The Last House in the Woods

By Ed Hulse -- Video Business, 9/15/2008

LIONSGATE

Street: Oct. 14
Prebook: Sept. 17
> Derivative, old-fashioned Italian gorefest doesn’t stint on the blood and guts.

With its nihilistic sociopathy, sadistic misogyny, uneven acting and cheesy gore effects, this Italian-made horror film recalls the ’80s chillers directed by that country’s Umberto Lenzi and Lucio Fulci. While traveling in a heavily wooded area, young lovers Aurora (Daniela Virgilio) and Rino (Daniele Grassetti) are attacked by punks bent on raping Aurora. They’re rescued by a local resident who brings them to his home—and his cannibal family. Much blood-letting and entrail-ripping ensues. Last House is old hat, but it’ll more than satisfy the splatterpunk crowd.

Shelf Talk: Presumably intended for aficionados of Italian slasher films and zombie movies, Last House is definitely a niche product. It will be best promoted by comparing it to vintage product of a similar nature, much of it available on DVD from indie suppliers Blue Underground, Synapse Films and Image Entertainment.

Horror, color, NR (language, graphic violence, gore, sexual menace), 85 min., DVD $19.98
Extras: director’s commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, bonus short film
Director: Gabriele Albanesi
First Run: DVD premiere

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