THE DJINN

The Djinn is yet another reimagining of the old 'careful what you wish for, you just might get it' (or, as Wilde wrote, “There are only two tragedies in this world. One is not getting what you want and the other is getting it") that is best described as Home Alone-meets-Wishmaster. Dylan Jacobs (Ezra Dewey) is a mute, asthmatic boy (which means sooner or later he will find himself scrambling frantically for his inhaler) who wishes he could talk; what are the odds he will find a genie, and let alone one who understands sign language? Very good, apparently.

Dylan finds a dusty mirror and an old book containing instructions on summoning a genie. One hour before midnight, the summoner must place three drops of blood on the wax of a lit candle and make his wish in front of a mirror; the genie will grant the wish at midnight. Since it's not even half past nine, we’re forced to endure a musical interlude that contributes nothing except helping the movie barely limp past the 80-minute mark. Dylan forgets to read the fine print, though, and owing to this oversight is haunted by an evil spirit that can take the form of dead people.

All of this takes place, by the way, in 1989. Why? Who knows? Maybe co-directors and co-writers David Charbonier and Justin Powell wanted to render Dylan unable to use modern technology to call for help, but since the genie magically precludes Dylan from escaping the house or contacting anyone, one must wonder how exactly an iPad would be of any assistance.