Review - When a Stranger Calls (2006)

You always have to wonder when they don't release a movie to critics before it hits theaters . . .

Having said that, When a Stranger Calls wasn't all that bad. Unfortunately, it wasn't all that good either but in this day and age of remaking classics it is hard to be genuinely shocked. Especially, when you have seen all the originals (am I dating myself here?). One thing that really bugged me about this film (well honestly there were a few things) was the fact that they kind of tried to update the idea of "he's calling from inside the house" with the whole "GPS on the cell phone" aspect, but you never got the feeling if the perpetrator was using a cell phone or if he was using a land line within the house.

Another thing that was quite annoying was the fact that Jill (Camilla Belle) was being punished for going over on her cell phone minutes so she was being forced to babysit for a rich couple who had never met her. She never met the kids as they were asleep already when she got there; she never officially met the maid who was supposedly in the house when she got there. It was all just very, very odd. I know that when I babysat as a kid, even when I did come highly recommended by another family, I always met the family before I ever actually babysat. I guess maybe rich people are just different?

Either way, sad to say that this remake didn't really make it for me. It would be interesting to hear from someone who hasn't seen the original although if I am being honest, the best moments of the film were definitely seen in the trailers.

The voice of the killer was very chilling - Lance Henricksen always makes a good creepy voice. And it was a really neat house, I might recommend a viewing just to see the house. . .

When a Stranger Calls Movie Cast and Credits

Directed by
Simon West

Writing credits
Jake Wade Wall (screenplay)
Steve Feke (1979 screenplay) and
Fred Walton (1979 screenplay)

Cast (in credits order)
Camilla Belle .... Jill Johnson
Tommy Flanagan .... Stranger
Tessa Thompson .... Scarlet
Brian Geraghty .... Bobby
Clark Gregg .... Mr. Johnson
Derek de Lint .... Dr. Mandrakis
Kate Jennings Grant .... Mrs. Mandrakis
David Denman .... Officer Burroughs
Arthur Young .... Will Mandrakis
Madeline Carroll .... Allison Mandrakis
Steve Eastin .... Detective Hines
John Bobek .... Officer Lewis
Brad Surosky .... Bookish Kid
Karina Logue .... Track Coach
Rosine 'Ace' Hatem .... Rosa
Escher Holloway .... Guy
Clement Blake .... Cop One (as Clement B. Blake)
Carson Elrod .... Cop Two
Molly Bryant .... Parent (Dialogue)
John Waugh .... Man Calling Dog
Owen Smith .... Officer
Jessica Helmer .... Additional Officer (as Jessica Faye Helmer)
Lance Henriksen .... Voice of the Stranger (voice)