`‘Blair Witch’ brew not affecting local fans`

The film “The Blair Witch Project” opened at Cinema 8 in Hermitage Friday and two shows went by without theater personnel having to run for mops and buckets.

While theaters in other parts of the country have had to contend with nauseous patrons vomiting at screenings, Cinema 8 hasn’t experienced that phenomena — so far, said Manager Betty Seder. “I hope we don’t get that,” she said.

Mike Moderelli, a projectionist and usher at Cinema 8, said he can understand how the film would upset some viewers, physically and emotionally. “They’re not expecting the way the film is made,” said Moderelli, of Sharpsville. “It has kind of a dizzying effect.”

Moderelli, who said the film’s scare factor was increased because he saw it in an empty theater, was sucked into the happenings on screen, even though the film doesn’t take up all of the screen because of the primitive equipment used by the filmmakers.

“I thought it was brilliant because the realism was unbelievable,” he said. “It wasn’t real but it seemed like it.”

Local film fans have been calling Cinema 8 for a week wondering if and when “The Blair Witch Project” would be coming, Ms. Seder said, who noted it is unusual for the theater to get an independent film. The first two showings were well attended and she expected evening sell-outs. The theater scheduled six showings on opening day, including a rare 11 p.m. screening.

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Updated August 13, 1999
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