MovieChat Forums > The Amityville Horror (1979) Discussion > I was misinformed that this was a classi...

I was misinformed that this was a classic

posted 8 years ago by Legendary_Badass
8 replies | jump to latest

For quite some time in my life this movie would come up alongside the great horror films. Well, I finally caught it on Hulu, and I must say it was a massive letdown.

I like the setup with the chilling shotgun murders, even though no one would sleep through that. After that, the only thing the movie can do to keep your attention is make plot holes.

SPOILERS

Where to start. Girl has a demon/imaginary friend that is okay with a Christian children's song, but harms a priest and manipulates the crucifix.

Said priest is continually tortured off-site to no explanation. If the house is haunted, usually in your story-telling that means it's limited to supernatural at the home.

There's a "housewarming" visitor of a shady appearance. He disappears and nothing comes of this.

You find the "source" of the haunting by removing a wall, see a face appear and a strange woman gets possessed. Your reaction to this is to continue living in the house and pretend this didn't happen? If anything this is where the showdown should start.

After being struck by her husband, wife investigates previous murders. On seeing her husband's likeness to the killer she races home to prevent him from killing her kids. If she were going with the "leaving" angle she would have taken the kids with her.

All and all this was too long for as little that transpired. The religious elements seem thrown in as an Exorcist marketing ploy.

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[–] Legendary_Badass 8 years ago

And how about that detective subplot that went nowhere?

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[–] dmode112378 8 years ago

It's on Hulu? Good to know.

[–] wallacesawyer 8 years ago

I would say the film is not famous for what it is, but the supposed true events which inspired it. In fact I find documentaries about the true events more chilling than the film itself, even though I don't actually believe the Lutz story.

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[–] mwgfgrey 8 years ago

I think it's a good movie and definitely creeps me out, but you're right about it being way too long.

[–] murali9395-448-850547 8 years ago

Agreed. Film was a let down. I think I'll stick to "The Shining" and "Psycho".

Those are classic, "Halloween" re-watchable films. (I say Halloween cause I usually watch them in the October season).

However, 1979's The Amityville Horror is not something I'd ever rewatch.

[–] pantherpride328 8 years ago

Agreed. I remember watching it as kid because all the adults in my family love it and would watch it. I guess it was ok back then, but I bought the blu-ray at best buy for 6.99 a few weeks ago and just watched it tonight for the first time as an adult, and it was boring. The first half hour had some nice build-up, but after that, it was just horrible.

[–] Cinnamental 8 years ago

What's horrible about it?

[–] Dirty-Barry 8 years ago

Part 2 is better in my opinion, this one isn't too bad but it's no classic. Brolin was terrible in this. I've seen better acting in High School plays.