The Sandspur

Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: COURTESY OF IMDB.COM

Horror movies are most definitely my forte. When The Amityville Horror came out in theatres last Friday, I'm not going to lie, I went to see it as soon as I could. Now, it is a remake; depending on your own personal perspective, this movie had a lot to live up to. I believe that it certainly lived up to, and may have surpassed, the original in, at the very least, special effects.

Based on the true story of the DeFeo murders of November 13, 1974 at 112 Ocean Avenue and the family that next lived in the house, The Amityville Horror chronicles 28 terrifying days in the Lutz household. It is rumored that the house is haunted by a witch named Ketcham.

The original story was kept unharmed amongst the new actors and stunning special effects. A little bit of the cheesy feel that comes from older movies was lost, but I don't see that as a bad thing.

One of the parts of a good horror movie that many newer movies seem to lack is surprise. Timing and surprise are hard to achieve sometimes because so many horror movies are out and the same tricks are often used. But, even with the same screeching music and eerie feeling, the Amityville Horror still seems to catch you off guard and that's a very good thing.

An unlikely horror film star, Ryan Reynolds, heads up the cast of The Amityville Horror with a knack for serious looks and angry yelling that are imperative to the horror genre. This guy, from "Two Guys, A Girl, and a Pizza Place" has certainly come a long way.

I strongly suggest that you go see it, rent the original (but not the sequels) if you'd like, and get a good scare from Amityville Horror at student rates while you still can.

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