Fear House

"Fear House" synopsis; Relatives and colleagues of reclusive writer Samantha Ballard track her to an isolated home in the California desert where they discover her some nine months later severely traumatized. She greets them with a grim announcement that they will die if they attempt to leave the house. After Samantha's ex-husband and his girlfriend suffer horrible deaths while trying to escape, the others realize that she was serious. They begin to scheme a safe way out even as the malevolent force that rules the house stirs the worst fears of each of them, causing them to wonder: Can they escape the evil house before their fears kill them all? When I viewed "Fear House", I got the same feeling as when I viewed the film "Phantasm" in 1979, that the horror genre may have a new talented director. Of course Don Cosscarelli went on to have a good cult following of his films (Phantasm 5 is in production) and I feel director Michael Morris may have a better future ahead of him. "Fear House" doesn't rely on over-the-top gore and blood special effects, but the psychological fear of what really scares us deep inside. While trapped in the house, each person meets their deepest fears head on and it's up to them on how to handle it as to whether they will survive or not. This film is part Phantasm, part Evil Dead and part Black Christmas (the original). It's not what you see that terrorizes you, but your own sub-conscience is your enemy.

After opening with the bizarre deaths of a young couple, FEAR HOUSE begins.

Samantha (Aleece Jones) rents a castle in the Arizona desert in order to get away from civilization. Nine months later, a group of associates arrives to find out what happened to her.

Horror and death ensue when Samantha is found, warning everyone about a deadly creature lurking around the place. A curse is revealed and the film's title comes into play.

This is a low-budget movie with an original story, relying more on creeping dread than overt shocks. While there are certainly some dull spots, it's not bad overall...

This is horrible! I'm 10 only minutes in and laughing my ass off. The tough guy ex looks like a throwback from the 70s and couldn't kick Urkel's ass on a good day. I'm giving it 10 more minutes and then trying to find something better.... easy task eh?

FEAR HOUSE suggests a place that you cannot escape from without dying. In this case, it is an old house where a writer lives. Some old friends and relative stop in for a visit, and find her in a traumatized state. She warns them that no one upon entering can ever leave. The house makes them visualize their biggest fears (hence the title), and then they die. This is a no-budget job, badly acted (with your typical no-named cast) and sporting inferior special effects. However, I like the concept, which for those old enough to remember, came from the original THE HAUNTING. That's why I gave it a 4 instead of a 1. But please, watch it at your own discretion.

After reclusive writer Samantha Ballard hasn't gotten in touch with her brother Anthony in months, he along with her publisher, his assistant, and the previous home-owners daughter all decide to go up to the secluded house that she had recently bought. But the house, as always is the case in these type of movies, is haunted and they, along with Sam's husband and his girl whom haven't been invited, appear to be in for one hell of a night.

And the viewer is in for one hell of a night of...of utter boredom. I'm really sorry but this movie just didn't really do it for. Trust me, I've since worse low-budget horror films than this one. A lot worse...by far. But at the same time the story didn't snap or crackle for me (nor did it pop, by the way). The deaths were too quasi-laughable and didn't really fit into the tone the film was trying to have. And talking of the acting caliber, well that's like shooting fish in a barrel, so I'll digress.

My Grade: D+

Eye Candy: Meredith Barnett gets topless briefly

DVD Extras: Commentary with Director Micheal Morris, actress Alecee Jones & actor Matthew Stiller; just under 3 minutes of outtakes; Actor rehearsal; and the promo trailer for this film