Clownhouse

Putting aside all the controversy surrounding this film (including the events that actually transpired behind the scenes), I went into this movie at face value with no bias. I knew it was a slasher and the directorial debut of Victor Salva, so I was expecting a low-grade horror movie that, while not important in the grand scheme of cinema, would be entertaining enough to make me jump a few times and root for the main characters. Not the case.

This movie just fell flat. It was bland. It was boring. The acting, particularly from Nathan Forrest Winters (perhaps as a result of the unspeakable horrors he endured at the hands of Salva) gave a fantastic performance. The other boys were good, but Nathan was definitely the standout.

The thrills weren't all that effective, the tone of the movie was definitely uncomfortable on more than one occasion. There was an obvious attempt on the part of the director to sexualize Nathan, which is extremely uncomfortable to watch today.

Although I did say in my Powder review earlier today that I believe in second chances and forgiveness (actions, or lack thereof, speak louder than words and we're now 31 years without further allegations or investigations from Salva), I can't help but feel like this film is best left in the past, completely forgotten. MGM have done a pretty good job thus far of helping to slip this film into utter obscurity. This is not a film that anybody really needs to be watching. There's nothing in this movie that hasn't already been discussed countless times online. Save yourself the tediously boring movie and just read the commentaries regarding it online. It didn't hold up well when it was released, and it hasn't stood the test of time very well at all. If Powder is my number-one favorite movie of his and in my top 5 all-time favorites (and it is), then I would place Clownhouse at the bottom. Let this film die out. Let Nathan Forrest Winters have peace from the trauma he went through. This is a film best left in the past.

Clownhouse was a film that gave me the creeps. I was in my mid-20's when I watched it and it spooked me.

Clowns are horrible things when you think about it. I could never trust a clown so when you consider it, this film had a good premise and despite the lack of blood and gore, it is a very good film relying more on chills and thrills rather than blood and gore.

Some lunatics escape from an asylum and dress up as clowns. One night, three lads are in the house on their own...and you can guess the rest.

I won't spoil any bits but there are some truly creepy scenes. I'd love to tell you them but it would spoil it.

All in all, Clownhouse is a very effective chiller. And I don't believe it is an exaggeration to call it a chiller.

This is the first time I have looked up this movie online and read all the reviews. Some hate it some loved it. I am glad this movie brought enjoyment to the people who liked it. One of the trivia statements on this movie is that they assume Brian McHugh was molested by Victor. This is not the case. Nathan, Sam and I would spend time at Victors house rehearsing prior to filming. I would stay the night there but I was never alone with him. He had set up a camera to film me showering and dressing without my knowledge but that was the extent of it. I did seek legal counsel but was told at the time, without him actually being physical with me, it would be a long, brutal trial that probably wouldn't be worth it. So, my mother decided she did not want me to go through that. Victor is a POS and always will be. Karma will find him one day. That is it in a nutshell. I went on to finish school, joined the military, and now just work like everyone else. Hope this sheds some light on what happened to me since everyone wants to speculate. Thank for all the feedback, good and bad.

Sincerely, Brian McHugh.

I couldn't do that to the young men in this film that worked extremely hard to make this film enjoyable. Easy to see the talent a young Sam Rockwell possess as he is great as always in this film. Director can rot for all I care.

I just got the DVD of this film in. Up until now I really have never heard of this film. I read that a very young Sam Rockwell was in it but other than that it's all new to me.

The storyline is very simple. 3 brothers (one of which hates clowns) go to the circus one night. We get a little bit of character development on how the brothers interact with each other. After they leave the circus we see a scene of three psychopaths (who have escaped from a madhouse) run into a tent and kill three guys dressed as clowns. They steal the outfits and decided they are going to terrify the 3 brothers for the rest of the night.

That is about it for the story. Most of this movie is straight character development which makes for a decent film. My problem with it is the movie tends to drag during scenes and the crazed clowns didn't get as much time in the movie as they should have. Also, this movie is virtually goreless which made it interesting yet still a little dull. The whole movie felt like there was something missing. Also, the music score was very good at moments and very weak at moments. I believe the savior for this movie was the last 15 minutes as it did get intense.

Over all, this wasn't a bad movie, but it wasn't a great film either. If you do hate clowns I wouldn't watch this. 6/10