The Amityville Horror (2006)

Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, MGM/Dimension Films, 2006

I know, I know, I generally hate remakes as well because I figure if they can't create an original story then why waste the money? right? However, this is a nicely woven tale full of shocks, and yes it does rely on some of the more contemporary horror movie tactics (such as the sharp cutaways and the images of physically tortured souls) as well as using the images that made the first movie so great (such as the voice "gheeet outt!!" and the blood dripping from the walls) -

and yes, you WILL have to get past Van Wilder slowly going down the drain. I myself kept expecting him to pop open a keg and host a frat party, but once you get past that, it's OK.

Some of the detractors will of course lock onto the fact that it does seem like a remake of The Shining, which it is, and as for me the only plot development that didn't sit well with me is the fact that he turned SO FAST. I mean, he's a nice stepdad in minute 5 but by minute 15 into the film you can see how he's going to start chopping away with the axe - yous just don't know when he's going to break but you absolutely are assured that he will. OErhaos that worked a littel too quickly for my tastes, but then again, what else should I expect for a story told in 118 minutes, right?

All in all, it's not the greatest, but by far not the worst, it gets pretty well up there as far as horror movies go, and the strength is that it stayed away from sheer gore.

VG