This is the eighth film in the "Halloween" series, though many fans of the original Scream Queen horror/thriller wish there were but two. The original, directed by John Carpenter with his eerie score and pre-MTV languid pace, was just great. And "Halloween II" is one of the few sequels that's actually better than the original. That film was directed by Rick Rosenthal, which might give one hope since he directs this installment as well. Such hope goes unrealized, as it has from the wretched "Halloween 3" through all of the films that make up balance of the series. In the seventh, 1998's "Halloween: H20," the stalwart mass murderer Michael Myers was decapitated by his perpetual stalking victim, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). That should have finally ended it all, but, as it turns out, somebody else was wearing the trademark mask when the axe fell. Which really only goes to show how easy it is to drag these things on forever.

   "Halloween: Resurrection" finds Michael locked in the old Myers home with six new victims. The proprietors of an internet-based reality show, Freddie Harris (Busta Rhymes) and his partner Nora (Tyra Banks), have foolhardily locked themselves and a group of fresh meat for Myers' grinder in the house, webcasting their attempt to survive the night. It's not exactly a spoiler to reveal that Mikey kills them one by one, usually with a big knife, and Laurie shows up for a show-down.

   That there is money to be made in producing a Halloween 8, 9 or 25, for that matter, is not surprising. That filmmakers would do it...is. They are matched only by demon-possessed, knife-wielding psychos in their inability to perceive when enough is enough. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Tyra Banks, Busta Rhymes and Sean Patrick Thomas. Directed by Rick Rosenthal. Written by Larry Brand. Produced by Malek Akkad, Paul Freeman and Michael Leahy. A Miramax release. Horror/Thriller. Rated R for strong violence, language, some sexuality and brief drug use. Running time: 94 min