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CONSENSUS
A fascinating, even-handed account of Hell Houses.
Directed by George Ratliff
more...
SYNOPSIS
George Ratliff's stirring documentary sheds light on one of late-20th Century America's most confounding creations, the Hell House. more...
MPAA RATING
Not Rated
RUNTIME
86 minutes
RELEASE DATES
Theatrical: Nov 15, 2002
Video: May 27, 2003
RELEASE COMPANY
Seventh Art Releasing
GENRE
Education/General Interest, Religion, Documentary, Christianity, Haunted Houses, Based On A True Story, Religious Faith, Christian Values, Christians
OFFICIAL SITE
• The Official Hell House Site
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TIDBITS
LINKS
SUBMIT/EDIT ARTICLE
SUBMIT USER REVIEW
FORUM
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 "It is to director George Ratliff's credit that he refuses to exploit the Trinity folks or depict them as freaks."
-- George Wu, CULTUREVULTURE.NET
"It's left to the audience to decide whether the church's activities are commendable or insidious."
-- Jeff Vorndam, ABOUTFILM.COM
"A life-size reenactment of those Jack Chick cartoon tracts that always ended with some hippie getting tossed into the lake of fire."
-- Scott Von Doviak, CULTUREVULTURE.NET
"It is a strength of a documentary to disregard available bias, especially as temptingly easy as it would have been with this premise."
-- Rumsey Taylor, NOT COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU
"Preaches to two completely different choirs at the same time, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment."
-- Jon Popick, PLANET SICK-BOY
"This is more fascinating -- being real -- than anything seen on Jerry Springer."
-- David Noh, FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
"Disturbing and brilliant documentary."
-- Max Messier, FILMCRITIC.COM
"Ratliff’s two previous titles, Plutonium Circus and Purgatory County show his penchant for wry, contentious configurations, and this film is part of that delicate canon."
-- Jon Lap, APOLLO GUIDE
"The Trinity Assembly approaches the endeavor with a shocking lack of irony, and George Ratliff’s documentary, Hell House, reflects their earnestness — which makes for a terrifying film."
-- Dan Fienberg, L.A. WEEKLY
"[An] absorbing documentary."
-- Kevin Courrier, BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE
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"It's up to you to decide whether to admire these people's dedication to their cause or be repelled by their dogmatism, manipulativeness and narrow, fearful view of American life."
-- Joshua Tanzer, OFFOFFOFF
"Ratliff speaks the truth about these Pentecostal extremists with fairness and compassion, while the well-intentioned churchgoers shout only semi-truths in a frightfully un-Christlike fashion."
-- Jeffrey Overstreet, LOOKING CLOSER
"Often hilarious, well-shot and, importantly, entertaining, Hell House is a fascinating document of an event that has to be seen to be believed."
-- Kim Morgan, OREGONIAN
"For anyone unfamiliar with pentacostal practices in general and theatrical phenomenon of Hell Houses in particular, it's an eye-opener."
-- Maitland McDonagh, TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE
"Despite what anyone believes about the goal of its makers, the show ... represents a spectacular piece of theater, and there's no denying the talent of the creative forces behind it."
-- Leslie Katz, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
"Ratliff deserves high marks for his restraint and willingness not to try and shape or mold our opinion regarding what is being shown."
-- Michael Elliott, MOVIE PARABLES
 "Lazy filmmaking, with the director taking a hands-off approach when he should have shaped the story to show us why it's compelling."
-- Mary Brennan, SEATTLE TIMES
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FRESH 100%
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"A candid and often fascinating documentary about a Pentecostal church in Dallas that assembles an elaborate haunted house each year to scare teenagers into attending services."
-- Jonathan Perry, BOSTON GLOBE
"Frightening, well-done documentary."
-- V.A. Musetto, NEW YORK POST
"As a director, Mr. Ratliff wisely rejects the temptation to make fun of his subjects."
-- Dave Kehr, NEW YORK TIMES
"Lookin' for sin, American-style? Try Hell House, which documents the cautionary Christian spook-a-rama of the same name."
-- J. Hoberman, VILLAGE VOICE
"Texan director George Ratliff had unlimited access to families and church meetings, and he delivers fascinating psychological fare."
-- Robert K. Elder, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
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"A tad controversial, Hell House doesn’t exist to cast stones, but rather document their hurlers."
-- Ryan Cracknell, FILM THREAT
Click to read the article.
-- Marjorie Baumgarten, AUSTIN CHRONICLE
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* Who are the Approved Tomatometer Critics?
* Mouse over a tomato icon for a publication's original rating. Original rating not available for every publication.
* In fairness to critics whose last name begins with a letter at the end of the alphabet, certain pages are sorted in reverse order, z-a.
* Certain "Hell House" article data provided by the Movie Review Query Engine.
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mikecandance
| In my bedroom, you'll find: "Plates and cups from midnight snacking, taped episodes of the Golden Girls and a body pillow shaped like a catfish." |
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