When A Stranger Calls ---- 5/16/06
 

From dvdactive.com:

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releas...ger-calls.html

Damn! I was expecting $19.99 SRP. What the hell?

I'll rent it, but there's no way I'll be buying it. I'll just rent it for a mindless watch, to see if it's better than the original (which is overrated.)

The 1979 original is very good. I watched it again yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Tony Beckley delivered a solid performance as Curt Duncan, the psychotic killer. It's a damn shame he died (from cancer) just six months after the film hit theaters. FYI, it was shot in the summer of 1978, released in theaters in October 1979, and Beckley died in April 1980. The opening scene is chilling. Those phone calls were delivered perfectly, something the 2006 edition failed to do. The most terrifying were When I first saw the film several years ago I didn't like the middle portion. I found it to be slow and boring, but over time I've learned to appreciate the side story of Duncan on the run from John Clifford. And of course, the closing picks up in full suspense mode again and is almost as good as the opening. Great film.

The 1993 TV sequel, When A Stranger Calls Back, is also excellent and features another terrifying opening and suspense throughout. Plus, Charles Durning and Carol Kane both return.

The 2006 film is fun, but it doesn't match the previous two. Still, it has its moments and the girls are hot, so I'll buy the DVD.

I'll give it a rent.

does anyone know if the 2006 version will come with a slipcase cover?

Have you ever given yourself a stranger? Definitely a rental if anything.

What the hell are you talking about?

:lol:

I completely agree. There is no middle or true ending point in the 2006 version. The Original was very good & also lked When a Stranger Calls Back. Not to thread crap, but I seriously hope poeple rent this before buying. They said this was for kids, and they meant it. This is a true PG teen movie with a "Really cool house".

"Have you checked the Children?"

is there still no one who can confirm of the dvd will come with a slipcase cover?

The DVDTalk review is up.

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=21605

(no mention of slipcase)

Didn't the ads/trailer for the original have the major spoiler as well? I never saw the original, but knew the big line.

Maybe cultural osmosis, or Siskel and Ebert, if not part of the ad campaign.

You either have or you haven't. There's no hiding the truth.

I haven't, but I know a dude who has, and he said it was awesome.

has still no one received the dvd and can confirm a slipcase?

Yep, the tv-spots for the original 1979 film did include that line. In fact, the tv-spots were basically 30-second condensed versions of the opening sequence making it all less than thrilling when seeing it in the theater that opening weekend. It was the first film I ever walked out on, finding that opening sequence to be over-produced and pretentious, somewhat like a student film (which it had been prior). I ended up giving the film another chance on video some years later and found it to be a decent thriller overall with some decent suspense near the end, but I still have issues with that opening sequence everyone seems to love so much.

So this remake is basically a stretched-out feature version of the original's first 10 minutes? Egads!

Glad I read this thread! A friend actually bought this. It was so very bad. I went over to watch & I could see the "How am I gonna get rid of this DVD" look on his face as soon as the credits rolled. I love the original, but this remake is just sad. Another good horror movie ruined. Does anyone know if there are any plans for an S.E. of the real version of When A Stranger Calls? The one that's out now is anamorphic, but bare bones.