"Extremely Scary!
Added 11/29/2009
"House of Wax" is based loosely on the 1953 horror film of the same name starring Vincent Price. While driving a group of college friends break down in an old deserted town. They eventually come across a house, which is actually a house made out of wax, and unknown to them killers live there. The plot sounds insane, but the movie is actually quite enjoyable, especially if you like films that depict young people being chased by crazed killers. The special effects are intelligent and the performances are strong, headed by "One Tree Hill" hunk Chad Michael Murray. The movie is also known for the screen debut of Paris Hilton, who unlike what the critics say, is actually a good actress. A film clip of Bette Davis from "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" is used in the film when the characters come across an old run down theatre. The movie grossed over $68 million at the boxoffice and made another $42 million on DVD so the film was a commercial success. The DVD comes with behind-the-scenes featurettes on the making of the movie, the trailer is included, and an alternate opening comes with the set. "The Long Island Press" says of "The House of Wax" that, it's a "hot, sexy, deliciously creepy horror film".
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Halfway decent film
Added 11/25/2009
I have to admit, this movie is really not that scary. There are a couple predictable moments when you find yourself jumping against your better judgement, but beyond that, it's just good makeup. However, House of Wax seems to be unintentionally entertaining. The acting is amusing because it is just THAT BAD, and Paris Hilton's death scene is classic. The sets were pretty well done, and, even though you could see the end scene coming from a mile away, I still thought it was a thrilling conclusion. Overall, I think this film completely missed the mark for horror and drama, but I still found myself enthralled and wanting to watch the rest, which is why I'm giving it three stars. If you're looking for a quality film, which it sounds like some of the negative reviewers were, you won't find it here, but, if you just want a entrtaining movie and have nothing else to do, this is your kind of film.
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A whole lotta wax
Added 11/10/2009
This movie is not an exact remake of Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933) and House Of Wax (1953). It is a movie that has a different but mildly similar story. Whereas the 1933 and 1953 movies took place in a big city, this 2005 movie takes place in a very small and remote town in Louisiana. There ARE some similarities to the 1933 and 1953 flicks, but the similarities are loose at best. I have to wonder why they titled the movie House Of Wax, which is the same title as the 1953 movie. Maybe it was name recognition to get people in the door at the movie theater.
To me, this movie is a cross between The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Friday The 13th movies. Right from the beginning of the movie it had The Texas Chainsaw Massacre feel to it, then the Friday The 13th feel kicked in a short time later. Much like these movies (and so many slasher horror movies including Halloween), House Of Wax features a group of teenagers or twenty-somethings who are partying and just trying to have a good time, whether its at a campground, a neighborhood, or wherever. Then somewhere along the way they run into trouble and a killer stalks them. In this movie, six college friends have their car break down in a remote area. They had been on their way to a football game. They discover a small town when they are looking for help. On the way to this small town, two of them catch a ride with a creepy, mentally sick stranger. I have no clue why these people would trust a creepy stranger like the one in this movie, or any stranger. You gotta see him to know what I'm talking about. In town there is a museum called House Of Wax. This building is literally made of wax - the walls, floors, everything. Inside are wax mannequins. To sum up the plot, the kids run into not one but two wax sculpting killers who are brothers. There is lots of blood and gore. The goal of the killers is to make wax sculptures out of the captured kids (much like in the 1933 and 1953 movies). The kids try desperately to escape the museum and the town unscathed. Four of the kids are killed off. The ending is over-the-top and memorable. This movie has lots of good special effects and props.
This movie stars the attractive Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, Brian Van Holt, Paris Hilton, Jared Padalecki, Jon Abrahams, and Robert Ri'Chard. The musical score by John Ottman is pretty good. There are a couple of "current" type of heavy rock songs in this movie that will someday date this movie.
