the stepfather [dvd]

Fairly typical story about two families, newly-united by second marriages for each, with a homocidal step-father. Not much new there.The done-before story-line is elevated by some atmosphere and good acting, especially from exquisite Penn Badgley, the delicious anti-hero from Gossip Girl. He was the reason I found this film, which would have gone unnoticed otherwise. Aside from the welcome eye-candy he provides, he has a compelling screen presence which makes everything he does interesting to watch.Penn's new house has a swimming pool in the back yard (hooray for California) so he appears several times lounging around in a bathing suit. Even if he couldn't act, or was not so obviously intelligent, Penn Badgley is certainly a genius from the neck down. And it's always good to see a director who knows how to use his attractive star.The step-father in question seems to have it in for poor Penn (too handsome?), but tries to disguise it under a bland and over-polite exterior which fairly drips with 'concern' -- the dead give-away of a psychopath in a thriller. It takes plenty of nocturnal stealth and surreptitious sleuthing on Penn's part (usually in shorts and t-shirt) to uncover the older man's dreadful secret which, in one last cliche of the genre, is hidden in the basement. But therein lies the atmosphere and chills the movie provides -- apart from the very real fear that our star will not get into a bathing suit again.Movie alone? Three stars. Extra star for Penn Badgley shirtless.

Top movie, I was a big fan of the old Stepfather and my wife recommended that I watch this remake, (remakes are not as good from my experience) but surprisingly, this movie was better that the original! I highly recommend it!!

This remade stepfather is better than the original. Mostly because of Penn Badgely (sp?). I've only ever seen him in one film before this but his performance in this film makes the film. For me anyway. Plus Sela Ward is always watchable.

Pretty good movie to watch, I enjoyed very much :D I have not seen the original but this Stepfather remake is very much like 'The Hand That Rocks The Cradle' if you have seen that. The price was really good and delivery was quick too. The film has a nice pace, with lots of tense suspence to keep you watching :DI'd recommend this movie to anyone who enjoyed tense thrillers with suspence :)

This is a really exciting thriller with loads of twists and opportunities to scream at the nervy scenes. And of course it features the beautiful Amber Heard, who is also a fine actress + the reason i purchased the item! To conclude, i recommend the movie.