This film, also known as Hotel Death as it's shown on-screen, was surprisingly engaging and pulled me in. I hadn't heard of it before, and the lack of reviews only piqued my curiosity. I sat down to watch it, and I wasn't expecting to last too long before turning it off. The linking segments were a bit...off, somehow. I wasn't sure if it was low-budget aspirations not meeting their goals, or something else.
However, the first story segment really drew me in. It was creepy, scary, and effective. The second one was also pretty frightening and engaging. The weakest one was the last, but it was still eerie and unsettling. And then, it became clear that there was a reason to why the linking segments were so odd. It wasn't bad acting or low-budget anything, but instead something clearly planned.
Still, someone going into it without knowing that might judge it too quickly and too harshly, and that would be a shame. This is actually one of the better anthologies I've seen in years. It's no big-budget, big-effects extravaganza, but the acting was generally solid, the direction was capable, the sound was excellent (with soundtrack done in large part by Kevin MacLeod of the famous incompetech.com), and overall it was a really and truly enjoyable experience. It was the kind of horror film that is not only really scary, but one easy to believe in and set your preconceptions aside.
There were a few questions that weren't easily addressed, such as the Osborne character actually managing to make good for himself despite what we gradually learn about him. But that was easily enough handwaved. The third segment, though, was probably the weakest overall because of some questionable choices by some of the people in it. When a problem is obvious and the solution is pretty effortless, it's frustrating to see someone take the clearly wrong choice for no understandable reason.
But that's just quibbling over details. The effect of the film overall was a very positive one. I was truly interested in what went on, and I didn't find myself bored and skipping ahead like some films can make me do. This was just a plainly good film, and the writing was solid. It built suspense in a way that really made for tension and scary atmosphere. The stories were enjoyably frightening, and they overall tended to make good sense. There was a little fun dark humor in there too, which was more than welcome and not overdone.
I really recommend this one. If you haven't seen it, check it out! With friends, if you can. This is one that is bound to be fun in a group. Get it and keep it for October parties too! You'll have an enjoyable time.
However, the first story segment really drew me in. It was creepy, scary, and effective. The second one was also pretty frightening and engaging. The weakest one was the last, but it was still eerie and unsettling. And then, it became clear that there was a reason to why the linking segments were so odd. It wasn't bad acting or low-budget anything, but instead something clearly planned.
Still, someone going into it without knowing that might judge it too quickly and too harshly, and that would be a shame. This is actually one of the better anthologies I've seen in years. It's no big-budget, big-effects extravaganza, but the acting was generally solid, the direction was capable, the sound was excellent (with soundtrack done in large part by Kevin MacLeod of the famous incompetech.com), and overall it was a really and truly enjoyable experience. It was the kind of horror film that is not only really scary, but one easy to believe in and set your preconceptions aside.
There were a few questions that weren't easily addressed, such as the Osborne character actually managing to make good for himself despite what we gradually learn about him. But that was easily enough handwaved. The third segment, though, was probably the weakest overall because of some questionable choices by some of the people in it. When a problem is obvious and the solution is pretty effortless, it's frustrating to see someone take the clearly wrong choice for no understandable reason.
But that's just quibbling over details. The effect of the film overall was a very positive one. I was truly interested in what went on, and I didn't find myself bored and skipping ahead like some films can make me do. This was just a plainly good film, and the writing was solid. It built suspense in a way that really made for tension and scary atmosphere. The stories were enjoyably frightening, and they overall tended to make good sense. There was a little fun dark humor in there too, which was more than welcome and not overdone.
I really recommend this one. If you haven't seen it, check it out! With friends, if you can. This is one that is bound to be fun in a group. Get it and keep it for October parties too! You'll have an enjoyable time.