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Blu-ray Review: Ti West’s ‘The Innkeepers’ Offers Slow Burn Horror

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CHICAGO – Ti West’s “The Innkeepers” is one of the most divisive films of the year, a love-it-or-hate-it affair — my favorite kind of movie. I see both sides. I get how the slow burn doesn’t work for some people (and, honestly, it didn’t really work for me in West’s “House of the Devil”) and I get how modern horror fans might be upset at the lack of a sure payoff in this ghost story.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

However, it’s like a ghost story around a camp fire. For every camper who thinks it’s silly, the kid next to him can feel his skin crawl. For me, it’s a great, atmospheric piece that emphasizes setting over modern horror conventions like slashers and twist endings. It’s old-fashioned…and I mean that as a compliment even if I know it may not be to you.

The Blu-ray of “The Innkeepers” is a strong one mostly thanks to two strong commentaries that approach the film from different angles — in front of and behind the camera. I wish there were more featurettes but the film itself and the audio tracks make this a strong horror release.

The Innkeepers was released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 24, 2012
The Innkeepers was released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 24, 2012
Photo credit: Magnolia

Synopsis:
After over one hundred years of service, The Yankee Pedlar Inn is shutting its doors for good. The last remaining employees - Claire (Sara Paxton, Shark Night 3D, The Last House On The Left) and Luke (Pat Healy, The Assassination Of Jesse James, Magnolia)- are determined to uncover proof of what many believe to be one of New England’s most haunted hotels. As the Inn’s final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of minimum wage “ghost hunters” begin to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the hotel’s long unexplained history.

Special Features:
o Commentary With Writer/Director/Editor Ti West, Producers Peter Phok & Larry Fessenden And 2nd Unit Director/Sound Designer Graham Reznick
o Commentary With Writer/Director/Editor Ti West And Stars Sara Paxton & Pat Healy
o The Innkeepers - Behind The Scenes
o Trailer

“The Innkeepers” stars Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Alison Bartlett, Jake Ryan, Kelly McGillis, and George Riddle. It was written and directed by Ti West. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 24, 2012.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
[email protected]

jen's picture

looks interesting

looks interesting

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