Hostel is Hostyle

Rating: 8/10 (19 April 2006)

Quentin Tarentino is a fan of Eli Roth, the director, of Hostel. I can see why. This movie is similar to Tarentino's from Dusk to Dawn; if you have seen that movie then I need say no more. I am not a fan of horror in general, but Tarentino's name was on the DVD case, so I had to give it a try. I IMDb'd it after enjoying it, and wanted to know more about Roth. I was not disappointed. Hostel has a European flavor, but American panache. The mix of American and European actors from Iceland to Czechoslovakia adds depth to this movie. This movie has it all; suspense, horror, nudity (oh, those European babes are fine) and you get caught up in the action. The element of reality is what brings it home. Roth is able to bring Transylvania back to life in a daring way. If you have traveled or are going to travel Europe and stay at youth Hostels, then this movie will add an element you have never considered. Having backpacked and bicycled parts of Europe via Hostel's, I am glad I saw this movie after the fact. I am a lot older now, but this movie is so well done that it stirred a lot of memories of my youth. The special effects and makeup are excellent, and their is a great group of k...; well see for yourself. Executive Producer Tarentino knows how to pick them, he knows talent when he sees it. Roth started making shorts at the age of 8 according to the IMDb database, and he is an intelligent and up and coming director/writer. "Kill the Car!" is a multi-angle interactive feature that you should take the time to watch before the movie. This is the first multi-angle (3 separate cameras) interactive I have seen, and I enjoyed switching from one to the other, it really lets you appreciate how a director can add intensity to a scene with the right angle. I also recommend you watch the featurette documentary of the film as it was being made, "Hostel Dissected" which is directed by Gabriel Roth, Eli's brother. Gory, yes, but the writer/director Roth, is able to add a reality to the plot, that is not often present in your average horror movie. This movie, is not an average horror movie. If cute busty nudes,and gore aren't your thing, then don't bother with this movie's portrayal of art of the horror genre.