Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12916 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-10-24
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, English, French, Hindi
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 86 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Most horror movies establish an atmosphere of normality, which they gradually rupture with spooky or creepy or stomach-churning images. The Amityville Horror--a remake of the 1979 movie about a possessed house that torments the family that moves into it--tosses normality out the window in the first five minutes, unleashing a nonstop barrage of unsettling camera angles, decaying wood and stained wallpaper, half-glimpsed shadows in motion, fast edits of grotesque ghosts, and dozens of other horror-movie devices. Whether you like the movie will depend on whether you like feeling slightly nauseated and cut off from any semblance of reality--for many people, that's why they go to horror movies. Others won't be able to suspend disbelief that anyone but an actor would spend the time necessary to develop Ryan Reynold's insanely buff physique, prominently displayed as he runs around wearing nothing but a pair of loose-fitting pajama bottoms. In addition to Reynolds, the movie also features Philip Baker Hall and Melissa George. --Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com

DVD Description
The Amityville Horror remains one of the most terrifying stories ever because of one small fact - it actually happened. 28 days after moving in, the Lutz family abandoned the residence, lucky to escape with their lives.

Synopsis
This frightening remake of the 1979 horror classic from producer Michael Bay (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE) delves deeper into the supposedly true story of supernatural events that occurred in a Long Island, New York home in the '70s. When George and Kathy Lutz (Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George) come across a beautiful river-front colonial home being sold for a steal, they suspect a catch. Once informed that the home was the site of a grisly mass murder, they decide to buy the house anyway and eagerly move in, bringing with them Kathy's three children from a previous marriage. While no one can deny that the house is rife with spooky sounds, the family members try to put their fears at bay. But over time, strange occurrences start happening, becoming more and more frequent, and these events start to have a transformative effect on several family members. Kathy's daughter starts to act bizarrely, ending up in a variety of life-threatening situations, led by her new, not-so-imaginary friend Jody (one of the children slaughtered in the house years before by her older brother). Likewise, something strange seems to be happening to George. His usually sweet demeanour is replaced with a hostile one, and he starts cruelly taking out his aggression on Kathy's children. Kathy's original assumption that a house cannot be evil is challenged as she watches her husband transform into the sort of man that just might be capable of murdering his family. Faster-paced than the original, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with quick editing, suspenseful music, and moderately graphic violence. The two leads give quality performances, and seem to inhabit the decade in which the story is set despite the film's slick, contemporary production.

Customer Reviews

Short, but entertaining horror film.
I was not expecting much from this and so I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed it. Whilst it is not particularly scary (although there are a few bits that make you jump) it is creepy enough to be thoroughly entertaining throughout.

The performances from all involved are very good and Ryan Reynolds makes the transition from nice guy to nut case very well.

The films running time seems strangely short (approx 85 mins) and it sometimes feels rushed at times as if there were large parts removed.

Overall though, a solid enough horror film.

Surprisingly good
The original Amityville Horror is the ultimate in haunted house horror films, so I thought "how could they remake such a classic and make it work?", well I rented it this weekend and was pleasantly surprised that it was actually not a bad remake at all.

The story is about a family who gets murdered when one of them gets possessed and a year later a new family move in after getting the house cheaply because of its past. After just a day or so weird things start happening in the house such as blood dripping from the walls and taps, the young girl having a new imaginary friend, who is actually a ghost and strange noises coming from the basement.

Although it isn't as scary or as atmospheric as the original it still has enough jumpy moments and quick frights to please fans of the genre and it does have the same feel to it as the house has been re-created to pretty much the same detail and the story hasn't really been changed all that much. I also usually hate anything that has Ryan Reynolds in (which is half of the reason why I've waited 3 years to watch this) but he actually is very good in this film and is not in the usual big-headed role he usually gets given.

Overall this is one of the better horror remakes that I've seen recently although if you haven't seen the original yet, I'd strongly recommend watching that instead as it is a much better film.

No Disappointment
The Amityville Horror is a remake of the 1979 cult classic of the same title. The film is said to be based on actual events, however I am not sure to what degree. This modern versions story is similar to the original and tells of a family that moves into a new house, that one year previously was the sight of six brutal murders. The film then shows twenty eight days of the family's terror while living in the house. The film has been given a much needed and deserved update, and is terrorifing in places. Watchout for the scene in the closet with the babysitter and the dead girl, as it will make you shiver. Generally this is a good film that should be watched. but I found myself loosing intrest slightly towards the end, even know the film only runs for a mere eighty six minutes, I was becoming bored. The ending left me just a bit disappointed as I was expecting something a bit more epic for a film that wants to standout from the crowd. The first half of the film is full of heart stopping moments, and I personally feal that the story becomes more tame as it progresses. Despite this, I think you should watch it, and decide for yourselfs, as I doubt you will be disappointed.