Paris Hilton has a lesser role in this movie compared to some of the other actors. In my opinion, she did a pretty good job acting. I must say I'm surprised to see the overall rating of this movie at 3 1/2 stars after 266 reviews. I thought it would be higher. After reading a lot of the lower rated reviews it is clear that a lot of people dislike Paris Hilton. It goes beyond acting ability, which some people question, while others praise it. I think a lot of it has to do with pure jealousy, unfortunately. She's young, rich, and famous. Again, she doesn't have a huge role in this movie. But she's in this movie, bottom line, and a lot of people don't like that. She probably was put in to sell movie tickets and give the movie a boost. Personally, I forget about who she is and judge her acting ability and the character she played, which I thought passed the test. In real life she comes across as a stereotypical blonde bimbo. People can't see past that. It doesn't help that in this movie she has a striptease scene that really sticks out like a sore thumb compared to what the other actors are doing. It almost felt to me like her striptease scene was put in the movie as a sort of self-promotion. Back in 2005 she was the hottest name out there and a tabloid story every day it seemed (and still pretty much is). I've read lots of reviews where people love the fact and are gleeful that she was killed off in this movie. Some of it could be because they disliked the character she played, but some of it could be just because she's Paris Hilton.
This DVD comes with many extras, including a B-Roll and Bloopers Video Cast Commentary, an on location segment about the design of the House Of Wax, the visual effects, an alternate opening, a gag reel, and the theatrical trailer.
If you want to see a unique and creepy horror movie thriller, then I recommend this movie. This movie is better than I thought it would be. You might agree with me. And keep an open mind when it comes to Paris Hilton.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Mixed bag
Added 10/13/2009
House of Wax certainly had an original idea. Even though there was already a Wax movie (made over 50 years ago) this movie was still very entertaining. It had enough gore and twistedness to make it interesting. Even though I like horror movies, some parts of this movie were hard for me to look at (a good mark of a horror movie)
I didn't understand why the wax couldn't simply have peeled off Wade's skin instead of taking his skin along with it. Poor guy, he deserved better.
There were a few things about the movie that just didn't work. The scene where Paris Hilton was stripping for her boyfriend went on too long - it was clearly fanservice so boys could ogle her - but she did a decent job trying to fight Vincent off. I found the idea of a literal house of wax to be silly. Over time the floors would sag, the walls would bow, etc. (that's a lot of wax!) And the very ending with the revelation of a third child was just cheesy. I suppose it meant we can look forward to a sequel of this...
Overall a decent horror movie, most of it was good and creepy and I would have given it a higher rating if not for the bad things that I pointed out.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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house of wax
Added 10/6/2009
very good movie great cast good special effects and you get to see paris hilton impailed through the eye socket most definatly worth your money
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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"Extremely Scary!
Added 11/29/2009
"House of Wax" is based loosely on the 1953 horror film of the same name starring Vincent Price. While driving a group of college friends break down in an old deserted town. They eventually come across a house, which is actually a house made out of wax, and unknown to them killers live there. The plot sounds insane, but the movie is actually quite enjoyable, especially if you like films that depict young people being chased by crazed killers. The special effects are intelligent and the performances are strong, headed by "One Tree Hill" hunk Chad Michael Murray. The movie is also known for the screen debut of Paris Hilton, who unlike what the critics say, is actually a good actress. A film clip of Bette Davis from "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" is used in the film when the characters come across an old run down theatre. The movie grossed over $68 million at the boxoffice and made another $42 million on DVD so the film was a commercial success. The DVD comes with behind-the-scenes featurettes on the making of the movie, the trailer is included, and an alternate opening comes with the set. "The Long Island Press" says of "The House of Wax" that, it's a "hot, sexy, deliciously creepy horror film".
