Knifey
Flesh Eater
Reged: 06/20/04
Posts: 1153
Loc: Liberal Massachusetts
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Hailed by some as amazing and shocking; others think it's complete trash.
What do you guys think?
Me? This was hyped up for years, and I remember I couldn't wait to see it. It was one of the biggest buildup-let downs, as far as movies, ever, for me. Some love it, some hate it. I guess I dont get it. I didn't find it scary, disturbing, shocking, or even remotely groundbreaking. I found it lame from head to toe.
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"You're a gentleman," they used to say to him. "You shouldn't have gone murdering people with a hatchet; that's no occupation for a gentleman."
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Drauch
Flesh Eater
Reged: 12/30/02
Posts: 1174
Loc: Springfield ,Missouri
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Absolutely love it. My favorite Craven film behind "The Hills Have Eyes". Not in my top 10, but definitely in the top 100, being one of my favorite revenge flicks of all time. A very dark and gritty film that still remains quite disturbing to this day.
Of course, like most fans, the comedy cops could have been opted out, but they don't ruin anything. Just kinda gives you a little relief every once and awhile from the poor girls' pain.
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kamikaze_zombie
Rotting Corpse
Reged: 10/03/05
Posts: 921
Loc: Canada
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Yeah. Although I love this movie, There are still several others that I like more. People always ask me why I love this film. I love it because it pushes boundaries & kicks disbeleif in the balls.
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Bruce Campbell has a P.H.D......in kicking your ass!!
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Uncle_Ash
Living Dead
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 993
Loc: Georgia
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I hate the film. I find it to be the most overrated load of crap, ever to hit the screen. Terrible acting, stupid camera-work and a last half that is just dreadful. ISoyG is ten thousand times better.
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Johnny_Darko
Rotting Corpse
Reged: 06/13/05
Posts: 425
Loc: Alaska
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I like it.
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"Deep Throat was like The Blair Witch Project of its time." -David F. Friedman
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Hellraiser_
Flesh Eater
Reged: 12/03/03
Posts: 1314
Loc: Maine
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I love it.
Top 100.
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We'll tear your soul apart.
Edited by Hellraiser_ (10/29/05 10:14 AM)
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kamikaze_zombie
Rotting Corpse
Reged: 10/03/05
Posts: 921
Loc: Canada
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I think this film is a classic, it still accomplishes shocking me, without really impressive effects (case in point the "blowjob". But I could've done without the bumbling cops, but it did create some levity.
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Bruce Campbell has a P.H.D......in kicking your ass!!
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Kriz
Flesh Eater
Reged: 01/23/00
Posts: 1839
Loc: Salisbury, NC, USA
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I like it. I think it would make my top 100, but probably somewhere in the 90s.
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Brains for dinner, brains for lunch, brains for breakfast brains for brunch. Brains for every single meal why can't we have some guts?
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Knifey
Flesh Eater
Reged: 06/20/04
Posts: 1153
Loc: Liberal Massachusetts
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Hmmm, interesting poll results so far. Seems to be a like it alot, love it, or fucking hate it, type of movie
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"You're a gentleman," they used to say to him. "You shouldn't have gone murdering people with a hatchet; that's no occupation for a gentleman."
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eibon89
Recently Deceased
Reged: 11/28/05
Posts: 3
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For about 3 years i have been dying to see this movie. The reviews that i have read qouted: " I have never had a harder time getting through a movie than this. Without doubt the most violent and brutal movie i have ever seen"
So when i found in local dvd shop in copenhagen, where i live, two days ago, my heart stopped. I had to get this movie. I bought it, hurried home and plugged in my dvd player. I was first impressed by it's total primitive almost kinda documentary footage of the forrest. It made me think of the beggining of films such as " Texas chainsaw..."
