The Amityville Horror (2005)

Summary: Ronald DeFeo killed his entire family in this house and then went on trial for it. Over a year later the Lutzes are coming to move in…and the house isn’t gonna like it. In 28 days, this house will do everything it can to scare these people to death.           Overall - Truth: Firstly let’s start with the truth of the actual events. Ronald DeFeo really did kill his family and really did blame voice telling him to do it. The Lutzes really did buy the house and did claim it was haunted. And it is the events after Lutz bought the house that is rise to the entire “Amityville” story. Was the house haunted? What happened to the Lutzes? Is house haunted now?           However, now comes the wishy-washy stuff. Years later we find out that DeFeo’s lawyer for the trial conspired with George Lutz to make up the Lutz part of the story that could establish the house as haunted to help out DeFeo and also perhaps get DeFeo at least nice claim of insanity. The lawyer admitted this, not Lutz. A paranormal investigator, Stephen Kaplan, looked into this also and eventually concluded it was all a hoax. But George still maintains the truth. And he even filed a lawsuit or two because of how this film portrays him. So bottom line…most websites and investigators indicate this is all a hoax created by Lutz. But not all. So below are a few links on both sides.           Overall - Movie: This is a good, scary film. For pure scares, entertainment, etc., this film works. Ryan Reynolds has a great performance and does a nice job. It’s got just enough scares, throws in some stuff about Native-Americans being tortured, and overall it works. The film is not a faithful remake of the original film. It cut entire plots out and shows you nothing of George’s job or business partner. We see nothing of the town and frankly, watching the movie, you would think all 5 stayed home each of the 28 days and went nowhere. The film isn’t really a good telling of the Lutz’s original story. Much of the film made up its own scares and ignored Lutz totally…he never even got to help in the film’s remake. So…if you want scares, catch the film. You want authenticity …watch the original.           Comparison: The Shining meets The Amityville Horror

Links to other sites at The Sinning Room

Horror Films A-K Review Page

Amityville Horror Review Page

Horror Films Review Page


Truth - amityvillehorrortruth.com

Truth - www.amityvillehorror.com

Truth - www.warrens.net/amityvill.htm

Hoax - www.snopes.com/horrors/ghosts/amityville.asp

Hoax - www.zerotime.com/articles/amity.htm

Hoax - chatanuga.org/Amitypt7.html