited to one of the local bashs. There, Kevin meets a producer who is extremely interested in his script… A script the producer knows nothing about, by a writer he’s never read.

Seems strange, but not nearly as strange as what’s going on with Rachel. She used to be plagued by strange hallucinations but that was a long time ago, and this is supposed to be a fresh start. It was all in her imagination anyway… wasn’t it? Shortly after moving into the rustic home Rachel sees a freaky little boy in her closet, faces forming in the knots of the wooden backyard fence, and things zipping by in the periphery of her vision. On top of that, Kevin is starting to act very strange.

One day while out gardening, Rachel digs up a rusty old spur. They believe it to have belonged to one of the old cowboys stars of the Silent Film Era, and the couple proudly displays the treasure in their living room. The relic seems to be a beacon for the ghosts of Edendale, and they flock to the home in their flapper dresses and their Western garb.

The special effects are quite good in Ghosts. The acting is above indie par. The story is pretty original, and the ending is good. However, the low-budget look and feel drags the film down and it definitely would have benefited from tighter editing and punchier action sequences. There are countless continuity errors, and many scenes are flat and too dark.

If you think too much was cut out of the film and could have benefited from less editing, then you will be in hog-heaven when you see the extensive menus boasting additional release material. Hours upon hours’ worth abound, including deleted scenes, extended scenes, three feaurettes and commentary, plus a music-only track with spotty commentary by composer Vincent Gillioz.