Comments on: [DVD Review (R2)] THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (2009)

By: Grundy

Grundy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:30:23 +0000

The violence is built up for tension and to be uncomfortable; tits, blood and at times loose narrative have been apart of the horror genre for a while before these movies. Why isn’t The Passion of the Christ labeled as such? That movie is 2 hours of a guy being beaten/tortured to death then nailed to a big bit of wood.

I hate to be the one to play devil’s advocate regarding the ****ing SAW movies, it’s just the term ‘torture porn’ annoys the piss out of me.

By: Gazz

Gazz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:26:31 +0000

Oh come on, the way the violence is presented in those movies (well, after Part III for definite) isn’t sexualised or built up to an unnecessary extent?

I disagree with you completely. Which is startling because I never normally do. And if this is what time away from the site does, i.e. pitch us on opposite sides of an issue, then I’m going to halt my slow return right now.

No, Grundy, not you? They could’ve at least taken Hazmat away from me. But you?

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!

By: Grundy

Grundy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:59:31 +0000

I’m no fan of the SAW movies, but they’re actually tightly written films in regards to connecting threads and what have you. They are no more worse than a lot of horror movies from the 80s, the main difference being that the SAW movies are played completely straight.

They’re just horror movies, not good ones mind you, adding the ‘porn’ moniker to it makes it seem like the violence is sexualized, which it isn’t.

By: Gazz

Gazz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:10:54 +0000

Nah, I disagree – you only need to look at SAW ****in SIX to see that such terms are valid; bankrupt narratives with salicious torture and gore sequences being the only thing to pin a ninety odd minute running time together!

Give this remake its due, at least it had narrative and performance on its side!

By: Grundy

Grundy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:52:51 +0000

I don’t think Eli Roth would have done the scene any worse than in the film.

Also, ‘torture porn’ and ‘gorenography’ are such bullshit terms.

By: Gazz

Gazz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:29:19 +0000

I’m not saying the scene in question was “entertainment”, and admittedly it was done a helluva lot less saliciously then had it been in the hands of Eli Roth, but still… The question I keep asking myself is “Do we NEED to see it?”

There’s some horrifically engaging and challenging similar sequences done in better films where the power of sound and suggestion is given air instead of gratuitous close-ups and long-lingering shots.

I dunno, maybe I’m taking my anger out towards this still ongoing ‘gorenography’ subgenre on a film, this film, that – truth be told – was probably one of the “better” types.

I’d probably throw it a very generous 3, maybe a strong two and a half. And I think Sara Paxton deserves highlighting for doing a stellar job in this.

Great review – debateable rating.

NB: You’d not believe the number of teens I eavesdrop in on, talking about rape sequences or torture scenes in a variety of movie as being “great” or “excellent”. When you’re putting out movies in which the teens of the day bypass talking about performance in favour of answering questions as to whether you see any “tit” during the rape scenes, you know we’re heading for a very rapid decline! Lol

By: Grundy

Grundy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:54:57 +0000

Yeah, pretty much, if you’re entertained by the rape scene in this, you’ve got some problems, it was uncomfortable and terrible, which was the point.

As for the microwave, they did mention it was broken. I’m also pretty sure you could bypass the safety mechanism in it and make it work like in the film.

It was a pretty good remake, though I’d probably give it a 3 instead of a 4.

By: Gareth

Gareth — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:15:38 +0000

I didn’t really feel that the rape scene was presented as “entertainment” and, honestly, if people find that scene in particular entertaining then they need serious help!

And as for the microwave, yeah I thought that the first time, but as I was dipping in and out of it I noticed a scene where they state the microwave is broken, so it could work.

By: Gazz

Gazz — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:55:56 +0000

Dude, you’ve disappointed me! Four? Really?

Aww man, I’d give a couple of stars just for Tony Goldwyn and the always great Garrett Dillahunt but, really, this was just the turning point for me… No longer am I prepared to accept rape (especially to this extent) as entertainment. I’m putting a blanket boycott in place.

And sorry to shout, and this is not directed at you in anyway, more so for any ****er attached to the writing and directing of this movie who may come across this review…..

MICROWAVES DO NOT WORK WITH THEIR ****ING DOORS OPEN!!!