This House is (Not) Clean
It took me three sittings to finally get all the way through House. I could blame this on starting the movie way too late in the evening, but the real story is that a little puff turned into a full bore opium-like marathon session. I was surprised I was even able to hit play on the remote. (I think I have mentioned before how my technical skills go dark during imbibing hours). Anyway, I finally watched the entire thing in one sitting.
This psychoactive Japanese horror film is basically a haunted house story, but one you’ve never seen before. Imagine if some little girls who loved Hello Kitty were to remake Suspiria (subsequently both film came out in 1977). You would end up with a film like House. Director Nobuhiko Ohbayashi actually consulted with his young daughter when he was writing the script. He wanted the film to feel like an unreal, child's fever dream. A piano eats a girl, household items viciously attack, a decapitated head becomes a watermelon and then a head again. This happens a few times. Don't try to predict what will happen. You will simply not get in front of this film. Sit back and take it in. It really is worth a few viewings so I guess my multiple attempts was exactly the correct way to see this.
Two final notes: House is available in Blu-Ray from the The Criterion Collection. If you can see that version, do.
After you watch this, go find and watch the now defunct IFC show Food Party. If show creator Thu Tran was not heavily influenced by House, I need to get a hold of whatever prescription she has been given by her doctor.