On 2012-05-23, Lesmond <
les...@verizon.net> unwisely decided to post the following to Usenet:
I didn't loathe CABIN FEVER but I also feel that I accurately saw its numerous
shortcomings. THe gallows humour was its saving grace if you ask me (which you
didn't).
> And Hostel is is a movie
> where I didn't even mind the vomit. So, I guess I like Eli Roth.
My position on HOSTEL has moderated over time, I think. I used to loathe it
with every fibre of my being because it failed to take advantage of its
opportunities. Now, I just regard it as an interesting failure for exactly the
same reason. The chances to thoughtfully consider American cultural imperialism
was squandered in favour of some fairly blunt and unsubtle commentary whose
primary purpose was actually fairly exploitative rather than actually satirical
or observational. The characters were ciphers at best and loathesome at worst
and the concluding revenge fantasy was just plain dumb.
On the other hand, it was well made and its picture of a bleak, Eastern European
setting was quite striking.
I honestly think that HOSTEL PART 2 was an infinitely better film and achieved
its aims much more effectively. Characterisation was still paper thin but the
archetypes were deployed carefully and drew out the relevant tensions (which is
something that I frequently observe when something is deftly plotted but perhaps
slightly underwritten. I found the death of Lorna quite affecting not only
because I empathised with her awkward, shy nerdiness but also because it was so
well realised in terms of performance.