Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Janis One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Stauffdante *SPOILERS throughout*Given that this film has more alternative titles than lead actors, I'd recommend that it be treated as an appropriately mish-mashed production. It's a pity that it misleads the viewer - nowhere are there the haunted houses or stained saws as the DVD box shows, and nor is it actually about a hotel, hostel, or house. The plot is more complex than the initial setup has us believe: Michael Dare, a cab-driver (Polk) is sent out to a fare that seemingly doesn't exist...and is beset by a homeless man who mumbles gibberish at him whilst beating himself up. Having successfully framed Dare for the attack, it's put to the prosecution team that Dare is suffering from a rage disorder, and needs clinical treatment. Fortunately,the Straun Institute is offering free clinical trials...Through woefully subtle (and often missed) shadowing, we see that the whole setup is aimed to ensure that GenTech, the company that Michael's whistleblowing father betrayed, is implicated throughout in his incarceration at the hands of Dr. Straun. It's here that the movie shows off its best cameos - John Kassir (best known as the voice of the Cryptkeeper from Tales from the Crypt) and Andrew Divoff (The genie from Wishmaster I & II). Kassir camps it up as Moe Moebius, a kind of modern- day Igor to Divoff's evil genius, Straun. Both play their roles well, but are hampered by poor direction, and a total lack of tension within the plot. The lack of horrific enough props (Dare is at one point menaced by an umbrella dotted with sponges) gives the clinic a total lack of menace. Even the 'gritty realism' of a warehouse setting doesn't lend anything to the overall hokey tone of the film. The scenes between Dare and Dr. Verger, a pretty young scientist, are possibly the only redeeming aspects of the film. Sex is a seller, so obviously 'enraged' sex is a bigger seller...right? The violence is minimal, and serves to underline the lack of dramatic tension. Though she may be sweet and geeky, Duff's character leaves the viewer almost as cold as Polk's does, lacking any depth. The obligatory horrific scenes at the end of the film are no revelation. In fact, the resolution of the film simply kills off a set of characters in one go, robbing the viewer of any chance to actually make any sense out of the film's premise. The special effects aren't overused, but given how unspectacular the film is, you might forgive them overloading on blood and gore. There is the obligatory mad science laboratory, filled with glowing ingredients and body parts. The 'monster in the cellar' is possibly the only valid claim for a SFX budget, and DiTillio labours on under layers of latex, grunting madly and gurning his way through the film. 'Monsters' aside, the overall effect is of a drama that somehow tried to stray into the territory of Creepshow (1982) and the like - but lacking the plot to let Divoff and Kassir inject a little horror into the plot and leave us rooting for the wishy-washy hero and heroine.

med_1978 A friend of mine put this on as he had bought it for £1, personally after seeing it the film was not worth it. The acting was poor the story was very formulaic and quite dull and there were no scares. The actress Denice Duff playing Dr Verger was reasonably sexy and there were a couple of reasonably steamy scenes with her in (she looked a little like Carla Gugino who I saw in Nic Cage vehicle "Snake Eyes") The lead actor Stephen Polk reminded me of John Glover most well known as the father of Lex Luthor in Smallville. Andrew Divoff who I have seen in a few low budget flicks was easily the best actor in this as Dr Straun a crippled psycho who likes to watch his patients treatments and reactions on CCTV in a straight Jacket. Even the most devoted horror fans would have little to enjoy here. 1.5/10

running_with_scissors Let me describe the UK cover for this movie, it's called Nightmare Hostel and is apparently an Unrated Directors Cut. Despite being Unrated it actually carries an 18 certificate and comes with the following warning - "contains scenes of graphic horror and violence & nudity", furthermore the bottom of the cover has the following - "creates a new level of gruesome, beyond that of Roth's Hostel and Gordon's Re-Animator" I think they got the wrong movie!Violence & Horror? very, very little. Nudity? None.Avoid it at all costs, it's complete s**t!

danthewrestlingmanorigin This film is a must, if you are a fan of creepy and weird performances. Straun House, which is the likely title you'll find this under, was never as scary as it should have been, but the twists, and genre veterans elevate it higher than the norm. Andrew Divoff is does what he does best here as the creepy doctor, the lovely Denice Duff who is sadly underrated, and should get mainstream roles, plays her part well, John Kassir of Tales From The Crypt fame takes on the Igor role to Andrew Divoff's Frankenstein, and Karen Black is only in it for a short time, but has a secret plot twist of her own. First off just to warn you, although the DVD I got was Unrated, and promised a bloodbath, this film isn't very bloody, so if thats what your after, look elsewhere. With exception of a gruesome looking mutant, and a gory death at the very end, this film is pretty much bloodless. My main gripe was that the tension was never amped up as high as it could have been.If your into films such as Madhouse(Joshua Leonard), Re-Animator series, or Apartment Complex, you should enjoy Straun House. The films low budget doesn't hurt it at all, as most of the action takes place in a rundown facility, and there is no CGI, only old school makeup effects in a few scenes.