Urban World

The Last House on the Left

I've never had a penchant for horror films; I'm way too paranoid to be able to sit through them. I won't tell you the reason for this paranoia - I'm paranoid that you'll use it against me.

Wes Craven is undoubtedly one of the most revered film directors of all time so a remake of his directorial debut (which, incidentally, he produced) is definitely worth a look...with all the lights in the cinema on (provided you have some cash to bribe the cinema staff) and some animated comedy films ready in the DVD player when you get back to your well-lit home.

The Last House on the Left is the 2009 remake of Wes Craven's 1972 movie of the same name. This time the film is directed by Dennis Iliadis and stars a cohort of relative no-namers. The film is about the Collingwood family vacation to a secluded section of the countryside that goes horrifically wrong when Mari the daughter (Sara Paxton) takes her parents' car and goes to visit her friend at work in a convenience store. While chatting in the store they befriend a customer who invites them to his motel room to smoke marijuana. I've heard that stuff causes paranoia...

Marijuana use is also scientifically linked to lapses in memory and the girls' newfound friend corroborates this theory as he manages to let it slip his mind, and tells them that his father, uncle and his father's girlfriend are murderous fugitives. Upon discovering his son's companions, Krug (Garret Dillahunt) decides that it wouldn't be in his gang's best interest to let the girls leave alive. A harrowing ordeal ensues with more blood involved than a California-based gang dressed in red.

From start to finish, The Last House on the Left is beautifully shot in awe-inspiring locations and is a very tense thriller indeed with an amazing twist that would obviously be spoiled for those that have seen the original.

I feel ashamed to say that I haven't seen the original yet but despite my little problem, I daresay I've been inspired enough by this particular remake to go and search for it on DVD. That and every Shrek title.