“The Mothman Prophecies,” much like “The Blair Witch Project,” hopes to fill theater seats by marketing the movie as being based on real-life events.

It’s the story of an apparent moth-like figure: It’s not quite moth, not quite man and supposedly can be seen to this day in a small town called Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Now, one only can guess at how much credit Point Pleasant residents and studio executives give to a local man, who most likely was responsible for spreading these tales of “moth men,” but if they are looking for a new movie pitch, why not tell the tale of the caterpillar boy who can be seen climbing in and out of public restrooms in Norco, Calif., whispering from beneath the bowl to unsuspecting flushers?

If the hype is bought into, and viewers make their way into the theater to view this new “psychological thriller” starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney and Debra Messing, they most likely will experience the type of terror that only glitzy Hollywood producers can provide.

Crafting eerie background music intended to build up anticipation and introducing uncomfortable interior shots of glum-faced “moth” victims lurking around in their sad little homes could make for a plot in some films, but not in this one.

A frequent moviegoer comes to expect certain things from a film, especially in a genre as trite as the “thriller,” a few examples include:

If a character is in a dark bathroom late at night and slowly lifts his head to the mirror … something freaky most assuredly will be in the reflection looking back at them.

If a dumpy-looking housewife is getting a glass of water late at night and leans over her kitchen sink to mug out the darkened window leading into her backyard … something freaky most assuredly will be making a face at her from outside.

The point?

The producers, directors and even cast members of “The Mothman Prophecies” have seen and enjoyed the same thrillers as their intended ticket buyers, and think they are justified in churning out those same ideas for their own film. Going along with the motto, if it worked before, it’ll work now, right?

Wrong. This film is yet another attempt to spook people by the overuse of loud sound effects, fuzzy filming and creepy scenery.

Save your much-deserved time and money and go rent “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Now that’s scary.”