‘The Last House’ Is Better Left Alone
After spending most of yesterday cooped up in my office going thru bank statements and credit card receipts, I was really lookin’ to get out of the house by the time I finished sorting all of my paperwork. David and Kurt (who is staying with us for a few days) were talking about going to see a movie so I thought that would be the best, low-key option. They decided on seeing The Last House on the Left and, since I’m a big horror movie fan, I decided to go along …
… and what a mistake that was. Honestly, I was pretty revolted by the entire movie. I had a real hard time finding any entertainment value in any of it. I also had a hard time seeing the flick as a “horror” film … to me, it was simply a horrible film. The Last House on the Left is a remake of the 1970’s version of the film that takes horror porn to a new level. For the first portion of the film, the viewer is subjected to close-up shots of a teenage girl’s maturing body repeatedly before we are forced to watch her get raped and shot in the woods (that is, after her female friend is beat up, tied up and stabbed in the stomach and in the back). I haven’t been that uncomfortable in a theater in a very long time. There is NO REASON for the film to focus so much on this young girl’s rape … I was so close to walking out. Only the promise of the retribution to come kept me in my seat. As the movie progressed, the parents of the raped girl are allowed to exact their revenge on the people who harmed their daughter … which is where the garbage disposal and the microwave come in handy. I’m sorry, even seeing the bad guys get punished for their heinous crimes did not satisfy me. At the end of the film, I felt disgusted and a bit violated for having witnessed the brutality on the screen. There was nothing scary about this film, it was just disgusting. A movie like The Strangers did it better … there was suspense and actual horror without all the gore. Even the gore I don’t mind so much … but the brutality of rape for entertainment purposes has no business being on screen. Had I known about that scene, I would’ve opted out of seeing the film in the first place. I simply cannot endorse or suggest that others see this film. Tho, considering what I read about the brutality in the original film … it sounds like they cleaned up this remake.
Blah!!!
Tonight, Kurt leaves us for a while so David and I will have our last night together before I leave for SXSW tomorrow evening. Not sure what the plan is but I’m sure we’ll think of something ;)
Tags: 'The Last House on the Left'
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March 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I agree the movie was brutal, but i enjoyed it as sadistic as that sounds. The rape scene was uncomfortable but I found entertainment elsewhere in the film.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I think rape scene’s in gerenal are disturbing. Being a women, rape is one of my biggest fears, and seeing that would terrify me, especially if it went itnto detail.
Trent, i suggest if you do not like rape scenes, never ever watch “Blindess” with Julianne Moore. There is a rape scene in that film that made me mortified and i started to cry in the theatre becuase it was so incredibly brutal.
This seemed vaguely interesting becuase of the revenge factor, but upon hearing this i may opt out.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Oh no…this movie looked good! I might wait to see it now. I am huge horror movie fan so it doesn’t sound like me scene!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
When I saw the commercials it made me think of that terrible rape/revenge slaughter flick, “I Spit On Your Grave”. Awful stuff.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
this made one of the ten most disturbing films of all time on ING list. i have no desire to see it, and i’m glad i read your review trent! now it’s something i’ll avoid ! it just sounded disturbing on all levels.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Trent – i agree 100%… i saw this as a free movie screening and in the comment section i suggested taking that scene out as did many people that day. it was a horrific thing to watch. I had to close my eyes.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I actually saw the original and the remake is definitely less disturbing. The original was a whole helluva lot more uncomfortable. I wouldn’t say I ‘enjoyed’ the film, but I thought it was a good film. It definitely made you feel a lot of varying emotions. I think the rape scene is supposed to be extremely uncomfortable–it is rape after all. I think you’re supposed to feel the absolute horror and anguish the parents felt as well as the son in order for their revenge to be justified and cheered for.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
don’t forget tinted windows at sxsw!!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I agree with Brenda. I saw the original one. Though it wasn’t as brutal as the remake, it was pretty bad for its time. I don’t think the movie is bad, just a lot of people won’t be able to stomach that much brutalities.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Trent–
I don’t seem to recall David and I “deciding” to see this film. It was, at the very least, a group effort! It may be vast quantities of root beer I consumed but seriously still feel sick from seeing that movie. I shall never trust a New York Times review again!
