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House of the Dead (2003)


Released on this day October 10th, 2003. I remember writing my old horror fanzine 'Frightmare' when I first came across this title based on the popular arcade game. At this point in director Uwe Boll's career he hadn't yet earned the title of 'worst director in the world'. A moniker thats a little unfair. But absolutely right for this abomination!


The story sees Simon (Tyron Leitso) and Greg (Will Sanderson) who meet a group of friends and set out to attend a rave on a remote island. When they miss the ferry, they decide to ride with Kirk (Jürgen Prochnow), a smuggler. They find the island deserted and discover that the partygoers have been killed by zombies. Now, the group must evade the deadly creatures and try to find safety. However, the only means of escape -- Kirk's boat -- has been overrun, forcing the survivors to ward off the undead.


The arcade game this is based on is always a lot of fun to play (unless the mounted guns aren't working properly!). The film on the other hand is not. In fact it's one of the worst cinematic experiences I ever had. If you have watched this film you know it's almost indefensible. Everything bad in this film is the fault of Uwe Boll. His choice of camera set ups, video game within movie inserts, ripping on The Matrix and most of all, Boll's inability to direct competently. He has made a couple of okay films. But he's made a lot of bad ones.

Avoid this one at all costs!


House of the Dead grossed $10.2 million in the United States and $3.6 million in other countries. The total gross was $13.8 million worldwide. Its budget was $12 million.

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