HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET (2012)

Directed By: Mark Tonderai 
Written By: David Loucka 
Story By: Jonathan Mostow 
Cinematography By: Miroslaw Baszak 
Editor: Steven Mirkovich & Karen Porter 

 Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thierot, Elisabeth Shue, Gil Bellows, Nolan Gerard Funk

Newly divorced Sarah and her daughter Elissa find the house of their dreams in a small, upscale, rural town. But when startling and unexplainable events begin to happen, Sarah and Elissa learn the town is in the shadows of a chilling secret The project was originally announced in 2003 with Jonathan Mostow (U-571) directing and Richard Kelly (DONNIE DARKO) scripting.

This film is typical straight I DVD fare the only reason it even had a chance as a theatrical feature is because of it's starring cast and the sudden fame of gifted actress Jennifer Lawrence who obviously took this role more or less wage. She was struggling as this film fits perfectly as a skeleton in the closet.

The scenes feel empty as they don't seem to have any rhythm or emphasis as he film goes along it feels like it is being dragged

What works against the film is that it is presented as more of a supernatural tale and once you get into the story it's not a slasher horror film that it hints at, but more like a thriller.

The film works hard for the audience to really understand the characters motivations.

Jennifer Lawrence does the best she can though we character seems to be a do-hoofer who seems to want to help people and likes her neighbor and wants to take it slow, but then in the next scene seems willing to sleep with him already though he never asked.

The film was shot in the 2-perf Techniscope format to provide a grainy image reminiscent of older horror films and to save money on film stock and processing. Despite this, "Filmed in Panavision" is listed in the end credits.

The townspeople of course are portrayed as close minded though by the end they seem to be correct I. Their assumption even If their kid are idiotic bullies.

It just seems like a film that plays at being a thriller heavily influenced and inspired by not necessarily better films but better thought out films that the film hopes you haven’t seen.

The film is all over the place as it even introduces motivation for the main character a singer-songwriter who joins a band so she can perform in a battle of the bands that the film leads up to for a significant amount of time. Even allows us to hear them jam and perform in practice. Though on the even of the big event the film just drops it lamely and is never spoke of again

The film ends like the classic psycho? But without the skill or technique. It also borrows from another infamous cult horror film SLEEPAWAY CAMP and while tht combination sounds awesome. The way it is portrayed here is more disappointing.

Grade: F