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Overall Rating : 6/10
Directed By : Stuart Rosenberg
James Brolin (Traffic)
Margot Kidder (The Clown at Midnight)
Rod Steiger ()
Supplied By : N/A
Film Reviewed By : Rick Blalock
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| PLOT On a dark cold night in 1974 in Amityville Long Island New York, Ronnie DeFeo Jr. brutally murdered his entire family, with a single shot gun. After the murders DeFeo had confessed that voices, coming from within his home convinced him to murder his family. In 1975, this very home stood quiet and still until a newly married couple George and Kathy Lutz decide to reside in the home....would the presence in the home begin to haunt them as well? They would soon learn that the answer to that question would be yes. |
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| THE REVIEW Through the years I had seen bits and fragments of this movie, it was not until now, that I decided to fully examine it. This was and is partly because of the current remake out in the theaters as I type this article. I have since read up and investigated the "true aspects of this story, and found some are absolutely true, while some happened in another form that over dramatized for "Hollywood" Yes there was a DeFeo family that was murdered(Ronnie is still in prision to this day for the events that happened) And yes there is a real Lutz Family. On to the movie itself and nothing more.. The movie opens with a flashback murder scene as the camera pans through each room of the house. I for one in my own opinion, think this was absolutely brilliant, as I have never saw this executed in the way it was before in a film. One Year then passes and we come to know the Lutz family as they themselves have found, what they believe to be their "dream home" They are over-joyed to have learned that they will purchase this home for a mere $80,000...... knowing of the house's previous history, the Lutz's seem to bypass that with their anticipation and excitement. In the matter of hours strange things begin to occur, especially in the Lutz's designated sewing room, a room that is hounded by swams of flies. The part of George Lutz is brilliantly played by veteren actor, James Brolin, who happens to be one of my personal favorites.. however this did NOT affect my rating. Also joining Brolin is Margot Kidder, from Superman fame, as Mrs. Kathy Lutz. In my honest opinion the two have great interaction and chemistry, but out of the two, Brolin was more convincing than Kidder. Mrs. Kidder looked as if horror wasn't her genre at the time... like she wasn't acustomed to being frightened on screen, which she openly does admit in the special features featurette. Another thing that i'd like to bring to light is, is that the performance of the Lutz's little girl Played by Natasha Ryan, in the film was also very good to me, and I think she did a very good job. Overall this film, that I expected to be outdated and "Exorcist-like"(which I don't particulary care for to begin with) was not..... a little draggy at times but I still really enjoyed viewing it, and to fans of it, I see why you enjoy it. To people who have yet to see it, should give it at least one look. |
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| GORE
METER 2/10 ....not much gore in this one at all, but other things carried it. It was simply really not needed in my opinion. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 5/10 From the same guy who brought us "The Exorcist's" score, I believe. I think it was really fitting, sometimes it could've might have been heavier...but the main theme with the children's voices was really cool. |
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| SPECIAL
FEATURES RATING 5/10 - Included are some various radio spots that aired for the film, nothing really spectacular. What Stood out is the featurette entitled "For God's Sake, Get Out!" in which they interview both James Brolin and Margot Kidder. They both share their experiences with begining as an actor and how they came to claim thier roles in The Amityville Horror. Also included is a trailer |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I really liked this film, it is just my opinion, I know some people who would disagree. I will be honest with you and say that I did indeed expect a lazy and sluggish movie, but was suprised. There is just something about it that got me interested, but I agree that it may not be for everyone. |
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