Rating: 
Summary: Not great but not so bad either !
Review: For a horror story whose "terror factor" is premised primarily (at least in the beginning) on implied/imagined rather than "in-your-face" fear, it is inevitable that"The Haunting" pales when juxtaposed with its contemporary (Blair Witch). The acting of all the main characters (especially by Taylor) was top-notch though, and the sets were truly awesome and breathtaking (notwithsanding certain special effects which, although technically and visually impressive, at times appeared more appropriate for a sanitized, Disney-type of thriller movie rather than a serious horror film which The Haunting obviously tries to be). Still found this quite entertaining overall, although I do consider myself quite a horror buff and may as a result be somewhat biased for the genre in general. You probably won't regret buying this film if its to "augment" the horror film section of your DVD collection, but I don't recommend this for starters (lots of better DVD films both in story and in features out there like Blair Witch of course).
Rating:
Summary: Want a scare... rent the oringinal
Review: This movie was okay. There was some scary and dull scenes. It's kind of stupid, the old version in black & white is scarier then the new version with all that gore. the classic version will keep you at the edge of seat.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh Please Mary... I've been to scarier bars
Review: When I saw the 1963 version of the Haunting, I was 24 and could not sleep well for 3 weeks afterwards. I am now 28, and saw the new version lately, and could not sleep well afterwards. Not because it was scary, but because this is what modern filmmaking has amounted to.The original is scary, not just because it works more with suggestion and is in black and white, but because we truly feel that the four people in Hill House truly are there..all alone...in the night...in the dark. And it rewards you in the end with a quick flash of (something!) that makes you jump out of your seat. In this 1999 version, the house is full of eyepopping color, fun house like rooms, and four blithering idiots inside. (If Lili Taylor, whom I usually adore, said one more time that Hugh Crain built this beautiful Hill House for the children to enjoy, I was going to reach into the TV and spook her myself.) The saving grace of the film are the sets. wonderfully elaborate (until the house grows eyes and growls with the ferocity of a Hanna Barbera cartoon. Also, try not to laugh when the wooden cherubs contort their mouths into round "O"s and say, "NOOO! " You'll be reminded of Mr Bill from Saturday Night Live.) I am biased of course, and watched this movie rather mournfully, getting wistful whilst thinkinng of Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. I was not against the idea of a remake in the least... this has always been a favorite tale of mine since I read Shirley Jackson's novel. I just wish they'd relied more on the psychological scares, than the cartoonish ones.
Rating: 
Summary: You'll Want to Leave Hill House Long Before the Dark Comes
Review: When I read that Wes Craven was remaking Robert Wise's brilliant 1963 chiller THE HAUNTING, I cringed. Why remake a film that got it right the first time around? Then I thought of the audience that the studio had in mind and I had my answer: summer movie box office. The project left the hands of Wes Craven and ended up in the lap of Jan DeBont, a gentleman who really should return to his day job as a director of photography. Like his previous TWISTER and SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL, DeBont's THE HAUNTING is utterly lacking in characterization, visual style, and plot. Nothing really happens in this film. The house itself is a gargantuan monstrosity - who could believe that anyone would inhabit it out of their own volition? In fact, the film is a real downer. It's so disheartening to see Liam Neeson and Lily Taylor, two of cinema's finest performers, virtually wasted in their roles. Marian Seldes, a fine stage actress, does what she can with her turn as Mrs. Dudley, who was so wonderfully immortalized by Rosalie Crutchley in the original version. Believe it or not, Bruce Dern turns up as Mr. Dudley, looking positively out of his mind with berzerk white hair. He was once one of the finest screen actors in the '70's. Catch him in THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS and COMING HOME to see what I mean. Lastly, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was wonderful in THE MASK OF ZORRO, does her best sauntering from scene to scene attempting to remain interested. Her best scene is her introduction to Lily Taylor. Her dialog is sophomoric, but she looks positively breathtaking. Most disturbing, however, is realizing who edited this film: none other than Michael Kahn, one of the best film editors in the business. I can't imagine that the man who cut some of Steven Spielberg's best and most successful films needed the money this desperately. To think that the 1963 version made little money at the time of its release is a crime when you consider how big this movie was during the summer. The blame should be placed on the audience for paying to see this dreck. They do a fine job of telling Hollywood to keep churning out awful movies. The original THE HAUNTING is a masterpiece of filmmaking: intelligently written, superbly photographed, brilliantly scored, acted, and directed. It needs an anamorphic release on DVD. As a DVD, the transfer of the new version of THE HAUNTING is spectacular and the sound is stunning. But what good are all these bells and whistles if the movie stinks? For a spectacular film experience featuring well-rounded characters and a frighteningly good time, opt for POLTERGEIST (also edited by Michael Kahn!), a film that stands up after multiple viewings. If you're male and really need a reason to see THE HAUNTING, it is for Catherine Zeta-Jones. She's truly stunning, and certainly worth the price of the DVD rental.
