[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Hollow (2004)

Coming some five years after the classic that was the similarly named Sleepy Hollow this had to be something a bit different to stand any chance of being remembered. So using the general ideas from Washington Irvine's story and bringing them kicking and screaming into the modern day works well, sort of.

The story involves a high school student (Kevin Zegers) and his discovery that he's a descendant of the legendary Ichabod Crane from Irvine's story and the newly resurrected Headless Horseman has come back from the dead once more to collect his head.

Part teen high school movie but thanks to some likable characters - Zegers does really well in the lead role and Kaley Cuoco - who always seems like someone you could talk to - (If anyone's interested she suits her cheerleader outfit quite nicely) meaning you have a couple of leads to root for rather than wish dead from the opening minutes. The film also benefits from a couple of veteran stars namely Stacy Keach and Judge Reinhold who both have significant screen time, especially Keach as the grizzled old timer / fountain of knowledge of all things Washington Irvine.

The Hollow is probably too much of a teen movie early doors to be viewed as any sort of essential Halloween viewing but as it progresses and we go on a haunted hay ride things take a turn for the creepy and Halloween traditions and Irvine's story are carefully examined.

As for the headless horseman? Well there's no real comparison to Tim Burton's brilliant thunder hoofed Headless Horseman and there's not much in the way of gore as the film was originally made for ABC's Family Channel (It was cut when shown) but everything has been re-inserted for this dvd including heads getting lopped off, brief nudity (with a literal idea of 'giving head') and gory remains.

Fun and one i often revisit at this time of year but not essential.