Product Details

• Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Jesse James
• Format: Color, DVD
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: September 14, 2010
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (245 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003WTO5MA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,605 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

AMITYVILLE HORROR - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The original was so much better..., November 1, 2005

By 

Blade (WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Amityville Horror (Widescreen Special Edition) (DVD)

First, I'd like to claim that I've been a fan of the original 1979, "The Amityville Horror". It is truly one of the most terrifying [and scariest] ghost stories you will ever see! Despite the obvious limitations to low budget filming, it does surprisingly deliver that nightmarish atmosphere that keeps you scared all the way to the unforgettable climatic ending! Hoax or not, it proved to be quite popular with the public upon release, considering the fact that it's actually based off the bestselling novel by Jay Anson. Additionally, a fair amount of it even stays true to Anson's version of the Lutz family and the shocking 28 days, which they experienced in the old Long Island estate.

If you asked me, I'd tell you that I must've watched it more than five times by now and it still never fails to scare the absolute crap out of me! What's more, I WAS truly looking forward to the remake like many and my hopes were set high! After all, I enjoyed "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake and I love it just as much as the original. Unfortunately, this wasn't the same for 'Amityville'! Directed by Andrew Douglas and produced by Michael Bay (who also took part in the TCM remake), this is one of those remakes that leave you wondering, "Why did they have to do that? It was fine just the way it was!"

The storyline has been changed drastically (aside from the Lutz family moving into the house and experiencing strange events taking place) and the acting is nothing more but cardboard. Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George simply cannot replace James Brolin and Margot Kidder as Kathy and George Lutz. In the 1979 version, we were given powerful and dramatic performances that actually had us feel sympathy for the characters. Sadly, this isn't so the second time through and you really couldn't care either way whether the characters live or die. Also, why spoil all the fun by revealing Jodie's character? In the original, we never get to see what Jodie looks like, but this method proves to be A LOT more effective and suspenseful than the ghost of some dead little girl.

Furthermore, we hardly even get to know THIS Lutz family due to the fact that the 28 days shift by so quick through the VERY short 90 minutes! For example, we only get to see maybe one or two days that they go through until the film skips all the way to Day 28! So where's the character development? Not quite there. Again, you can't really feel much sympathy for the characters here. Finally, the, usage of CGI effects were just terrible! Personally, I believe that CGI should NOT belong in a horror movie because it takes away the scary atmosphere and ruins the realism! (Can anybody say, "White Noise" or "Ring Two"?) It may not be as overdone, but it is still noticeable and it shouldn't be there PERIOD!

Luckily, I didn't have to pay a dime when I went to go see the premiere of this in Seattle, considering the fact that a fellow classmate of mine had offered a bunch of us free spare tickets that she'd gotten in order for everyone to go. I'm most thankful and I know for a fact now that I'm sticking with the original 1979 version, which is the BEST and ONLY version that you should look into! Hollywood has been known to take other great classics (e.g. George A. Romero's, "Dawn of the Dead") and hack 'em up to shreds! They'd better stay away from Tobe Hooper's and Steven Spielberg's, "Poltergeist" because it's one of those genuine horror masterpieces that do NOT need a remake! If they want to restore, some deleted scenes fine. Otherwise, LEAVE IT ALONE! Bottom line: go rent the original, "The Amityville Horror", but avoid the horror-ible 2005 remake!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be titled "amityville: perfection", October 8, 2005

By 

David M. Rossi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Amityville Horror (Widescreen Special Edition) (DVD)

As a fan of the original movie that brought the terror filled true tale of the Lutz's to the big screen, I have to say I went into this remake of that now classic film with some reservations. After having read the book I was always convinced that something big was missing from the original movie, yet I could never figure out what. Then I saw the new remake with Ryan Reynolds and I figured out the missing elenent: George Lutz's descent into insanity from the spirits of the house. It is without a doubt the greatest asset the new movie can offer. Sure it's effects are far superior and the look of the movie is crisp and modern but what truly stands out is Reynolds as Lutz, careening mentally out of control for all to see. What drives him to that point are the visions and the dreams, and before too long, George is left wondering what is reality and what is just going on in his head that's been planted there by the sick main demon spirit Ketcham, a psychologically wrecked man who took up residence at the property long before it was a house to be lived in. The tale of Ketcham in all his gory glory is another inspiring piece of this movie which has it all: modern effects that transform the original story into a hellish nightmare ride that will have you leaving all the lights on in your own house at night long after having watched it, excellent acting, the feeling that this could really happen, and of course, the house, which actually is not the original house but bears such an uncanny resemblance to it, aside from the extended porch, you would never suspect they are not one in the same. More like this, please Hollywood, take note.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars still gives me shivers, May 27, 2005

By 

animerockerprincess (Wayne, NJ) - See all my reviews

I went to go see this movie in the theaters with my three best friends. I can say this is the only scary movie that scared the living crap out of me. I even cried at one part along with one of my other friends. The part where George Lutz kills the family dog in the boat house. Being an animal lover, I couldn't stand to see an animal being killed, even my friend. I remember coming out of the theater shaking and looking pale. But I could still not get this movie out of my head, IT ROCKED! I cant wait till it comes out on DVD.