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ssheridan
Reviews
The Omen (2006)
All in all....not so bad!
I have to start by saying that when I saw the first teaser several months ago, and saw that a remake of what I consider one of the 70's most classic horror films was being made, I was highly upset and had actually considered actively boycotting the film (even to go so far as to be a one man protest march complete with picket sign!). Eventually as trailers became available, and I started finding out who would be in the film, a finally decided "Why Not". I'm glad I gave it a try. All in all, it is I believe a very commendable & faithful remake.
I was pleased to see the story line really was not toyed with, and even though some changes were made in some of the classic "accident" scenes, it wasn't enough to ruin the film (I actually like that Mrs. Baylock gets mowed down....I always felt she deserved a more brutal death!).
I give kudos to Liev & Julia for stepping into the shoes of Gregory Peck & Lee Remick, but let's face it, those are some pretty big shoes to fill.
Having several decades of Horror film watching under my belt, and now witnessing remake after relentless remake (are there no original writers left?), the idea of an Omen remake did have me roiling in my skin but I have to say....Someone Finally Did One Right!
PS: this is not a license to try remaking further classics. Please, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT attempt this with The Exorcist! Please leave well enough alone!
An American Haunting (2005)
Can I Get My Money & Time Back?
What a waste of an afternoon! From what looked like it had potential judging from the trailers, to actually watching the movie and thinking this movie has everything for a classic "haunting" tale: atmosphere, scary moments, great music accompaniment, etc.....only to have to sit through the psycho-babble of what someone thought "might" be a suggested reason for the hauntings.
Oh! how I long for the simpler times when producers/writers/directors wanted nothing more than to scare the pants off of patrons. This is a "haunting" movie! We don't care exactly "why" the person or persons are haunted. We only care that they are and that for a short while, we are taken on the thrill ride! If the producers/writers/directors of this film had issues with their childhood or children, I suggest they consider therapy and leave the rest of us alone.
I feel so cheated!
The Amityville Horror (2005)
Quite Good. Maybe better than the original.
I have always been a little leery of movie remakes, especially when it comes to classic horror films, but since I did enjoy Michael Bay's remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (even with the story changes) I figured I'd give it a try. Glad I did! Off the top of my head, this is the only horror remake that I can think of that surpasses the original. This may be because I was never a big fan of the original, thinking it quite timid after such classics as the The Omen & The Exorcist (Ok, it's 32 years later and I'm still frightened by that movie), or because I have never found Margo Kidder much of an actress. Either way, I think the new remake will stand on it's own and I cannot wait to add it to my collection so I can revel in the frights for years to come.