When A Stranger Calls (2006)

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 15, 2006

When A Stranger Calls… make sure you tell him to avoid this DVD. The only thing about this film that reminds me of “Horror” would be having to watch 87 minutes of one of those PBS phone in auction fundraisers. PG-13 horror shouldn’t exist and this film is a perfect example.

When Jill Johnson (Camilla Belle) is grounded from her cell phone and her car, she feels as if her life is over. To teach her responsibility, her father volunteers Jill to baby-sit over the weekend. When Jill arrives to the Mandrakis’ somewhat secluded home she begins to believe that the gig isn’t so bad after all. The house is quiet, the kids are in bed and Jill is ready for an easy night.

Jill begins to receive random phone calls throughout the night. First believing the calls to be pranks, Jill dismisses the calls and blames her friends. The calls begin to become more frequent and Jill begins to become frightened. The night takes a turn for the worse when the menacing voice asks “have you checked the children?”

The first problem with remaking a film, especially a horror film, is that if you stray too far from the appealing elements from the original, the film is bound for disaster. The original When a Stranger Calls was adapted from an urban legend that scared kids home alone for decades. What the original did so well, that its predecessor failed at miserably, was kept a high level of tension and suspense. Also the original continued the story past the fateful night of the babysitting incident, using all 97 minutes effectively. Director Simon West’s newest endeavor features 87 minutes of painfully boring dialogue from Camilla Belle.

PG-13 Horror should be considered an oxymoron. Believe me, my next statement is meant in the best possible way, but why can’t children die horrible deaths in horror movies anymore? Another aspect of this film is somewhat unsettling. The very essence that made the urban myth so scary is that the myth hits close to home. The fact that you could imagine the scenario happening in your very home adds suspense to the film. In the case of this remake though, the film takes place in a lakeside mansion-like home that you might see on MTV Cribs. I’m sorry but nothing is scary about sitting fireside, watching a 70” projector and listening to a Bose surround system (except maybe the whole Bose thing, that’s a bit frightening). The film is a back and forth phone call orgy, not Horror and definitely not a thriller. The film is a bust.

The Video and Audio are slightly above average, only boosted by creepy background ambiance. The “making of” feature just managed to anger me to no end. Hearing director Simon West talk about all of his past films does not make good entertainment. Also listening to Camilla Belle talk about how hard her role was and how well she pulled it off, did not in any way present her as a modest young actress. The crew loved to suck up to Belle though, comparing her to a young Julia Roberts. Maybe they were thinking of Eric Roberts.

The Upside:
The original When a Stranger Calls has been on DVD for almost 5 years now
The Downside:
87 minutes of watching Camilla Belle on the phone
On The Side:
Even though the stranger is played by actor Tommy Flanagan, the voice in the phone-calls is actually Lance Henriksen’s.

Breaking Down the DVD:
The Film: D
The Delivery: C+
The Extras: D
Final Grade: D

DVD Stats:
Release Date: May 16th, 2006
Starring: Camilla Belle, Tommy Flanagan, Katie Cassidy
Directed by: Simon West
Writing Credits: Jake Wade Wall (screenplay) Steve Feke & Fred Walton (1979 screenplay)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense terror, violence and some language.
Country: USA
Run Time: 87 min.
Studio: Sony Pictures (official site)
Watch the Trailer Here

Technorati Tags: Horror, Movie, Camilla Belle, Teen

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