So naturally I would like to review a movie that was very important in shaping my taste in movies. When I was little I saw part of Child's Play and it made me very scared of my favorite toy at the time, a My Buddy doll. The damn thing even looked like me, but nonetheless I buried it as far as I could in the toy box and didn't dare take all the toys out for fear that the face would stare up at me. I did continue to watch horror and monster movies though. Most of them until around 7 were classic monster movies, or Godzilla films.
Then this happened, my father decided it was time for me to man up and he showed me some horror movies. The first one on the list was a movie called House, starring William Katt (The Greatest American Hero). The movie itself wasn't all that scary, but it did have jump scares and quite a bit of comedy, helped along by George Wendt. I immediately fell in love with it. Constantly I tried to show it to people, and still do to this day. But let's review the damn thing already.
The movie is about a guy named Roger Cobb, a sort of two hit wonder in the horror novel world, who has had problems with writing as of late due to his son having disappeared, his wife leaving him, and his new book being about his traumatic experiences in the Vietnam war with a guy named Ben. Anyway, fans are clamoring for his new book, and so are his publishers. It's at this time his Aunt who raised him, commits suicide. His Aunt always thought her house was haunted and painted morbid pictures as well as talked constantly about it in her old age. She even blamed Roger's son's disappearance on the haunted house where the child went missing.
Roger decides to stay there and get some writing done after entering it again and quickly experiences paranormal activity. He meets a neighbor who is pretty damn hilarious, and a fan of Roger Cobb's as well. When Roger tells his neighbor about the ghost that attacks him in the middle of the night, he doesn't believe Roger. Of course now Roger is convinced that his Aunt was not only killed by the house, but perhaps the house itself is behind his son's disappearance. All this while flashing back to his time in Vietnam.
This movie works so well on so many levels. First of all, it's a comedy horror film, and secondly it's sometimes in Vietnam. Here and there you will spend time there for a few minutes before cutting back to the real world. It all makes for some great pacing that keeps you interested. The film is directed by Steven Miner who also did Friday the 13th 2 and 3. Also the story (but not script) is by Fred Dekker of Monster Squad fame, and I think it shows. It is honestly quite brilliant with both horror and comedy working well together as opposed to playing tug of war like some other horror comedies do. The story itself is engaging enough for the average person, even those new comers with a short attention span, to see it through to the end. Most importantly, when you do see it through, you are rewarded with a damn fine time as well.
I won't say much more as, despite it being popular I think there are plenty who haven't seen it and would love it not to be spoiled. Here's what I can say for quality though. I have been watching this movie around every year or two for more than 20 years now. Clearly it must be good.
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