As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....
I recently found a website called http://trashfilmguru.wordpress.com. On this site, I found a fellow 'found footage' film lover, like myself. After spending the past several days perusing his reviews, I've gathered a rather healthy list of Amazon Prime and Netflix gems, that The Guru has suggested as decent viewing choices. The first of the suggested titles was 'Hell House LLC'. I'm always a little apprehensive, when taking on an hour and a half long unknown venture. When I'm handed assignments for The Creepercast, that's one thing, but when I'm flying blind, that's another. So, needless to say, I was a bit skeptical. You never know how other peoples tastes will mesh with your own. However, after viewing this 2015 horror indie, I have to think that I've found a kindred spirit.
When it comes to shaky cam cinema, you have to the ability to suspend your disbelief. Not in the same way as you do, when it's narrative horror film, but in a way that you're almost watching something that really happened. I think that's one of the reasons I love this sub genre. Ever since 1999, when 'The Blair Witch Project' made its debut, I've been chasing the red dragon ever since. There have been a few examples of masterful use of this low budget style, but more often then not, they're a bit of a let down. Where as zombie films used to be the weapon of choice, for indie film makers and low budget auteurs, found footage has replaced the undead. It's less expensive, the profit margins are a lot higher and anyone with a cell phone can become a director. All you need is some friends and a script. Sadly, that's all they feel is necessary and more often then not, they forget the fact that you need a good story and some skill. But, like any film junkie, we keep coming back for more, with the hopes that the next one will be the one that puts our hairs on end and reminds us why we love the genre in the first place. Was 'Hell House LLC' one of those films? Keep reading, to find out.
The story, is clever, in and of itself. You have a group of friends that travel from place to place, putting together yearly haunts for fun and profit. Upon arriving in this little town, they've found this run down old hotel, that's been vacant for quite a while. They begin to slowly piece together their haunted house, but strange things start happening. As the days and weeks slip by and they get closer to opening night, the frequency of the occurrences increase. Before long, the cracks begin to show in their relationships, as they become divided as to whether or not to continue. However, they make it to opening night and that may just be the last night they ever have on this earth.
Presented in a documentary style of film, writer/director Stephen Cognetti, uses this as a way to tell his story. Intermingling mock interviews with various experts and involved parties, along with footage from the friends who were constructing the haunt and patrons who were there on opening night. It proves to be a very effective way of telling this story. It puts the viewer in a much better frame of mind, in which to lose themselves in the story and not question the reality of what they're seeing. He also uses the 'less is more' strategy of film making, by not showing what's really behind all of the horror that the group is being submitted too. The problem is that somewhere during the course of the film, this starts to change. Some of the reveals are quite effective, while others fall a bit flat. One example of an excellent use of showing and not just telling, is when Paul wakes up to find someone on the floor of his room. We've all experienced that moment of terror, when we think someone is there and we turn away or hide under the blankets, in the hope that it'll all just prove to be a trick of the mind. But in this film, it's all too real and quite frightening. If that would have been then extent of it, I would have been happy, but there are more instances of this. Sadly, they prove to become more of a detractor, than a positive. My other issue with this film, is the ending. I could see it coming a mile away and it was executed poorly. In my opinion, we could have ended the film about 10 minutes earlier and I would have been happy.
All in all, this film stands out as being one of the recommend viewings for those who are still fans of the genre. It may borrow a bit from it's predecessors, but imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? 'Hell House LLC' actually provides us three endings, during the course of its run time. I'm not sure that this was the best decision, as a horror fan. The less is more strategy should have continued and the piece, as a whole, would have been much stronger. Don't let that keep you from spending your time with this film. On the whole, it's a very worthwhile outing. It has genuinely frightening moments and some quality acting, from all the people involved. Mr. Cognetti clearly has a love of the craft and wants to make films that put people on edge. With more time and experience, I can see good things coming from him in the future. If you have Amazon Prime and an hour and a half to kill, this is a 3 out of 5 star film that's worthy of your time. Make sure you put on your suspension of disbelief hat, turn off all the lights and lose yourself in the story. I promise that you won't be sorry. This is one that proves the genre isn't dead and there are still good stories to tell.
If you like this kind of film, check out some of it's inspirations: 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999), 'Paranormal Activity' and 'V/H/S'
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