View Poll Results: What did you think of The Stepfather?
Loved it...bring on the DVD or Blu Ray




0
0%
Thought it was good




0
0%
Thought it was so-so




3
33.33%
Hated it




2
22.22%
Refuse to see it. I hate remakes




4
44.44%
Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll
The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
#1
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The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley

Premise:
Michael Harding (Penn Badgley) returns home from military school to find his mother Susan (Sela Ward), happily in love with a man known as David Harris (Dylan Walsh). He seems like the perfect father and husband to everyone - except Michael, who suspects that he isn't quite the man he seems to be.
Along with his girlfriend Kelly (Amber Heard), his biological father Jay (Jon Tenney), and Susan’s friends (Paige Turco and Sherry Stringfield), they slowly start to piece together the mystery of the man who is set to become his stepfather, but they may be too late in getting to the truth.
Trailer:
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Starring:
Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tick)
Penn Badgeley (Gossip Girl)
Sela Ward (Once and Again, House, The Day After Tomorrow)
Jon Tenney (The Closer)
So, who's going to check this out? Despite it being a PG-13 thriller, I'm actually really looking forward to this. It has a pretty good cast for what is essentially a B movie. Probably going to go later today or tomorrow.
#3
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
This looks absolutely terrible. And not fun terrible, just un-engaging terrible

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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
I know this'll be bad, but my gf and I are still going to see it because we love the original.
I heard a rumor Terry O'Quinn has a small cameo...
I heard a rumor Terry O'Quinn has a small cameo...
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
#7
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley

This actually looks worse than the standard horse shit foisted upon the horror film community.

#8
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#9
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
Personally, I like B horror/suspense thrillers and this looks like it.
I know Brian O ripped this to shreads in his review, but I thought the Prom Night update (don't consider it a remake) which was also directed by McCormick was also an entertaining B movie.
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
I really want to go see it. The previews reminded me a little bit of Disturbia which was an awesome movie in my opinion. Hopefully I get a chance to go see it.
#12
Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
I think Dylan Walsh looks alright in it and I'm a sucker for Amber Heard, but I imagine this will be at the dollar theaters soon enough.
At least this film did its remake duty and brought about an SE of the original on DVD. Several recent remakes (like The Hitcher) failed to do this and I was afraid the trend was dying.
At least this film did its remake duty and brought about an SE of the original on DVD. Several recent remakes (like The Hitcher) failed to do this and I was afraid the trend was dying.
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
If you've seen the trailer then you've seen it all. Predictable, cheap "scares", too long...basically could have been a Lifetime Channel movie. Even the girl I went with (who doesn't like horror movies but likes suspense thrillers) was thoroughly disappointed.
Some tweens in the theater were screaming in a few parts, so if you're 13 and looking for a "safe psuedo-horror" at the theater, then it might be fun. Otherwise avoid. I'd rather see the Bloody Valentine remake than this again (and that sucked).
Oh but the "blonde" girl (Amanda Heard? don't know her) was in a bikini through most of the movie for all you pervs. Some girl near me blurted out "damn girl, how many bikinis do you own?!" lol
Some tweens in the theater were screaming in a few parts, so if you're 13 and looking for a "safe psuedo-horror" at the theater, then it might be fun. Otherwise avoid. I'd rather see the Bloody Valentine remake than this again (and that sucked).
Oh but the "blonde" girl (Amanda Heard? don't know her) was in a bikini through most of the movie for all you pervs. Some girl near me blurted out "damn girl, how many bikinis do you own?!" lol
Last edited by naitram; 10-17-09 at 08:31 AM.
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
Dylan Walsh wasn't bad. He played the type decently... but this thing suffers from PG-13 syndrome for sure. Some of the weakest killings I've ever seen on film.
#15
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
Saw this tonight and would give it a solid "C" mainly for Dylan Walsh's performance. Thought he did a very admirable job playing Grady/David and made the character quite creepy.
Other than that, I thought the movie was hurt creatively by being PG-13. The Kills were pretty tame and could probably be in the realm of Made for TV Basic Cable. One of the scenes from the trailer that involved the saw and Amber Heard was actually cut from the movie. I love Sela Ward, but she was pretty much relegated to being the naive Mom who doesn't have a clue on what's going on. A pretty thankless part for such a good actress.
One part of the movie that just came out of left field was the reveal that:
You could really tell that Screen Gems was really gearing this movie for the Teen-20-something Gossip Girl audience for Penn Badgely. Lots of music cues with Cool hip music and for the horny guys there were lots of scenes with Amber Heard prancing around in skimpy bikinis and in her bra and panties. Pretty much most of the people watching the film in the theatre I went to were Young Teen Girls and Boys.
I thought it was a watchable glorified B movie. I would only recommend this if you have not seen the original because you will be really disappointed and this really pales in comparison.
Frankly, I would not be surprised at all if:
Other than that, I thought the movie was hurt creatively by being PG-13. The Kills were pretty tame and could probably be in the realm of Made for TV Basic Cable. One of the scenes from the trailer that involved the saw and Amber Heard was actually cut from the movie. I love Sela Ward, but she was pretty much relegated to being the naive Mom who doesn't have a clue on what's going on. A pretty thankless part for such a good actress.
One part of the movie that just came out of left field was the reveal that:
Spoiler:
You could really tell that Screen Gems was really gearing this movie for the Teen-20-something Gossip Girl audience for Penn Badgely. Lots of music cues with Cool hip music and for the horny guys there were lots of scenes with Amber Heard prancing around in skimpy bikinis and in her bra and panties. Pretty much most of the people watching the film in the theatre I went to were Young Teen Girls and Boys.
I thought it was a watchable glorified B movie. I would only recommend this if you have not seen the original because you will be really disappointed and this really pales in comparison.
Frankly, I would not be surprised at all if:
Spoiler:
Last edited by DJariya; 10-17-09 at 10:43 PM.
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
The wife and I just saw this today. It's certainly not a great flick but we both found it to be pretty entertaining.
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
I don't know this movie seems so formulaic and doesn't seem like anything special...I am not running to watch it in the theater or to rent it..
#18
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
It's not a great movie by any means. I gave it a C in my comment above. But, regarding your comment, couldn't that be said for any horror/suspense movie in general? I mean what movie in this genre have you seen recently that really differentiated itself?
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
With the exception of Cronenberg's "The Fly", I've hated every other remake I've seen, so I generally avoid any newer ones at all costs. The extremely poor reviews also don't help either. I'll wait till it comes out on showtime.
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#21
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Re: The Stepfather (2009) -- Comments/Reviews Thread -- Dylan Walsh/Penn Badgley
It was competently made I guess, but nothing memorable or worth watching again. I'd skip it in hindsight.