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Back Shelf Beauties
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The Amityville Horror For younger people, the words "The Amityville Horror" are recognizable, but don't mean much. However, they revive so much fear in those of us who lived through the original Amityville events that we jump 10 feet high as the house creeks, and we avoid going into the basement after dark. This new version of The Amityville Horror won't set off the same pop culture explosion the first one did, but it's a good scary movie, especially for a scaredy cat wimp like me. Based on a disputed true story, Ryan "Mr. Alanis Morissette" Reynolds and Melissa George star as George and Kathy Lutz - the unluckiest homebuyers in the history of the world. As they start their new life together, and he tries to be the best stepfather he can to her children, Billy (Jesse James), Chelsea (Chloe Moretz) and Michael (Jimmy Bennett), the Lutzs find their dream house for sale in the small Long Island town of Amityville. It's a beautiful Dutch Colonial, on the water, good schools, quiet neighborhood, with lots of space and a boathouse (I should be a realtor). Also, it's super cheap. TOO cheap. George and Kathy soon learn the previous owners were the victims of a vicious murder perpetrated by the oldest son, who claims he heard voices that compelled him to act. George brushes off the worries (idiot!), but, after the Lutzs move into the home, all sorts of strange, creepy stuff starts to happen (told you so). Is this house haunted? Will George and Kathy be willing to stay? The Amityville Horror remake is more like a brand name than an actual telling of the disputed, but haunting, story, so die hard fans might be surprised at some of the changes and artistic license. However, this version has everything you want from a scary movie - mysterious sounds that get your blood flowing and your hand covering your eyes (only a true man can admit that), flashes of scary ghosts that make you jump out of your seat, a shocking story explaining the origins of the haunting, and hot babes (OK, everything I WANT in a scary movie, but don't worry, in a tip of the hat to equality, Ryan Reynolds is one fine piece of man candy for the ladies). I had trouble getting to sleep the night I saw the movie, and I wasn't about to make that middle of the night trip to the bathroom! Director Andrew Douglas does a good job building the tension as each creepy event gets weirder and more overt. He draws in the audience by starting small with barely audible voices, odd occurrences, hints at some powerful evil, George's personality becoming stranger and violent, blood dripping from the faucet and more. Only towards the end does Douglas rush the events and try to cram in too much too soon. The pace suddenly rushes to make sure the movie ends before the 90-minute mark (studio trick to get an extra showing per day at each Cineplex), so, as the strangeness rises exponentially, The Amityville Horror feels a bit over the top, even for something as incredible as this type of film. Thankfully, the actors don't go over the top with it. Reynolds is a star waiting to break out, and The Amityville Horror will add to that distinction. First, I'm confident enough in my own manhood to admit this guy is ripped! While I get to stare at beautiful actresses like Melissa George and Rachel Nichols, Douglas makes sure Reynolds appears without a shirt in as many scenes as possible (I don't think any of the ladies will complain). Second, his acting muscles are in good shape, too. Reynolds delivers a measured performance showcasing his natural charm when George is being the good guy, but also excels as George becomes more scared and, ultimately, very violent. He brings a simmering anger and rage to the character that is unleashed at the right times, and scares us whether he is exploding or slowly boiling. Melissa George is fine as the mother trying to protect her children and as the brains trying to track down information about the house, but she is overshadowed by a great performance from Reynolds. Hopefully, some day, we'll look back and shake our heads at his appearance in Van Wilder the way we shake our heads at Tom Hanks' appearance in Bachelor Party or Jamie Foxx's turn in Booty Call. The Amityville Horror gets the job done. 3 Waffles (Out Of 4) Copyright 2005 - WaffleMovies.com
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