Kurt
March 16th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
@Kurt — do not listen to this man, he’s delusional !!!
March 16th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Trent, with all the time you spend on the computer you didn’t bother to look up a few reviews before seeing this? I read today that a woman was surprised to learn that there was nudity and sex in the Watchmen which she had planned to see with her son. People, there’s a reason you were taught to read.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I shall not be seeing this movie!! I like scary movies the Saw movies I thought were pretty good !!
March 16th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
@Lov ya — I tend to stay away from reviews so as not to color my impression of a film before I see it. I knew what the movie was about, that the daughter was “left for dead” and the parents exact revenge but I was not prepared for the brutality and realness of the rape :( If anything, I’m just letting people know ahead of time if they’re interested in knowing.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Reeeallly Trent? If you had seen the first one, or actually did some research, you would have known that the “rape scene” is an important key part in the film–Of course you have the right to your opinion about the flick, as do I–I rememeber watching the original as a kid and being terrified–The horror of it is that it is “real”, it could happen to any one of us–To me that is true horror–Two thumbs up, superb remake! I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails from beginning to end–It’s not a slasher film with supernatural, machete wielding killers–What it is, and what the disturbing nature of the film shows us, is true horror–
March 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Trent- I agree 100%. My husband and I saw this on Saturday and came out of the theater disgusted and sick to our stomachs. I’m a huge horror fan but this movie was just too much.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I agree with most others on here…I almost walked out during the rape scene (it was way too realistic), but I’m glad I chose to cover my eyes and close my ears instead because I actually ended up thinking it was a pretty decent horror movie. It was creepy and suspenseful and I loved that the parents got their revenge. I wouldn’t say that I “enjoyed” the movie, but I do think it was pretty good.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Rape is a very sensitive and disturbing issue, but it is in no means any different from any other acts of extreme violence portrayed in films. Horror films are becoming increasingly more and more violent to gain a shock value from the audience. I tend to stay away from violent films which are not handled with sensitivity and have no value. I just dont find mindless violence entertaining.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Ditto to what Blair said – I am pretty much not a fan of any movie in the horror genre – I much prefer my scares to come from a good suspense movie (Hitchcock, anyone?) as opposed to watching some nubile young thing get gutted.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Trent, I appreciate your sensitivity. It’s a rare thing to be found in entertainment blogs. You do such a good job of being fun and sarcastic without being crude or mean spirited. This movie looks horrific and I can’t understand why someone would watch that for entertainment.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I have not seen the remake but I did see the original a couple of years ago. The rape scene is so disturbing it seriously made me want to vomit. This movie is terrifying because young girls (and boys too) do get kidnapped and awful, sadistic things are often done to them.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
It’s kind of a fine line – in a film such as this or, as kittycatastrophe mentioned, “I spit on your grave,” the rape is a main part of the plot to propel the action. There are some films, however, where it seems that rape is just thrown in for added shock and horror, as just another awful thing to be done to a character – mostly by directors who aren’t out to make a point but just to shock and awe with a pointless script.
The intensity of a rape scene rather depends on what the director is trying to get across. Someone mentioned the movie “Blindness” which has a rather horrifying group rape scene that really drives home the point of how savage human beings really can be at their most basic levels. In many cases, it’s used to really impart onto the audience just how helpless and invasive such an act can be, using it to set up a character twist or quest for revenge.
If rape is used to make a point and really emotionally beat up an audience the way a victim might feel, then sometimes it can be quite powerful. It’s really up to the director’s intent. I haven’t yet seen this film, but my understanding is that you’re probably not supposed to feel great at the end – that even when revenge is achieved, you’re still totally wrecked and ruined by the violence.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
being a giant horror movie fan i bought the original last house on the left when i saw that it was wes cravens first horror movie. i should have known something was up when in the opening sequince it says to say to yourself remember this is only a movie. and keeps repeating itself! i was like oh this is gonna be awesome! but yeah no. i watched it to the end because i couldnt stop watching it! it was like a car crash you know you should look away but cant. well let me just say the was over 4 years ago and i havent touched that dvd since. it was just waaaay too much to watch, and when i saw that they were going to remake this movie i was like great something to give the sick and twisted people of this world more ideas!!!
