Hostel (2005)

Hostel: Directed by Eli Roth. With Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson, Eythor Gudjonsson, Barbara Nedeljakova. Three backpackers head to a Slovak city that promises to meet their hedonistic expectations, with no idea of the hell that awaits them.

“Just watched Hostel for the second time and thoroughly enjoyed it again though it meanders towards the end and doesnu0026#39;t deliver the catharsis that the degree of vengeance could. I think this is intentional though as we arenu0026#39;t supposed to identify with the characters in a good way, but recognise that their ignorance and chauvinism could be our own. The feeling achieved at the end is liberating in a different sense as in we are still free to heed the main message of the film, and tuck that money back in our wallet before we spend it on an immoral enterprise, such as sleeping with prostitutes who were forced into it, despite the carefree dogma of the age. Barbara Nedeljakova and Prague both look great as well. I liked the nod to the Wickerman, and the more sinister reference of the big ovens (the other thing i got was the feeling of getting more than you bargain for when you delve into a countryu0026#39;s history and dig up some nasty stuff. This is particularly true when travelling.)u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOne final important point is that I think although many viewers will be able to identify to a degree with the blokes in this film, they arenu0026#39;t supposed to be entirely sympathetic characters.”