my thoughts on.... 'The House of the Devil'

nostalgia is a wonderful thing.... and as much as we love to watch the films that we love from the past.... we have to come to grips with the fact that new movies are made all the time and they have every right to an audience and may someday become the next generation of films you're nostalgic for.... but in this case, the director Ti West, has taken us back to a time when horror was at it's high point.... the late 70's early 80's.... this film is not just a mere attempt at capturing the time period, it's a complete throwback to another time.... right down to the 16 mm filmstock, the cheesy soundtrack, the credits, the storyline and the actors themselves look like they're straight out of the past.... and i think by using unknown actors it created that feeling even more.... it was impressive to say the least....

the story involves a young woman who is in desperate need of money.... and see a babysitter wanted poster on her college campus.... she decides to give them a call and see about the job.... needless to say, the man that answers is strange to say the least.... but she follows up on it anyway.... and eventually accepts.... once at the house she finds out it's not a baby she's sitting for, but an elderly woman.... again she isn't sure what to make of the whole situation, but the money is too good to pass up.... so she takes the job.... did i mention the story also involves a lunar eclipse....? that comes into play later.... i don't want to give away the whole plot, because it's just going to ruin the experience.... and that's exactly what this film is, an experience.... one that i highly suggest you take part in....
this story is appropriatly scary.... it has it's 'BOO!' moments.... it has dark themes and a healthy enough dose of blood and guts for most horror fans.... i just can't say enough good things about this movie.... and i wasn't sure i would even enjoy it as the only other film i've seen by Ti West was the below average 'Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever'.... this is leaps and bounds beyond that movie.... and it's kind of fun to feel nostalgic about a film you've never even seen before.... this is a rare film that just has to be seen.... so if you have the time and Netflix.... it's OnDemand and you should watch it tonight.... plain and simple....

4 out of 5 stars.... a strong film and one that deserves an audience.... i'd never heard of this until i just stumbled across it while goofing around on the Netflix site.... those are the best kind of suprises.... i could go on praising this film.... but i'd rather you just see it yourself and hopefully i haven't raised your expectations to high.... come into it with no expectations and you'll fall in love just like i did.... oh and one more thing, hail Satan.

my thoughts on.... 'Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever'

i've been the first in line to say that Eli Roth is one of the savior's of the horror genre.... along with a few select others.... he wrote and directed the original 'Cabin Fever'.... this movie has nothing to do with him.... and Ti West who directed it, wanted no association with it once the producers got done with it.... he felt they ruined it.... granted, i have no idea what it would have been like if they never got involved.... but i'm not so sure it would have been that much better....

if you saw the original then you know the basic premise.... a flesh eating virus is killing off people one by one.... and luckily it hasn't spread outside of the small town where it started.... in the sequel, it picks up RIGHT where the last one left off.... and continues the story.... but not for long.... and once the plot of this movie begins, the movie bears little resemblance to the original.... in this case.... the water that is contaminated with the virus has been shipped out.... and the first place it goes is to the local high school.... the rest kind of writes itself.... ie: bloody high school kids, attempts to stop the virus, the government getting involved.... etc.... your typical virus scenario. the first point where this movie fails is that it goes to much for the humorous side of the storyline.... granted the original was satirical and had it's comedy moments.... but it never went all out for the ha ha funny.... this one does.... or seems to.... and it doesn't do it very well.... the virus has no real rhyme or reason and doesn't react the same with everyone, like in the original.... and they go for the gross out factor in a major way in this.... and turn it comical.... whereas the original never took the effects of the disease as being funny.... those parts were always serious....

would i recommend this....? well, if you're a completionist like me.... then you'll want to watch it.... just be warned that it really doesn't hold a candle to the first one.... the only worthwhile thing is the return of Officer Winston.... i would give this a solid 3 out of 5 stars.... but no more than that.... i would love to see the directors cut.... and find out what he was really going for.... because i can't imagine what he could do differently to salvage the script for this.... i mean, the disease at prom....? save your time and watch 'Dance of the Dead' instead.... MUCH better movie about the prom and zombies....

if you enjoy this movie, check out: 'Dance of the Dead', 'Prom Night' and 'Return of the Living Dead' (not really virus movies, but prom themed and i guess you can qualify zombies as a virus based reaction to something nasty.)