The Director: Steve Miner
The Cast: William Katt, George Wendt, Richard Moll
Release Date: February 28, 1986
In the tradition of the goofiest '80s horror films, House - from the team behind the Friday the 13th series and with a story by horror genius Fred Dekker - is a cheesy blast that's a lot of fun. The film stars William Katt (The Greatest American Hero himself!) as a Stephen King-ish horror writer who moves into his aunt's house shortly after her suicide to work on his newest book; while also dealing with his divorce, flashbacks to Vietnam, and the disappearance of his son. He maintains that there's something wrong with the house, blaming it for his son's disappearance, and strange things begin to happen to him.
House has some extreme moments of tension and humor, and at times these swings can make the film uneven. The flashbacks to 'Nam that include Richard Moll (Bull from TV's Night Court!) are a highlight, and some of the madcap horror hijinks remind me of The Evil Dead (a tame Evil Dead, but Evil Dead nonetheless). Though there are some definite issues with the tone, the end result is still a fun and silly horror that's great for a movie night with friends.
