The Guard Brothers directed "The Uninvited."

They are Thomas and Charles, and they are British, and while much of their work here stays in strict stylistic line with the 2003 original, they supply jolts efficiently. Any idiot can frighten an audience with a "boo!" moment -- the heroine turning suddenly, only to be startled by some innocent character, for example.

Almost any idiot can direct a sequence involving the slow approach to a creepy, concealing object, out of which something will spring or ooze or fly. But the quality of the surprise after the suspense, that's what separates the hacks from the talent. The Guard Brothers cut fast and rarely steer clear of cliche, but they have a knack.

After 10 months in a psychiatric clinic, Anna (Emily Browning) returns to her coastal Maine home to her sister, Alex (Arielle Kebbel), and an uneasy new parental unit. The girls' father (David Strathairn) is engaged to the very same caregiver (Elizabeth Banks) who oversaw the girls' invalid mother in her last days, before a mysterious and fatal fire.

Anna attempted suicide after the tragedy. Now, back home, she's plagued by ghosts or visions or some such, one of which appears to be her late mother, crying out for revenge. It's like "Hamlet," with teenage girls.

The script ties the original scenario in a couple of ill-advised knots, and by the final third, "The Uninvited" has turned into a film existing mainly for its long-delayed twist. The actors are strong, however, and Banks in particular shows some skill and wiles in keeping her rascally stepmother stereotype lively.

What do I remember about "The Uninvited" a day after seeing the remake?

I remember jumping at the specter under the kitchen stove. I remember also the alarming number of times we see a character approach a plastic garbage bag with dread and wonder. These aren't Glad bags. These are "Aaaaahhhhggggghhhh!" bags.

The Uninvited MPAA rating: PG-13 (for violent and disturbing images, thematic material, sexual content, language and teen drinking).

Running time: 1:27.

Starring: Emily Browning (Anna); Elizabeth Banks (Rachel); Arielle Kebbel (Alex); David Strathairn (Stephen).

Directed by The Guard Brothers; written by Craig Rosenberg, Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, based on the Korean film "Changhwa, Hongryon" ("A Tale of Two Sisters"); photographed by Daniel Landin; edited by Christian Wagner and Jim Page; music by Christopher Young; production designed by Andrew Menzies; produced by Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald and Roy Lee. A DreamWorks Pictures release.

"Slumdog Millionaire" Leads the Way
81st Academy Award Oscar Winners 2009

In much the same manner that the film captured the hearts of movie-goers, "Slumdog Millionaire" captured the hearts and votes of the Academy garnering 8 Oscars in total, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Sean Penn won his second Best Actor Academy Award for his role as Harvey Milk in the movie "Milk," while Kate Winslett won her first Oscar in the Best Actress category for he role as Hanna Schmitz in "The Reader."

Heath Ledger won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight," posthumously. Ledger died on January 22, 2008 after an accidental drug overdose. Penelope Cruz won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Elena Maria in "Vicky Christina Barcelona."

"WALL-E" took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature:

This year's top Academy Awards nominated film, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" with 13 Oscar nominations, won 3 Oscars (Achievement in Art Direction, Makeup & Visual Effects).

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