But ín a while it accured to me that this was a total piece of overrated crap!!! This movie shows that if you want to create a movie that creeps under your skin you gotta have actors that have a sense realistic tone in their screams and painfull moments. And to have a minimalistic score. I mean exploitation and horror/rape cinema does NOT fit with a theme song that make you think of mammas and the pappas. I must admit that the scene where Krug slit his name in Mari's skin had an impact on me. But it did'n get me sleepless... Don't think that i'm talking bad about wes craven, cause i love his other works such as Hills have eyes or the Freddy flicks...
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Johnny_Darko
Rotting Corpse
Reged: 06/13/05
Posts: 425
Loc: Alaska
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Camp classic, LOL.
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"Deep Throat was like The Blair Witch Project of its time." -David F. Friedman
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Roadkill
Risen from the Grave
Reged: 02/19/06
Posts: 57
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Total, unadulterated rubbsih. Apart from the bit where Krug bursts the kid's balloon with his cigarette it's complete shite.
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Regarde the mayhem!
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korosh1ya
Rotting Corpse
Reged: 06/06/05
Posts: 194
Loc: New Orleans, La
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love it. it's one of the only exploitation films in my opinion that reaches this "otherworldly" stature.
the addition of the foolish cops, adding a light-heartedness to a terrible situation, the musical score is a perfect fit, much like MANBITESDOG it makes you somewhat like the perpetrators, you think hey this is funny, goofy, I kinda like these people, and then it hits you that what is happening is wrong, yet there's that part in all of us that just can't resist it, hey we're watching it with pre-knowledge of what it is aren't we? the revenge of the parents I thought was great, and for me that's when the movie really picks up. it's an exploitation film with emotion. I'll never forget after he rapes the main girl and there's a song which lines open with "and now you're all alone" and it shows her, as well as some shots of krug and him looking confused, and from my context I wonder who the song is about. I doubt everything I get out of this movie was intentionally used, but the way it was put together works for me.
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Fright_Fiend
Rotting Corpse
Reged: 12/12/05
Posts: 384
Loc: AZ
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I love this exploitation classic as well. While most hate the comedy cops, I enjoy them. The main baddies are down right disturbing and awful. I really feel for the victims. A disturbing, violent exploitative work that is must-see material. I can see how hype can kill this film though, as with most films. I really need to bust this one out of my collection as its been over four years since I've seen it.
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Dr Peligro
Voodoo Master
Reged: 05/25/00
Posts: 7572
Loc: Québec City
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When I was just a wee lil' boy with very limited experience (but already a lot of interest) in the field of horror flicks, I remember asking my dad what the scariest movie he had ever seen was. He then described to me the time he had gone to see Last House on the Left at the theater, back in it's original 70's release. He made it sound so shocking and disturbing that, for the next several months, Last House on the Left was my offocial holy grail, the first flick I ever looked for when visiting a rental place.
So when I finally found a copy, I was pretty damn glad. I remember waiting till my parents were asleep, then sitting in our basement living room with all the lights shut and popping the tape in the VCR. What followed was one of my first true cinematic letdowns. It also made me realize that, when it comes to movies, my dad is kind of a pussy 
To be fair, near the same time, he also stated that his favorite movie was the MUCH better Jungle Holocaust (aka. Last Cannibal World), which he had also seen in theater back in the days.
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We're all champs when we're drunk.
-Paul Kemp
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Ginose
newbie
Reged: 09/20/05
Posts: 260
Loc: Texas
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I'll admit, I didn't get a huge build-up as far ass this movie was concerned. I had heard alot of people ranting about how great it is and I decided that I definately planned to see it. Well, I went to BLockbuster one night (My freind Poltergeist was staying over, it was a draft night for comic ideas) and I saw this in the newly returned movie section. Ofcourse I picked it up... well, around 11:30 we decided to take a break and watch it. I almost fell asleep. There was nothing terrifying, gory, ground-breaking, or even entertaining about this film! I spent $7.00 to watch a movie that I could care less about... Though I have to admit, Marie's dad chasing Krug down with a chainsaw was fun to watch.
If you really want a decent exploitation movie, skip over this and head for "House by the Edge of the Park"... Same psycho, better premise.
