Buying a film featuring Kelly Brook was always going to be risky but I still couldn’t quite stop myself from putting House of 9 in my Amazon basket – maybe Dennis Hopper would make up for it?
The idea behind this film is similar to that of Saw 2 and based on the classic “And Then There ... Read review
Nine strangers, with no apparent connection between them, are abducted: drugged, kidnapped ... more
and sealed in a house together. Doors are bolted shut, windows are plugged with brick. No way out. Disoriented and angry, they are greeted by a voice on an intercom system: they are to be watched as they 'compete' for a prize of five million dollars. And the winner will be the only one who gets out...
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Advantages: A classic theme Disadvantages: Terrible script, terrible acting and a disappointing ending
...quite stop myself from putting House of 9 in my Amazon basket – maybe Dennis Hopper would make up for it?
The idea behind this film is similar to that of Saw 2 and based on the classic “And Then There Were None” theme of several people being forced together only for their number to be reduced until there is only 1 (or possibly 2 or even none) person still standing.
In House of 9, 9 strangers are abducted ... ...a completely sealed house furnished with cameras and hidden microphones. They wake up unable to understand what has happened to them until a disembodied voice informs them that they have been put here as part of a game. The winner of the game will receive 5 million dollars but the catch is that the only way to win this prize is by ensuring the death of all their fellow “competitors”. The last person standing will certainly have blood on their hands ... more
Buying a film featuring Kelly Brook was always going to be risky but I still couldn’t quite stop myself from putting House of 9 in my Amazon basket – maybe Dennis Hopper would make up for it?
The idea behind this film is similar to that of Saw 2 and based on the classic “And Then There Were None” theme of several people being forced together only for their number to be reduced until there is only 1 (or possibly 2 or even none) person still standing.
In House of 9, 9 strangers are abducted from their everyday life only to be imprisoned together in a completely sealed house furnished with cameras and hidden microphones. They wake up unable to understand what has happened to them until a disembodied voice informs them that they have been put here as part of a game. The winner of the game will receive 5 million dollars but the catch is that the only way to win this prize is by ensuring the death of all their fellow “competitors”. The last person standing will certainly have blood on their hands but will also have 5 million dollars to help wash it off.
The film follows the characters as they try to escape the house and the game until eventually some of them start playing along.
The idea is simple, but as ideas go the simple ones are often more likely to create real tension and drama. Sadly, in this case, the film does not have much more than the classic theme going for it. If this film had tried a bit harder to be different from the stereotypical straight-to-DVD horror it would have fared much better. As it is it sticks absolutely rigorously to the horror/thriller cliches. There is nothing really unexpected happening, you can tell exactly how the characters will react and even if the ending has a bit of a twist to it, it’s still entirely predictable.
In my mind, the worst part of this film is the acting and the characters. The nine strangers are as different as they could possibly be but completely and utterly stereotypical. There is a fair bit of xenophobia in the casting of the “token black guy”. It’s as if somebody felt that not all the characters could be white so they decided to introduce a young black man into the mix. He grew up in the “hood” (well, the British version anyway), and is aggressive and violent. "Obviously" he calls women bitches, dreams of rap stardom and hates the white, American cop who he’s locked up with. How much worse can it really get after that? Plenty is the sad answer.
Next we have Kelly Brook as an innocent and good-hearted girl next door. She is clearly trying to get away from her usual sexy image but does so less than convincingly. At the best of times she is a terrible actress but this role magnifies that 10 times over if you could possibly imagine such a thing.
Susie Amy plays a spoilt, rich girl with visions of grandeur. Again, the character is so unbelievably lacking in depth and more a caricature than anything else. There’s also Dennis Hopper as a priest, unsuccessfully trying to cool the frayed tempers and a hard nosed, Scottish girl with an attitude and an electronic tag. Furthermore, there is a married couple where the oddball husband is a music composer and the wife is nice but seems clearly destined to be the first to die. Finally there’s an (obviously gay) clothing designer.
Most of the characters seem to dislike each other from the off. This might be understandable because of the situation that they are in although I would think that most people in a situation like this (no matter how unlikely) would feel the need to keep close with others around them. Similarly, with so many British characters I find the instant rudeness between most of the characters somewhat unbelievable. It is so much part of the British persona to be polite and it’s such an important part of everyday life that I believe it would take more than 2 minutes of hardship to break it down.
