As almost every other review here has pointed out, this is not really part of the "Demoni" series of films, despite its US release title. It would be much better off with its real title, 'The House of the Ogre' ("La casa dell'orco") - or, perhaps even better, just plain 'The Ogre'.
As a fan of Italian horror and gialli, I have watched plenty of films by the luminaries of the genre and plenty by less than bright sparks. In general, Lamberto Bava has always been a director who has underwhelmed this viewer. While he shows some stylistic touches no doubt gleaned from his father and friend-colleagues such as Dario Argento, he also shows the touch of the hack. There is a lack of attention to detail, of high enough standards, that shows through into the final product. As such, I am not that keen on the first "Demoni" (despite its popularity among fans) and loathed the horribly sub-par "Demoni 2". That this particular film isn't actually related to those predecessors is no great loss to me.
This film's worst mistake is that it is tediously boring. When Bava thinks he's building tension or rapport with his characters, he is merely succeeding in inducing narcolepsy. However, it's possibly a good thing that we don't see much in the way of horror action as the special effects, the ogre in particular, are so dreadfully done. I know that we can't expect TOO much from Italian schlock of this era, but much better has been achieved on budgets as small as this film likely had. One reviewer suggested the ogre's dress was reminiscent of Shakespeare. James Brown came to mind for me. Again, it's just sloppiness on Bava's part. Anyway, if a director knows he can't deliver on the visuals front, he can focus on tension and suspense. But, as mentioned earlier, Bava fails completely in this regard also.
There are some positives I can mention. The script isn't too bad. And it isn't dubbed. The locations are quite gorgeous (as are certain female actors) and the whole is predictably well shot. The plot too, while patently ridiculous, does actually hold together quite well and the viewer does come to understand what has been going on. Possibly the biggest highlight is Virginia Bryant as Cheryl. She does quite a good job considering what's thrown at her, and that she holds the screen for much of the film's length.
I have to mention one small thing that I'm not sure if anyone else noticed but which I found hilarious and was easily my favorite part of the film. In a scene about 30 mins. from the end, where Cheryl and Tom (Paolo Malco) are arguing in the kitchen, Tom slaps her. This in itself is hilarious as Cheryl seems to forget about that little bit of domestic battery a short time later. But when Tom slaps - intending a fake 'movie' slap, obviously - he very noticeably recoils in a kind of 'oh my god I hit you I'm so sorry' kind of way. Virginia Bryant keeps on acting and the scene remained in the film. But I am positive that Paolo Malco must have actually hit her by mistake. If you own the DVD/video check it out and see what you think.
Considering that this possible goof is my highlight for the movie, it gives you an indication of how good "Demoni 3"/"The Ogre" really is. It's not a COMPLETELY rotten movie, just one that's not worth watching. (Except for the slap, which some kind soul may extract and put on You Tube so no-one has to bother watching the movie at all.)
As a fan of Italian horror and gialli, I have watched plenty of films by the luminaries of the genre and plenty by less than bright sparks. In general, Lamberto Bava has always been a director who has underwhelmed this viewer. While he shows some stylistic touches no doubt gleaned from his father and friend-colleagues such as Dario Argento, he also shows the touch of the hack. There is a lack of attention to detail, of high enough standards, that shows through into the final product. As such, I am not that keen on the first "Demoni" (despite its popularity among fans) and loathed the horribly sub-par "Demoni 2". That this particular film isn't actually related to those predecessors is no great loss to me.
This film's worst mistake is that it is tediously boring. When Bava thinks he's building tension or rapport with his characters, he is merely succeeding in inducing narcolepsy. However, it's possibly a good thing that we don't see much in the way of horror action as the special effects, the ogre in particular, are so dreadfully done. I know that we can't expect TOO much from Italian schlock of this era, but much better has been achieved on budgets as small as this film likely had. One reviewer suggested the ogre's dress was reminiscent of Shakespeare. James Brown came to mind for me. Again, it's just sloppiness on Bava's part. Anyway, if a director knows he can't deliver on the visuals front, he can focus on tension and suspense. But, as mentioned earlier, Bava fails completely in this regard also.
There are some positives I can mention. The script isn't too bad. And it isn't dubbed. The locations are quite gorgeous (as are certain female actors) and the whole is predictably well shot. The plot too, while patently ridiculous, does actually hold together quite well and the viewer does come to understand what has been going on. Possibly the biggest highlight is Virginia Bryant as Cheryl. She does quite a good job considering what's thrown at her, and that she holds the screen for much of the film's length.
I have to mention one small thing that I'm not sure if anyone else noticed but which I found hilarious and was easily my favorite part of the film. In a scene about 30 mins. from the end, where Cheryl and Tom (Paolo Malco) are arguing in the kitchen, Tom slaps her. This in itself is hilarious as Cheryl seems to forget about that little bit of domestic battery a short time later. But when Tom slaps - intending a fake 'movie' slap, obviously - he very noticeably recoils in a kind of 'oh my god I hit you I'm so sorry' kind of way. Virginia Bryant keeps on acting and the scene remained in the film. But I am positive that Paolo Malco must have actually hit her by mistake. If you own the DVD/video check it out and see what you think.
Considering that this possible goof is my highlight for the movie, it gives you an indication of how good "Demoni 3"/"The Ogre" really is. It's not a COMPLETELY rotten movie, just one that's not worth watching. (Except for the slap, which some kind soul may extract and put on You Tube so no-one has to bother watching the movie at all.)