Phoned in his performance for Poltergeist

I think you may be reading his role interpretation of a discouraged, nearly broke, out of work family man as Rockwell's attitude toward his own acting assignment.

I liked his performance, it was credibly low key at the start, but he ratcheted up appropriately as the story progressed.
____________________
The story is king.

Yeah a nearly broke family who gets approved for a mortgage. Even Spielberg's first draft of the original doesn't deserve to be in the same ecosystem as this turd.

Absolutely agreed. An uneven/apathetic performance.

OFF TOPIC: Is he dating his daughter from the film?

I love Sam Rockwell...I just think he was maybe a bit miscast. Or maybe I just like his comedic work.

And no...he's not dating the daughter, he's been dating actress Leslie Bibb for years.

I've enjoyed his work, in fact, I thought it was the only good thing about the film.

im not even halfway through the film but he is the best thing about it already. very funny with a sadness underneath, trying to keep his family happy. plus he's sexy as *beep*.

I fault him for picking the movie in the first place.. I think Rockwell is the man, his performances are always stealing the show, one of my favorite actors right now.. I just think stay away from remakes all together, especially when the original is so good, not a smart decision..

Also there is alot that goes into movies that we the general moviegoer don't know.. He could of been promised one way or style so he signs up to do it, then changes are made to script or production and he has no say in the matter.. Im not saying that is what happened but you never know, he just doesn't seem the type to pick a movie/role just for a paycheck.. He always talks about in interviews how devoted he is to his craft and wanting to get better and better with each movie..

The main problem with Poltergeist was that they tried to blend comedy with horror and it simply didn't work.