The movie HOUSE, a movie adaptation from Ted Dekker’s thriller book, has gone under the radar for almost a year with many issues keeping from its release. One main issue being its R-rating that it recieved as a “Christian film”. Despite the long wait, HOUSE will be released November 7th. Ted Dekker would like to explain more about this and ask you a few questions. You can click below to read the whole story straight from Dekker’s email and/or you can check out the new site for the film and watch the trailer. Tell me what you think about his questions and general thoughts.
HOUSE POSTER: APPROPRIATE OR NOT?
So here we are, a month out from the November 7th release of House (note the
change) and all is set in stone. It’s been a wild ride this last year,
watching, waiting as the powers that be have tried to make up their minds
what to do with House, the movie version. The movie has been in the can for
over a year, but there’s been one problem.
The R rating.
I’ve been watching from a distance, powerless to influence the course of
this movie. And I won’t lie, it’s been interesting watching everyone pull
their hair out. Fact is, the movie just isn’t that terrifying. It has very
little blood, less than a typical TV show. It has no foul language, maybe
one “hell”, but then the movie is about hell. It has no sex.
We showed the movie to a few hundred at the Gathering and received strong
feedback. Ninety percent had no problem with the violence. The story is
intense and at times disturbing, but it’s certainly no Saw.
So, what’s the deal with the MPAA? After repeated appeals everyone is left
scratching their heads. They say it’s the story itself. Yes, indeed, the
story of one’s rescue from the pit is the most dangerous story ever told.
The problem with an R rating isn’t the content. It’s the marketing. Let a
few people with tall white hats in Hollywood put an R rating on a movie and
the Christian media and establishments of commerce run for cover.
So now the studio has to make a decision. Do they go after the ‘Christian’
audience, or do they go after everyone else? With an R rating they go
after the latter. Mind you, the content hasn’t changed. This is still
essentially the same story from the book. It’s the story of four lost souls
entering their own hell, mistaking their one hope of rescue as something
evil, and in the end either living or dying.
But the marketing has changed. The message is now going out to the millions
who would never be caught dead watching a movie like Left Behind, no pun
intended. Their new poster is the first clue, a pentagram reflecting the
evil our four souls find themselves trapped in.
And frankly, I want to know what you think about that.
Take a look at the poster. Is it something we should all shy away from?
Should Christian Bookstores ban this cover?
Go to the poll on the home page at teddekker.com and vote. Get your friends
to vote. This is a bit of a watershed moment and you’re the audience. Not
me, not media, not bookstores.
You. So vote.
Ted
Loading ...
38 Responses
looks decent for a christian movie. moviemaking has been one area of the christian culture that has been significantly subpar compared to the mainstream. it’s good to see a movie that looks pretty well made with a christian message.
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
You know, I might actually see this.
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
i’m watching it.. looks good..
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I agree. I actually want to see this. Thr3e was a letdown, tho.
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
i’m so glad i just turned 17 becuase i would sell my soul to see this movie
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I actually expected it to be R…so what’s the surprise? Haha.
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
i think the poster is fine. so many christians freak out over the pentagram like its a bad omen and forget that we as Christians have more power in Christ over a wimpy symbol. sure it’s creepy. but it has no power over us. i think its a great attraction because the flesh loves the dark. it’s a great way to pull in a mainstream audience with a demonic symbol. think of it this way, God takes the bad and uses it as a blessing to reach out to someone who needs Him.
it’s more affective than a Christian fish t-shirt like the cheesy “a-bread-crumb and fish”. (no offense to those who own one.)
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I’m stoked for the movie I read the book 2 years ago and it was the first book where I actually gasped out loud at parts. If the movies as well directed as the book was written it will certainly do well in the mainstream market.
As far as Christians banning things Titus 3:9 “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless”
Posted on October 4th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Just upon reading the headline I got stoked thinking the movie was based on the tv show…
Posted on October 5th, 2008 at 4:48 am
i think if you’ve read the book and you’re a Christian then you can go see they movie. i think it’s good that they’re making more appealing for the secular crowd. it has a good faith-based story line that someone might see and have a change of heart.
i’m going to go see it, most definitely.
