“I liked the challenge of retelling a classic haunted house story in a way that would frighten a contemporary audience,” says screenwriter Scott Kosar about his work on The Amityville Horror, a remake of the 1979 film version of Jay Anson’s popular book. Kosar explains that this new movie relies less on special effects and more on psychological horror.

One of the reasons The Amityville Horror achieved such success as a book and a film is because it's inspired by a true story. Back in 1974, Ronald DeFeo, Jr. killed his six family members in the middle of the night -- and a year later the Lutz family moved into the house where this tragedy occurred. It wasn’t long before weird things began to happen to the Lutzes. They started hearing strange voices and seeing spooky images, leading them to believe that an evil presence haunted the house.

Merely thinking about this bizarre situation frightens me -- but watching it unfold on the big screen is indescribably nerve-wracking. The creepy house seems to come alive, its winding staircase and high peaked roof inviting viewers to prepare for the horrible events about to happen. As in Cold Creek Manor, The Glass House and Hostage, the house almost becomes a character in the film. Melissa George (Alias), who plays Kathy Lutz, appreciated the way first-time director Andrew Douglas dealt with this important aspect of The Amityville Horror. “He made the house feel like a character that was constantly watching us, and he really brought a psychological element to the film,” she declares.       

Ryan Reynolds (Van Wilder), who portrays George Lutz, agrees with his co-star. “It’s funny because at the beginning of the film, we’re almost ancillary characters to the house, and throughout the story George slowly becomes one with the house,” he explains. “When I first saw the house there was something about it that was off. Those ‘eyes’ make you feel like they’re always watching you.”

Reynolds and George effectively project the fear their characters develop as events become more and more terrifying. It pleases me to see the woman as the protagonist here, but Reynolds has the more difficult role, for his character undergoes the most drastic changes -- even becoming the “stepfather from hell” during part of the film.  “Getting an audience to love him, hate him and then bring him back again is not easy for an actor to do, but Ryan pulled it off in spades,” says filmmaker Douglas.

Fine performances by three child actors in The Amityville Horror should also be noted. With her angelic beauty and assured attitude, little newcomer Chloe Moretz takes over the screen in each of her scenes. Jesse James (The Butterfly Effect ), as the oldest child, convinces us of his disgust and -- later -- terror. Jimmy Bennett follows his excellent work in Hostage with another involving turn as a youngster in jeopardy.

The Amityville Horror offers enough scares for most horror fans, but its most frightening scene contains no ghostly or gory image. Instead, it shows a little girl (Moretz) perched precariously atop a high roof. In the movie’s best-filmed sequence, the camera pans around Moretz showing how far above ground she is, then switches back and forth to the parents’ rescue efforts. The result? Overwhelming suspense.

Despite my high praise for this remake, two things about the movie bother me.  First, no baby sitter in the 1970s would dress the sexy way Rachel Nichols (Dumb and Dumberer) does here, which leads me to my second concern. I object to the use of “based on a true story” as the film’s advertising hook. Like the real George Lutz, who made it known he’s not happy with this movie, I believe most of what’s presented on screen in The Amityville Horror to be total fabrication. Yes, I realize that movies thrive on fabrication -- but it seems unethical to label such fiction as true. In this case, "inspired by a true story" would be more appropriate and closer to the truth. 

(Released by MGM and rated “R” for violence and terror, sexuality, language and brief drug use. Migraine warning: lots of jerky camera shots and quick flashes of light.)