Hospitality is One of the Most Original and Compelling Horror Films in Recent Memory
| Tweet | |
|
|
Hospitality captures suspense, fear and depth with a small budget, exceptional acting and crisp no-frills production.
Written by BHM Editor The Horror Czar, Don Sumner
December 5, 2008
Watch the Hospitality Horror Movie Trailer!
Buy on Amazon
Release: November 4, 2008 (U.S. DVD)
Written, Directed and Edited by: Tony Ducret
Starring:
Airrion Doss as Paul
Alex Finch as Craig
Gian-Murray Gianino as Teddy
Teddy (Gian-Murray Gianino) has had quite a night. As the fog clears after a decidedly long night some of the pieces of the last 24 hours start to move into place. The half-empty scotch bottle on the night stand gives clarity to the libation responsible for the cotton-mouth and splitting headache. The beer and liquor bottles littering the floor of his parent’s mountain cabin betray the vast number of people that were in attendance at Teddy’s 25th birthday celebration. The used condoms strewn about the room imply that a good time was had by all – the video camera on the bed confirms it.
What a surprise to find two strange men asleep in the T.V. room (Airrion Doss and Alex Finch). It appears that they are from the local ski resort and were left behind by some of their friends after the evening festivities. They seem nice enough; one of them even offers to help clean up the cabin before Teddy’s parents arrive in about 24 hours. When the other wakes from his hung over stupor, however, the attitude changes a bit. The sleeper is crude, rude and refuses to lift a finger to clean a thing.
Once Teddy realizes that this isn’t one big happy clean-up crew he is over the whole thing and just wants them both to leave so that he can clean in peace. Suddenly they don’t want to leave. In fact, they begin to act with aggression… and then with violence. What torturous tactics do they have in mind? Will the first day of Teddy’s 25th birthday become the last day of his life?
Hospitality is micro-budget at best, reportedly completed for a mere $25,000 (source: IMDb). Shot mostly in black and white and utilizing only three actors throughout, this film is no-frills to the nth degree. Still, this one absolutely shines like few films do. A combination of the crisp and original script, clean production, consistent and strong sound and editing along with superb performances by the actors result in a compelling film that is uncommonly original.
The script has dialogue that is realistic and natural (well, the white guys use a bit too much Ebonics slang, but still... some white guys talk like that I guess) that moves the story along quickly without rushing. The stand-out, however, is the intricate and shockingly original storyline. Hospitality has a great story that is simultaneously outlandish and plausible – a rare combination indeed.
The sound and editing not only fail to detract from the action on the screen but actually add to the power of the story. One of the primary failings of low budget horror is that the sound, production quality and editing seems to be a secondary thought which can result in a movie-watching experience that is not positive. Not only does this film avoid the trap, the experience created through sound quality and editing prowess is heightened for the viewer; they actually make the film more effective as they add to the emotional ride that this film facilitates.
As much as the previously mentioned elements contribute to the success of Hospitality, it is the performances of actors Doss, Finch and Gianino that seal the deal. Paul (Airrion Doss), the ring leader of the dubious interloping duo, is calmly and charmingly sociopathic to such a disturbing degree that he is absolutely horrifying. Craig (Alex Finch) as the uncouth accomplice portrays raw aggressive impulse with just enough psychosis to give the feeling that he could snap at any moment… yet his obedience to Paul betrays his nature as a Frankenstein-like enslaved roughneck. Finch has accomplished a complex performance in the form of a thuggish ruffian… beautiful. And then there is Teddy (Gian-Murray Gianino).
Gianino gives a performance that is completely believeable with a depth of emotion that pulls the film together. With only three characters on the screen each must pull their weight and the burden on the protagonist to remain engaging throughout is heavy. Gianino accomplishes this task to perfection saving a film with more talking than action from the bloody pits of boredom.
Hospitality is an exceptional film that illustrates the promise of Independent horror. A largely blood and gore-less psychological experience that deserves to be seen, this film is not only one of the best Independent horror films of the year, but quite possibly top 10 material across the board. Question or comments about Hospitality? Discuss it on The Ossuary Forums!
Take me to Independent Horror!
Take me to Horror Movie Reviews!
Horror Movie Freaks is the FREE eZine from Best-Horror-Movies.com that will give you the new horror releases, the new horror news and the new horror reviews that you CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT!!
Subscribing is easy, painless and free.
Do it NOW!!
