Film: The Last House on the Left
Director: Dennis Iliadis
Producers: Wes Craven, Marianne Maddalena, Sean Cunningham
Screenwriters: Carl Ellsworth, Adam Alleca
Actors: Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Garret Dillahunt, Spencer Treat Clark, Martha MacIsaac, Sara Paxton
Theatrical Release Date: March 13, 2009
MPAA Rating: R
FilmCritic Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Nearly 40 years ago, quasi-hippy filmmakers Wes Craven and Sean S. Cunningham were looking to make a name for themselves (and a little cash, if possible) in the thriving New York exploitation scene. Working with some intent distributors, they adapted Igmar Bergman’s Virgin Spring for the drive-in, and a grindhouse classic — Last House on the Left — was born.
With its memorable marketing campaign (“repeat to yourself… it’s only a movie… it’s only a movie) and direct, documentary style, it had impact and import during a crucial time in post-modern American cinema. As with several of Craven’s past projects, Last House has now been remade for the post-millennial crowd, and that’s too bad. This tedious, tepid update offers none of the original’s brutality or energy.
Read the full film review by Bill Gibron – at Filmcritic.com — Copyright © 2009
You can also read Bill’s review of the original 1972 film HERE.
Just got out of seeing this. Very solid revenge flick. Very well made…..amazing special effects. The kills are unbelievably gruesome.
Will be back with more DVD and BluRay reviews soon. Working on a new television show for Fox Reality.
-Joe
Yet another that bites the dust. Lets hope the trend dies out quickly.
Tim
I’m sure the brutality of the paybacks will appeal to the slash/gore crowd, but the psychological intensity definitely missed the mark. I didn’t hate the movie, but it’s not something I’d go out of my way to see again.
@Tim, alas, until the studios stop being afraid to lose money every time they make something, we’re not going to get and end to the trend.
Maybe adjusting the budgets and salaries, going back to smaller movies with bigger stories is the answer. We just have to get them there mentally first 🙂
sadly you are right Summer, as well, there is always Bollywood I guess.
Tim