neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Cold Creek Manor
	Mike Figgis Dennis Quaid, Sharon Stone, Stephen Dorff, Juliette Lewis, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Wilson, Dana Eskelson, Christopher Plummer 2003		Uneven in tone and derivative of psycho-thrillers such as "Cape Fear," "Cold Creek Manor" does give camera-friendly Dennis Quaid and Sharon Stone welcome face-time as luckless Cooper and Leah Tilson. The Tilsons decide that New York City life is too dangerous for their two children, a prepubescent boy with hints of prescience and a teenage girl with a 'tude. So they move upstate to a rural town after buying the sprawling fixer-upper of the title. Unfortunately, the property comes with its own creepy history and an even creepier former resident, Dale Massie (Stephen Dorff). Cooper, a documentary filmmaker, finds a cache of family photos and papers in the house, learns of previous inhabitants disappearing, and decides that he's found a subject for his next movie. Dale, fresh out of prison, has other plans for his old abode. Let the terrorizing begin! Too bad that the script's scare tactics are reliant on stupid decisions by intelligent characters. Directed by Mike Figgis, "Cold Creek Manor" is a long way from his acclaimed "Leaving Las Vegas." Note: Dale's girlfriend is played by Juliette Lewis, who was the victimized family's teen daughter in 1991's "Cape Fear" remake. The casting invites an unflattering comparison.