Hostel - A Movie review

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I'm going to try very hard to accept, forget and move on. I also believe in the age old addage - if you love someone, set them free. If they come back, it was meant to be. It's sad that that rhymes. If she comes back, great. If not, great. I'm too bent on thinking about the possibilities of her coming back... I need to start thinking about the possibilities of her NOT coming back.

Seriously, though. I miss her terribly. A friend recently told me that I need to fight for her. I can't. She needs to realise what it is that she gave up on her own. And I need to move on realising it's not my job to save her. Whatever will be will be.

On to our Main Presentation
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Hostel -

Disturbing. Truly disturbing. Hostel is a movie that takes horror to another level. I would compare it the ultimate episode of Punk’d, only a million times more demented. Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) wrote and directed this 95 minute story about three guys who travel through Europe looking for life experiences and a piece of ass. Paxton (Jay Hernandez) and Josh (Derek Richardson), two Americans, meet up with an Icelander called Oli (Eythor Gudjonsson) while on their travels. They end up somewhere in an Eastern European hostel after they are tipped off about all the beautiful women there by a Europimp in Amsterdam. As they take the train to the far-off Slovakian town they encounter a strange businessman who tells of beautiful women and wonderful bars. He also gives the three the creeps. Their first night in the hostel rewards them with the beauty of and carnal relations with three local girls. The next day, the terror begins.

Hostel is definitely a product influenced by the Asian horror scene. Roth pays homage to Japanese Horror-God Takashi Miike (Audition) and even gives him a bit part in the movie (suggesting that Miike participates in the madness that Paxton later finds at the “art gallery”). I was even reminded of Chan-wook Park’s work from Cut (Three… Extremes). There is no subtlety in this film. It’s gory, gruesome and scary. Very. There is also a definite influence by Quentin Tarantino, who presents this film (and is an Executive Producer). Look for the tribute on the television at the hostel (all I can say is… Ezekiel 25:17 in Czech?). There’s some fucking language and nice tits throughout. I’m sure Quentin had some input on that. If you’re into gratuitous sex and nudity, this movie is sure to please. Rick Hoffman (Bloodwork, The Day After Tomorrow) has a brilliant cameo playing a perverse client eager to participate in the bloody deeds awaiting him.

The plot is wickedly good, unpredictable and very suspenseful. After having discussed with good friend Harry Knowles (of AINTITCOOLNEWS.COM) the sickest things the Internet could offer, Roth found himself writing a plot influenced by something Harry had found; that people are willing to pay for the chance to simply murder another. It’s a smart film that any horror addict should cut off their arm to see (or, maybe someone else’s… I don’t know).

Grade – A