Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Lucybespro It is a performances centric movie

UnowPriceless hyped garbage

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Shaza123 I finally got round to watching this one today. It's a shame it took me so long to see it, but I'm so glad I finally did. It was fantastic. The film opens up with Alex, played by David Hess, who rapes a poor woman in her car before the opening credits even begin. Yep, it's THAT kinda movie. Later, Alex and his friend attend a party where rich snobs try to scam them out of their money. Alex catches on pretty quick and things turn ugly when they start terrorising the part guests. The reason why this movie is so awesome is because of David Hess' performance. Even though he plays a sleazy rapist, he is still more likable then the party guests! One particular guest, the dude with the long blonde hair, had this annoying, smug smirk on his face for the majority of the movie. I was secretly happy when Krug, pardon me I mean Alex, beat the crap out of him. Hess' enthusiasm and commitment to the role was outstanding! He made this movie. My favourite shot, was the epic (and I mean EPIC) slow mo shot of him yelling at the end. Utter brilliance! This movie just oozes with sleaze. Never mind romantic music during rape scenes, or lingering shots of boobs, or female characters beginning to consent to invasions of their body. Director Ruggero Deodato gets away with all of that, probably because the characters are that unlikable (with the exception of Cindy, I really liked her and felt very disturbed when she was being sliced up). It seems Deodato doesn't mind who he offends, but since this movie is pretty damn entertaining, he pulls it off nicely. I'm glad I finally got round to seeing this one. Hess was so brilliant in it. A shame he has passed away, he was such a cult icon for the video nasty genre. For those interested in these exploitation flicks, I highly recommend this one. It was loads of fun. 8/10

cherootvendors I am probably the only person (apart from Ruggero Deodato, perhaps) who will ever give this film such a high rating. There is no doubt about it: this rip-off of The Last House on the Left is a trashy, sleazy movie, but for an exploitation film it has a sense of style and élan that sets it apart from other such efforts in the genre. (Even as I write this review I cannot believe I am using words like 'élan'...) But for some reason that I will try to explain, I really loved this movie.The plot of Park sees two working class low-lifes (Hess and Radice) gate crashing the party of some chic Manhattan socialites. Initially there is fun and flirtation, but when the snobbish jibes get too close to the bone, Alex (Hess) becomes a little touchy and turns psycho with his cutthroat razor...With its stylish New York setting and cheesy disco score by Cannibal Holocaust composer Riz Ortolani, The House on the Edge of the Park makes for glossy, tongue-in-cheek grindhouse fare. The film is well-directed by Deodato, fresh from the controversy of Cannibal Holocaust, and sees another bravura performance from Hess as the Krug-like Alex. It is also surprisingly tense and well-paced, giving it a slight edge over that other Last House rip-off, Late Night Trains (1974). But like its model, at the centre of this film is a prolonged torture-humiliation sequence that still makes this movie a cause for concern with the British censors: in it, a pretty young partygoer is sadistically menaced by Alex and his razor, while he croons her name in incredibly disturbing fashion. It is a shocking and unpleasant scene to be sure, but this is, after all, a horror movie. Apart from this one scene it would be difficult to explain why this film had such problems with the BBFC and the DPP. It must have been the overall concept (working class thugs invading a middle class home) and the depiction of violence against women (although there is plenty of violence against men, too). Of course, it's more likely to have been the ambiguity of some of the female characters, who find these louts strangely exciting and fascinating, but especially Alex with his brooding, Neanderthal presence. At any rate, the film is still heavily cut in Britain and has yet to find a strong fanbase along the lines of other exploitation movies. Well, I like it!Film: **** Nastiness: ****

kakihara83-717-174032 With House on the Edge of the Park, cult director Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Holocaust) signs one of the best efforts in the early 80s rape & revenge sub-genre. Though it doesn't follow a straight typical rape/revenge narrative structure, like I Spit On Your Grave, it still has all the elements that made this genre so popular for fans of distasteful cinema. The plot is very simple but highly effective. Alex, brilliantly overplayed by David Hess (The Last House on the Left), and his somehow retarded buddy get themselves invited in a ''get-together'' evening by some snobbish rich people. Since we see Alex rape and strangle a woman in her own car in the middle of a street in the very first scene, we know exactly what to expect. But unlike many exploitation films, House on the Edge of the Park remains surprisingly unpredictable and entertaining all the way, of course for people who aren't easily offended. There's a lot of tension and suspense mixed with dark humour. There's also a lot of humiliation and sexual violence, but it never seems to be misused. Many times during the movie you'll switch team, since you never really know who you should root for. This isn't your typical good vs evil storyline. Unfortunately there's a questionable twist at the end that might partly ruin the experience for some people, but I personally didn't care about it. It's the trip, not the destination that counts, is it? So any self-respected fan of Italian b-movies and sleazy entertainment should do himself a favour and watch this one.

merklekranz Some might call this a sleaze-fest, some might call this a video nasty, some might call this beyond exploitation, and all might be correct. There are few redeeming qualities exhibited by " House on the Edge of the Park". David Hess clearly is in full sociopath mode, winning women through intimidation. Lurid and sadistic, with Hess carrying the film pretty much alone, as the uninvited guest to a swingers party. Rape and razor slashing ensues as Hess and his accomplice get down to business. None of the victims elicit any sympathy, so the audience really is apathetic as to the outcome, which includes a twist ending. Acceptable entertainment for the slasher crowd, others beware. - MERK