Rating:
Summary: Not Oscar Material
Review: Okay, this movie may not be nominated for an Oscar for best Movie, or best acting, or not even for FX. However, it is a good movie where you can spend 108 minutes. The critics listed above were too harsh, and I almost did not buy the movie. I am glad I did, and will watch it a few more times. Zeta-Jones is a pretty girl, she has nice outfits in the movie. The haunted hause is nicely decorated, so why not watch it a few more times. Please keep in mind, sometimes movies are for a good pass-time, and this one is one of those.
Rating:
Summary: I'm Haunted - I Will NEVER Get Those 2 Hours of My Life Back
Review: If you want a movie with a poor script, poor acting, and poor scares this movie is for you. We were hoping for a scary movie, but instead we came across this comedy. Lili Taylor is horrible as Eleanor, a woman driven to save everyone else who deserved to die for deciding to be in this attempt at a production. Liam Neeson, what were you thinking?
Rating:
Summary: Bad horror movie
Review: The effects are pretty well done on computer but they do not succeed in making »The Haunting« much scarier. Catherine Zeta-Jones is not only acting poorly, she is also a complete misfit in this movie. It's as if she has just been asked to be in »The Haunting« because the makers want some chick on the screen. But you don't even see any of her sexiness in this movie. Furthermore, there are several ridiculous movie mistakes in »The Haunting«. There are a few relatively scary scenes and even some good laughs here and there. Apart from that, only Lily Taylor's acting is worth mentioning.
Rating:
Summary: Could Have Been Better . . .
Review: Liam Neeson, Lili Taylor, Catherine Zeta Jones, and Owen Wilson spend a special effects laden night in a haunted house in "The Haunting", the new thriller from "Twister"-"Speed" director Jan De Bont. The film starts at a slow pace, getting to know characters Elenore (Taylor) and Dr. Morrow (Neeson). Then moving on to a night in Hill House: a beautiful turn of the century mansion in New England. The three (others Zeta Jones and Wilson) are there under the watchful eye of Morrow, all there for a study in insomnia. But, insomnia study is just a red herring for Morrow's real study: fear. For there is a long ago urban legend about Hill House- that the original owner named Crane, haunts the very bowels of his huge home. Soon enough, everyone (still alive) are running from collapsing stiar cases, bulging floors and celines, possesed windows, a lion headed pendulum, a huge Eagle stutue brought to life, and Crane's own powerful ghost. The movie seems to be redeeming itself for the slowness, until an ending (which I won't reveal) that just dosen't make sense. The special effects aren't bad, the acting is about as good (really only by Taylor), but the way the story is executed is wrong. "The Haunting of Hill House" is a horror story. 1999's version of "The Haunting" is a big flashy action extravaganza. Someone like Richard Donner ("The Omen", "Leatal Weapon 1,2,3, and 4") or Stephen Sommers ("Deep Rising", "The Mummy") or even Joe Dante ("Gremlins, Small Soldiers") should have directed this movie. Oh well. There are always more fx movies, especially this year. My opinion: see "The Haunting" if you wish, but first, see "The Matrix", "The Mummy", and to a lesser extent "Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace."
Rating: 
Summary: I loved this movie!
Review: This was the greatest movie I've seen . . . The cast was wonderful, the effects were fabulous. The depth that all of the characters had . . . it was just great. Lili Taylor's character especially drew me to this great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Nice production values, but could have been better!
Review: To be honest, I only went to see this movie to see Catherine Zeta Jones, who I think is hot! The site selected as Hill House was imposing and scary, but none of the scenes in this film were ever really terrifying. I was hoping maybe I'd at least see Zeta Jones put the make on Lili Taylor (as her character was supposed to be a lesbian), but as in the original that whole aspect was glossed over. So be it. A fun film rental if you don't expect a lot, but the 60's version is scarier.
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