Posted on October 5th, 2008 at 7:52 am
So did I.
As for Christian moviemaking…Fireproof is great.
Posted on October 5th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
This is coming out in a month and I’ve heard little hype for it. I’m afraid that it’ll become another Thr3e. If anyone wants to watch the trailer for the film, just click below
http://media.movies.ign.com/media/142/14284546/vids_1.html
Posted on October 5th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I think the issue at hand could be used for good (Rom 8:28). The joint work, from Dekker/Peretti, is a success if one person is redirected from a destructive path. I loved the book I WILL see the movie. The poster is a non issue.
Posted on October 21st, 2008 at 5:45 am
I just saw the commercial tonight on the Sci-Fi channel. I had no idea about the movie. I was like that looks like the Christian book I read this spring. Ted Dekker may say that it is not that scary but just watching the trailer has scared me. I don’t know how they are going the do the rotten food scenes. Those will just be too gross to see on film. But I will end up watching it. As for the pentagram, my question is “Didn’t Jesus use the familiar of his day to teach?” I think the pentagram has become a familiar symbol in todays world and if God can use it to draw people in and teach then let the secular world use it as a marketing tool. As someone said above in so many words “He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.” Go God!
Posted on October 31st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
yeah, I just saw the trailer on tv recently as well. Superstoked.
Posted on November 1st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I don’t have a problem w/ the poster at all. Satan & his minions only have as much power as God let’s them have anyway. I was supprized about the R rating though. I read the book & thought it was great. While the story is dark it ends great & powerful. PG-13 maybe but not R. Either way I want to see this.
Posted on November 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Well said Beckie, Jim, Devin.
Posted on November 1st, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Well this came out about a week ago on internet and I downloaded it with high hopes of it being a great movie, then I was still going to go see it in the theatre. I was disappointed, it is a fairly decent movie that seems to be going no where the whole movie. The only thing that makes this movie worth watching is the end. I won’t spoil it for the rest of you who haven’t read the book. This movie should have gotten a PG-13 as well, wasn’t offensive and I don’t know why they gave it the rating they did. If I were to rate the movie out of 10 I would give it a solid 6. If anyone has any questions where you can get a copy of it so you can watch it before you go to the theatre and spend 10 bucks a ticket, just reply on here I will get back to you.
Posted on November 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I am so excited to see this movie!!! The book was awesome!!! I don’t think an R rating will or even should be a factor…I personally don’t think people look at ratings anyway, even christians! If the movie looks good, they will see it. The cover…may be a factor to some christians if they haven’t read the book and are not familiar with the story. I am excited to think of all the NON-CHRISTIANS who will go see this movie BECAUSE of the cover!!! Either way…CHRIST WINS!!!!!!
Posted on November 2nd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I have a friend that saw the movie already and he said it wasn’t all that good
Posted on November 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 am
House is just another clique horror film in some cases and in others throughout the film it bares some differences as the story unfolds.
I HYPED HOUSE on EverHYPE and scored it 86%, which I think is very accurate.
http://www.everhype.com/hyper/mikeborgia?X=M659
If you get on there rate me a 5 on it and request friendship.
Posted on November 3rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Curious. I understand how much of the creative/marketing license is taken away once studios get involved- they want to make a buck, and that’s it. But I do struggle with the pentagram/goat’s head. Just all of the actual historical evil done under that symbol….
I won’t flock to see the movie, but if its good I’ll be there. I won’t see a movie just because its “Christian”- I hold it to the same standard of excellence/quality as any other movie. Really liked the book- hope the movie is great!
Posted on November 6th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I’m excited about seeing the movie. I’m a HUGE ted dekker and frank peretti fan and I have all the books so i expected the movie to be R. Maybe not having a “Christian” title will be good for this movie because it can send a message to the ones who would not go see if just because of that reason. Now I just have to wait for thr3e, monster, and hopfully the oath to come out.
Pam
Posted on November 7th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
The new poster looks fine.
