Who has the last laugh?
Here we go again. The epilogue begins in the past with an accused witch being tortured and burned alive by the locals, and before it happens she curses the townsfolk. Now moving to the present a group of college kids (the descendants of the townsfolk) decide to take their holidays at a rundown mansion, which the witch had occupied. Not knowing anything about the house's past. Soon enough strange things begin to happen, and a young girl in a white gown suddenly appears with something to do with the witch's revenge.
Uninspired, but ludicrously cheesy and gruesome low-budget Italian horror schlock none the same. Obviously it has been influenced by such prominent 80s efforts like 'The Evil Dead (1981)', 'Demons (1985)' and 'Night of the Demons (1988)'. The supernatural elements are hysterically merged with demonic possession, haunted house happenings and slasher traits. It's quite a delusional mixture that writer / director Alessandro Capone lays on thick. Material-wise it doesn't make sense, and is downright uneven. Where they do stretch out a number of endings. The insane nature works in its favour though, because there's no atmosphere and the jolts are telegraphed. The violence is brutally tacky with constant use of tomato sauce leaving some hard to clean stains and with college kids abound the hot topic of sex and don't forget the booze. Good times well until the slaughter begins. One scene involving a half dressed girl, swimming pool and a swinging chainsaw was a seductive blast! The performances are forgettably bland from the young cast (with Michelle Vanucchi as a likable heroine), but they do serve their purposes with their clichéd characters. It's a clear-cut stereotypical bunch too. Production is cheap, and make-up effects go on to cement it, but it's sharply photographed with effectively lit visuals.
Uninspired, but ludicrously cheesy and gruesome low-budget Italian horror schlock none the same. Obviously it has been influenced by such prominent 80s efforts like 'The Evil Dead (1981)', 'Demons (1985)' and 'Night of the Demons (1988)'. The supernatural elements are hysterically merged with demonic possession, haunted house happenings and slasher traits. It's quite a delusional mixture that writer / director Alessandro Capone lays on thick. Material-wise it doesn't make sense, and is downright uneven. Where they do stretch out a number of endings. The insane nature works in its favour though, because there's no atmosphere and the jolts are telegraphed. The violence is brutally tacky with constant use of tomato sauce leaving some hard to clean stains and with college kids abound the hot topic of sex and don't forget the booze. Good times well until the slaughter begins. One scene involving a half dressed girl, swimming pool and a swinging chainsaw was a seductive blast! The performances are forgettably bland from the young cast (with Michelle Vanucchi as a likable heroine), but they do serve their purposes with their clichéd characters. It's a clear-cut stereotypical bunch too. Production is cheap, and make-up effects go on to cement it, but it's sharply photographed with effectively lit visuals.
- lost-in-limbo
- Jun 20, 2008