Personally, I was never too wowed by ELI ROTH's CABIN FEVER; it had a few stand out scenes and I could get behind its adolescent fear of cooties but ultimately I was about as impressed as a late nineties SHANIA TWAIN i.e. not much. Claims that it would do for shaving your legs what JAWS did for swimming just did not hold true for this dude. (Full disclosure, I did fancy that one guy in it, JAMES DeBELLO, but only because his chin resembled a Virginia ham.) The point is, I had no desire to see a follow-up until I learned that TI WEST, the guy who helmed HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, directed it.
Sadly, any half-mast excitement that I may have mustered was stomped on like a champagne glass at a Jewish wedding when I also learned that TI had washed his hands of his sequel because some meddling producers tinkered the crap out of it. Well hey, I watched it anyway because that is not only "how" I do but also ALL that I do.
If the devil appeared before me in red pajamas and said, "Unkle Lancifer, you have been a horrible person and now you must live with me in hell forever and also I'm going to make you watch the same movie over and over for infinity to drive you insane and it has to be either CABIN FEVER or CABIN FEVER 2: SPRING FEVER so pick your poison you worm!" I would most definitely pick… CABIN FEVER 2: GIMME A SPRING BREAK! because the cinematography makes my eyes happy, the soundtrack is great (OMG. &WT.F!?! They play the PROM NIGHT song!!!) and the people who inhabit the movie do not act like dicks unless they are acknowledged as dicks. I can see why TI WEST doesn't really want this coyote ugly "seemed like a good idea at the time" trashy movie drunk dialing him during his current moment in the respectable sun, but it's entertaining enough if you wear the right goggles.
Frankly, if I was having a group of friends over (it could happen!) I'd probably feel a bit more comfortable subjecting them to this movie than TI's non-redheaded stepchild THE ROOST. I seem to recall forcing someone to watch THE ROOST with me and that poor person's beard growing three feet long and turning white in the process. Come to think of it, they may have left my apartment with a cane…so don't get too highfalutin there, TI. Although yeah, you're right in thinking the whole tacked on ending of this movie blows more chunks than the film's infected up-chuckers. Still, count me as pleasantly surprised.
There is a great scene in this movie where our main guy (DEADGIRL's NOAH SEGAN…call me!) tells the girl he's been following around like a puppy just what an obvious moron she is for dating the school douche. It's like a classic JOHN HUGHES scene that never, but should have, happened (imagine Ducky telling MOLLY RINGWALD to go fuck herself!) It's a great passionate moment and I could have used some more of that fine stuff rather than the profusion of puss gags. Of course, I'm not sure if the fans of the original CABIN FEVER would feel the same way but who cares, it's not like they're going to be happy with this anyway.
How many GARBAGE PAIL KID cards do you currently own? Count them…now! I'll wait… if my theory is correct your enjoyment of this film can be accurately predicted by counting those very cards! C.F.2 is not scary, it's not quite as funny as it thinks it is either (who is) but it IS ta-ruly gross. Ya know, around these parts that counts for something. Plus, I gotta say TI, stick with cinematographer ELIOT ROCKET that guy's got the goods!
Hmmm, I haven't seen The Roost OR Cabin Fever 2 yet but I definitely fell in love with THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL. Ti West seems like a promising director to me but then again…I've only seen one of his films. Unlike many people who hated, despised, loathed, or wanted to end their lives after watching Eli Roth's Cabin Fever I on the other hand praised the fucking hell out of it. It's actually one of my favorite films and I think a lot of people really misunderstand its purpose. I'll definitely have to check out Cabin Fever 2 though AND The Roost.
I fancy DeBello too, but mainly for "Detroit Rock City" and the "Dorm Daze" series…especially the latest installment where he turns vampire hunter to get girls. 🙂
Unkle Lancifer,
I can't believe you haven't seen Detroit Rock City either!! It's such a great little film. I re-watched it about a year ago and still found it to be pretty hilarious still. If anything you're reminded of your youth and how badly you want to go back even if it's just for a day to experience the 'good 'ol times' again. As far as what you said about Cabin Fever I agree. When I went to see it in the theatre I was expecting a completely different movie and when I left I was somewhat dumbfounded (not in a good way I will admit). It was my second viewing of the movie that really hooked me. I'm a firm believer of "to each his own" so I hope I didn't sound hostile or anything ha ha. I love and praise Kindertrauma by the way! This site is incredible. Simply incredible.
By the way, what are your thoughts on HOWLING V: THE RE-BIRTH? I personally love it but then again…I saw it for the first time when I was 8 so anything at that age will almost always be entertaining. It's quite interesting to me that the "cheese factor" in movies is almost nonexistent when you're a child. This has always fascinated me. Anyways, sorry for the tangent. I was just curious if you enjoyed HOWLING V or not. I think it is quite underrated but I'm often easy to please when it comes to things. Thanks for your time!
I love DETROIT ROCK CITY! (Had it on VHS, burned it onto a disc). The guys in it are cute and its got KISS in it so win-win! However, I think even people who DONT like KISS (Are there such people???) will like this movie because it will remind you of you and your friends and whatever band you guys worshipped when you were teenagers (METALLICA, GUNS N ROSES, KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND…..whatever floats your boat)