HNT
Grizzled HMaM Vet
Horror in General & Everything Else Moderator[/i]
Kiss my tuchis
Posts: 6,296
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Hostel
Aug 9, 2006 18:02:42 GMT -5
Post by HNT on Aug 9, 2006 18:02:42 GMT -5
That's definitely true
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Hostel
Aug 9, 2006 20:38:18 GMT -5
Post by Bone Daddy on Aug 9, 2006 20:38:18 GMT -5
I think Roth may have touched upon some cultural biases and socio-economic themes, but delved more into the sex and gore more for 'pushing-the-envelope' sake than to really incoporate any deep socio-politcal commentary. Which is fine, the film is what it is, just wish it was a tad more!
I too cringe at the so-called 'ugly American'. I've been aboard myslelf and wince at some of my fellow countrymen (and women) and their behavior, though I've not encountered them to be sincerely rude or disdainful, just naive. In other words, I think most Americans need abit of a hisotrical/cultural/global perspective. I used to work in NYC, mostly in Mid-town Manahttan and I've dealt with many folks from many parts of the world and in my experience, its the individual, not the 'country' that is either a jackass or a good bloke or lass.
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
Posts: 2,868
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Hostel
Aug 9, 2006 20:54:56 GMT -5
Post by Canetoad on Aug 9, 2006 20:54:56 GMT -5
Well put BD. Having travelled a lot myself I can say people of all nationalities are quite capable of being boorish and ignorant in the extreme. I've met just as many oafish Aussie tourists as I have arrogant Americans, rude Germans, disdainful French, drunken Poms, thoughtless Japanese etc etc.
Tourist too often forget the 'When in Rome...'' adage, which if you ask me is the whole point of travelling in the first place! If you don't want different tastes, sights, smells, cultures and comfort zones, then stay at home.
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Hostel
Aug 9, 2006 21:05:46 GMT -5
Post by Bone Daddy on Aug 9, 2006 21:05:46 GMT -5
Indeed, indeed!
Be a cultural sponge and SOAK it up!
Leave the 'Mickey D' mentality behind!
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Hostel
Jan 2, 2007 16:14:16 GMT -5
Post by Bad Boy on Jan 2, 2007 16:14:16 GMT -5
I understand that the sex in the beginning was for character development, but I felt they put a bit too much in it. To me, it felt like porn and I was, at least I thought, watching a HORROR film, not a porno...
So I took a star away from it for that... But despite all of that, "Hostel" is an excellent thrill ride, filled with great acting, suspense, and plenty of gore! I especially loved the 'eyeball' sequence, but I won't spoil anything. This was a very gory movie, IMO, and I felt Eli Roth did his business. Can't wait for the sequel!
3 stars!
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Hostel
Jun 3, 2007 19:06:21 GMT -5
Post by razors on Jun 3, 2007 19:06:21 GMT -5
Just caught the uncut version of this, and would be interested in what others think... HOSTEL Rated: R (Australia); Unrated (US) This film is to Slovakia’s tourism industry what Wolf Creek is to Australian road trips. Hostel, once it hits its straps, is a relentless and sadistic exercise that at times makes the viewer complicit in the torture and blood-letting on screen. This is obviously director Eli Roth’s (Cabin Fever) intent, and one which he achieves quite admirably. Hostel focuses on two young American college boys (played by Jay Hernandez and Derek Richardson) indulging in their right of passage backpacking trip around Europe. Indulging is the operative word, as the lads are more interested in sex, drugs and partying than any European culture as such. This leads them to a hostel in an off the beaten track Slovakian town, where, they are assured, the girls are plentiful and willing. Very willing, as the girls are just bait for an organisation that uses wayward travellers as victims for rich clients willing to pay for the privilege of torturing and killing them. While being unashamedly exploitative, Hostel is nonetheless quite dark and disturbing. This DVD is the uncut version, which restores footage that was removed from the theatrical release print in order to gain a US ‘R’ certificate. Little is left to the imagination. The extras package is quite good, in particular ‘Hostel Dissected’ – a 3 part documentary on the making of the film. Strong stuff (or snuff, perhaps?), and a package well worth adding to any horror buff’s collection. Four stars Nice Review.
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Hostel
Jun 5, 2007 6:39:15 GMT -5
Post by GP on Jun 5, 2007 6:39:15 GMT -5
I understand that the sex in the beginning was for character development, but I felt they put a bit too much in it. To me, it felt like porn and I was, at least I thought, watching a HORROR film, not a porno... I guess you ain't watched too much porn. Good lad. It'll only send you blind.