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Halfway decent film
Added 11/25/2009
I have to admit, this movie is really not that scary. There are a couple predictable moments when you find yourself jumping against your better judgement, but beyond that, it's just good makeup. However, House of Wax seems to be unintentionally entertaining. The acting is amusing because it is just THAT BAD, and Paris Hilton's death scene is classic. The sets were pretty well done, and, even though you could see the end scene coming from a mile away, I still thought it was a thrilling conclusion. Overall, I think this film completely missed the mark for horror and drama, but I still found myself enthralled and wanting to watch the rest, which is why I'm giving it three stars. If you're looking for a quality film, which it sounds like some of the negative reviewers were, you won't find it here, but, if you just want a entrtaining movie and have nothing else to do, this is your kind of film.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A whole lotta wax
Added 11/10/2009
This movie is not an exact remake of Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933) and House Of Wax (1953). It is a movie that has a different but mildly similar story. Whereas the 1933 and 1953 movies took place in a big city, this 2005 movie takes place in a very small and remote town in Louisiana. There ARE some similarities to the 1933 and 1953 flicks, but the similarities are loose at best. I have to wonder why they titled the movie House Of Wax, which is the same title as the 1953 movie. Maybe it was name recognition to get people in the door at the movie theater.
To me, this movie is a cross between The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Friday The 13th movies. Right from the beginning of the movie it had The Texas Chainsaw Massacre feel to it, then the Friday The 13th feel kicked in a short time later. Much like these movies (and so many slasher horror movies including Halloween), House Of Wax features a group of teenagers or twenty-somethings who are partying and just trying to have a good time, whether its at a campground, a neighborhood, or wherever. Then somewhere along the way they run into trouble and a killer stalks them. In this movie, six college friends have their car break down in a remote area. They had been on their way to a football game. They discover a small town when they are looking for help. On the way to this small town, two of them catch a ride with a creepy, mentally sick stranger. I have no clue why these people would trust a creepy stranger like the one in this movie, or any stranger. You gotta see him to know what I'm talking about. In town there is a museum called House Of Wax. This building is literally made of wax - the walls, floors, everything. Inside are wax mannequins. To sum up the plot, the kids run into not one but two wax sculpting killers who are brothers. There is lots of blood and gore. The goal of the killers is to make wax sculptures out of the captured kids (much like in the 1933 and 1953 movies). The kids try desperately to escape the museum and the town unscathed. Four of the kids are killed off. The ending is over-the-top and memorable. This movie has lots of good special effects and props.
This movie stars the attractive Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, Brian Van Holt, Paris Hilton, Jared Padalecki, Jon Abrahams, and Robert Ri'Chard. The musical score by John Ottman is pretty good. There are a couple of "current" type of heavy rock songs in this movie that will someday date this movie.
Paris Hilton has a lesser role in this movie compared to some of the other actors. In my opinion, she did a pretty good job acting. I must say I'm surprised to see the overall rating of this movie at 3 1/2 stars after 266 reviews. I thought it would be higher. After reading a lot of the lower rated reviews it is clear that a lot of people dislike Paris Hilton. It goes beyond acting ability, which some people question, while others praise it. I think a lot of it has to do with pure jealousy, unfortunately. She's young, rich, and famous. Again, she doesn't have a huge role in this movie. But she's in this movie, bottom line, and a lot of people don't like that. She probably was put in to sell movie tickets and give the movie a boost. Personally, I forget about who she is and judge her acting ability and the character she played, which I thought passed the test. In real life she comes across as a stereotypical blonde bimbo. People can't see past that. It doesn't help that in this movie she has a striptease scene that really sticks out like a sore thumb compared to what the other actors are doing. It almost felt to me like her striptease scene was put in the movie as a sort of self-promotion. Back in 2005 she was the hottest name out there and a tabloid story every day it seemed (and still pretty much is). I've read lots of reviews where people love the fact and are gleeful that she was killed off in this movie. Some of it could be because they disliked the character she played, but some of it could be just because she's Paris Hilton.
This DVD comes with many extras, including a B-Roll and Bloopers Video Cast Commentary, an on location segment about the design of the House Of Wax, the visual effects, an alternate opening, a gag reel, and the theatrical trailer.
If you want to see a unique and creepy horror movie thriller, then I recommend this movie. This movie is better than I thought it would be. You might agree with me. And keep an open mind when it comes to Paris Hilton.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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