Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 
Sell Us Your Item
For up to a $7.67 Gift Card
Trade in
Have one to sell? Sell yours here

House II: The Second Story (1987)

Arye Gross , Jonathan Stark , Ethan Wiley  |  PG-13 |  DVD
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Watch Instantly with Rent Buy
House II: The Second Story   $2.99 $9.99

Other Formats & Versions

Amazon Price New from Used from
DVD 1-Disc Version $7.99  
  1-Disc Version --  
"Star Trek Into Darkness" Available for Pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD
From director J.J. Abrams comes the next installment in the Star Trek saga, Star Trek Into Darkness. See it at Cinemark theaters now and pre-order on Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, DVD, and the Exclusive Starfleet Phaser Gift Set. Shop Star Trek Into Darkness and more in the Star Trek Store. Learn more

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Product Details

  • Actors: Arye Gross, Jonathan Stark, Royal Dano, Bill Maher, John Ratzenberger
  • Directors: Ethan Wiley
  • Writers: Ethan Wiley, Fred Dekker
  • Producers: Andrew Z. Davis, Sean S. Cunningham
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
  • DVD Release Date: June 25, 2002
  • Run Time: 88 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B0000640SG
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,887 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • Learn more about "House II: The Second Story" on IMDb

Special Features

None.

Editorial Reviews

HOUSE 2:SECOND STORY - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Good movie for people in the mood for mindless fun. HP West  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
Great classic 80's B flick. Rex  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 36 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel November 12, 2002
Format:DVD
This non-related sequel is so sweet-natured, so tame and family orientated that to assume otherwise is completely ludicrous. There is nothing in this movie that could possibly rate it above a PG, max. I wouldn't even have reservations letting younger children watch House 2.

A new house has a 20-something yuppie called Jesse (Arye Gross) move in with his girlfriend Kate (Lar Park-Lincoln). His friend Charlie (Jonathan Stark), a music agent, arrives with his new diva discovery Jana (Amy Yasbeck) to help him thru the unfamiliar first few days. The house is where Jesse's parents were killed when he was just a baby and it full of many curiosities.

Crafted in a bizarre gothic-Aztec style the house itself is a marvellous set and the many rooms and passages are as mysterious to us as they are to Jesse. Sitting on one of his many mantelpieces is a crystal skull that fascinates him for some reason. He even misses his housewarming party while studying the skull's history.

His studies lead him to dig up the grave of his great, great grandfather, or Gramps (Royal Dano), where he discovers the old coot isn't dead just in limbo. The person who possesses the skull is granted eternal youth but it also warps the space-time continuum within the House.

Gramps comes home with Jesse, is more enthralled by Kleenex boxes and TV than the mysteries around him and ducks for cover whenever someone from another time comes to steal the skull. Just like the first movie different rooms lead into different time zones. Jesse and Charlie have many hilarious adventures battling caveman, dinosaurs, Aztecs an evil cowboy called Slim. The one that killed Jesse's parents and betrayed Gramps over a century ago.

House 2 has so much careless abandon and zany plot twists that it is totally impossible not to love this movie. The huge success of the first movie meant that this one was put into production literally and hour later and Ethan Wiley was given the budget and green light to do whatever he wanted. How often does happen today? Usually it would make for a bad movie considering this was the first movie Wiley directed. But it makes for an unusually cute and light-hearted supernatural romp.

One of the weaker aspects of this sequel is that it has more SFX and animation by Phil Tippet's stop-motion workshop and less by Dreamquest. The matte paintings are gorgeous but the dated dinosaurs look hokey in a few shots. If you can just squint during these moments you won't notice.

Bill Maher from TV's "Politically Incorrect" even manages to show up as a music producer who is interested in Yasbeck and mighty suspicious of Jesse's antics. John Ratzenberger (this makes both movies star one of the "Cheers" barflies) appears as a repairman/adventurer who assists Jesse and Charlie battle some Aztecs. Look out for Kane Hodder (Jason) in an ape costume. Jesse adopts a fluffy, little baby pterodactyl and a strange creature called a Caterpuppy, a cross between...well you know. You need an open mind and a suspension of disbelief to swallow the outrageous goings on in this movie.