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HNT
Grizzled HMaM Vet
Horror in General & Everything Else Moderator[/i]
Kiss my tuchis
Posts: 6,296
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Hostel
Jun 5, 2007 10:55:27 GMT -5
Post by HNT on Jun 5, 2007 10:55:27 GMT -5
LMFAO Good call GP
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
Posts: 2,868
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Hostel
Jun 5, 2007 19:16:31 GMT -5
Post by Canetoad on Jun 5, 2007 19:16:31 GMT -5
I understand that the sex in the beginning was for character development, but I felt they put a bit too much in it. To me, it felt like porn and I was, at least I thought, watching a HORROR film, not a porno... I guess you ain't watched too much porn. Good lad. It'll only send you blind. Hee hee... or watched too much B grade horror either for that matter. Toad recommends you immediately seek out copies of 2001 Maniacs, Satan's Blood and Hard Gore
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Hostel
Jul 1, 2007 15:23:23 GMT -5
Post by †Dead Poet† on Jul 1, 2007 15:23:23 GMT -5
I understand that the sex in the beginning was for character development, but I felt they put a bit too much in it. To me, it felt like porn and I was, at least I thought, watching a HORROR film, not a porno... So I took a star away from it for that... But despite all of that, "Hostel" is an excellent thrill ride, filled with great acting, suspense, and plenty of gore! I especially loved the 'eyeball' sequence, but I won't spoil anything. This was a very gory movie, IMO, and I felt Eli Roth did his business. Can't wait for the sequel! 3 stars! Well..I didn't mind the porn in the beginning.To tell you the truth,I liked it because it made you think who's going to survive and then you realise you were completely wrong =P It was also,partly,an introduction to what was going to happen for me. As for the rest..I thought it was MARVELLOUS! As a plot is magnificent and the fact that this happens makes you live inside the movie,feel the tension. What I really liked is the messages it passes through.Money,money,money.Nothingness.Misanthropic tendencies and radicall doubts.It makes you think right from the very start. I hope the sequel is the same good as the first.
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Canetoad
The Prodigal Toad
HMaM member of the Month, July 2006
Cry Havoc! And let slip the cats of war.
Posts: 2,868
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Hostel
Jul 1, 2007 16:45:52 GMT -5
Post by Canetoad on Jul 1, 2007 16:45:52 GMT -5
It also preyed pretty well on some base fears...
in terms of characters you had the fear of fitting in/sexuality
Then there's the fear of things foreign - a strange country where customs are unfamiliar.
Fear of incarceration.
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Hostel
Jul 10, 2007 20:53:57 GMT -5
Post by GP on Jul 10, 2007 20:53:57 GMT -5
In case anyone can be arsed you can find the article I wrote on Hostel for ZERO magazine in the blog area of my myspace page.
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Lazario
Zombie Flesh Eater
BANNED FOR FLAMING
100%
VOTED OF THE ISLAND!!!
Posts: 409
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Hostel
Jan 26, 2008 17:12:44 GMT -5
Post by Lazario on Jan 26, 2008 17:12:44 GMT -5
You think the opening was sex over substance, Jen? I dunno about that. in order for the film to work, it had to create distasteful characters who were willing to exploit the peole that they met and treat the women that they met like pieces of meat. That made it all the more effective once the tables were turned and they became little more than a source of amusement for rich tourists, much like the Europeans wre for them. I really liked that aspect of it. I just think that Eli Roth, being no genius Agreed, 100%. However, then there's my story: I hadn't seen Cabin Fever (still haven't). But enough people were talking up this Hostel for some time. I kept hearing about. It came out on DVD. Then, someone I knew got a copy and I had the chance to see it. I didn't expect it to be gory or violent or anything. I don't usually do that. Expectations are funny things- if you feel like the movie has to deliver, I think you deserve the disappointment. I sat down and watched it with no expectations. And I was impressed. Very impressed... It was literally the best horror film I've seen since 28 Days Later. Then after it was over, I made sure to have some faith in some of the other movies everyone else was saying were some of the great horror movies to come out this decade. Don't ask me what the hell I was thinking (or smoking) at that point. Watched Haute Tension. Soon after, I lost all my hair by pulling it out, reading the insanity on the internet the next day (online reviews praising this freaking crap). The Devil's Rejects. Ugh... Frailty. One of the worst movie-watching experiences I've ever had - a terrible movie, through and through. After this, I don't know if I should even try Grindhouse, Shaun of the Dead, or any of those Saw movies. I can't take any more disappointments. Hence, one of the reasons why I still haven't seen Cabin Fever yet.
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HNT
Grizzled HMaM Vet
Horror in General & Everything Else Moderator[/i]
Kiss my tuchis
Posts: 6,296
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Hostel
Jan 26, 2008 19:45:28 GMT -5
Post by HNT on Jan 26, 2008 19:45:28 GMT -5
Cabin Fever can't be too dissapointing, because I have yet to hear anyone say anything positive about it. I would recommend Hostel 2, however, if you've not yet watched it. It is quite fun, and a bit more succesful and nuanced in the point that it attempts to make
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Hostel
Jan 26, 2008 21:20:06 GMT -5
Post by Jen on Jan 26, 2008 21:20:06 GMT -5
Cabin Fever can't be too dissapointing, because I have yet to hear anyone say anything positive about it. I would recommend Hostel 2, however, if you've not yet watched it. It is quite fun, and a bit more succesful and nuanced in the point that it attempts to make I haven't heard too many say much positive about Cabin Fever either. I am usually pretty lonely on that one.....I actually like it. I just think its fun and isn't meant to be anything but really. I definitely wouldn't watch it expecting a great film by any means, it has plenty of problems. Hostel 2, I don't know, it just felt like more of the same, not bad exactly.....but at least this time I did go into it with no expectations. So I wasn't disappointed at least.
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