Watching the opening moments of the new independent horror movie 'Cassadaga,' you might be forgiven for assuming the word is medical jargon for "self-administered impulse penectomy.'
This eager film piles on common fears: evil puppetry, haunted homes and overly generous hosts. So despite a sloppy and humorless execution, it is scary by association.
Cassadaga flirts with conventions of both paranormal horror films and more traditional serial killer thrillers, but is marked by listless characters and indistinct dialogue.
Cassadaga is so close to being hauntingly endearing, but an overly "Hallmark" feel and laughable serial killer destroy any excitement or pleasure genre fans might be teased with.