House
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Movie Reviews of House
Movie Review: Home is where the horror is.
Summary: 4 Stars
One film that may have been swept under the rug amidst the wave of current '80s nostalgia is "House." The fact that it's been forgotten is a probably a good thing seeing as how it is about the only film in its time that hasn't been remade or isn't currently being targeted by Michael Bay or anyone else who would do it harm. In a way, "House" is a cult classic that is destined to stay a cult classic forever, and there are many reasons why.
The first reason lies in its plot structure. To say the film's biggest weakness lies in its sloppy story-telling would be an understatement; at times, the film flat-out makes no sense. There are no rules when it comes to the supernatural elements of the story; therefore, the film gets away with murder, so to speak.
Another reason would be its quirky sense of humor, achieved by its assorted cast. William Katt plays the straight man against the nosy and over-bearing neighbor, played by George Wendt of TV's "Cheers". On the other side of the coin, Richard Moll (he being of "Night Court" fame) plays the chief bad-guy, glorious special effects make-up job and all, disguising his usual persona all while adding to further amusement when he fails in harassing his former war buddy.
Then, of course, we have the creepy yet amusing practical effects which define the film. The monsters or ghosts or whatever you'd like to refer to them as appear to be straight out of someone's nightmare, resembling nothing seen before and often achieved by something as simple as a latex mask. You'll giggle yourself silly as you watch Katt's character struggle with the skanky-looking goblin his ex-wife becomes. The laughs are derived partly because the scenario is so over-the-top and silly but also because the effects by which it is executed are just too good to be true and reminiscent of a time when horror movies had a certain authenticity to them, even when they didn't take themselves too seriously.
Rather than go any further into analyzing the film and why it should remain an '80s relic, it must be said that "House" is simply a boat-load of good times. Director Steve Miner ("Friday the 13th Part 2" and "3-D")) truly comes into his own with the film, which is both stylish and competently paced (too bad the director crapped out in the '90s). Meanwhile, William Katt carries the film on his shoulders, giving a performance that is both manic and sympathetic. Somewhere amidst the horror and the humor lies a story of redemption, and Katt somehow sells it. Although the film never quite settles on a specific tone or makes much sense throughout, it's still an enjoyable film that will deliver chuckles and jumps time and time again. It's certainly not a film for everyone, and that's the point. For those who prefer their horror off-beat and with a sense of humor, you'll found "House" to be worth entering.
Movie Review: Give It a Chance
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, I can't quite call this essential Horror or Halloween material. but that said, it is an interesting horror movie.
It starts quite normal and plausible. William Katt (a writer) is trying to tie up some loose ends. He goes to sell his aunt's house carrying the sorrow that his aunt killed herself. (So he has to go through some painful moments of walking through the house.)
However, he decides he has some unfinished business and decides to hold off on the selling. (At least for the moment) We are also permitted sympathy for him in that he has lost his son, and that he is separated from his wife. But his wife and he are still on speaking terms, and somehow he get the impression that they may get back together. An especially comical moment is when he is talking to her on the telephone and he turns up the stereo to make it sound like he his having a party.
There are some overdone moments, but the story is interesting enough so that we are inclined to forgive that. While trying to resolve the matters of his missing son, he is having flashbacks of his experiences in Vietnam, while he is trying to think of ideas for his new book. (The writer of this may have been familiar with the stream of consciousness technique of writing.) There is also a scene that alludes to Edgar Allen Poe's "Tell Tale Heart."
George Wendt is an interesting character. He offers some badly needed comic relief; in addition, he may appear to be out of it, but he does offer worthwhile help sometimes. In a light hearted moment, Katt gets a chance at romance.
In this story of horror, mystery, and suspense, we have some well placed laughs, and even an interesting soundtrack. The climax interestingly links the past to the present, and we have an ending that resolves a number of issues. While I can not quite call it essential horror, it is certainly good. At least give it a chance.
Movie Review: From the director of Friday The 13th Parts 2 and 3 and from the producer of the original Friday The 13th
Summary: 4 Stars
From the director of Friday The 13th Parts 2 and 3(Steve Miner)and from the producer of Friday The 13th:Part I; HOUSE was an awesome movie that had a lot of the same actors and actresses from the FRIDAY THE 13TH saga like Ron Carroll(Friday The 13th:Part 1)and had the same music composer(Harry Manfredini)which also did the music scoring for most of the FRIDAY THE 13TH installments as you may notice, especially during the major action scenes that are violent.
It was also interesting seeing William Katt from THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO doing his first real horror flick in this movie, with the exception of CARRIE and doing this movie 3 years after ABC had cancelled THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, due to a hug dip in ratings since newer shows that premiered between the Fall of 1982 like KNIGHT RIDER and in the Spring of 1983 like THE A-TEAM led to THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO's cancellation by the Summer of 1983.
HOUSE also takes me all the way back to memory lane to when I was still living in the Imperial Valley when HOUSE had its theatrical release in the Spring of 1986 when I was in 7th grade at Wilson Jr. High School in my hometown(El Centro, CA).
It's just too bad that HOUSE 2:THE SECOND STORY wasn't as good as this one was, but I'm sure part of the reason why HOUSE II wasn't as good as the original was probably due to the fact that since HOUSE 2 was Rated PG-13 instead of Rated R like HOUSE I, which resulted in HOUSE II having a lot less action and a lot less violence than the original along with the fact that sequels usually never measure up to the originals either, especially since they don't make sequels like they used to, unlike HALLOWEEN 2, FRIDAY THE 13TH:PART II, and PSYCHO 2 for instance which were all very exceptional sequels and probably the best sequels of all time.
Movie Review: "HOUSE" is a suprisingly entertaining, campy horror film...
Summary: 4 Stars
My fiancee said that she saw this movie a long time ago and said it was a scary but very quirky horror film, and needless to say she was right.
When I saw the movie trailer for HOUSE, I thought it would be just another throw-away film that is a waste of time, but after watching it I now own it and am not at all disappointed.
HOUSE tells the story of a nephew named Roger who's aunt has committed suicide in a house that he used to live. Now an author and divorced, he has decided to move into the house for awhile to finish a new book he is trying to work on about his experience in the Vietnam War. The neighbors in the movie (was that gorgeous woman in that bathing suit good-looking or what?) are more than curious about what's going on (Norm from Cheers makes a good impression here), but Roger doesn't want anyone to bother him while he writes his book, but the strange happenings at the house leave him bewildered. There are some good scares to be had in the movie, but also a good amount of fun and I don't want to give it away so just rent this movie and watch with the lights down or out...you'll be glad you watched this HOUSE.
Movie Review: One of the best forgotten comedy horror films
Summary: 4 Stars
House I saw this film years ago as a teen, like many of the other great forgotten horror classics that I remember today, but unlike most horror films House is one of the best horror/comedy's ever made becuse it scared you and made you laugh at the same time and just the look of the film itself gives you a fun vivid feeling, my favorite scene though there are many good scene in the film, the scene where William katts character told his neighbor friend that there was a big raccoon in the closet, but in actuality there was a big monster in the closet, I always laugh at that scene no matter how many times I've scene it becuse its such a funny scene, I mean if you just look at both the character's faces during that scene you'll see what I mean, and another thing that I liked about this film is that theres a happy ending and I prefer my horror films with happy endings, and if you like to laugh and have a safe fun scar like me then dont forget this movie becuse to many good films are forgotten.