“HORROR HOUSE”
DVD REVIEW
Starring: Garret Dillahunt, Sara Paxton, Monica Potter, Tony Goldwyn, 
Martha MacIsaac, Riki Lindhome and Aaron Paul
Directed by: Dennis Aliadis
MPAA Rating: R for sadistic brutal violence including a rape and disturbing images, language, nudity and some drug use.
Genre: Horror
By John Delia
I figured that when it hit DVD The Last House on the Left would lose some of its punch. I admit I am wrong as the film still exudes chilling suspense and horror even on the small screen. Producer Wes Craven shows his muscles as the master of shock even with a remake of one of his earlier hits. In my book, he’s still the master of terror cinema.
The day she arrives at her parents’ lake house, Mari (Paxton) and her friend Paige (MacIsaac) are kidnapped by a prison escapee Krug (Dillahunt) with his crew of off-the-wall friends, Francis (Paul) and the very mean Sadie (Lindhome). Following a car crash Mari and Paige are dragged through the woods, beaten and raped. Terrified and left for dead, Mari’s survives. Her only hope is to make it back to her parents John (Goldwyn) and Emma (Potter) who are staying at their lake house deep in the woods. When Francis gets injured, Krug’s gang seeks shelter; unfortunately for them, they choose the wrong house.
The acting and direction in this film are excellent. I especially liked the
performances of MacIsaac, Goldwyn, Potter and Paul for their ability to bring their characters to life making the film very terrifying. But the best performance comes from Riki Lindhome as the very diabolical Sadie. Her intense performance really blew me away. Every time she was on the screen I shuddered, wondering what inhuman thing she was going to do next. Director Aliadis pushes the envelope here as he gets his characters to do very dastardly things, including very bloody fight scenes and a realistic rape.
Special bonus features include; deleted scenes and inside look featurette, both are worth watching.
This DVD comes with the regular R rated version and an unrated one. Either
way the film contains some sadistic brutal violence including a rape and disturbing images, language, nudity and some drug use so only responsible adults should view the film.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for those that like their suspense with a huge helping of horror. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)