Spooky legends run around the sinister mansion known as The House on the Hill. This gloomy and stately structure, once owned by the richest textile magnate Hugh Crane, has stood empty for more than a century and is considered a cursed place. But it is the place where Dr. Murrow, a specialist in sleep studies, chooses it for his experiments. A group of four people suffering from insomnia will have to spend several days and nights in the creepy house.
4k movies reviews
Probably my favorite horror movie. It’s a rare horror film that I can get so excited to watch it over and over again, each time with interest as the plot unfolds, its likable characters, the bizarre sets and the special effects stirring the imagination.
The basis, so to speak, the main element of the movie is the house itself, I would even say the whole castle, where very strange things happen. A beautifully decorated outside monumental building is even more beautiful inside: skillfully carved stone sculptures of different mythical creatures, which seem to be alive and hear every word you say; walls decorated with tapestries; marble floors; impressive big massive doors and columns, decorated with bas-reliefs and different patterns; luxurious inlaid furniture and many other things…
The interior is a bit gloomy, but of admirable beauty. An ideal place for all kinds of experiments. In a word, for a while you just forget everything and travel around the castle with the girls, enjoying its beauty. It seems to me that such a little departure, as they call it, from the theme to the picture, just contributes to a better perception of the film, brings some variety to it.
And in what other horror movie, but not in the ‘Ghost of the House’ you can see so many good talented actors at the same time! The inimitable Liam Neeson as Dr. Murrow (truth, it is far from his best role), Owen Wilson playing such a jolly simpleton… I really liked Lily Taylor. After this movie I started looking for movies with her participation. And, of course, the charming Catherine Zeta-Jones, who gives us warmth and joy with her smile. All the characters are very nice, causing sympathy. It is a pleasure to watch them.
Stunning special effects that take your breath away. Especially well done computer animation. Though it looks like mid-90’s, but it is in perfect harmony with the setting without breaking its special charm.
And as for the main theme of the movie, here you get the impression as if you watch not a modern mystic with a touch of scares, but a quality remake of some old, maybe even a black-and-white horror movie without losing its initial flavor.
The filming is superb, with no fuss and no shaky camera. On the contrary, excellent camerawork ideas: showing the characters as if ‘from the shoulders’, as if you were following them yourself. You get a sense of your own presence in the castle. This, undoubtedly, is a big plus. And you don’t feel much tension. It only comes up when you’re expecting it, rather than constantly having to keep your hand on the pulse.
I am by no means scolding contemporary horror films, but it seems to me that it makes no sense to compare this film to them – they are absolutely dissimilar. Maybe due to this dissimilarity, ‘Ghost of the House’ – as a good wine, does not get old and, even in spite of obviously outdated computer effects of the 90’s, looks every time with great pleasure.
I think many people will enjoy the movie. I watched it five times and now I want to watch it again.
Info Blu-ray
Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265 (85.0 Mb/s)
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles
English SDH.
