What House II means to me.

I was watching Comic Book Girl 19 on youtube and her Halloween episode was a viewing and review of this movie where she mentioned that House II was not doing very well in the review/ratings departments. I have more than one cherished moment of watching this movie and I just want to share how much this silly movie means to me.

I first saw it when I was 12 and I loved it. The whole concept of magic and a house with magic that could give you access to different times and dimensions, well I found the whole thing totally fascinating as a kid. House II frequently leads you in a direction where you think it's going one way, following horror movie cliche and norms and then teases and makes fun of itself and horror movies in general. As a 12 year old I couldn't get enough, I thought it was brilliant.

Many years went by where I had forgotten this movie. I was either too busy or thought I should be watching something else, something that would expand my knowledge of movies and movie-making. In short, I thought I was too good to watch a ridiculous movie like House II. I couldn't have been more wrong. It wasn't long before life had handed me my ass and I was living on my parents couch watching old favorites including this movie. As a young failure House II was comfort television. I watched it over and over thinking about how great it would be to have my own crystal skull and escape into some other time or dimension...anywhere or any circumstance but the one I was in.

Slowly I got myself back together and was off the couch and living life once again. Years went by. I eventually had a child of my own and after splitting up with her mother would sometimes enjoy cuddling on the couch and watching various movies with my daughter. Years went by and before I knew it she was 16 years old and one brisk fall day she and I watched House II together. I knew that she would completely fall in love with the Cata-puppy or Puppy-piller or whatever. I also suspected she would think the Pterodactyl baby was cute too. I was right and we both enjoyed watching the movie together.

Then last year at just 19 years old my daughter died in a car accident. I'm broken again, often camping out on the couch for days. Watching House II not only brings back old memories of my own childhood but reminds me of those days years ago when I held her in my arms telling her about the movie. Watching House II with my daughter will always be one of the beautiful and precious times I had with her.

I hope that if the people who made this movie ever check in and are discouraged by bad reviews or negative attitudes from snooty critics about this movie that they might see this comment and take some solace in knowing that this silly and ridiculous movie they made will always be one of the very best memories I will ever have in my life. House II touched my life and made it a little more fun, a little more imaginative, and a little more worth living.