A Haunted House

Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) makes a commitment to his girlfriend, Kisha (Essence Atkins), allowing her to move in with him. She brings with her, however, a ghost-demon and paranormal activity ensues. Malcolm and Kisha are under constant assault from this entity, and soon others will be brought in hopefully to rid the house of its presence.
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A Haunted House is exactly what you probably imagine it to be. Yes, gay gags/jokes, black gags/jokes, sex gags/jokes, weed gags/jokes, paranormal gags/jokes, Exorcist gags/jokes, gangsta gags/jokes, and even gang bang jokes. The demon/ghost has sexual relations with both of the couple, actually raping them while they're asleep and it is played out so outrageously as not to offend as it might otherwise if presented seriously. Imagine Marlon Wayons sending up The Entity. If you are immediately repulsed, DO NOT see this. Nick Swardson is an Adam Sandler vet who has non-stop gay gags opposite an uncomfortable Wayans (in an intentional way for laughs), including one scene where he's naked and trying to find him in the dark. Swardson spends his entire screen time up against or coming onto Wayans. Essence Atkins takes most of the gags like a trooper, her flatulence in bed and eventual Exorcist-inspired possession two key sources of comedy. Her encounter with the ghost is especially milked for as many cheap laughs as can be mustered. She even gets her makeup and perfume on for the ghost, staying up just for another go, with Marlon chosen instead when she frustratingly went to the bathroom for a moment. Yeah, this kind of stuff is commonplace. Cedric the Entertainer is a faux priest who is called upon by Wayans to help rid his gal of the Tony spirit, but he's not morally equipped to carry this kind of task to fruition. Then comes security camera expert, played by David Koechner, who moonlights as a ghosthunting reality show wannabe, along with his brother (played by Dave Sheridan, wearing those high-powered glasses that bulge his eyes; he also looks like one of those social misfits that you could envision peeping on girls from their bedroom window) as cameraman. Koechner has that sleazy, skin-crawling quality that lends to suspect characters in comedies; he wants Wayans to allow him to say *the n word* and he won't. He burst into tears because his webcam caught his wife cheating with another. He snorts coke with Cedric (hidden in a jeweled crucifix) at one point. Cedric's comments about his own past, profession, and Atkins (while possessed) will make you laugh if you are into his delivery and get-up. Do you giggle at the mere thought of a swearing Cedric in a Catholic uniform trying to examine Atkins, scared out of his gourd? This will probably work for you then. And I haven't mentioned to you the swinging couple who are best buds with Wayans and Atkins ("Mandago" humor is specially used for all its worth).



 Wayans is an acquired taste. His facial and bodily mannerisms are always grandiose is regards to relaying to us how his character responds to the crisis and developing circumstances. When his dog is ran over by Atkins, he responds with tears and wailing that will have some laughing, some cringing. The cast throw caution to the wind and take the material for what it is without a hint of seriousness. Sure, the cast will sometimes play the material straight, but most often they act out the silliness of it all in hysterics and through loud reactions. Just be warned; if the trailers and poster for the film don't already tell you, there's little subtlety and most scenes play out in sheer goofy fashion. The camera, internet, multi-media, and video footage are devices used to accompany the comic performances of the cast. Wayans and Atkins responding to the footage they see an example of how these devices lend to bellylaughs. If you go in without a care in the world, perhaps this will be a minor diversion that occupies about 80 minutes; think of it as in the same spirit of a Scary Movie sequel. If you like those, you'll probably find A Haunted House to your liking. There are no targets not mocked here. Everything/body is fair game.

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