Disturbia II - The Revenge Of Mr Janssen

There seems to exist a type of U.S. movie that is fully intended to get a cinema release but can't get a major distribution deal. Morgan Freeman makes too many of these movies. They're well produced and nicely made...but lack that stamp of quality OR broad commercial appeal that makes a theatrical release viable for a movie exhibitor or distributor.

100 Feet starring Famke Janssen is one such movie. Take a plot similar to that of Disturbia (Famke's finished her prison term for manslaughtering her abusing husband and is now confined to her house via a tagging system). Poor girl can only go 100 feet from the tag sensor and exceed that for no longer than 3 minutes. Which is fine...unless the pissed off ghost of your late husband shares your abode. Bugger.

It's a fine movie. Eric Red, the writer of the original Hitcher, directs with confidence. There's a serious, thrillerish tone that's superior to the teen-dumbness of a 'Friday the 13th' kindathing. Famke's a solid actress and she carries the film with attitude and with ease. There's a small supporting cast; the lack of characters gives the narrative focus..always focusing on Ms Janssen's troubles. The best idea is to make the ghost someone the protagonist knows, rather than some grumpy spirit that wants the new homeowner out of 'their' house. Adding that personal relationship heightens the stakes...and that's never a bad thing.

If there's a downside it's that the resolution is shockingly misjudged. It's not necessarily the story that mucks up...more the choices the director makes (bad music / poor effects / logic hiccups).

Not a classic by any means...and it's more dramatic than horrific (apart from a marvelously brutal poltergeist attack)...but it is a step above most horror dross out there...even the theatrical releases.