Like most of you, I?m sure, I look forward to every new movie that has a paranormal theme. Many times we?re disappointed because getting a paranormal movie to work well is difficult. Despite the subject matter, it must be believable within the world it establishes, and the best ones affect us on an emotional and psychological level. And now and then the filmmakers do get it right. Here are some of my favorites in several paranormal categories.

After you read through the list, e-mail me and let me know what your favorites are. I?ll compile your list and publish them in a future article.

CROP CIRCLES

Signs (2002) ? Director M. Night Shyamalan took one of the more far-out theories about crop circles ? that they are navigational markers for extraterrestrials ? and turned it into an engrossing, touching and humorous story that focuses on one family?s confrontation with the mystery.

GHOSTS AND HAUNTINGS

The Entity (1981) ? Makers of paranormal films are burdened with additional difficulties when its story is based on a true case. The Entity is loosely based on a Culver City, California woman who claimed to be repeatedly sexually molested by ?something? ? one of the best documented cases of its kind. (A remake is in the works.)

Poltergeist (1982) ? Steven Spielberg produced and Tobe Hooper directed this film that really isn?t about poltergeists, as we understand the phenomenon today. Alright, it starts out with some poltergeist-type activity, but it's essentially about ghosts and evil spirits ? all because the house was built upon a burial ground.

I hate when that happens. This film holds up very well.

The Haunting (1963) ? The original version, directed by Robert Wise, is much more effective than the lame 1999 remake. Based on the Shirley Jackson novel, this movie about a severely haunted house works because of what it doesn?t show you, rather than relying on cheap shock effects.

HIGH STRANGENESS

The Mothman Prophecies (2002) ? When this movie was announced, I could not imagine how they were going to translate John Keel?s anecdotal book to film. But screen writer Richard Hatem and director Mark Pellington succeeded brilliantly. They were able to tell a story while conveying the atmosphere of absolute strange weirdness found in Keel?s book (also based on true accounts). (Read my review.)

Jacob?s Ladder (1990) ? Except for David Lynch?s Eraserhead (1977), this may be the closest anyone?s gotten to putting a nightmare on film. Tim Robbins stars as a Vietnam vet who begins seeing strange things and demonic beings. Is he dreaming or not?

HOLLOW EARTH

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) ? Okay, maybe this film of Jules Verne?s novel might be considered more science fiction than about a hollow Earth, but it also features living dinosaurs and the lost city of Atlantis. Besides, it?s one of my all-time favorites. Be sure you watch the 1959 version rather than any of the terrible remakes.

LIVING DINOSAURS

Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic Park III (2001) ? These Spielberg films (he directed I and II, and produced III) succeed primarily because they were the first to make dinosaurs look like real, living, breathing (and flesh-tearing) creatures. Coupled with Spielberg?s masterful direction of action, all three are great fun.

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