Strong and Moving!

A Masterpiece!

A Major Disappointment

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

It is because of that terrific little cult horror film 'Jeepers creepers' that I wish to see every movie that Victor Salva made, so why not begin with his debut? It turns out to be the debut of Sam Rockwell as well, so that's a bonus. Unfortunately, there is not much else here to be happy about.'Clownhouse' starts relatively promising though, with the uncomfortable and not much addressed subject of bed-wetting. But pretty soon the clowns are sent in, and the actual evil clowns turn out to be three escapees from the local mental hospital. I can't deny the film is atmospheric in a way, but things unfold very slowly and mostly in an uninspired manner (examples: in the end there's mainly a lot of running to and fro, and that table did not properly hide Casey at all). Some of the dialogues were okay, but most of them were pretty boring, as was the interaction between the three boys / brothers.Only for die-hard horror-fans, and even then, there's not much horror to be expected. 3 out of 10.

Casey has a big fear of clowns that seems to consume him at the worst times. The night before Halloween, three brothers are trapped all alone in the house by a bunch of mental patients dressed up as clowns. Casey can see them, but the other two brothers don't believe him, leaving Casey to wonder if he is crazy. I'm not as scared by clowns as others seem to be. That being said, they are definitely eerie when used correctly. This one is all about psychology. The first hour is mostly buildup and atmosphere. Victor Salva does a nice job of adding solid tension throughout, and making the clowns genuinely terrifying at times. Whether they are lurking outside the house, hiding in a closet, it doesn't matter. Their mind games are fun to watch, and add to the tension. The teasing of the "are they real or not" does get a bit redundant after a while, though. The creepy score is effective as well. I also enjoyed the horror homages that are thrown in! Salva clearly did his homework. Don't expect any gore! It's not that kind of movie. The acting is solid. Sam Rockwell shows off his zany style that got him so beloved. His character is a narcissistic bully, but he's a lot of fun to watch. Many people will be begging to see him get his comeuppance. It was a flamboyant showcase for him. Nathan Forrest Winters is excellent as young Casey. It's just a shame his performance is overshadowed by the alleged molestation from Salva. There is a scene where Casey pee's his pants! He may be a talented director, but Salva is a sick puppy. Brian McHugh plays the voice of reason well. Credit to the clowns for being creepyIt begins to peter out after a while, but this is an above average horror film that deserves your time. If you want a suspenseful and thoughtful horror film, this one is for you. 6.7/10

I know that seen this movie before, I could not remember much about so gave it another, it's been Years since, I see it. This sure felt like this movie was made for kids. it was like Goosebumps episode but not that good,I just could not get into the movie, I did see the whole movie, I was bored most of the movieI didn't find it creepy or scary at all and find those boys really annoying for most of the movie,Someone scene were so stupid, a clown bangs his hair NOT his head on roof and knocked out cold, REALLY?If you find Clowns scary, this might work for you but this didn't make me scared or even make me laugh.Now I know why it's taking me this long to re-watch this movie3 out of 10

We all know about the infamous controversy that surrounds this production and its director, but as for the film its one very chilling, mean-spirited horror outing that effectively does what it sets out to achieve. To get people scared of the dark, by bringing out the fears those long to keep hidden and this set-up has that campfire tale aurora to help that occur. It might be slight in narrative, but its nightmarish atmosphere just paints an uneasy feel and Victor Salva's direction is stylishly arresting in the visuals. Slow to get going, but the performances by three squabbling brothers performed by Sam Rockwell (in his film debut), Brian McHugh and Nathan Forest Winters give it plenty of believability, especially when the macabre begins and a frighteningly forceful game of cat and mouse erupt between the two parties. Then you got the clowns, and these are very creepy looking clowns in their make-up and costumes. Clowns haven't looked anymore scarier. Who just happen to be escape lunatics from a loony bin, which killed some clowns from a travelling circus and decide to terrorise three brothers spending the night alone in their remote home. To top that off the youngest one just happens to have a fear of clowns. The structure might be formulaic, but these conventions are well-used (the chase elements, killers unknowingly lurking about and then grand dark house) and Salva's focus is on the set-pieces which skilfully shows from his timing of the shocks to camera placement and shadowy imagery. Watch as it grows tighter and everything gets claustrophobic, as the terror begins to have a strangle hold with little in the way of gore. Complementing the nerviness is the moodily playful sounding carnival music embedded score. A glum, but eerily unnerving and dread-laced horror tale there to open us up to our primal fears."You never know what they really are."