Dreams in the Witch House (2005)

One of these movies that are so hilariously bad they become amazing. The plot is non-existent , the acting atrocious and the special effects dreadful but I can assure you that I've rarely laughed as much in front of a movie and that if you're looking for a non-serious horror flick, you will enjoy yourself (hence the 8 stars, I'm rating the enjoyment factor here, not the quality of the movie itself). I'm not familiar with the original Lovecraft story but it has very probably little to do with what we end up with here. This movie has attained some kind of cult status among my friends and roars of laughter abound when we watch it, especially during the scenes with the rat that are simply golden for their sheer nonsense. Best viewed with a group of friend but can also definitely be enjoyed alone. Not for children though due to some (obviously completely unnecessary and thus, awesome) sexual content and mild gore.

Reanimator, From Beyond, Castle Freak, Dagon: if there's any director who genuinely strives to do justice to the twisted supernatural work of H.P.Lovecraft, it's Stuart Gordon, whose film adaptations of the great writer's work have displayed considerable skill, visual flair and imagination (if you haven't seen Castle Freak or Dagon yet, you're missing out!). Dreams in The Witch House, Gordon's first Master of Horrors episode, is further proof (as if any was needed) that the man sure knows his stuff when it comes strange alternate dimensions, ancient evil creatures, and general Gothic creepiness.Lovecraft's short story, about an ancient evil witch who crosses space and time to possess grad student Walter Gilman, offers plenty of opportunity for freakiness including an evil rat familiar with a human face, strange dream sequences, gratuitous hot witch sex, a central character descending slowly into madness and even ritualistic infanticide—just the kind of material that Gordon does best. All of this is realised with lashings of atmosphere, a touch of gruesome gore, some unapologetic nastiness, plus a spot of welcome nudity from curvaceous hottie Chelah Horsdal as Gilman's MILF of a neighbour, making Dreams in the Witch House a fabulously frightful way to spend an hour of your time.

Director Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) delivers a great, brutal and weird second episode to the "Masters Of Horror" series with "H.P. Lovecraft's Dreams in The Witchhouse". Gordon, whose earlier work, such as "Re-Animator" or "From Beyond" has been based on the writings of the ingenious H.P. Lovecraft, manages to put Lovecraft's typical supernatural and extrasensory atmosphere to screen in a very good, eerie way.University student Walter (Ezra Godden) moves into a 300 year old house, where he expects a low rent and the appropriate quietness he needs to study. The house is inhabited by its disgusting, greasy and heartless landlord (Jay Barzeau), a supposedly crazy old man (Campbell Lane) and a pretty young mother named Frances (Chelah Horsdal) and her baby son. While Walter and Frances start to befriend, strange things start happening when Walter is on his own. He hears strange noises, and has some very weird dreams...This second episode, which is not afraid to break taboos, is one of the very good ones from the first season. It is gruesome and eerie as Horror should be, the performances are entirely good and convincing, and the whole episode is highly atmospheric, and very suspenseful throughout its 55 minutes. My praise goes to Stuart Gordon for this eerie and breathtaking second entry to the great MoH series. If you like the show, you certainly shouldn't miss "Dreams In The Witch House"!

As a long time appreciator of Lovecraft's work, I would simply like to thank Mr. Gordon for his effort. Dreams in the Witch House remains one of my favorite Lovecraft tales. Mr. Gordon has done a commendable job with respect to this piece. I have often wondered what would be involved in rendering Lovecraft's better tales for the screen without botching the job totally. Here Mr. Gordon demonstrates what can be done on a limited budget with a short Lovecraftian story.All told, it's a shame someone doesn't hand him carte blanche to try his hand at one of Lovecraft's more ambitious works. Wouldn't if be fine to see a respectable rendition of something like "At the Mountains of Madness" or "The Rats in the Walls"? As for my personal favorite, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward," it's been done (Vincent Price, et al, qv) but wouldn't it be nice to see it done right and without so much of the tongue-in-cheek?