In spite of the classic horror material the way this film follows the rules borders on the ridiculous. It would have been great to have been surprised once or twice during the course of the film. Furthermore, the ending is pretty disappointing as there is never a real explanation as to whom has put this whole game together and to what purpose or as to why these characters were chosen to participate.
There are no extras on the DVD except for the trailer, which certainly promises a lot more than the film delivers.
So would I recommend this film? In spite of all its flaws I did find it pretty entertaining. I am known for my love of really bad horrors and thrillers though and most of my friends think I have horrible taste in movies so don’t rely too much on my recommendation. I think that to most people it would be a complete waste of time watching this film but if you, like me, quite enjoy a bad film with bad acting just for the fun of it, then you would most certainly enjoy this. Hmm, that does sound very odd but you know what I mean!
If you are a little bit weird like me and still want to watch this film you can pick it up at Amazon for £4.97. It has an 18 certificate although I didn’t find it incredibly gory (well, compared to real gory films such as Saw 3 or Hostel at least).
...way to working out what House of 9 is all about. With the popularity of reality shows like Big Brother, it was inevitable that cinema would start to exploit the grisly film opportunities presented. All the classic elements of a good horror / thriller could be there. A mystery to solve; claustrophobia and confinement; mistrust; unknown identity; and the dark recesses of human nature. The recipe, for sure, is a good one. Why is it, then, that House ... ...budding actress too, because in House of 9 she's about as convincing as Hitler at a child's tea party. Wooden's not the word. But she doesn't cock it up on her own. Oh no. She has eight other people to help her.
Dennis Hopper plays the priest and if you're thinking, "Dennis Hopper as a good guy? Hmm" then you'll sympathise with another one of my reservations. The other characters are just as irritating. There's a young black guy with attitude. His ...
LostWitness 11.09.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of House Of 9 (DVD)
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "House Of 9 (DVD)"
Advantages: horror Disadvantages: barbie and her friends
, Spanish
Hearing Impaired: English, German
Disc Format: DVD9
Cast Commentary
BRoll And Bloopers Video
From Location Joel Silver Reveals House Of Wax
Wax On The Design Of House Of Wax
The House Built On Wax The Visual Effects Of House Of Wax
Alternate Opening Jennifer Killed
Gag Reel
Theatrical Trailer
ASIN: B000A3DBDA ...
kelly642 10.11.2007 (11.11.2007)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of House Of Wax (DVD)
Advantages: It has a really good storyline and it is very funny Disadvantages: The end doesn't give the observer a chance to use their imagination
as he forgets the bra he has to wear as big mama. IT IS BIG, so she was really surprised, but sorts of gets away with it.
His funny experience continues when big mama is wearing a swimming suit and to me that wasn't a pretty sight. But when he realises a problem Big Mama turns into superwoman and goes after the person with a skateboard and saves the day.
The ending is great as the action really begins when the girl calls him from his housekeeping job and asks for his help....
I loved this film as it had a great story, sweet ending and was so funny.
This DVD is 9/10 as it was exciting and unpredictable.
Price
www.amazon.com
Big mommas house $20.99 ...
Advantages: It is so funny that you will really enjoy it and the storyline is great Disadvantages: The end doesn't give the person watching a chance for imagination
her and takes her away from the club. The girl feels so thankful but realises that big mama needs to do something else. He leaves to save the father as the police have come. Big mama tells the police that he was forced and the police allow him to leave.
Yes?.the ending is sweet as he helps a family com together happily. O yeh ? when his wife finds out she isn't too happy but respects that he was doing a job to help.
I loved this film as it had a great story, sweet ending and was so funny.
This DVD is 9/10 as it was exciting and unpredictable.
Price
www.amazon.com
Big mommas house $20.99 ...
Nine complete strangers are drugged and placed in a sealed house together. Once there, a mysterious voice on an intercom tells them that they have been entered into a competition to win five million dollars. Additionally, the winner will win his or her freedom...
Compare House Of 9 (DVD) to other similar Thriller & Mystery »