My Amityville Horror

Great movie. It's more about childhood trauma and human perception than about the scary things that may or may not have happened at the Amityville house.

If you're looking for a good ghost story or spectacular new revelations you're going to be disappointed. My Amityville horror asks more questions than it answers and does it in a fascinating way.

Daniel Lutz is obviously scarred by everything that took place and uses the opportunity to exorcise some demons of his own. Does that make him a reliable witness? That's up to the viewer.

Highly recommended.

This is what happens when a guy with a severe mental illness is given attention and a camera is shoved into his face.

He just makes up stories that are based off watching the Amityville movies, his real experience of living in the house and the Jay Anson book. He revels in the fact that he is the boy from the movie, he even knows all about the remake, he loves the attention the case has brought and this is obvious.

He will (and does) say anything that he thinks will get a response from the interviewer then it all leads to him being asked if he would take a lie detector, and he reacts as anyone who has been lying would, he flips out.

If you have 88 minutes to listen to a guy make up fantastical stories then watch this otherwise avoid and watch the Margot Kidder film.

Back in 1979, writer Jay Anson wrote a story about a real-life newlywed couple that moved into a new house in Long Island where a murder was committed. Upon moving in, the couple and their three children began to experience strange occurrences and manifestations that could not be easily explained.

The book was The Amityville Horror and its popularity in paperback drove MGM Studio's to option a screenplay by Sandor Stern (Pin) which soon became a popular movie of the same name starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder. The Amityville house soon became – and still is – the most recognized haunted house in the world. And even though the Lutz family moved out when the terror reached its pinnacle 35-years ago, the experiences and memories of the horrors experienced in the house haunts the family to this day.

Daniel Lutz was a member of the terrorized Amityville family and his story of experiences back in 1975 is the focus of My Amityville Horror, a new documentary by filmmaker Eric Walter. Daniel has stayed fairly quiet about his family's ordeal three decades ago and now he is ready to tell his story and reveal the psychological strains and scars that have plagued him for 35 years. The documentary that includes exhaustive research by Walter includes perspectives of those close to either the family or the house during the events of 1975 and many are interviewed offering their insight and recollection into what may have (or have not) happened to the fated Lutz family.

For those expecting a seriously scary insight into the unexplained events in the Amityville home, you may be disappointed. My Amityville Horror doesn't offer any new real insights. Daniel does speak of levitating beds, the infestation of flies and a few other unexplainable phenomena, but the heart of the movie is really a character study of the boy who became a man amongst media scrutiny and mockery.

Daniel comes across as a complex and angry man. He calls his experience in Amityville an 'unfortunate gift' and he gets defensive if cornered (Lesson learned: Don't ever ask Daniel to take a lie detector test). He is both playful and willing but when discussing uneasy topics such as his turbulent relationship with his stepfather, George Lutz, Daniel can be seen almost frothing at the mouth barely containing his rage so that his blood pressure doesn't make his head explode on screen.

Audiences will endear themselves to the older Daniel. He will remind you of the guy who sits at the end of the bar at the local tavern and has fascinating stories to tell. He won't be the type of person that gives you comfort and who you might pursue to tend to your children, but he is genuine and honest through the many layers of his complex personality.

As a documentary, Watler's meticulous detail and use of both stock and family photos allow us a glimpse into the Lutz family. Not so much a glimpse into the house that the Lutz family thought possessed, but a rare peak into a complex and dysfunctional family that may or may not have been terrorized by spirits in their Ocean Ave. home.

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This is interesting enough but not for the reasons the film makers Intended. If this was anything other than The Amityville Horror, he would just be another "crazy guy" telling his stories, with everyone rolling their eyes. It's a great character study and really demonstrates the effects of trauma, whatever the truth may be.

I've noticed with the Lutz family interviews that all of them including Daniel Lutz that they don't really explain or go into detail about the events that took place in that house in 1975 and '76. I feel as though in this film they really do more of a personality sketch and check on Daniel as they try to get him to explain in some way shape or form the events going on in the house.

This movie is dramatic, interesting and kind of gives way to how emotionally scarred this older guy is from all the press, media, and failing on George Lutz part as a parent. This movie will engross you more about the Amityville Horror and what really made these kids what they are today.