Customer Reviews

Amityville 3-D [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

The title of the film is AMITYVILLE 3-D, but you won't find the third dimension on this DVD. Released theatrically in polarized (clear glasses) 3-D back in 1983, the US DVD is presented in flat format only.

At least the disc restores the film to the correct 2:35 to 1 widescreen ratio, and a teaser trailer I'd never seen before is included too.

They COULD and SHOULD have included a field sequential 3-D version (for use with LCD shutter glasses) on the DVD as well as the modified flat print. That would at least approximate the theatrical experience at home. It's easily done, even a low budget film like THE CREEPS is now available in that format!

Don't be sorry they didn't include a terrible red/blue anaglyph conversion like they did on the recent British DVD release; that looks awful and nothing like the original 3-D anyway. Better to watch it flat than in the inferior anaglyph form.

Buy the box set; you'll also get parts one and two and a disc of documentaries, plus a ticket to see the new Amityville remake.

You ever want to have a little Halloween cheer, but you're absolutely pressed to get the house tidied up, or wash dishes, or do taxes? At ease, my friend: you've found the right horror flick in "Amityville 3 in 3-D", occasionally subtitled "The Demon". If you've pressed on through the series, then you may as well don your battle armor and go hand-to-claw with the vicious undead, if only to see a very young Meg Ryan with a ouija board.

This half-hearted 1983 follow-up to its degenerate 1982 predecessor isn't half the monster "Amityville 2" is, but it's amusing if you're drunk or bored or busy, and it will put you in the Halloween spirit, guaranteed---and unlike "Amityville 2", it won't make you feel guilty for watching it afterward. Numero 3 in the trilogy of the nasty Long Island real-estate bargain introduces us to ghost-buster John Baxter (played by Woody Allen regular Tony Roberts, who plays along but still seems baffled to be here), who picks up that wicked colonial by the sea for a song after busting a fraudulent seance-ring (yeah, they were grasping by the time #3 came along). Despite the misgivings of colleague and sometime sweetie Melanie (Candy Clark, who lends dignity to the proceedings), Baxter buys the house lock stock & smoking barrel, despite the fact that the over-eager real estate agent dies soon after the deal is consummated, evidently from fly asphyxiation. Hey, if it's a steal on the East Coast---with a boat dock and a pool house, by God----you've gotta move on it!

Surprisingly, soon after demonic possession and other creepy shenanigans ensue, with innocent daughter Susan (Lori Laughlin, a bore but doing what she was paid to do) paying the price and a very young Meg Ryan (Lisa) getting to enjoy the ride. Will you enjoy it? If you're easily amused (like I am) and can be bribed with a bug-eyed gollum-esque demon, a nasty incineration death, and a spooky well/porthole-to-hell, then you'll be in good hands. And let's face it: director Richard Fleischer is an old Hollywood hand, a steely-eyed veteran director, who knows what he's doing---for Crom's sake, he directed "Soylent Green", "Doctor Dolittle", and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"---this guy is the Winston Churchill of Directors! Trust him! Ultimately, though, Fleischer was in his autumn years, and after this flick he was lucky to helm "Red Sonja" and "Conan the Destroyer". I'm not kidding.

When it comes right down to it, where the rubber meets the road, "Amityville 3: The Demon" is a decent little horror movie, and will certainly occupy you (occasionally) while you double check the tax forms. Best of all, you can go on a munchies run and not miss much. Ah true, there's a ghoulish, shivery little sequence where Tony Roberts dreams his daughter is confined as a demonic mermaid in the well beneath the house, and that's shivery---truly, nightmarishly shivery. And did I mention "Amityville 3" is a shameless rip-off, particularly when it comes to lighting, of the far superior "Poltergeist"? If you know these things going in, though, you should enjoy yourself.

And more than anything, you'll know this: if the real estate agent promises something that sounds too good to be true, it's probably demon-possessed.

I bought this because the Amazon info at the top indicates this is a 3D movie - they even indicate what glasses you'll need to view it. I was SO excited! BUT - THIS DVD IS NOT IN 3D!!! The 3D is the original title, which WAS originally released in 3D. However, only a UK version was released in 3D - this one IS NOT!!! If you're looking for a 3D movie, this isn't it.

and does NOT come with glasses as Amazon says. I was buying it for the 3D and was very up set it was not. The movie is just like the other Amityvilles. Different people but same old house.

I WISH THEY WOULD INCLUDE IN THEIR DESCRIPTION , IT IS NOT MADE FOR SHUTTER GLASSES 3D. I KEEP WASTING MY MONEY BECAUSE THEY WON'T DESCRIBE THE 3D'S ACCURATE.

My beef isn't with it not being "3D" but with how boring and awful it is,the only spooks you get is scattered, You got this guy who is a "Skeptic" well needless to say so much for him being a skeptic and gets what he deserves for being so dumb,naive and stubborn or "skeptic". (In the movie of course), Lori Loughlin(Full House), An ever Annoying as Always Meg Ryan(Why couldn't she die in the movie?) and apparently a hot well/fountain in the basement. You want scares Try part 1 with Uber-Liberal Pansy and Stressiand Bum James Brolin and Part 2 With Burt Young(Convoy,Pig Pen) all the other movies after really are a disservice.

As a collector of 3-D movies that really work, this one is a total rip off!! Do not waste your time or money if you expect a 3-D experience. Movie was a bit out of focus, no viewing glasses included what so ever, and did not even work with any of the many different types of 3-D glasses that I own. Was not even worth the bother of returning it, so I threw it in the trash, do not believe everything you read! This DVD was totally misleading in its description.

BEWARE!!!

This film often resembles Tobe Hooper's "Poltergeist". That movie preceded this one by a year or so, so the "Amityville" filmmakers could have been plagiarizing to a degree. However, Amityville 3-D, despite its flaws, still has enough fuel to forge ahead given that the Amityville story continues to astound the motion picture public.

This movie is mostly noteworthy for the mere fact that it features Meg Ryan in one of her earliest film roles. Otherwise, you have to go beyond the director's cheesy attempts to startle an 80's 3-D viewing public. (The DVD of the film is 3-D in title alone.) It has a few surprises, so it's worth watching if you have a free afternoon. Otherwise, this is largely considered the first in a long line of unnecessary sequels to the Amityville franchise.

I don't care how many Amityville Horror movies they make, they are all creepy. To take what was a true story and go from there is an endless list of good ideas for a movie. This one wasn't as well thought out, but with the story of the skeptic becoming a believer is believable enough. A+ movie

First off, a note to the studio. AMITYVILLE 3 is in MAJOR need of a new DVD transfer. The old VHS is grainy, faded, blurry, and the colors dull. But that aside, AMITYVILLE 3-D (also known as AMITYVILLE 3: THE DEMON) is a fun B movie with moments of camp and some moments of chills. No longer taking the premise seriously, the filmmakers decided to make this sequel more fun. The 3-D effects are now laughable, but luckily the house itself is still interesting enough to keep viewers on the edge of their seat. The characters are average, nothing special, but thanks to a creepy atmosphere and some neat setpieces, AMITYVILLE 3-D is a treat.