During one of the quietest weeks of the box office season, The House at the End of the Street finished at number three against several other movies opening this weekend, though it deserved a far larger audience. Even a nearby pack of screaming babies ( seven separate babies at a horror film constitutes a pack ) couldn’t kill the mood of the theater.

For this horror film proves far smarter than the average genre offering by being far more effective at the moments where direction and pacing matters most in a movie. Also, the story felt fresh, as did the careful blend of recognizable and more obscure–yet properly cast–actors.

Usually I avoid PG-13 horror movies during their theatrical runs, since the rating often reflects a studio’s attempt to reach the widest possible audience, by making sure no teen in America is left behind. But in the process of toning down the movie to avoid the dreaded R stamp, the final product often loses the edge that might have resonated with more audience members in total. While I understand the logic, I wonder if the PG-13 rating can’t keep out babies, can the R rating really stop a motivated teen looking for a good scare? Survey says: Probably not.

In any case here’s what worked about The House at the End of the Street:
1) Story. Original enough that the audience appeared surprised by the plot twists several times.
2) Photography. It’s hard to do location shots in the woods and without making the audience wish the director stuck to a set or dirty alleyway. This film looks creepy instead of contrived.
3) Ending. Twisted enough, yet plausible given the narrative and characters development.

Verdict: DVD or matinee. Baby not required to have a good time.

I had planned to write a review of a great movie released nearly a month ago, posting the entry an hour or so after the first midnight showing shuttered, but tragic events in a theater Colorado that same night made any sentiment of ebullience and awe about the film seemed, well . . . ill-timed. Thus that post will appear later.

For now, time to shift gears with a comedy: The Campaign. No matter what one feels about government, politicians and the election process, this movie offers some honest laughs about a system that probably intends to be neither so funny nor broken, but in practice is really both.

What works about The Campaign:

1) The cast is solid and well placed. Will Ferrell shines as the archetype career politician – narcissistic, shallow and possessing the moral flexibility of an orphaned pimp. Zack G’s approachable delivery serves as the perfect counterpoint to Ferrell’s shyster ways.

2) With the Presidential election looming, it’s timely story, without being preachy. And even though some scenes rest on actual events from recent election seasons, it’s not necessary to recognize the factual basis to get the joke, or savor the caricature.

3) It’s definitely a comedy for adults. F-bombs abound.

Verdict: If you like well done comedies, The Campaign is worth seeing. Theater full price.