A Haunted House: Does It Even Qualify as a Movie?

A Haunted House Movie Review: Does It Even Qualify as a Movie?

January 17, 2013

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At first glance, the Marlon Wayans found-footage horror spoof A Haunted House wouldn't appear to be especially thought-provoking. But as you watch it, certain questions crop up. Why am I watching this? How did this movie get released to theaters and not go straight to VOD? Does it even qualify as a movie? Why did it take two people to write and cost $2.5 million to make? Just how much did producer/star/co-writer Wayans pay himself? Did his costar Essence Atkins get equal pay, considering she holds her own comically and maintains her dignity in spite of being the brunt of an extended fart joke? Does the found-footage conceit truly justify leaving in what feels like every single improvisation and then putting the few unused ones in the blooper reel during the closing credits? Who decided that Nick Swardson's lisping, predatory gay character wasn't stereotypical enough and that he needed a single gold earring as well? Why establish Atkins's character's lifelong fondness for Rubik's Cubes without paying it off? Are the movie's half-dozen genuine laughs there just to tease the audience? What can we do to keep A Haunted House 2 from happening?

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Sherilyn Connelly is a regular film contributor at Voice Media Group. VMG publications include Denver Westword, Miami New Times, Phoenix New Times, Dallas Observer, Houston Press and New Times Broward-Palm Beach.