tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post3363091353645147733..comments2023-10-05T20:30:21.364-07:00Comments on Things That Don't Suck: The House Of The DevilBryce Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-83522276453362201482010-02-16T13:05:14.659-08:002010-02-16T13:05:14.659-08:00I for one like the idea of a movie focusing more o...I for one like the idea of a movie focusing more on build up then pay off...its like, why must there always be instant gratification? I sometimes enjoy a film that will take its time to build up the dread. I havent seen this film, but I enjoy it when a movie is a good slow burner.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-44999793318677523142010-02-16T13:02:21.586-08:002010-02-16T13:02:21.586-08:00@ PoT: Thank you. It'd make a good double feat...@ PoT: Thank you. It'd make a good double feature with Sisters. <br /><br />@FC: Thank you FC. Hope you like it.<br /><br />@ Troy: I can see how Grandma could definitely come off silly, if you weren't invested in it. But by that time I was in. Still I thought the escape from the house was effective, and the nasty little double twist (even if you could see the second part coming from a mile away was even more so).<br /><br />I have to disagree with you about the what's behind door number 2 scene. I thought it was the most brilliant in the film. Normally, when a film shows something then backs away its a false scare. Like Oh! But it was only a cat! Or Oh! The monster was down that hall but she didn't go down it yet. Or something similar. <br /><br />Here not only the scare is something very valuable. If she had scene what was behind the door she might have escaped the house before Noonan and crew got back. But since she didn't she's staying. In a theater the usual cliche is to yell out "Don't Open That Door!" this time you desperately want her to open it. <br /><br />Plus that's the first confirmation (aside from the fact that you're watching a movie called House Of The Devil) that Noonan and crew aren't on the up and up. I thought it raised the stakes quite effectively.Bryce Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-75633163215789397362010-02-16T10:32:19.462-08:002010-02-16T10:32:19.462-08:00I'll agree with you on the fact that West does...I'll agree with you on the fact that West does a fantastic job with the setup of the film. He hits all the notes for creating a creepy, dread filled atmosphere and even manages to build a little bit of character in the first third of the film.<br /><br />But I'm one of those who didn't think that the ending of the film works so terribly well. I'm not bashing the thing (I gave it 3 1/2 stars out of 5), but I don't think the payoff is there.<br /><br />First -- during the search of the house West makes a major misstep by revealing the details of what is behind one of the doors without Samantha actually opening the door. This felt like a nod to the gorehounds and it unfortunately broke up the tense pace at that moment.<br /><br />As for the ending, I realize this is the type of film that is hard to end. Comparisons to ROSEMARY'S BABY and CARRIE don't help matters, as those two films show the built-up tension exploding at exactly the right moment. Here, the ending loses any of the horrific feeling from earlier with the whole ritual aspect and "grandma", which I found awfully silly.Troy Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843741571724231174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-30988270053196594622010-02-16T10:08:56.651-08:002010-02-16T10:08:56.651-08:00"West not only isn’t afraid of set up, but re..."West not only isn’t afraid of set up, but relishes it."<br /><br />You sold me on this film! Im getting it! Thanks for the review!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121497265402071351.post-30005785750975484082010-02-16T09:25:57.830-08:002010-02-16T09:25:57.830-08:00Totally agree, they just don't write them like...Totally agree, they just don't write them like this anymore. Its one thing to ape a style (*Tarantino, cough, cough*) but its another to actually pull it off effectively. Loved the slow burn aspect of the film.<br /><br />Good call on the Margot Kidder look alike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com