When A Stranger Calls

Amateurish direction by Simon West ("Laura Croft: Tomb Raider") contributes to the utter failure of this pathetic update of the original film of the same title. As punishment by her parents, for using too many cell phone minutes to break up with her cheating high school boyfriend, Jill (Camilla Belle) is sent to baby-sit at a remote but well appointed modern mansion. Young Jill’s insecure nature gets the best of her when a stalker breathes heavily into the phone during his repeated but brief calls. The movie goes from dull to boring until Jill’s stalker makes his attack. You stare at the movie waiting for suspense that never arrives.

Rated PG-13 87 mins. (D) (One Star)