A HAUNTED HOUSE

US, 2013, 85 minutes, Colour.
Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Cedric the Entertainer, Nick Swordsman, David Koechner.
Directed by Michael Tiddes.

A parody of the Paranormal Activity movies as well of such devil possession films as The Devil Inside. Obviously a valid and subject for spoofing. In fact, the variation of an African-American? family experiencing paranormal activities has much humour in it. Paranormal activity movies were also sent up in Scary Movie five, the Scary Movie franchise having been established by the Wayans brothers. In this film it is Marlon Wayans who co-wrote the screenplay as well as starred in it.
However, the humour is generally in quite bad taste. Clearly some bad taste humour is very funny, but much, much less so here. Many of the spoofs of sexual activity, especially the hero with the toys, is particularly crude. There is also some gross flatulence as well as some ugly scatological humour. This is not the kind of humour that ordinary cinema goers expect and appreciate.
Marlon Wayans has quite a lively screen presence as well as incessant patter. And he carries off some of the most embarrassing sequences, the sex with the toys, the defecation on the floor, washing himself because of herpes, completely unembarrassed. His co-star is Essence Atkins who has to put up with a lot of the humour, as well as mimic Linda Blair and the other screen possessed actresses.
There are various comic turns, David Koechner as the security man with his video camera brother, making lewd remarks about what can be seen on screen, the behavior of wives while their husbands are away, as well as some very strong racist jokes. There is also the friend with his girlfriend speculating about wife-swapping, elaborating many scenarios of permissive behaviour which, of course, he then vigorously denies when Marlon Wayans wants no part in them. There is also the psychic who comes to help, but is absolutely preoccupied with homosexual behavior, taking every opportunity to make advances. Finally there is an oddball Reverend, played by Cedric the Entertainer, who is partial to drink and drugs, sex and has had a prison sentence and who then mimics behavior of exorcists in various films, including direct quotes from The Exorcist.
While watching the film, listening to the dialogue, it becomes clear that Marlon Wayans is an expert at writing stand-up comedy. In fact, most of the dialogue plays like stand-up, and might be more effective without the so-called realism of the film, when audiences just listen to the jokes.
Not one for the must-see list, or even for the see list.