The Amityville Horror (2005)

Director: Andrew Douglas

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Phillip Baker Hall, Jimmy Bennett, Jesse James 

For a discussion about the truth behind the Amityville tale, see the article in 'Movie Articles'

After opening with a “Based on a True Story” moniker, the film depicts events in the early 70s in the house, when a crazed man massacred his family one night, blaming the voices in his head that made him do it. A year later, the Lutz family move in, and over the next 28 days things go very wrong for them. George (Reynolds) begins to hear voices, and moves into the cellar, whilst the youngest child plays with an invisible friend. Something in the house is evil!

Another month, another remake! This time the “true” story film of the 70s is redone for a new generation, and whether you believe it is true or not, it is actually kinda good!

So far so typical spooky house. In fact, nothing in the film is really original, and those who have seen the 70s version will spend most of the film waiting for certain events to unfold (for me it was the woodcutting scene). After all, being based on a “true” story, there wouldn’t be many changes to the script. The film also suffers from the usual Hollywood reliance on LOUD NOISES to make you jump, something overdone in recent shockers like Ring Two and Hide & Seek. However, what lifts the film up again is some great direction, which captures the claustrophobic feel of the house (a feat in itself as it is a large house), and the ominous presence of the malevolent spirits. The flashes of ghostly apparitions are cleverly utilized to unnerve and chill the audience, so that, despite the JUMP tactics, there are still ways to keep you on edge.

In addition to the direction, the acting is also more worthy than most horrors manage. Ryan Reynolds shows his diversity in the role of George, a wonderful loving kind of guy who is slowly altered through the film. One criticism of The Shining was that Jack Nicholson is mad from the start, and so the feeling that the hotel changed him is lost. Here, with Reynolds, you really do get a transition that works. Small little mannerisms he puts into his movements and facial expressions turn him from the comedian we all know, to a red eyed psycho! Throw in some great effects work, and the “true” story is brought to life well, giving the end result of an ideal date-flick-horror that pushes all the right buttons.