Ti West Seeks Further Redemption with ‘The Innkeepers’

November 6, 2011 Movie News, Trailers
The_Innkeepers_Filmsponge

This is why I hate Ti West:  He directed Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever.  If ever there was a sequel that brought shame and disgrace upon its predecessor, it’s Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever.  Clearly the product of market-minded, group-thinking, bottom-dwelling filmmakers, the disappointment felt by Blair Witch fans after Part 2 (Book of Shadows) is nothing compared to the utter betrayal felt by Cabin Fever fans.  Worst sequel EVER, worse even than Halloween Part 3 (the one that didn’t even have Michael Meyers in it).

So there you have it.  An iron clad reason for Saucy Josh to hate this stranger’s guts.  But…  It turns out that Ti’s second film, The House of the Devil (which he wrote AND directed) was actually pretty damn good.  It also turns out that this film-shoot inspired Ti’s next project:  The Innkeepers (scheduled for VOD in December and a limited release in February).  Produced by Dark Sky Films, The Innkeepers stars Sara Paxton, George Riddle, Pat Healy and… Kelly McGillis?  Yeah, I vaguely remember her!

Read the synopsis and watch the spooky-ass trailer after the jump…

Centered around the final two employees working in a haunted hotel before it goes out of business. After over one hundred years in business, The Yankee Pedlar Hotel is about to close its doors for good. The last remaining clerks, Claire (Sara Paxton), a twenty something that has come to terms with her lot in life, and Luke (Pat Healy), a computer-smart loner, are convinced that the hotel is haunted and are determined to prove it.  As time ticks down to the final days of operation, mysterious guests check in including Leanne Rease-Jones (Kelly McGillis), a former TV actress turned psychic, and an old man insistent on staying in room 353. As several strange occurrences begin to add up, both Claire and Luke must make the crucial decision on what to believe and what not to believe…

Initial assessment:  Looks pretty damn good.  Sure, it doesn’t scream “Originality!” with all the  ghost-hunter shows polluting basic cable airwaves these days… but it’s got something interesting going on.  I can forgive a familiar storyline if I get a satisfying ending—something with a good jolt!

Alright Ti, this is your last chance to get off my shit-list.  It’s make-it-or-break-it time Mister.  Show us what you got.

Saucy Josh writes a blog for intelligent Horror Movie aficionados called Blood and Guts for Grown Ups: https://bloodandgutsforgrownups.wordpress.com/

Related posts:

  1. ‘Tape 407’ Called: “Too Real for Reality”
  2. ‘Creature’ Looks Like Scooby-Doo for Grown Ups
  3. Sinister ‘Livid’ Trailer Finally Released
  4. ‘Demons Never Die’ Features Hip Brits
  5. Enigmatic ‘Gut’ Trailer is Vague Yet Intriguing
5 comments , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • http://filmsponge.com Ben

    Sweet Poster! I wish more movies would make these classic looking posters.

  • Saucy Josh

    Yeah, poster looks pretty damn good!

  • Artman009

    I know you’re probably being hyperbolic in your hatred but “Cabin Fever 2″ is not the worst sequel ever made. If you want a bad sequel that actually brings “shame and disgrace” on its predecessor, look to “Exorcist II: The Heretic”.

    Also, you are aware of the behind-the-scenes drama between Ti West and the producers on the film, yes? According to several interviews with him, West attempted (and failed) to have his name removed from the film after the producers took over in the editing process and conducted re-shoots without his involvement. And it’s important to note that original “Cabin Fever” director Eli Roth handpicked West to shoot the sequel:

    http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/interviewsnews.php?id=14126

    Lastly, can we get past the fact that Michael Myers was not a character in “Halloween III”, already? I mean, it’s been 29 years.

    The knowledge that the filmmakers were attempting (no matter how half-assedly) to turn the series into an anthology series of films ABOUT Halloween is as well known in the horror community as Mrs. Voorhees being the actual killer in the first “Friday the 13th” film and not Jason.

    • http://filmsponge.com Saucy Josh

      Dang Artman, how come you’re not a writer for Film Sponge? We could use someone with your convictions and insight!

      I have to admit I did hear about Ti’s attempts to have his name removed from CB2, but I left that fact out so that my unjustified hatred would seem… justified.

      House of the Devil was pretty damn good and I said so. If The Innkeepers was inspired by that shoot, then I’m definitely looking forward to it.

      You might be right about The Exorcist. You might be right about Halloween 3 too–the only flaw in your argument there being that, even if you forgive the absence of MM and accept an anthology approach, Season of the Witch still sucked ASS.

      Thanks for reading. Serious, let us know if you want to write for us!

  • Guest

    Ti West disclaimed credit for Cabin Fever 2, saying that the film had been too interferred with to claim as his own work.