Directed by: Ti West
Starring: Sara Paxton, Kelly McGillis, Pat Healy
MPAA Rating: R
Distributed by: Dark Sky Films
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Running Time: 101 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars
The director, Ti West, has recently become one of my favorite new horror directors. I ignore the fact that he directed the horrendous “Cabin Fever 2”, which he has since disowned, and remind myself that he did the absolutely amazing “House of the Devil” from 2009. Such a brilliant film if you have never seen it, it is a must watch. This film doesn’t quite capture that same brilliance but is a fantastic return of the slow-burn horror genre. Props go to the amazing Sara Paxton’s (redeeming herself for “Shark Night”) for providing a simple amazing and haunting performance.
The film focuses around the closing of The Yankee Pedlar Inn, which has been open for over 100 years. We meet the remaining employees, Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy). They are determined to prove that the inn is one of the most haunted hotels in New England. The pair of “ghost hunters” begin to explore but are met with very strange and creepy events that will uncover many unexplained events of the inn’s history.
The video on the Blu-ray is dark in parts but works well with its high def 1080p resolution and presented in 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The Blu-ray packs an eerie DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and works perfectly with the score. I just wished there was more jumps and spooks to have it take advantage. It is definitely recommended, as stated in the menu, that you should play this film loud.
The special features are a bit disappointing overall though unlike the film. There is a very short featurette “The Innkeepers: Behind the Scenes”, which focuses on the real location of Yankee Pedlar. There are not one but two audio commentary tracks included. The first features director Ti West, producers Peter Phok and Larry Fessenden, and 2nd unit director/sound Graham Reznick focuses heavy on production. The second features Ti West and stars Sara Paxton and Pat Healy, which it is more light and fun. Lastly there is a trailer included.