March 16th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I haven’t seen the film, but from what you said about the beginning of the movie being mostly about this young girl’s body, then the rape scene sounds gratuitous. It does make you wonder if the people making these kinds of movies get off on that stuff.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I agree. I watched it Friday and I told my cousin “I feel like I lost a bit of my remaining innocence in there”.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
the original was worse and it was even banned for a time. Brenda said it best, this movie is supposed to make you feel uncomfortable.
p.s never watch Cannibal Holocaust or the remake (which I am sure will be out soon) if you thought that Last House on the Left had a horrific rape scene. All I will tell you watching a woman get violently raped by a rock is worse than anything this remake could dish out.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Jesus you all watch some fucked up shit.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Trent – have you seen ‘the Virgin Spring’? It is Ingmar Bergrin film based on the same 14th century ballad as Last House….but more focused on the moral conflicts and such instead of on the violence
March 16th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Yikes, I think I will stick with the romcom’s. I don’t mind horror to a certain extent, just not rape or going overboard with murder. I have been known to walk out of the theater and getting my money back. But I do read reviews. I don’t care if I’m tainted, I want to know exactly what I am watching. Enjoy your night tonight.
March 16th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Ok my friends sista saw this movie and said DONT SEE IT!!! They show like full on rape and this guy gets his head mushed in the garbage desposal (yuckers!). Even if this movie got all the best reviews in the world i would NOT go see it because I am not interested in blood,guts,or gor thank you very much.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Trent,
See if you can get your hands on The Virgin Spring directed by Ingmar Bergman, it’s the film that Wes Craven based/inspired The Last House on the Left and it tells the story much better without the needless gore.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Netflix has Virgin Spring. and i can tell you, the rape scene in THAT movie is haunting. no joke. that movie forever changed me, as well as my view of men/mankind.
sorry.
no fun.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
This is why I hate horror movies. The gratuitous rape/gore/you name it is a bit too much for me. Like you said, The Strangers did it right in my opinion. Yes, there was gore and blood and stuff, but it was more necessary.
March 16th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Wow. When I read the summary on Wikpedia the other day I thought to myself, this doesnt sound like a horror movie. I guess I was right. I sounds more like a suspense thriller. The rape scene (probably) wouldnt bother me, but if you add a senseless rape scene together with a crappy movie, I rather save my money. I’ll pass. PS: I enjoyed The Strangers. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire movie.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I think the intent of the original LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT is that the parents become monsters as a result of the violence perpetrated against their child (who if I’m not mistaken actually dies in that one). Violence leads to violence and no true satisfaction will come from revenge, etc. I’m not surprised that point was lost in the remake, since they tend to try to up the gore and shock value a lot more than the actual message. I agree with the others who say to see VIRGIN SPRING. It’s definitely disconcerting, but I don’t feel that material like that should be handled with kid gloves. I can definitely understand if it’s not your cup of tea though.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
ugh, this wasnt a movie i would consider seeing anyway, but i had no idea what the storyline was about something so awful. dont watch the movie ‘irreversible’.. one of the most disturbing movies with a horrific rape scene.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I love horror movies but this one had no appeal to me whatsoever. I know it’s a remake and all but it still seemed to remind me a little bit of Scream everytime I saw the previews (and I am a HUGE Scream fan… well of the first one) and I hate when horror flicks rip off of each other. It sucks that you had to go and endure this Trent but I gotta thank you because now I know I will not be going to see this. And I agree with the majority about the whole rape thing and how disturbing it is to see it on film like that. It’s horrible enough to know it happens without having to watch it, even if it is faked.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Rape is a reality, and it occurs in females (and males) that are younger that the young girl in the film. While it was disturbing (YES), it demonstrated that perseverance and determination (her swimming home, determined to survive) can be the strongest and most important survival instincts for a person who is a victim of rape. While this movie was (to say the least) unpleasant in that part, I think it was a voice to the public of just how horiffic a rape can be and how horribly angry and blindly vengeful a parent or parents can be. Love you Trent.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
