Movie Review Horror remake

Horror remake spooks with grotesque imagery

BY ANNA LOUSTAUNAU

For the Daily Titan

A house full of demonic creatures and a history of mass murder. "For God's sake get out!"

MGM’s “Amityville Horror” reared its spooky head into theaters this past weekend, successfully chilling audiences with its graphically grotesque imagery and teeth-clattering true tale of historic terrors.

An important note of warning to all: five minutes of this film’s beginning is guaranteed to leave one shaking at night for two weeks straight.

Based on the factual nightmarish night of Nov. 13, 1974, “Amityville” opens with the famous mass murder of the Defeo family (father, mother, two brothers, and younger sister Jodie) in their sleep by fellow family member Ronald Defeo claimed that “voices” in the house were telling him to murder his family.

Exactly one year later, the innocent Lutz family, consisting of newbie husband George (Ryan Reynolds), wife Kathy (Sarah George), and three young children (two boys and a girl), establish their permanent residence at the famous Amityville home in Long Island. They are fully aware of its past occurrences but decide to ignore it.

Soon thereafter, George becomes overwhelmed with horrific homicidal thoughts and satanic voices concerning the future state of his family, which literally transforms him from a sweet father figure to psychotic killer in just a few days.

After George rapidly losing his mind, Jodie haunting her past bedroom, and an unforgettable babysitting dilemma, the Lutz family struggles to find a way to escape their frightful home before it’s too late.

As a remake of the 1979 thriller, “Amityville” remains a classic with the same screenwriter Sandor Stern, but adds the modern characteristics of snapshot filming, sped-up images, and producer Michael Bay (also producer of the recent hit “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”) in the new freaky flick.

Along with re-telling the spine-tingling mystery of the Lutz’s future, “Amityville” also has bonus footage of the house’s immoral origins preceeding centuries to the Defeo’s horrendous habitations.

Whether the myths are true or false, it is a confirmed fact that 412 High Hopes St. in Long Island is an area to be avoided.

Starring as the scary man in the story, Reynolds is triumphant in his attempts to scare the death out of the audience, all the while making them laugh at his sarcastic sense of humor.

George isn’t bad herself, resembling Naomi Watts in “The Ring” with her innocent alluring gaze and her smart ability to save herself whenever necessary.

All in all, “Amityville Horror” is nothing short of bloodcurdling and violent fun throughout its one hour and 40 minute running time it is full of memorable faces as creepy onthe-edge-of-your-seat moments pop up to test your fear factor skills.

Although, while an excellent weekend murder bonanza for many to enjoy, one should leave the kids at home or risk sleepless nights for the next month.

MGM A family is terrorized by demonic forces after moving into a home that was the site of a grisly mass-murder. Ryan Renyolds stars in the 'Amyitville Horror,' now playing in theaters.

Flashback Favorite Cult classic lives on

BY NICK COOPER

Daily Titan Staff

David Bowie in tights. What else can you say? Many women adore him, and in the mid-80s many men wanted to be him. Long-haired musicians and fl ashy make up was all the rage.When Bowie became Jareth, king of the goblins and Jennifer Connelly played Sarah, a somewhat whiney little girl forced to babysit her younger brother. It was the year when “Labyrinth” was introduced to its now mass audience. Directed by Jim Henson, the movie utilizes live actors and a myriad of costumed people and puppets.

After all, what would a Jim Henson fi lm be without a puppet or two? The graphics were crap- py, with cheesy blue screen effects and visible wires, but it's the story that has made “Labyrinth” last the test of time. Viewers are still instantly drawn into Henson’s world of puppets and fantasy. Given 13 hours to solve the labyrinth, Sarah befriends a dwarf by the name of Hoggle, a large hairy monster named Ludo and a small guard dog named Sir Didymus. Together they traverse the labyrinth in search of Sarah’s half brother Toby. Braving large trash heaps, goblin armies and, of course the Bog of Eternal Stench, the misfi t group of travel-worn adventurers arrive at the center of the labyrinth, the Goblin City. Sarah must confront Jareth and her own materialistic self to rescue Toby before he is turned into a goblin forever. Full of imagination, this movie has entertained viewers for nearly 20 years. It draws its appeal from its simplicity and brilliance in entertaining both child and adult. And yes, “Labyrinth” is a musical full of memorable lyrics and songs such as “Underground” and “Magic Dance.”

With the exception of one short scene concerning the Fireys, a group of muppet-like monsters who take their heads off for fun, the movie has a genuinely good fl ow and enough creative 'umph' to remain in the hearts of old fans and fi nd a home in the hearts of new ones.