THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAHV KANSAN
The Amityville Horror
★★★
R, 89 minutes, South Wind 12
Producer Michael Bay and director Andrew Douglas masterminded the frightening remake of The Amityville Horror. The film, originally released in 1979, is a terrifying yet intelligent story of inexplicable supernatural events. The Amityville Horror has the ideal combination of heart-stopping moments and skin-crawling special effects that shakes an audience to its core. This horror film takes viewers to the edge of sanity through alarming images, startling music and well-crafted lighting.
The Lutz's are able to survive the house's wicked attempts of murder and destruction. However, the family idly observes George's behavior turn from fun-loving to cruel. His irrational motivations to murder his loved ones are discovered after 28 days of living in Amityville.
George Lutz (Ryan Reynolds) is a gregarious, young husband and stepfather, struggling to make ends meet for his new wife and family. George and his wife, Kathy (Melissa George) impulsively buy an extraordinary house in Amityville, with hopes of a fresh start and a bright future. Unaware of the murderous history their new house holds, the naive couple uproots their family, and moves them into a place of dreadful evil and terrorizing demons.
--a missing. Civil War battleship in West Africa.
The Amityville Horror is a well developed film, particularly for its genre. Reynolds displays his versatility, and proves to be a remarkable villain. Who would have thought Van Wilder could be so creepy? The Amityville Horror avoids blood curdling scream scenes that frequently make their way to horror films. The creators did a fine job authenticating the time period. The Amityville Horror is perfect for scary movie fans.
☆☆
Sahara
Images courtesy www.movies.yahoo.com
PG-13, 127 minutes, South Wind 12
Sahara is a second-rate version of a Jerry Bruckheimer creation. Although entertaining with its slapstick humor and perpetual, action-packed enemy encounters, Sahara lacks feasibility and interest. It is appealing to Indiana Jones fans and perhaps even a few Die Hard enthusiasts. However, Sahara fails to meet the high standards of the great classic action films of history.
Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey) is a thrill-seeking explorer with the pesky habit of finding himself in the middle of dangerous and life-threatening situations. His best friend and crime, Al (Steve Zahn) comfortably fills the cliché but favored role of the immature sidekick that aims to please through comedic relief. Together the two comrades run on planes, trains, tanks and even camels to search for
Eva Rojas (Penelope Cruz) is a strong-willed doctor desperately seeking the source of a mysterious plague wiping out the people of Africa. Coincidentally, she becomes acquainted with Dirk and Al, where they manage to dodge every single speeding bullet and bomb aimed directly at them. It really is miraculous.
Sahara is an effortless film to watch because it takes very little thought or comprehension. The story line fits the familiar mold of the good guy saving the world, killing the bad guys and, of course, sharing a dreamy kiss with a beautiful girl underneath a blazing sun and breaking waves. Unfortunately, Sahara ran about thirty minutes too long, and overestimated the simplicity of its formula. With that said, I may be purchasing another ticket to the movie. Matthew McConaughey is undeniably gorgeous with a tan that would make Wayne Newton turn green with jealousy.
—Lauren Debiak