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Written by Amanda Reyes
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Thursday, 01 November 2007 |
 I don't even understand what the term "torture porn" means. I thought B horror movies were supposed to push the envelope on violence and sexuality. It's not like it's a new thing. However, I will agree that there has been a new interest in watching the brutalization of people. In movies like Hostel, it works because there's an interesting story and a bit of a mystery to keep the viewer engaged, but for most films that try to ride on the success of that idea, it only ends up being an agonizing journey for the viewer. And there is fine line. Why is it that I can watch something like Hostel but hate Live Feed, which is basically the same film? It's all in the story. The Cellar Door falls somewhere between horror with purpose and all out degradation, which is kind of a boring place to be…
Herman (James DuMont) is a guy who keeps women as pets. He has a cage in his basement and pretty much feeds them and cleans the pen. Then he kills them. One day he brings home Rudy (Michelle Tomlinson), a tough chick who won't take Herman's game to the places he wants it to go.
I have to admit, like the grindhouse fare of the 70s and 80s, the Cellar Door looks like it's going to be something over the top and ends up being bland. The acting is great, especially by DuMont, who is just chilling as Herman. And the rest of the small cast keep up the pace, but the story itself is pretty void of interest. It's a been-there-done-that kind of scenario, complete with the requisite heavy metal music ending and the rest of the trimmings you've come to expect from such a basic premise.
There are couple of cringe worthy moments and there's definitely some strong performances, unfortunately, this a door that should stay shut. |
