(1981)


Director:Tom DeSimone

Star: Linda Blair n some other people...

Sort of semi-fond memories of this because this used to entertain me as a teenager when it used to be on late night weekends a lot. hy this film was put on so much is a mystery to me, but there you go - nostalgia brings us to purchase the DVD, especially as it was under £1 and isnt even a dodgy pirate. It even boasts that it is the "special edition" tho a coupla trailers and a comentary is fairly standard to other discs... But really paste that sentimentality of those hazy days of staying up late to watch shit coz its not a school night, does it stand up as a film? Er not really. Its very very boring. Cliche set up, the Fraternity dare to stay in a haunted house... And slowly.... VERY slowly the cast get killed off. For a film with not much character development, not much plot, you'd thing theyd fill it in with some elaborate and juicey death scenes... but no... so we have long swaths of nearly falling asleep while NOTHING is happening, then when the killings happen they are blink or miss it affairs and fairly clumsy, just like the directing and acting... Lind Blair is the "star" so you know she'll be the sole survivor so you dont get an ounce of suspence from the opening titles... theres a maniac running around the house - but hey its his house, if he wants to kill horny and/or stupid teenagers on his property whats the big deal? Not as if anyone gives a shit - I certainly didnt... There are better slashers out there, in fact even the WORSE ones are better in a way, this is just totally mediocre... it only really comes into its own in the last 20 break neck minutes where all the action that was asbsent (presumed dead) from the first hour and 20 comes on in a concentrated burst, these scenes are clumsy too but at least they have a bit of an energy to them... When the sun finally comes up you are sharing Linda Blairs "thank god its all over" moment - but for a different reason... With a title like Hell Night youd expect a bit more... Oh well, watch it if it comes on TV and the only other alternative is Big Brother... Also, I want to know why all the guys fancy Linda Blair in this film?