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 ;)
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!!!
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.
I agree. I watched it Friday and I told my cousin “I feel like I lost a bit of my remaining innocence in there”.
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.
Jesus you all watch some fucked up shit.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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?