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Interviewer: Why do you rule so much?
Maddox: It's not that I rule, it's that everyone else sucks more than I do. We all suck, and whoever sucks the least is king.
-An interview with Maddox
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Knifey
Flesh Eater
Reged: 06/20/04
Posts: 1153
Loc: Liberal Massachusetts
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I think it was the huge build up that set me up to HATE this movie and completely killed it for me. I truly wanted to like, no, LOVE this movie. Honestly, not only do I not like or love it, I hate it with a passion.
I wanted to be disturbed, I wasn't. That guy making the girl piss herself was supposed to shock me? Lame.
Also, forgive me for not knowing the character names,(only saw it twice and then sold my dvd to Strawberries_) but there was some truly horrible acting in this too. That guy taking heroin and trying to act all fucked up, that was god awful.
I guess its just one of those movies.
Its weird, not everyone likes the same cup of tea, of course. Usually if there is something people like(tv show, music, movie) and I dont like it, I can sometimes at least see why they like it. As far as TLHOTL goes, I dont get it at all. No explanation comes to mind.
Story: cool premise
Execution of premise: Lame
THE Wes Craven Factor: He's way overrated and this film is Exhibit A
Acting: Painful, it doesnt get any worse
Scary Factor: scale of 1 to 10? O (zero)
Shocking factor: It was less shocking than it was scary
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"You're a gentleman," they used to say to him. "You shouldn't have gone murdering people with a hatchet; that's no occupation for a gentleman."
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Uncle_Ash
Living Dead
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 993
Loc: Georgia
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Quote:
I think it was the huge build up that set me up to HATE this movie and completely killed it for me. I truly wanted to like, no, LOVE this movie. Honestly, not only do I not like or love it, I hate it with a passion.
I wanted to be disturbed, I wasn't. That guy making the girl piss herself was supposed to shock me? Lame.
Also, forgive me for not knowing the character names,(only saw it twice and then sold my dvd to Strawberries_) but there was some truly horrible acting in this too. That guy taking heroin and trying to act all fucked up, that was god awful.
I guess its just one of those movies.
Its weird, not everyone likes the same cup of tea, of course. Usually if there is something people like(tv show, music, movie) and I dont like it, I can sometimes at least see why they like it. As far as TLHOTL goes, I dont get it at all. No explanation comes to mind.
Story: cool premise
Execution of premise: Lame
THE Wes Craven Factor: He's way overrated and this film is Exhibit A
Acting: Painful, it doesnt get any worse
Scary Factor: scale of 1 to 10? O (zero)
Shocking factor: It was less shocking than it was scary
Yup
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Dr Peligro
Voodoo Master
Reged: 05/25/00
Posts: 7572
Loc: Québec City
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"If you really want a decent exploitation movie, skip over this and head for "House by the Edge of the Park"... Same psycho, better premise."
Well put, my thoughts exactly. IMHO the only wortwhile thing about Last House on the Left was David Hess' performance. The man sure can play psychos well! And Edge of the Park is pretty similar in theme and feel as On the Left, only much better executed.
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We're all champs when we're drunk.
-Paul Kemp
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Uncle_Ash
Living Dead
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 993
Loc: Georgia
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Correct and of course my favorite film with Hess is the immortal "Hitch-Hike".
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Kriz
Flesh Eater
Reged: 01/23/00
Posts: 1839
Loc: Salisbury, NC, USA
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Bah this movie wasn't that bad. I will admit it is over rated. I think the movie has a very creepy feel, esp. with the comedic elements thrown in. It makes you want to kind of accept the movie as a joke or fun and games, just like the main psychos. And I think the revenge scene at the end is great.
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Brains for dinner, brains for lunch, brains for breakfast brains for brunch. Brains for every single meal why can't we have some guts?
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KarlaHomolka
Recently Deceased
Reged: 09/07/06
Posts: 11
Loc: Illinois
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I did not like this movie at all. Which surprised me sense I enjoyed and own ISOYG. I was expecting so much more with all the hype of this film.
