Kauhutalo (1984)

Kauhutalo (1984). Kauhutalo: Directed by Andy Milligan. With Deeann Veeder, Chris Georges, Leslie Den Dooven, Michael Chiodo. Carol and Jonathan, a newlywed couple, move into their new house which is haunted by the ghosts of another newlywed couple who commited suicide in the house three years earlier.

“One of Andy Milliganu0026#39;s better efforts, this is basically a cash-in of Amityville Horror done in Milligan style, a low-budget production and a less slick but competent version.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThat it is a cash-in is evident from the plot, religious icons, and specifically from the wholesale repeating of the infamous shot of the spooky Amityville house in ever-increasing zoom cuts used to emphasize the fact that itu0026#39;s a haunted house. However, this is done in an amateur style here.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMuch else about the film is amateurish, but done with intensity so that it is enjoyable nonetheless. Thereu0026#39;s plenty of moments where youu0026#39;d think a little bit more effort would have greatly improved the production, but then that would be hindsight. Who really knows what obstacles such a low-budget effort has except those involved? Acting is also typical of low-budget, though not without merit, especially the actress playing the Mother-in-Law, sheu0026#39;s particularly good and attractive as well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe gore quotient is fairly high, again done with minimal budget, so some effects are good and some are lesser. Thereu0026#39;s such items as hand chopped off, decapitation, disemboweling, stuff that was typical for the time. This can be gotten cheaply on a DVD from EastWest DVD as a double feature with Class Reunion Massacre, also a very decent low-budget shocker that has gained a cult status, so itu0026#39;s a DVD worth getting.”