Being an admitted "haunted-house" movie nut, I'm always on the lookout for horror movies with more than just a maniac with a sharp object killing teenagers. Thanks to Roger Corman & Co. for coming through!
The story follows a just-married husband and wife team of paranormal investigators who buy "Sunset House" and honeymoon there because of the ghost-rich history of the old place. Once inside, they don't have to wait long before not one but two ghosts take an interest in the wife (Kimberly Rowe). There are at least a few scenes with nudity and/or sex, and Rowe - who looks like Charlize Theron's slightly less beautiful sister - carries them well. Although there isn't much star-power here (just good ol' Corman-guy David Carradine, who looks more like his old-man in every film), I think it works for the film rather than against it. Having unfamiliar faces in the leads, and complete unknowns in the supporting roles (this one was filmed at Roger's new studio over in Ireland, but takes place in a New England town) - especially in horror movies - makes the suspension of disbelief happen easier. There are a couple of truly scary and disturbing images here, and the production values are really high considering the fact that it's from Roger Corman -King of Low Budgets. The story was solid, and holds up all the way to the end. No scratching of the head afterwards - no loose ends. All in all, I LIKED it! Reminded me of another Corman flick of a few years back - Spectre. Anyone who liked Burnt Offerings, Legend of Hell House, or even Poltergeist should rent this one when it hits home video this summer.
The story follows a just-married husband and wife team of paranormal investigators who buy "Sunset House" and honeymoon there because of the ghost-rich history of the old place. Once inside, they don't have to wait long before not one but two ghosts take an interest in the wife (Kimberly Rowe). There are at least a few scenes with nudity and/or sex, and Rowe - who looks like Charlize Theron's slightly less beautiful sister - carries them well. Although there isn't much star-power here (just good ol' Corman-guy David Carradine, who looks more like his old-man in every film), I think it works for the film rather than against it. Having unfamiliar faces in the leads, and complete unknowns in the supporting roles (this one was filmed at Roger's new studio over in Ireland, but takes place in a New England town) - especially in horror movies - makes the suspension of disbelief happen easier. There are a couple of truly scary and disturbing images here, and the production values are really high considering the fact that it's from Roger Corman -King of Low Budgets. The story was solid, and holds up all the way to the end. No scratching of the head afterwards - no loose ends. All in all, I LIKED it! Reminded me of another Corman flick of a few years back - Spectre. Anyone who liked Burnt Offerings, Legend of Hell House, or even Poltergeist should rent this one when it hits home video this summer.