House (1986)

House (1986)
Directed by: Steve Miner
Written by: Ethan Wiley, Fred Dekker
Starring: George Wendt, Kay Lenz, William Katt

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyW7yuW2scg[/youtube]

House is a strange mix. It had the potential to be one of the greatest horror series ever with the endless possibilities relating to a house filled with portals to different dimensions. Yet it was the fun first outing that remains the best of the four movies.
The plot revolves around horror writer, Roger Cobb (William Katt) who’s career and marriage crumbles while spending years searching for his missing child. After returning to the house where his son disappeared, Roger soon starts to experience terrible nightmares and eerie noises while staying at the spooky residence. He realizes the property poses a psychical threat when all sorts of beasts and apparitions start to visit. However it might be someone or something from his past that could be the main perpetrator.

I loved the whole idea of House the first time I viewed it. The first quarter is actually very creepy, especially during the dream sequences. Then perhaps unwisely, director Steve Miner plays it for laughs. Sometimes the comedy works, including an attack by a giant swordfish or a great set-piece in the tool shed. Others set-pieces don’t. A sequence involving his nosy neighbour (George Wendt) and a fishing rod or an awkward babysitting sequence seem strained and out of place with the black humour before.
The story gets back on course for a fast moving, final quarter when Roger starts to piece together the mystery surrounding his son’s disappearance and a final confrontation with evil. House is great fun and was shamefully shown up in the inferior sequels.
Rating:

Beer Movie Rating 5/5