The Amityville Horror (2005) with Gretchen McNeil

So... you think you can remake a classic horror movie. That's what Michael Bay thought, anyway, when his production shingle Platinum Dunes embarked on a new adaptation of Jay Anson's tale of mayhem on Long Island. Citizen Kane the 1979 Amityville Horror may not be, but it holds a special place in the hearts of horror fans worldwide. So who's to blame for the mess that is the 2005 version? First (and last) time director Andrew Douglas? Frequently shirtless Ryan Reynolds, miscast as axe-wielding George Lutz? Or screenwriter Scott Kosar, who picks up a surprise nomination this week for the Michael Myers Award? Whatever your take is on this misbegotten footnote in the annals of horror history, we had a blast discussing it with Gretchen McNeil, back for her 5th episode, and the second in our Amityville mini-exploration.

Due to some technical issues, the quality of some of the audio is below our standards. Apologies.

Intro, Debate Society, To Sir With Love (spoiler-free): 00:00-23:30
Honor Roll and Detention (spoiler-heavy): 23:31-1:06:30
Superlatives (spoiler-heavier): 1:06:31-1:22:45

Director Andrew Douglas
Screenplay Scott Kosar, based on the book by Jay Anson
Featuring Jimmy Bennett, Melissa George, Philip Baker Hall, Jesse James, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rachel Nichols, Ryan Reynolds

Gretchen McNeil is the author of several young adult novels including Dig Two Graves, Possess, 3:59, Relic, Get Even, Get Dirty, and Ten, as well as the horror/comedy novels #murdertrending, #murderfunding, and #noescape. Her most recent novel is Four Letter Word, pitched as an homage to Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt. "Ten: Murder Island," the film adaptation of Ten, premiered on Lifetime, and Get Even and Get Dirty have been adapted as the series “Get Even” and “Rebel Cheer Squad: a Get Even series” for the BBC and Netflix.

Our theme music is by Edward Elgar, and, this week, by Duck Sauce.  Music from The Amityville Horror (2005) by Steve Jablonsky.

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