Ghostheads (2016) FilmRise MOD Recorded Blu-ray Review

Nine years ago, a documentary about Ghostbusters fans entitled Ghostheads - a name coined by fan Norm Gagnon back in the 1990s - was released. Coming out on July 15, 2016 - the same day as Feig's Folly - the film proclaimed to take a look at "the real heart of the Ghostbusters". Although I saw it for free through a streaming service years ago, I never felt that it was really worth writing about. FilmRise released the film on MOD Blu-ray on October 11, 2016. Recently, I purchased a copy of that disc on sale, and after finding absolutely ZERO reviews of it on any of the usual home video sites, I finally felt there was a need to write about the movie.

Before I get into this, I would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the Spook Central VIPs for providing the funds that allowed me to buy this item and review it for all of you. This item was NOT provided by the manufacturer.

The official synopsis as written on the back cover of the Blu-ray:

Ghostheads is a documentary that explores the extreme side of the Ghostbusters fandom, and looks back at the impact the franchise has had on the world over the past three decades. Through interviews with key cast and crew - including Dan Aykroyd, Ivan Reitman, Ernie Hudson and many others - as well as with Ghostbusters fans all over the world, Ghostheads presents countless humanizing stories that will connect with audiences about camaraderie, overcoming obstacles and the idea that no one should ever feel alone or isolated.

Well, that's a big load of hyperbole. These things usually are, but given how few fans are actually chronicled, the phrase "countless humanizing stories" rings oh so false. Also, is anything truly "countless"? Let's count who is in this movie. Do note that some of the celebrities only appear in one or two interview clips and that's it. I'm looking at you, Sigourney and Robin.

* CELEBRITIES: William Atherton, Dan Aykroyd, Matthew Cardona, Dave Coulier, Paul Feig, Kurt Fuller, Ernie Hudson, Maurice Lamarche, Dr. Andrea Letamendi, Joe Medjuck, Ray Parker Jr., Frank Price, Ivan Reitman, Jennifer Runyon, Robin Shelby, Violet Ramis Stiel, Steven Tash, Daniel Wallace, Brian Ward, and Sigourney Weaver.

* FEATURED FANS: Tom Gebhardt, Chris Beaumount, Abigail Gardner, Craig Goldberg, Ben Langlinais, Jeff Lewis, Peter Mosen, Mike Nelson, Alex Newborn, and Todd Whalen.

Although I counted 10 fans on that list, the movie primarily follows Tom Gebhardt and tells his life story. He talks about his family (complete with ANIMATED REENACTMENTS!), is seen working at a pizza joint in New Jersey, takes his daughter to school, and hangs out with his friends from the New Jersey Ghostbusters fan group. When the focus isn't on Tom, there are shorter segments about a handful of other fans, and minimal clips from new interviews with Ghostbusters cast and crew members and associated celebrities. Instead of Ghostheads, the movie should have been titled The Tom Gebhardt Show. He's the star of the movie, and even appears looming large on the Blu-ray front cover and Blu-ray menu, albeit obscured in shadows. I'm kind of surprised to see that he's not listed as a producer, as this thing reeks of being a "vanity project".


That's not even my biggest issue, though. The film perpetuates the myth that the only fans of a thing are those who dress up as characters from that thing. The film completely ignores the Ghostbusters online community (where most of the people in these fan groups first met each other), and fan films are an afterthought relegated to a sloppy "overview" (essentially a deleted scene) in the Blu-ray's special features section. No mention is even made of Norm Gagnon, the fan who coined the name "Ghostheads" back in the 1990s. If it wasn't for Norm, this movie wouldn't even have its name!

The short 74-minute movie contains 12 chapters, and what better way to quickly detail it than to go through them all using the official chapter titles. Chapter start times are included, as well.



1. 0:00:00 - GHOSTHEADS
The movie opens with home movies and photos of fans when they were kids in the 1980s, including co-producer Adam F. Goldberg (creator of The Goldbergs) interspersed with film clips and new cast and crew interviews. That same photo was used in the "Adam F. Goldberg Productions" card at the end both The Goldbergs and his previous series, Breaking In.


