**1/2 out of (****)
I just finished watching "The Innkeepers" and a hole in my pocket (the OnDemand service will cost you ten dollars), and it does not disappoint. The tension here is very well paced and West (director of "The House of the Devil") creates a moody atmosphere that adds layers to an already serviceable horror flick. The characters are well written and each are inclusive to a very unique complexity. What especially worked about this film was how nostalgic it was. If you rewind yourself back to the 70's and 80's, old school horror was very similar to West's style. Long, drawn-out tension with each frame, and it does not let up. My only gripe is that it takes awhile to get the ball rolling. The buildup consumes about 80% of the running time. That and the resolution is very uncompromising, yet unsatisfactory all the same. Despite some adverse effects, West has another winner on his hands. While I believe "The House of the Devil" was a much more intense and enthralling experience, "The Inkeepers" isn't such a bad way to spend the night. It has some nifty scares, great character development, and a decent atmosphere. And really- could you ask for more?
I just finished watching "The Innkeepers" and a hole in my pocket (the OnDemand service will cost you ten dollars), and it does not disappoint. The tension here is very well paced and West (director of "The House of the Devil") creates a moody atmosphere that adds layers to an already serviceable horror flick. The characters are well written and each are inclusive to a very unique complexity. What especially worked about this film was how nostalgic it was. If you rewind yourself back to the 70's and 80's, old school horror was very similar to West's style. Long, drawn-out tension with each frame, and it does not let up. My only gripe is that it takes awhile to get the ball rolling. The buildup consumes about 80% of the running time. That and the resolution is very uncompromising, yet unsatisfactory all the same. Despite some adverse effects, West has another winner on his hands. While I believe "The House of the Devil" was a much more intense and enthralling experience, "The Inkeepers" isn't such a bad way to spend the night. It has some nifty scares, great character development, and a decent atmosphere. And really- could you ask for more?