Amityville 2 - The Possession Details

Much better overall than the dull first outing, this prequel to The Amityville Horror is given a neat European atmosphere by Italian director Damiano Damiani. It tells the full story of the vicious multiple murders that happened a year prior to the Lutz family's infamous tenancy-turned-bestselling book. Standard haunted-house shocks are combined with prowling camerawork for maximum involvement leading up to the menacing moments when possessed Jack Magner goes on his eerie mass-murder binge. Unusual imagery and spectacular make-up special effects place this handsomely crafted effort a cut above normal exploitation fare.

Everything but the kitchen sink is thrown into this ghoulish brew, and most of it is red; but the script is hopeless from the start.