2. 0:02:54 - 30 SOME ODD YEARS LATER
Once the opening credits are done, a Ghostbusters II-esque "30 Some Odd Years Later" caption thunks on screen. It is immediately followed by Tom working at a pizza joint in New Jersey. That is followed by footage of Tom and his friends at a convention. Interview clips with Ivan, Dan, etc. talk about how there are fan groups all around the world. As I already mentioned, the movie doesn't look at the entire Ghostbusters fandom; only cosplay fan groups. Quick shout-outs are given to groups around the world and their public appearances, after which we meet some of the fans whose stories we'll briefly see in more detail later. They include the adorable Abigail Gardner and her beau Craig Goldberg from the Georgia Ghostbusters.


3. 0:13:56 - KARNIVOROUS CREATIONS
A look at fans who create replica Proton Packs and Ectomobiles, including Mike Nelson of Karnivorous Creations. Wrestler Matt Cardona (WWE's Zack Ryder), whom I met at the BBQ Films event in 2016, briefly talks about buying a Proton Pack replica. Tom shows off his "man cave" shed in which he stores all of his memorabilia; including a Bill Murray autographed photo. An animated sequence re-enacts Tom's story about how his grandfather got him interested in Ghostbusters.


4. 0:20:25 - COSPLAY
Clinical psychologist Dr. Andrea Letamendi opens this chapter by explaining what cosplay is, not only from a psychological point of view, by also from her own personal point of view as a cosplayer herself. Daniel Wallace, author of Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History, notes that, unlike other cosplayers, when Ghostbusters fans dress up, they wear jumpsuits with their own names on them, not those of characters from the film.


5. 0:25:03 - THE NEW GHOSTBUSTERS
The filming of the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters (2016) heading towards Washington Square Park leads into that film's director, Paul Feig, talking about filming in New York City. Chris Beaumount from the NYC Ghostbusters, got a tip about them filming at Hook & Ladder #8, so he went down there to check it out. Feig recalls how Beaumount went up to him and presented him with an honorary NYC Ghostbusters membership certificate. Cut back to star Tom Gebhardt driving his daughter to school in his orange-and-white Ectomobile.


6. 0:29:45 - HOOK & LADDER COMPANY 8
It's Tom's 30th birthday, and what better way to spend it than to call up his friends and drive that orange-and-white Ectomobile to Hook & Ladder #8 in Manhattan. While in the city, Tom and his friends visit the filming of the Ecto-1 second unit shooting for Ghostbusters (2016). Of course, they have to see the new car. The Sony crew removes the tarp covering so Tom can take a few photos with it. A "Film Shoot No Parking" sign in the background reveals this to have taken place on Wednesday September 16, 2015. Tom name-drops Peter Mosen to the film crew, expecting them to know who he is. Of course they don't. No one currently working at Sony does. I wouldn't be surprised if the film crew never even heard of Ghostbusters before getting the job.


7. 0:33:54 - PETER MOSEN: THE ORIGINAL GHOSTHEAD
Us Ghostbusters fans know who Peter Mosen is, of course. He's the guy who Columbia Pictures and NOW Comics hired back in the 1980s to promote Ghostbusters in various capacities by dressing up as Ray Stantz. If you saw a "real ghostbuster" at a promotional event when you were a kid, chances are, it was Peter. I met him at the aforementioned BBQ Films event in 2016. Peter also has a cameo in Ghostbusters II as a slimed restaurant patron. Of course, the narrative cycles back to Tom Gebhardt, and we see photos of him with Peter as he discusses their friendship and how he was there to lend his support after Peter's car accident. Also lumped into this chapter is Alex Newborn and his sons, and Todd Whalen visiting Toronto Comic-Con where Ernie Hudson is a guest.


8. 0:47:45 - EGON BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
A brief tribute to Harold Ramis, who died in February 2014, with his daughter Violet. This segues into Tom visiting Peter Mosen at his upstate New York home. Peter shows off Harold's screen-used boots, belt, and elbow pads, all of which were auctioned off in March 2025 by Propstore. (The screen-used utility belt with intact Belt Gizmo from the Sedgewick Hotel scene sold for $15,120, while the set of boots and elbow pads fetched $20,160.) Tom and Peter share a meal together.


