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4
(4 sources)
There are two types of horror movies in my opinion. The first is a horror that does, as the title of the genre suggests, horrify you. An example of this type of horror is The Descent, a movie which burrows deep into your brain and doesn't let...
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There are two types of horror movies in my opinion. The first is a horror that does, as the title of the genre suggests, horrify you. An example of this type of horror is The Descent, a movie which burrows deep into your brain and doesn't let go.
The second type of horror is the type you can watch on a Friday night with your friends whilst drinking beer. And that's exactly what Return To House On Haunted Hill is! The plot doesn't take itself that seriously - a group of one dimensional characters are kidnapped by another group of one dimensional characters and forced into the house of the title to look for an ancient evil relic. Once they're inside... guess what happens? The first movie was quite entertaining but, in my opinion, this one is much more enjoyable. The story gives you a large number of characters at the start, doesn't bother to give you most of their names, and then proceeds to butcher them in various ways at a breakneck speed. And, if you're in the right frame of mind, it's absolutely brilliant! I can't say that I was particularly terrified at any moment in the film but I was certainly entertained. The camera work is quite sleek, the sets are great to look at (cob-web filled chambers, dark tunnels etc) and the acting is more than adequate. I especially loved Erik Palladino as the head of the kidnappers (watch him sneer and make threats whilst rubbing lip salve on his mouth). The dialogue is cheesy in places but it works (at one point a character questions why they're splitting up into small groups when they're inside a haunted house - a question I would have asked myself and so it was nice to see it addressed). I also really loved the way that when each ghost was encountered, the audience was presented with a short sequence in black and white showing how that particular ghost met their fate.
To conclude then; if your friends are coming over tonight and bringing some beers then get this movie out. How can a horror movie which features lesbian ghosts not be fun?
Posted dec 4, 2007 6:28 am pt