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Uncle_Ash
Living Dead
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 993
Loc: Georgia
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Quote:
I did not like this movie at all. Which surprised me sense I enjoyed and own ISOYG. I was expecting so much more with all the hype of this film.
The hype kills this for alot of people. Upon my first viewing I was supremely dissappointed. ISOYG is a far superior film in both quality and as a contribution to the genre.
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KarlaHomolka
Recently Deceased
Reged: 09/07/06
Posts: 11
Loc: Illinois
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i can not stand this movie. i like isoyg a hundred times better.
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DVDfanatic9
Risen from the Grave
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 70
Loc: California
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I think it's a truly powerful piece of cinema. Unique and somewhat original. And still a superior film than almost all of it's imitators. I'd say it's in the 100 greatest horror films, but not the top 10.
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kamikaze_zombie
Rotting Corpse
Reged: 10/03/05
Posts: 921
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
The hype kills this for alot of people. Upon my first viewing I was supremely dissappointed. ISOYG is a far superior film in both quality and as a contribution to the genre.
I think the reason that I was able to enjoy this movie as much as I did was that when I saw it, I had never heard of the film in my life. I saw it on the shelf at my local video store, and there was a guy on the front with a chainsaw. I was sold. I think my naiiveness and my young age all contributed to my opinion on the film, I was about 12 or 13 when I saw LHotL. Now I have not, as of yet, seen ISoYG, but I really want to. When I finally do see it, I will most likely like it over LHotL, but that film still holds a special place in my heart. It's a reminder of when I started really getting into horror movies, When I started forming my love and passion for the genre into what it is today.
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Bruce Campbell has a P.H.D......in kicking your ass!!
Edited by kamikaze_zombie (05/06/07 01:08 AM)
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DVDfanatic9
Risen from the Grave
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 70
Loc: California
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I don't know what else people expected from this movie. And I don't know anyone who listens to hype either. The movie was great. A thoughtful social commentary on violence.
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She knows she's a winner
She couldn't be thinner
Now she goes in the bathroom
and vomits up dinner
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Uncle_Ash
Living Dead
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 993
Loc: Georgia
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Quote:
I don't know what else people expected from this movie.
A quality movie watching experience. Unfortunately this was not to be had. Instead we were treated to a series of unsuccessful scenes that together just form a mess.
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Knifey
Flesh Eater
Reged: 06/20/04
Posts: 1153
Loc: Liberal Massachusetts
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Quote:
Quote:
I don't know what else people expected from this movie.
A quality movie watching experience. Unfortunately this was not to be had. Instead we were treated to a series of unsuccessful scenes that together just form a mess.
LOL
Well said...and I concur.
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"You're a gentleman," they used to say to him. "You shouldn't have gone murdering people with a hatchet; that's no occupation for a gentleman."
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DVDfanatic9
Risen from the Grave
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 70
Loc: California
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Quote:
A quality movie watching experience. Unfortunately this was not to be had. Instead we were treated to a series of unsuccessful scenes that together just form a mess.
What scenes were unsuccessful, aside from all the scenes with the cops?
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She knows she's a winner
She couldn't be thinner
Now she goes in the bathroom
and vomits up dinner
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Uncle_Ash
Living Dead
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 993
Loc: Georgia
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Quote:
Quote:
A quality movie watching experience. Unfortunately this was not to be had. Instead we were treated to a series of unsuccessful scenes that together just form a mess.
What scenes were unsuccessful, aside from all the scenes with the cops?
The cops. 
Well I suppose I'll do this in chronological order.
The first scene that seemed odd and out of place was the conversation between the girl and her parents. The whole "bra" thing was really stereotypical and corny and reminded me firmly that I was watching a movie. That, along with the musical montage with the two girls, really takes the reality out of the film early on. This succeeds in destroying any attempt to be disturbed. Then we come to the meeting between the future victims and their soon to be victimizers. This scene is really badly shot. It's marked with kind of a cheesy aura and there is zero tension. A wasted scene, really. If better shot and structured, this scene could have provided a very tense mood to the film and completely erased the corniness of the previous sequences.