9. 0:53:45 - FEBRUARY 14TH, 2016
Yes, that date was supposed to be the end of the world... at least according to Elaine. While that never came to be, what did happen on that date was Craig Goldberg proposed to the awesome Abigail Gardner with help from Ivan Reitman. So many feels... I met Abigail and Craig, who now host the Yes Have Some podcast, at a Hasbro breakfast event in October 2024. Those crazy kids are still together.... and the world didn't end. YAY!


Also, Todd Whalen leaves Toronto and reflects on his life. Seriously, the chapter placement on this Blu-ray leaves a lot to be desired. There should have been more than twelve, as Todd shouldn't have been lumped in here. Of course, I really don't know why the movie felt the need to dedicate time to showing him packing his bags and leaving town, yet had no room to discuss the other aspects of the fandom or any of the stuff that fell to the cutting room floor (see Special Features below).


10. 0:58:15 - GHOSTBUSTERS PHENOMENON
Various entitires connected to Ghostbusters comment on its legacy. This includes Brian Ward, who is credited as a "Pop Culture Historian". That's not a real job, otherwise I'd have it. We also hear from Frank Price, William Atherton (who tells the oft-told "Dickless" story), Dave Coulier, and Ray Parker Jr., who plays his "Who You Trying To Call?" voicemail message. Yes, you can listen to it below... and steal it for your own voice mail usage. I know you're gonna do that :-) The fans chime in with their thoughts on what Ghostbusters has meant to them. Besides Todd Whalen and Ben Langlinais, wrestler and fan Matt Cardona also gives a few comments.



11. 1:03:47 - GHOST CORPS
The first trailer for Ghostbusters (2016) was first shown to a gathering of fan groups on the Sony Lot on March 2, 2016; a day before the rest of the world would be subjected to it. Of course Tom was there, as were Abigail and Craig. After the showing, Tom (and the others?) got to tour Ghost Corps headquarters with head honcho, Eric Reich. All of the groups were given Ghost Corps certificates and "Cadet" pins. I got the latter, but Ghost Corps was all out of the former by the time they got around to me. When all was said and done, the fans took a group photo with Ivan Reitman, Paul Feig, and 2016 co-writer Katie Dipold (who had a cameo as the real estate agent in the film). The little girl in the front "acting scared" is adorable. Roll end credits.


12. 1:08:44 - END CREDITS
Tis the end.

[ SPECIFICATIONS ]

The movie is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio with a runtime of 1:13:28. The movie has not been rated. Audio languages include English (in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround & 2.0 Stereo). Subtitle languages include English SDH.

[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]

All of the content listed below can be found on the Blu-ray disc.

