It would have been easy to make a carbon copy of Hostel here and honestly, I was a bit concerned that’s what Hostel: Part II would be when it opens with the sole survivor of the first, Paxton – played once again by Jay Hernandez. As much as I like Jay, I was glad to see he didn’t stick around long. In the end, bringing Paxton back tied both movies together nicely.

The cast in Hostel: Part II is equally as good as the cast of the original and I was especially glad to see Bijou Philips (Wizards of Gore). She did a great job playing Whitney and I look forward to seeing her in more horror movies.

All said, Hostel: Part II is a admirable attempt by Eli Roth to develop characters a little better and make people care about who is being hacked up instead of just waiting for it to happen. Maybe he fell a little short, but he came damn close.

Quick Review: Hostel: Part II is engrossing and entertaining while disturbing and frightening. The gore in excellent although much of the actual torture if left of camera and the viewer is left to fill in the blanks. Very effective.

Love the movie? Buy the DVD:

Hostel – Part II (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

Blu-Ray

Hostel – Part II [Blu-ray]

The Wizard of Gore… wow. I don’t know what else to say. This movie is a shining example of how to do a remake. It isn’t a carbon copy of the original. It tries to add depth and meaning to the story and characters and while it may be debatable as to whether or not that was a successful attempt, kudos to the filmmakers for trying.

The cast is phenomenal. Brad Dourif (the voice of Chucky in the Child’s Play series, Rob Zombie’s Halloween), Jeffery Combs (House on Haunted Hill, The Re-Animator series), Crispin Glover (Nurse Betty, The Doors, Willard), Bijou Phillips (Hostel II, Venom, Almost Famous) and Kip Pardue (Driven, Undiscovered, Bitter/Sweet) are just some of the fine actors who turn in incredible performances in this deliciously gory and twisted tale. And definitely check out the appearance by the Suicide Girls – gorgeous.

The Wizard of Gore is an admirable remake of a slasher movie classic and a must see for all bloodlusting gore-hounds.

Quick Review: Nudity, violence, gore… what else do you need? Necessary viewing for anyone and one of the best slasher movies ever made.

Love the movie? Buy the DVD:

The Wizard of Gore

If you love the remake, pick up the classic original:

Wizard Of Gore (Special Edition)

You might also like The Herschell Gordon Lewis Collection (The Gore-Gore Girls, A Taste of Blood, She-Devils on Wheels, The Gruesome Twosome, The Wizard of Gore, Something Weird):

The Herschell Gordon Lewis Collection (The Gore Gore Girls / A Taste of Blood / She-Devils on Wheels / The Gruesome Twosome / The Wizard of Gore / Something Weird)