DVD: SAW III (2006)

Saw III is gruesome. There is no other word to describe it, but in this world of rubbishy, blood soaked horror films, this particlar one has to be applauded. Its storyline and the wonderful twist at the end are far superior to any so called 'horror' film that hits the cinemas these days. Personally I have grown out of the scary film phase. I used to love them but now I would rather see something that has a genuinely spooky atmospheric story line. 'Saw III' doesn't really do the atmospheric bit but it is certainly edge of the seat stuff. Whoever wrote this must have one hell of a twisted mind. Right at the beginning when 'Saw I' hit the cinemas, I didn't fancy it, it looked like the usual gore splattered special effects nonsence that is so ruining the spooky films of today. You automatically think it is some crazed nutter going around sawing peoples bits off but it isn't. I ended up watching it after a recommendation and I have to say I was pretty open mouthed all the way through. There IS a murderer but he doesn't actually murder anyone by his own hands so he's not the nutcase with the saw that I envisaged. He's a clever nutcase who plays games with his 'guests'. Sounds simple, but you just have to see it to understand what it's all about. Usually the sequels to these sort of films are a waste of space but 'Saw II' lived up to expectations and more twists and turns were thrown in as well as some really awful 'games' that made you squirm in your seat (needle pit anyone?). 'Saw III' carries on the story and adds even more nasty playtimes and gives you some more squirming moments. I didn't see the twist at the end and when it came it does actually leave you with an open mouth. 'Saw III 'had more blood in it then the other two films but I wouldn't say it was unjustified in this case. It is overall a very clever trilogy of films. More in line with the classic 'Seven' (film starring Brad Pitt) then 'Nightmare On Elm Street', at least the characters are believable and the nutcase actually has a reason why he's playing with his victims. Not only that but if you manage to pass his tests then you can go free, and it has happened. He's not unreasonable you know.

As good as it is, I have to say, if you are a wimp then it's best not to watch it.

Score Board: Very good but don't eat your dinner beforehand, especially if it's pork. 9/10

Film: The Amityville Horror (2005)

Now just whose brilliant idea was it to remake a classic 70’s horror film? I can’t understand why this has to happen time and time again. It simply does not work, at least not for me.
The original Amityville was eerie, full of menace and with heaps of atmosphere. There were very few scenes of blood and gore, well just one in fact and even that was in a blink of an eye.
Unfortunately this remake has the non essential gore that seems to be a requisite of today’s modern horror film. Torture scenes, close ups of the original murders, axes in places you wouldn’t want them to be and a few other bits I won’t bother to go into. What it lacks more then anything is atmosphere. Yes it has its scary moments, the ghostly faces in the mirrors and the figures at the windows are quite good, but there are no cold draughts, no moments when the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. During the original film I was genuinely spooked, the music alone was enough to have you hiding behind the sofa, but this version omitted everything that was good about it. The character of the priest was central to the Amityville story, but not in this film, he had a couple of scenes and that was it. The same with George’s business partner, he (and his girlfriend) were omitted completely.
I can’t complain about the acting as the adults and the kids were very good, but I was frankly disappointed. I didn’t expect much and I didn’t get much. It is what it is, a mediocre special effects remake of a genuinely scary film.
Score Board: Not a patch on the original. Avoid 4/10