• Audio Commentary - with director Brendan Mertens, producer Tommy Avallone, producer Lee Leshen, and cinematographer/co-producer Derek Kunzer.
• Fuller Moments (2:47) - Kurt Fuller (Jack Hardemeyer in Ghostbusters II) interview outtakes, filmed outside Ghost Corps headquarters on the Sony lot.
• "Ghostheads" Music Video By Honah Lee (3:59) - The band singing in a New Jersey firehouse garage and hanging out with Tom Gebhardt and the New Jersey Ghostbusters fan group.
• Ghostsmashers: The Evolution of Ghostbusters (6:13) - A quick runthough on how the first movie came into being, featuring interview clips with Ivan Reitman, Frank Price, Dan Aykroyd, Joe Medjuck, and William Atherton. This is, essentially, a condensed version of the later specials The Movies That Made Us and Behind Closed Doors.
• Karnivorous Creations (2:00) - Mike Nelson, founder of Karnivorous Creations, gives a brief look at the creation of a Proton Park replica and other stuff that he's made. This is really just a commercial for his business.
• Remembering Ryan Kemp (3:53) - A brief tribute to fan Ryan Kemp (1984-2015), from the Western Kentucky Ghostbusters, with introductory archive footage from Ryan and an interview with Paul Feig where he recalls meeting Ryan at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) in 2015 while promoting Other Space. The movie is dedicated to Ryan.
• That's A Big Twinkie! A Collection of Stories That Didn't Make the Cut (7:39) - Let's call these "deleted scenes". Features stories from Kurt Fuller, William Atherton, Dan Aykroyd, Maurice Lamarche, Dave Coulier, Steven Tash (with Jennifer Runyan), and Ernie Hudson (outside Ghost Corps headquarters).
• The Aykroyd Family Business (5:46) - Dan talks about his family's interest from the paranormal, and also promotes the Ghostbusters 2016-related book "Ghosts from Our Past: Both Literally & Figuratively: The Study of the Paranormal" by Andrew Shaffer (writing as "Erin Gilbert" and "Abby L. Yates").
• The Greatest Establishing Shot Ever! (0:30) - While filming an exterior shot of Hook and Ladder #8 in New York City, a dog enters the shot and does what dogs do.
• The Tools and the Talent: The World of Ghostbusters Fan Films (10:50) - A few interviews with fan film creators Peter & Francesco Gambino (Ghostbusters: On Call), Brock Parker (Alabama Ghostbusters), and Hank Braxtan (Freddy vs. Ghostbusters). Not a deep look at the history of fan films; just a few random interviews.
• The Uncomfortable Director (0:47) - Behind the scenes footage of Ghostheads director Brendan Mertens.
• Trailer (2:20) - Watch it here.

[ PACKAGING ]

No digital copy code voucher is included inside the standard one-disc blue Blu-ray case. The cover art features Tom Gebhardt front and center, although obscured in shadows, with other fan groups below him. The back features a flipped photo at the top, with four smaller photos at the bottom; the middle two are Dan Aykroyd and Ivan Reitman. The liner artwork and disc images below link to my 300dpi scans.


The disc face of the MOD (Manufacture On Demand) Blu-ray on recordable BD-R media has the film's title logo and plain text on a plain black background.


Ghostheads (2016) is available on Blu-ray (MOD Recorded BD-R), "Special Edition"(?) Recorded(?) DVD, and Recorded(?) DVD. All Blu-ray and DVD online listings for this title use stock images, some of which say "Special Edition", even though that is clearly not stated on the Blu-ray. I doubt that it's stated on the DVD, either. Although I found two different DVD listings, I suspect that there is only one DVD, period. Also, considering that the Blu-ray is a recorded disc, I suspect that the DVD is, too. Since I don't actually own the DVD, and can't find any online reviews for it, I am using question marks in regards to the DVDs just in case I am wrong.

As an FYI: The release I'm reviewing is a Manufacture On Demand Recorded Blu-ray, not a factory-pressed disc. If online artwork and the case spine says "Blu-ray Disc" in plain text, it's a BD-R recorded disc. If it has a Blu-ray logo, it's a factory-pressed disc. If you have the disc in hand, a purple bottom is a recorded disc, and a silver bottom is a pressed disc. It is said that factory-pressed discs last longer than recorded discs, aside from those made by Warner Brothers in the late 2000s. I don't know if that's true, but if it matters to you, I'm letting you know.

While this Blu-ray release of Ghostheads is a recorded disc, a factory-pressed disc release actually DOES exist! Sadly, you will have to give up a lot if you want it.

In 2021, MVD Visual produced a "Triple Feature" Blu-ray bundling Ghostheads with the fan documentaries For the Love of Spock (2016) and Back in Time (2015). While this is, to my knowledge, the ONLY factory-pressed Blu-ray disc release of any of the three films, all three films are crammed onto one disc with NO EXTRAS! If you want any of them with extras, you have to buy the individual recorded Blu-ray discs. Oh, how I wish MVD/FilmRise would have just put three factory-pressed discs (using the same masters as the original BD-Rs) in that Triple Feature set. The liner artwork and disc images below link to my 300dpi scans.


The factory-pressed disc of the Triple Feature Blu-ray has the three film's title logos and plain text on a plain white background printed on the label.