Then of course we get to the victimization. The failing of these scenes is mainly that I never really "feel" for the victims. The pieces just don't come together. The acting from all parties is too watered down and I never got a sense of "Oh my God NO!!!!" from the victims or a sense of joy from the victimizers. The fact that these scenes are considered shocking is a real mystery to me. They really feel flat. The most horrible of all being the sequence in which the thugs are supposed to appear to seem remorseful. This scene really comes off as hokey and unbelievable. Mostly, again, due to poor acting, in my opinion. They just kinda stare and it's not a blank stare. It almost seems like Wes just directed them to "stare". There really seems to be no motivation behind it.
The revenge sequence, I won't even go into, since most people acknowledge it's failure, but I actually find it to be the most convincing part of the film.
I feel odd going into detail like this. Me, the king of criticizing people for making such criticisms concerning Exploitation films. But when your intent is to shock, ya have to make it atleast somewhat believable. Last House on the Left simply isn't to me, at all.
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DVDfanatic9
Risen from the Grave
Reged: 04/23/07
Posts: 70
Loc: California
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Well you seem to know a lot. You might know more than me. That's okay with me.
At least you pay attention. That's very good.
So I've watched a lot of movies where I've felt the same way you did. The little details often pull me right out of a scene and then it doesn't work for me at all. Sometimes the rest of the movie is affected by this. When I would tell this to people, do you know what they'd say to me? That I'm being too technical. Of course I never believed them. But maybe some of what they said was true. I don't know. I disagreed with them.
About Last House on the Left though, it didn't really disturb me very much either. But I don't always pay close attention to the movie. On repeat viewings, it's as disturbing as anything could ever be. It's certainly uncomfortable. I guess what you're saying is that you don't like being uncomfortable unless you're very uncomfortable.
I'm not going to debate each scene you noted with you. I think it's pointless. Because I would have said the very same thing I'm saying now. And this way I think you can see the intent.
When I think about what I liked about this movie, I like some of the exact things you and many other people say they disliked about it. What's disturbing to me is the mood of the film. It might not be raw enough to feel like true reality to everyone who watches it, but to me it feels much bigger. It feels like it's making a much broader statement. Not just about the little physical actions that change a person's life, but also about the world we lived in, back then. I think this movie was taking a look at the world and making big statements about violence and society. I don't always like movies like that, but in the case of this movie, I still feel that every last thing worked. But those cops. For me, they were the only weak link.
I feel like it was more than just a disturbing movie. And it was disturbing. It certainly bothered a lot of people, caused a lot of controversy, and ruffled sensitive feathers. Like I said before, I don't get what else people expected from it. I'm not so jaded that I expect it, or any movie for that matter, will fuck me up. I hope others share the same basic view. I don't need movie experiences to make me feel alive. So what little satisfaction I got from this film, as far as I'm concerned, more than warranted its being made and pissing off a few horror fans wanting something else.
When I look at the movie, I don't see your examples hurting the film as much as you claim they did.
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She knows she's a winner
She couldn't be thinner
Now she goes in the bathroom
and vomits up dinner
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Uncle_Ash
Living Dead
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 993
Loc: Georgia
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I'm not gonna criticize you for how you feel about the film. I'm glad you like it. I'm glad it seems to be a positive part of your life. But the things you seem to enjoy about it are very wide and general. It's almost like you admire the point of the film more than the actual film itself. That may not be true. It's just the impression I get. Even if it is, that's okay.
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When I look at the movie, I don't see your examples hurting the film as much as you claim they did.
This is a very personal statement. There's really nothing I can say against it. Certainly, if they don't affect the way you feel about the film then the things that you look for or appreciate about films like LHOTL are different than mine.
It really comes down to this for me. I didn't need to keep telling myself it was just a movie. The movie did that enough itself.
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