DVD REVIEW

The Cottage

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment || R || May 13, 2008

Synopsis

Forced into hiding after their kidnapping plan goes awry, two rival siblings, David (Andy Serkis) and Peter (Reece Shearsmith), find themselves fighting for their sanity when they hole up in a secluded country cottage.  Weighed down by a hostage who refuses to stay quiet or tied down, they are soon held captive by their own victim.  But everyone’s problems go from bad to worse when they come face to face with their psychotic, ax-wielding neighbor.


Critique

We need more movies like The Cottage; fun, unpretentious horror movies, horror movies that aren’t trying to out-gore the next guy, that aren’t lame excuses to showcase every form of sadistic torture the human mind can dream up, that aren’t trying to be the next The Exorcist.  The Cottage is that movie: fun, unapologetic, with no agenda other than to entertain.

This movie reminded me of Tales From the Crypt; I half expected the Cryptkeeper to pop up and make a bad pun about kidnapping and crazed farmers.  The whole story has EC Comics written all over it: hapless criminals get in over their heads, only to stumble onto something worse than they ever imagined.  William Gaines would be proud.

David and Peter kidnap Tracey (Jennifer Ellison), a girl so hot you almost can’t blame them for doing it.  It’s not easy to get a girl like that; sometimes you have to go to great lengths.  She quickly gets the upper hand, only for the worm to turn … horribly.

The Cottage has some great horror effects.  I don’t want to give away too much – there is one Predator-inspired moment that is priceless – but the film works by keeping things simple.  There are some basic horror staples that, when done well, make for an exciting movie, and The Cottage hits on all of them.  The creepy farmer is a great monster, and the way he dispatches these trespassers is a lot of fun.

From the opening of the film, with its light and playful music, to the brilliant ending, The Cottage is a blast.  The writing is sharp and the cast is clearly aiming to please.  This is the kind of movie DVD was made for, the kind of thing for late night viewings and Job Bob Briggs chuckles.  This is the kind of horror movie that makes you love horror movies.


Video

The Cottage is presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio.  The picture is crisp.  The black levels, which make up most of the film, are sharp.  The color levels are crisp, and the overall picture is well translated.


Audio

This disc is presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital sound.  The horror effect and foley editing are sharp.  The overall presentation is crisp, with all levels coming through clearly and with great balance.


Special Features

Deleted Scenes: 9 of them.

Outtakes: exactly that.

Storyboard Galley: two scenes.


Final Thoughts

The Cottage is a fun, fun movie that harkens back to great shows like Tales From the Crypt.  The cast is great, and all the horror high points are hit perfectly.  The bonus material could use some work, but the movie itself is still worth a look.

VERDICT: RECOMMENDED

 

Subscribe to DVD Reviews Feed

 

Review posted on Jun 25, 2008 | Share this article | Top of Page

Copyright © 1999-infinity MovieFreak.com