My friends walked out of this movie because it was too “disturbing and awful” to sit through. It isn’t often you hear word of mouth spread that a movie is too sick to see, but I’m glad word of mouth is warning people before they spend money on a movie they might not be able to stomach all the way through. Personally, I decided to go see Watchmen for a second time instead and now I’m so glad I did.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
You see what your habit has wrought? Do you choose a film based on the poster and stills? Don’t let reviews discourage you if you want to see a film, but be informed or you might have another experience like this one. You know who I trust with movies? RopeofSilicon.com THEY were warning peeps about this film.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Hey Lov Ya – I suppose I’m the woman you were speaking about..Since I have admitted to never reading the Watchmen graphic novel, I didn’t really know what to expect..It seemed like another intense super hero movie..If it’s a dirtier looking comedy, I make sure to check into it to make sure there’s nothing that I don’t want to see with my kid..Sorry if I didn’t read in depth reviews before thinking of seeing it, but I assure you, I read very well..And I don’t appreciate your snotty attitude..Rant over..
March 16th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I have seen Virgin Springs and the original LHOTL. The rape scene is disturbing and it is supposed to be. Like in The Hills Have Eyes an extreme trauma occurs that alters people completely. Our society can stomach bloody murder more than rape or sexual assault. These 3 movies shook me to the core as a woman and made me feel an emotion I hope never to know. Isn’t that the point?
March 16th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Ive heard this is really good from other sources, but when you said Watchmen was good, you lost my trust on movie reviews.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
darling, what were you expecting? it’s a remake of a movie about a brutal rape/murder and its aftermath/retribution….did you think it was going to be Twilight 2? I adore your blog but i cannot believe you were naive enough to think this was going to be an “easy” movie….stay home, sweetie, with that adorable boyfriend of yours, and watch a couple of dvds. I might suggest the Donald Strachey Mysteries from heretv.com — ON THE OTHER HAND DEATH just came out on DVD. ahem. xo
March 16th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Deliverance? This movie had the same concept of rape/revenge and it was Academy Awards nominated. I do not see how this is different as that movie was just as disturbing.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
@Shawn, he’s seen the original, most people have, but there’s a way to do things without showing a rape for entertainment value. They did it in the original, it was uncomfortable, and horrible, but they still didn’t show it al, just enough to get the point across.
Things are getting to violent for the shock value. When you get teenagers going “Aw man sick xD” while someone being brutally tortured or raped, it makes you worried about the state of mentality we have.
Theres a big difference between liking the original, well done movie, and being compared to a Twilight fan because you don’t want to see someone being raped.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
^ Said it all.
March 17th, 2009 at 1:44 am
There are already many voices to the public about the brutality of rape — rape crisis centers for one….they represent REALITY. This film is a profit-making device. Come on, people don’t make horror films to educate the public about violence. It’s about what some people find entertaining.
I think if you really understand rape and violence watching it exploited for entertainment sake is unacceptable and not at all entertaining. There is a difference between portraying violence effectively (which films do) and exploiting it. It takes a lot of talent to the former. The latter takes…whatever the director and producers of LHOTL have.
March 17th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Didn’t mean to hurt feelings, Kendra. But as a parent HOW THE EL DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT Watchmen HAS A GRAPHIC SEX SCENE? Every site I read mentioned it, salivated over it, showed pix of it. Rant over.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I guess we don’t read the same sites.. :)
March 17th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I think it’s problematic that our society keeps reinforcing the idea that violence solves violence. Violence has NO place in society!
March 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am
thanks trent. i have no desire to see that kind of violence in detail in a crowded movie theater. there is NO entertaiment value in rape. no matter good the rest of the movie may be.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Speaking of disturbing movies, have you seen Requiem for a Dream? Creeeeepy.