Hell House

The subject matter dealt in the documentary is incredible. Crazy over zealous Pentecostals "helping" America by showing them the "realities" of homosexuality, abortion, date rape, and school shootings. You can't find better material. Hell House will get a reaction from you when you watch it. As far as fliming and pacing goes I have seen better planned out films. Still, definitely check it out if you want to be shocked. My favorite parts feature the police officer using guns and the "rave" guy.

Although I think the director did an admirable job of keeping a non-judgemental tone, the things these people do in the name of their religion speak for themselves. These folks are sick, deluded (and arguably evil) bastards.

Obviously this type of subject would merit some emotional response whether it was particularly well made or not. This is an average documentary that will probably yield above average reactions.

The director did an excellent job of giving the creators of Hell House an unbiased documentary and it makes them seem all the more zealous to the average person. As far as the subject matter goes I think it's safe to say you'll either appreciate what they're doing or find them rather crazy. I found the crazy. But either way this is an interesting documentary that's worth watching.

This film is leaps and bounds above the Jesus Camps of the world. While you don't have to agree with the subjects of the film, you at least understand their worldview and their behavior is explained relatively concisely, from their perspective. Opposing viewpoints get their say, but not dogmatically. (Look for the Jewish Star mistaken for a pentagram! ...whoops.)

HELL HOUSE is an elegantly simple, matter-of-fact look at the custom of the haunted house, as only Evangelical Christians could imagine it. Aside from a few droll visual gags, it takes its subjects at face value and engages them without judgement. The sheer amount of effort involved in creating this type of macabre moral lecture is riveting, as is the seeming incongruity of churchgoing folk mounting a disturbing Grand Guginol spectacle--an irony that permeates the film like a humid air.

The style of the film really makes it for me--Ratliff observes, and gives the subjects ample time to speak for themselves. There's an earnestness to them in those quieter moments that is thrown into stark relief once we get to the disturbing scenes that take place in the Hell House. That Ratliff doesn't undermine the tension inherent in these polarities is the film's strongest point, though I have to give an approving nod to all scenes with Rave Guy.

"........" -- Jesus Christ, on the subjects of abortion, suicide, and homosexuality.