Off the coast of Grass Lake, Illinois lies the infamous Blarney Island. Surrounded by mysterious disappearances over the last one-hundred years, the island began as a trading station for gangsters, crooks, and dangerous men. One evening in 1927, after losing everything he had in a poker game, the owner of the island killed himself, but never left the island. Known as ‘The Caretaker’, he remains there today, waiting for the next people to get caught on the island after dark. The latest movie from Full Throttle Pictures, Paranormal Island focuses on three friends, Mike (Randy Wayne: The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning 2007, Honey 2 2011), Lori (Sarah Karges: The Artist 2011, Home from War 2012), and Jerry (Ben Elliot: The Lying Game 2011-2012, Prank 2012) who make their way to the cursed island. Written and directed by Stunt man/Actor/Producer Marty Murray (Oz the Great and Powerful 2013, Divergent 2014), Paranormal Island was released in the Philippines on December 10th, 2014 by Caretaker Production Company as their debut film.
- Still from Paranormal Island
Mike has been studying for six long years to obtain a degree as a forensic specialist with a heavy focus on the paranormal, or more accurately to disprove or prove it even exists. Mike is excited about the prospect of going to Blarney Island with its reports of at least seventy strange deaths. If there is any place that is likely to be haunted, it is the island. Mike, Lori, and Jerry have arranged bartending jobs as a cover while Mike tries to obtain footage of ghosts, having the camera going most of the time. Curiously, Mike, Jerry, and Lori are replacing a couple of bartenders that recently disappeared. While waiting for a boat, the trio meet a young woman named Ivy (Briana Evigan: Sorority Row 2009, Step Up: All In 2014), and friend Carl (Lance Henriksen: Aliens 1986, Near Dark 1987) who offer to take them to the island. Ivy also bar tends there, as it is a popular party place and easy money. Carl warns the young people not to stay on the island after closing time but does not elaborate on its dangers. This only interests Mike even more as he discovers the torrid history of Blarney Island and how Ivy is connected to it.
- Still from Paranormal Island
Soon after their arrival at the island, the trio blend in with the party scene and enjoy working there. After closing time, however, they somehow miss getting a boat back to the mainland but are in no hurry to look. Ivy knows well enough they should not be there, but is immersed in enjoying herself with her new friends. Suddenly, they are the only four people on the island and strange things begin to happen. The Caretaker starts making his presence violently known and gives Mike much more than he bargained for in terms of footage. But The Caretaker is not content with just appearing on film, he is out for vengeance and blood. With no one to help them, Mike, Ivy, Lori, and Jerry find themselves running for their lives against a supernatural killer.
- Still from Paranormal Island
While there is a lot of back story for The Caretaker character, it is not fully understood why he chose to haunt the island, nor why he keeps killing people. With some tightening up of the story, The Caretaker has the potential to continue in sequels. Filmed in Antioch, Illinois, the events of Paranormal Island take place mostly at night time, but the cinematography by Dilip Isaac (Reed Kids 2014, Violence 2015) makes the most out of what little there is to work with. While not an original storyline, the special effects are seamless, and the acting is confident. The appearance of prolific actor Henriksen adds acting weight to the cast as the mysterious Carl. This is one to watch at least once. CrypticRock gives Paranormal Island 3 out of 5 stars.
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Blarney Island… So the island was originally a bar on a road near the swamp. They intentionally flooded the area to create Grass Lake. The only thing scary about Blarney Island are the drunks you have to deal with.