The commentary is better than the one on the first movie. Ethan Wiley and Cunningham get on well and have no quibbles pointing out how crazy the film is. They discuss the budget, tell tales of the late Royal Dano and explain how many of the effects were pulled off within the constraints of the budget. One of the most interesting things they mention is that even tho the movie was stuck in between The Color Purple and Beverly Hills Cop II the kids still preferred House 2 as their fave movie of the summer. But because the movie didn't have it's own opening weekend, unlike the original, it wasn't as successful. Didn't stop 2 more sequels being made. A theatrical trailer is also included.

Much like the first film the picture has been brilliantly transferred onto DVD. The 1.85:1 anamorphic picture looks super with very few glitches. Colors are rendered with pleasant accuracy and you wouldn't believe the low-budget origins when judging this picture. There is some grain during darker scenes but other than this the movie is looking great.

The Mono soundtrack is not terribly engaging and most of the film's sound is centre-channel biased. But there's no hiss or pop to worry about. It may be Mono but it's clean and fresh sounding to me.

Was this review helpful to you?
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars House 2 September 26, 2011
By Ghost
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Another great movie.Does not go along with the orgional House, but still a Strange and funny movie.Its great for all family members to watch. Highly recommend it.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars I Drank With a Zombie (3.5 stars) January 24, 2011
Format:DVD
Fun but dumb, "House II: The Second Story" is an altogether different tale than that of the original "House," starring William Katt. In the second installment, a yuppie couple (Arye Gross and Lar Park Lincoln) inherit a mansion, only to discover an alternate universe inside. Hijinks ensue when the lucky owner reunites with his undead great-great-grandfather and, along with his goofy buddy, battles baby pterodactyls, angry outlaws and Bill Maher.

Although a character in "Scream 2" cites the film as a superior sequel, "House II" does little to one-up its predecessor. Taking on a much lighter tone and with little to no violence, this sequel is more like a campy spoof of the first film, which in and of itself was a silly affair. No worries, though, as once you know what to expect, you can have a good time with the film. The performances across the board are light-hearted and fun, with plenty of lovable goofballs to go around (a sequel concerning these characters would be a good time). The score by Harry Manfredini is most memorable, as you'll be humming the film's main theme not long after the credits have rolled.

Writer/director Ethan Wiley may not have created much of a horror film, but his blend of the supernatural and absurd with a hint of Western makes for a winning recipe that just can't be matched. Those expecting bloodshed and jump-scares will be left in the cold, but perhaps with a few drinks in hand and with the right expectations, you'll find "House II: The Second Story" a film deserving of the title "cult classic."
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars House II: The Second Story (Midnight Madness Series)
I bought this along with "House" so I can make the set complete. I saw this movie before "House" now I own both.
Published 14 days ago by Shirley Hobbs, Iowa
5.0 out of 5 stars House 2
Had this movie on VHS and loved it to death! I was so happy to find it on DVD, and for a great price! The DVD came in perfect condition, and the box in great condition! Read more
Published 23 days ago by Donna Dauenhauer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie!
This is a sequel to a classic movie that I haven't seen in years. I love it! I would def recommend this to anyone.
Published 29 days ago by mari
4.0 out of 5 stars yes
a great sequel!! again if you like classic 80's comedic horror then you must own house two. Laugh out loud funny in parts with a good plot. Read more
Published 1 month ago by john bossung
3.0 out of 5 stars House II
It Was A pretty Good Movie. Not as Good as The First Movie. I Couldn't Have One and Not The Other.
Published 2 months ago by Rick Charter
1.0 out of 5 stars House II
DVD and audio were not sync - audio lagged behind video. It was difficult to watch. My grandchildren walked out of the room.
Published 2 months ago by Adrian Byron Carreno
3.0 out of 5 stars This is a solid B-Comedy
Spooky, silly, with a cast that looks like they are having fun. You will never look at electricians the same again! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Roderick C. Henry
4.0 out of 5 stars a little campy but we liked it!
Granted it is a little campy considering it came out in 1986, but we liked it. It's funny, fortunately Bill Maher wasn't in it enough to ruin it anymore than he did.
Published 3 months ago by leedad06
3.0 out of 5 stars ILHM Reviews House 2
Jesse discovers the gateway to another dimension when he moves into his family's old estate, but the crystal skull that opens the portal unleashes monsters and madmen that want the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Carl Manes
5.0 out of 5 stars Movie
Super funny movie if you need a good laugh then you need to watch this movie! It is my favorite one!
Published 5 months ago by Petra
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



Look for Similar Items by Category