Joe S., why would you struggle with the content of a movie poster? Haven’t you ever read the Bible? It’s not all fluffy bunnies and rainbows…
Posted on November 7th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I read the book, I’m not much of a book reader, but I could not put this book down. I can’t wait to see this movie.
Posted on November 7th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I loved the book and loved the movie version! I took my 13 year old son to see the film after he read the book. He really liked it. He understood it and didn’t just sit through it. The R rating should not have an effect on whether or not to see the film. Hey, thought about making a film out of the Oath. House and the Oath are the only two books that have made me jump out of my skin when reading them every time!
Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I can’t wait to see this movie! I read the book about a 1 1/2 ago and it was awesome! I’m really upset because the movie isn’t showing at any of the theaters in Little Rock, AR! Please bring this movie here so I can see it! I have been waiting for it to finally be released!!!
Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 5:56 am
My family and I started passing the book around this past summer - we loved it - suspense with faith:) My husband and I are so wanting to see it - but can not find a theater here in charleston, sc showing it! hope it comes to town soon!!!!
as for the poster - it has no real power accept to maybe bring in those who are not of faith and then hopefully plant a seed in them to grow!!!
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Read the book and loved it. Couldn’t put it down. Saw the movie and hated it. So diasappointed. There were elements of the book missing from the movie that would have made it so much better. And “R”? Really? What part of this movie deserved an “R” rating?
Sorry, Ted.
Posted on November 17th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
My wife and I both loved the book…and we are interested in the movie, however it didn’t come anywhere close to us.
We hope that the movie is good… We were brutally let down in the past with Thr3e(The book was decent, the movie was awful)
It is unfortunate when someone makes a very low budget crappy movie that is supposedly based on an excellent book.
I would love for them to make The Circle Trilogy(Black, Red, White) into movies. I believe they would be excellent(EXCELLENT) movies if the right people got ahold of it. Like Peter Jackson and the LOTR crew.
But if some low budget group got it, it would be pretty crappy :/
Posted on November 18th, 2008 at 9:22 am
This book was AWESOME!!!! I could not put it down. And i hope this movie is just as good. Although i will have to awit until it comes out on DVD cause it isnt playing amywher near us.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I read the book saw the trailer and heard it was coming out in Nov. problem is I have nowhere to see it. It is not playing anywhere in Ma,Conn, or RI. I will have to wait to buy it. Can’t wait to see it.
Loved the book.
Posted on November 21st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I didn’t get to read the book “House” but I ordered it at the local Barnes & Noble. In the meantime, I went to see the movie knowing I would be at the edge of my seat the whole time because I, too, am a Dekker/Peretti fan. I loved the movie. I don’t know, either, why Ted says it isn’t terrifying. I was so scared, I had to hang out at the bookstore for a while after I came out of the theater just so I could calm down. It was like a wild roller coaster ride. You never knew for sure what was coming next.
As for the poster…all it is is a symbol, nothing more. If you belong to Jesus, and you don’t dabble in the occult in any way, shape, or fashion (such as astrology), you have nothing to be afraid of. Please give the movie a chance.
Posted on November 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I was checking out stats and this post has received the most views of any of our previous posts. There are more than 2000 views this month alone of this post and that’s huge for the site. All the searches for “House the Movie” come up with our site. It’s surreal.
Posted on November 24th, 2008 at 1:35 am
I think that you don’y have to be christian to see this looks like a good movie, go see it. I haven’t seen it liked the book though. As for the poster “I’m shakin in my boots”(huh), have some faith man. It’s just an image on paper. and an “R” rating, please the book could have a PG if the graphics are bad.
Posted on December 1st, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Does anyone know if this is ever going to release other than the very few select cities?
I would love to see it!
Posted on December 2nd, 2008 at 8:42 am
I think that’s it Nater. It didnt do too well at the box office so it’s more than likely out of theaters now.
Posted on December 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
This movie raises an important question in my life. Does god enjoy popcorn, and what is gods middle name, perhaps Mariah. I would think anyone with class would choose this type of pure and holy name. Think about this guys and hit me up!
Jesus fo life!!!
-Tammy
Posted on January 3rd, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Add A Comment