House of the Devil
By Marshall Fine
Rating:
Who's in it: Jocelin Donahue, Greta Gerwig, Tom Noonan
What's it about: A college student in the 1980s takes a babysitting job at a remote house - only to discover that there's no baby.
Creepy: Writer-director Ti West consciously tries to recreate the style of 1980s' horror films - and perhaps succeeds too well. While there's none of the over-the-top sadistic violence of today's torture porn ("Saw," "Hostel"), there's also not much else happening, either - and spooky atmosphere and music only go so far. Aside from a shocking moment about a half-hour in, this movie is one long teasing set-up until the final 10 minutes, when all hell breaks loose - literally. Donahue is a blank slate, forced to hold our interest by remaining clueless to the danger around her until it's practically on top of her. She acts like a girl who's never seen a horror movie.
Long story short: In this case, old school is old news.
More Reviews
The Blind Side
A rich suburban family in Memphis takes in a homeless black teen, who becomes part of the family and blossoms into a high school football star.
A rich suburban family in Memphis takes in a homeless black teen, who becomes part of the family and blossoms into a high school football star.
Broken Embraces
The mistress of a rich man is cast in a movie, then has an affair with the director.
The mistress of a rich man is cast in a movie, then has an affair with the director.
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans
A drug-addicted, corrupt New Orleans cop must solve a multiple drug murder while keeping his own vices secret.
A drug-addicted, corrupt New Orleans cop must solve a multiple drug murder while keeping his own vices secret.
Pirate Radio
A British radio station broadcasts rock'n'roll in the 1960s from a ship anchored off the coast of England.
A British radio station broadcasts rock'n'roll in the 1960s from a ship anchored off the coast of England.
Women in Trouble
Several women at crossroads in their lives criss-cross in this blend of comedy and drama.
Several women at crossroads in their lives criss-cross in this blend of comedy and drama.
Uncertainty
Two young lovers explore what would happen in each of two different scenarios on one day in New York.
Two young lovers explore what would happen in each of two different scenarios on one day in New York.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
In this stop-motion animated film, a fox jeopardizes his family's safety because he can't stop stealing chickens from a local farmer.
In this stop-motion animated film, a fox jeopardizes his family's safety because he can't stop stealing chickens from a local farmer.
The Messenger
Two soldiers find different ways to cope with the job of notifying families of the death of soldiers in Iraq.
Two soldiers find different ways to cope with the job of notifying families of the death of soldiers in Iraq.
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
A pregnant and abused teen finds self-esteem in a literacy class.
A pregnant and abused teen finds self-esteem in a literacy class.
A Christmas Carol
This 3D animated film reworks Charles Dickens' classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey), as he learns the true spirit of Christmas.
This 3D animated film reworks Charles Dickens' classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey), as he learns the true spirit of Christmas.
The Men Who Stare at Goats
This allegedly true story follows a newspaper reporter chasing a scoop about the Army's special squad of warriors with psychic powers.
This allegedly true story follows a newspaper reporter chasing a scoop about the Army's special squad of warriors with psychic powers.
Gentleman Broncos
A teen with dreams of publishing a fantasy novel discovers his manuscript has been plagiarized by a famous writer.
A teen with dreams of publishing a fantasy novel discovers his manuscript has been plagiarized by a famous writer.
How to Seduce Difficult Women
A Frenchman, author of a book about having confidence with women, works with a class of American losers to improve their skills.
A Frenchman, author of a book about having confidence with women, works with a class of American losers to improve their skills.
Turning Green
James, an American teen forced to live in a small Irish town in 1979, finds he can make money to get back to America by selling porno mags.
James, an American teen forced to live in a small Irish town in 1979, finds he can make money to get back to America by selling porno mags.
House of the Devil
A college student in the 1980s takes a babysitting job at a remote house - only to discover that there's no baby.
A college student in the 1980s takes a babysitting job at a remote house - only to discover that there's no baby.
That Evening Sun
An elderly Southerner escapes from a nursing home and tries to reclaim his family farm from the people who are renting it.
An elderly Southerner escapes from a nursing home and tries to reclaim his family farm from the people who are renting it.
Where the Wild Things Are
After a fight with his mother, a boy named Max runs away to become king of an island full of furry monsters.
After a fight with his mother, a boy named Max runs away to become king of an island full of furry monsters.
The Maid
A household is thrown into chaos when its longtime maid starts acting crazy.
A household is thrown into chaos when its longtime maid starts acting crazy.
New York, I Love You
This collection of 10 short films looks at people in love in New York.
This collection of 10 short films looks at people in love in New York.
Good Hair
Chris Rock narrates and stars in a documentary looking at the world of black hair-care products.
Chris Rock narrates and stars in a documentary looking at the world of black hair-care products.
