There are two ways to watch Hell House. It's easy to see the film as a horrible joke perpetrated on naive Christians -- as an easy laugh. To view it solely in this way, however, is to miss not only the film's compassion for its subject, but its attempt to bring a greater understanding to the concept of fundamentalism as a whole. Hell House moves the viewer to want to take away the intolerance inherent in religious nuts and replace it with true love. But it simultaneously offers such a direct portal into the daily realities of these fundamentalists (such as the single dad who is left caring for his disabled child), that you're forced to realize that you have nothing to give them to replace their hatred, you have no answers. Ultimately, these kinds of churches exist because we can't offer them anything better.
An interesting look at a controversial cultural phenomenon. I'm pro-Halloween of course, and find fundamentalism totally off putting, but the film does well at showing us real people. (Of course, all you DB's out there can feel free to paint people you disagree as broad stereotypes.)
Great doc. Remember those fun haunted houses you could go through at fairs and carnivals and get scared silly by people jumping out at you, things dropping from the ceiling and eerie sound effects. Well, the Trinity Assembly of God Church had an even better idea. Instead of ghosts and goblins, why not scare kids with the consequences of homosinuality (thanks Mr. Show), abortion and school massacres. A great look into the construction of this House and the grand opening.
Reminded me of Jesus Camp with its "fly on the wall" non-judgmental type of approach. Not only is it an interesting way to present things but I figure they couldn't get permission to film these things any other way. You just see what is happening and are free to make your own judgments.
In this movie we watch as a Hell House is planned and seen through to completion by members of an Assembly of God church. It is pretty fascinating. At times it is quite amusing as you hear these people talking so casually about the rape scene or the suicide scene. There are tryouts for the parts and it is a big deal for everyone as local youth compete for the coveted roles. It is obvious that a great deal of work is put into the Hell House each year.
The documentary is an interesting and rather neutral feeling kind of portrayal of it all. I would certainly recommend it to those who are interested in the subject. I would also recommend, to the interested, this npr interview with the director. There is a page with clips from the movie and some interesting info.
I have mixed emotions about this doc. It's better to keep my religious thoughts to myself. I wonder if other people rated it more stars because of its purpose.?.?
Interesting, almost intriguing. I want to go to HELL HOUSE sooo bad now. The idea behind it is great, I just think it's probably misused and misrepresented.
An interesting documentary. I remember people from my high school used to participate in Hell Houses at their churches around halloween. In retrospect the whole concept seems pretty contrary to what actual evangelism is about.
I recoommend anyone who doesn't think the far right religious types are nuts see this movie. It illustrates how they see nothing but their vision of god, how they more or less cause those who don't share the vision discomfort as they go through and how woefully ignorant they are of other religions and pop culture. The Satanic pentacle we see early on, next to 666? It's a Star of David. Are they saying they consider Jews to be satanists, or are they just that stupid? This will get any rational person's blood boiling.
This was a lot of fun, in a "the country is being flushed down the toilet to a bunch of people that don't believe there were dinosaurs" kind of way.
They're easy targets? So you're not supposed to shoot? They are so disconnected from any reality outside their own lives and it's fun to see how they envision it all. It would be interesting to follow up with these people about five or seven years from now...
Unless youre a god-freak to the furthest extent, this movie will infuriate you and piss you off, especially if you're a sinner in the eyes of the church....oh lord this movie SUCKS. unles you enjoy being pissed off.
I much prefer this film to Jesus Camp. It's more focused and frightening to me. Hell House tells the story of a "haunted" house put on by an Evangelical church in Texas. However, instead of seeing monsters and devils, ghouls and goblins, you'll see a girl slowly die from a botched abortion and a homosexual man slowly die of AIDS, a girl getting drugged at a rave and gang rapes. It's truly disturbing that something like this exists, but even more disturbing is that fact that tens of thousands of people tour this haunted house every year. A very harrowing and good film. Check it!
MCT:July 18, 2008
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