The challenge for Hostel reviewers: how to write a headline for a gruesome splatterfest about an inn where captive American tourists are tortured? Sure, you can pun on the word hostile, as many writers did, though that’s a little obvious. Others wisely chose not to pun at all, while a few papers actually tried hard to be clever. (Best headline by far belongs to the New York Post, as you’ll see below.) Here’s a sample of headlines for you to, um, check out.
Commence ‘Hostilities’:
The Buffalo News: A hostile ‘Hostel’
Baltimore Sun: A European vacation with ‘Hostel’ intentions
Edmonton Sun: ‘Hostel’ intent
Washington (D.C.) Examiner: ‘Hostel’ environment
Newark Star-Ledger: Bloody ‘Hostel’ breeds hostility
Reality ‘Check’:
Winnipeg Free Press: Check into this grisly ‘Hostel’ if you have a strong stomach
Denver Post: Don’t bother checking in
‘Torture’ chamber:
Salem (Ore.) Statesman Journal: ‘Hostel’: Are you ready for some torture?
San Jose Mercury News: Bloody ‘Hostel’ is torturous gorefest
Louisville Courier-Journal: Brutal ‘Hostel’ is torture to watch
Albany (N.Y.) Times Union: ‘Hostel’ takes its audience on a disturbing journey of torture
Both ‘sick’ and ‘fun’:
Tallahassee Democrat: ‘Hostel’ delivers a nightmare of sick, sadistic fun
Los Angeles Daily News: ‘Hostel’ delivers on good, sick fun
Hartford (Conn.) Courant: Horror in ‘Hostel’ So Good, It’s Disturbing
We actually put a little thought into this:
Kansas City Star: ‘Hostel’ la vista
Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader: ‘Hostel’ puts the ‘gross’ in engrossing horror
New York Times: We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay. Gore Is Served in the Cellar.
New York Post: Doom Service
No offense but while I am sure this is going to be on heck of a gore fest, can you say that this plot is not original? “Psycho”, “Tourist Trap”, and “Saw”? Seriously.
And you thought YOUR last hostel stay was bad…
Hostels, not just for backbackers with VD anymore…
Come for the sights, stay for the torture…
Soon to be in the “Movies on demand” section at your local motel…