(2 Stars)

R, 95 minutes, DVD Rental (Blockbuster)

Not only the new film from horror director Tobe Hooper – with classics like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist under his belt – but also the remake of Dennis Donnelly’s film from the 1970s, when Hooper himself was one of the leading horror filmmakers. Not a classic horror, but does show that Hooper hasn’t fully lost his touch.

Nell and Steven, a young couple, move into an old Hollywood apartment building, and as you might expect, strange things start to happen. With people disappearing, weird noises and neighbors screaming, Nell begins to investigate further, digging up more than she suspected. Starting out as a murder mystery, it soon becomes a supernatural horror tale that manages to remain quite interesting throughout, with a surprisingly thrilling ending sequence. What holds this up as a relatively good horror film is the idea of an old and historic building, now full of an array of diverse characters that surround the young couple, making them outsiders in their own home.

The worst thing about the film is the leading actress Angela Bettis, who becomes annoying to watch. I found myself wishing that the first victim that survived to be the heroine. Also, it is possible to see that Hooper is trying, unsuccessfully, to create another monster in the vein of Freddy Krueger and his own Leatherface. In many ways, the film is more gory than scary, keeping the audience’s attention, but not keeping them on the edge of their seats.

There are definitely better horror films out there, so if you’re looking for a scary night in, rent something else.