The Messengers

Currently working on the American remake of Japanese horror, The Eye, The Messengers is a previous outing for directing duo Oxide Pang, this one set firmly Stateside. It's your average haunted house stuff, with a family trying their hand at farming a piece of land that on the surface doesn't seem to want them there. Clues include the usual blood on walls, pale ghost kids, and dodgy crows hanging around. Parents Dylan McDermott and Penelope Ann Miller play second fiddle to daughter Kristen Stewart who, fitting with tradition, is the only one seemingly bothered by all this. The actors all deal with the one-trick story the best they can, but it is John Burnett (of Northern Exposure) that deserves an award for saving this film slightly by the sheer silliness of his performance as 'helpful' neighbour Burwell. If you like your horror cheap and cheesy, go for it, but for a really disturbing film along the same lines, you'd be better with Tideland. [Aldi Hucksless]