Just What Kind Of Movie is House of Wax?

Tom Brennan · 05-05-2005, 01:43 AM

It was pointed out to me earlier this evening that the House of Wax poster has a very odd similarity to a particular type of adult film fetish, one apparently popularized in Japan and frequently discussed on Howard Stern. I'm trying not to get to graphic here, but you can see the poster here and I'm wondering if perhaps this artwork isn't more suitable for "House of Whacks".

And please, let's keep this serious and not start making jokes like "House of Whacks - Coming Soon".

Greg_S_H · 05-05-2005, 03:49 AM

In Nagasaki!
They like buk. . . .

Wait. What are we talking about?

Tom, take a look at this pop album cover:

http://www.boingboing.net/images/ai_billboard_thumb.jpg

Is that about the same thing you had in mind? :p)

Michael Reuben · 05-05-2005, 12:58 PM

Eye of the beholder?

The image in the poster immediately reminded me of wax dripping off a candle base. The "twist" is that it's not a candle base; it's a person -- which is the well-known gimmick of the various House of Wax movies.

Other than the well-established sexual subtext in horror movies (and usually you don't have to look too deep), I'd say that any other similarities should be treated as a Rorschach test.

M.

Russell G · 05-05-2005, 04:56 PM

Wow, I was going to crack wise about the apparant quality of the film, but you first post already took this down to a level I wasn't willing to risk. Good job!

So what would the tagline be? See Paris glazed like a honey donut?

Julian Lalor · 05-05-2005, 06:41 PM

Maybe the confusion stems from the fact that Paris Hilton is used as the model fro the poster art.

**HTF Ads**

Justin^W · 05-07-2005, 03:31 PM

the kind of movie thats on MTV all damn day heh.

Mike~Sileck · 05-07-2005, 11:59 PM

I just saw it ~ It had a very Texas Chainsaw Massacre feel to it.

I enjoyed it a great deal, I thought CMM did a good job (I enjoy him on One Tree Hill also). Paris Hilton is still on my shit list, thats for sure. She should just quit the act and just start acting in porno's full time. Maybe she'll read this thread and get an idea.

Very interesting concept, I dunno if this is a first, or someone above mentioned the other "house of wax" films. Will have to look into this.

Overall....a solid B

mike

Ryan Wishton · 05-08-2005, 01:15 AM

It was ok.

This is also a film that's better to see with a group. More enjoyable to pick apart.

This is the most violent horror film of the year. It's also quite brutal in certain scenes. Though the movie doesn't go as far it should have. They pussied out on the spikes through the face scene for example.

The characters were way too stupid in this movie. It really is to the point of annoying after awhile. The main characters especially do way too many stupid things. Dumber than usual.

Paris Hilton is no worse than any disposable side character you usually see in slasher films. She's hardly even in the film. I still say Monica Keena (Freddy vs Jason) was probably the worst slasher character I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. And she was the hero.

As for Paris. She's in the beginning, completely vanishes for an hour, and then pops up near the end to die in Friday the 13th fashion. I mean she even gets chased out of a tent. But, where on earth did the building she go in come from? It appeared out of nowhere.

It's almost as if they forgot her character was even in the movie. Shoot me if you must, but I thought she had the best death scene and the funniest moments. She's really not as bad as everyone is making her out to be. If she was an unknown, no one would even question her disposable role.

Eberts quote which I agree with:

"The early reviewers have been harsh with Miss Hilton ("so bad she steals the show," says The Hollywood Reporter), but actually she is no better or worse than the typical Dead Post-Teenager, and does exactly what she is required to do in a movie like this, with all the skill, admittedly finite, that is required."

I am no butt muncher of Eberts in general, but I would agree with his 2 star review. I agree with just about everything he says. Once again. Not butt munching. I really do agree with his review almost exactly.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...VIEWS/50426003

Joe Karlosi · 05-08-2005, 07:09 AM

I haven't seen the film, but I'd already understand what Roger Ebert has said about Paris Hilton. The fact is, everyone had their minds made up that she'd be terrible even before the film ever shot its first frame.

Greg_S_H · 05-08-2005, 08:03 AM

It doesn't sound too promising for Elisha that two reviews fail to mention her at all. Does she make no impression? Isn't she the main lead?

Eric Peterson · 05-08-2005, 11:20 AM

Does this movie have anything at all in common with either "House of Wax" (1953) w/ Vincent Price or "Mystery of the Wax Museum" (1933) w/ Fay Wray. From everything that I've read, this move sounds like it has almost nothing in common with either of the originals. I don't have a problem with that, but why in the hell would they use the same damned title. This is one of my biggest pet peeves in movies today.