Rating: 
Summary: Mothman Flies Too Close To The Flame & Burns Up
Review: I wanted to like this film a lot. I really did. It starts off great, keeping an X-Files kind of mood. However, halfway through the director begins becoming more infatuated with padding the story out with trick cinematography, a love story that never gets beyond the surface & tying it all up in a predictable ending out of a '70's disaster movie run through a '90's David Lynch filter. The big problem with this movie is that it destroys its mood & identity too frequently by introducing new elements to the story too late or too slowly. Too bad, because the subject matter is really creepy & mysterious, and has some elements of being a classic, but the screenwriting is stretched out like a screen door & The Mothman keeps flying into it, bumping its head of ideas trying to get inside its subject. Meanwhile, the director, who obviously had a burning flame of inspiration, becomes hypnotized by his own ability to dazzle & singes himself staying too close to the brilliant cinematography & meager warmth of effects without ever getting any altitude. The reason the X-Files worked folks, is that it has character, heart, dark humour & respect for its viewers. This movie goes for that kind of vibe and then, like Icarus, or a mothman, destroys its wings over an obsession for fire. "Mothman" is frustrating to watch because it tries so hard to take flight & destroys itself instead. This is a good one night rent, nothing more. It deals too shallowly with its subject to retain its creepiness. Unfortunately, confusion is NOT the same as mystery, otherwise this movie would rock.
Rating: 
Summary: If I could rate it lower I would
Review: I hated this movie. I usually love all things wierd and scientific and I like Richard Gere, but I don't know what went wrong. I watched this and every fade out I just hoped it was the end. I celebrated when this movie was over. It is over 2 hours of my life I cannot get back. This is a horrible movie and I wouldn't reccommend watching it unless you are left on a deserted island with plenty of food and a tv that won't get cable so that this is your only source of entertainment. Even then it would be touch and go.
Rating: 
Summary: Love story should have been the main plot.
Review: The Mothman Prophecies (Mark Pellington, 2002) Mark Pellington (Arlington Road) once again delivers a movie chock full of potential with just enough annoying traits to make it frustrating. Unfortunately, in this case, the main frustrating trait is the framework itself-the whole Mothman thing, which in the end IS nothing more than a framework. The movie is really about John Klein (Richard Gere) attempting to get over the death of his wife Mary (Debra Messing, from the wonderful, underrated TV series Prey) and fall in love with Point Pleasant sheriff Connie Parker (Laura Linney, previously teamed with Gere in Primal Fear). Never mind that both Messing and Linney are about twenty years younger than the dirty old man... Had that been the main thrust of the movie, it would have been brilliant. Gere gives a stunning performance here as a guy coming gradually unhinged by his inability to get over the death of his spouse. But weaved throughout this love triangle is a whole lot of supposedly supernatural stuff, none of which makes all that much sense (and none of which, of course, is ever resolved-after all, this is "based on true events" that were never resolved, either). If you go into this thinking of it as a love story gone horribly awry, you may be able to get as much as I did out of it. If you're looking for an atmospheric thriller, you'd do well to look elsewhere. ** ½
Rating: 
Summary: This is Exorcist kind of scary, believe you me!!!
Review: Dang it! This is the kind of scary that won't simply just jump out at you during a film but rather, will have you imagining a demon staring you down in the darkness of your bedroom. The idea that this film is based on true events causes most of the horrifying dilema. A "Mothman" is delivering messages to certain people in a small town but it actually seems to be mocking them. Why? Because the creature only bestows so much information, just enough to make them realize a horrible accident was predicted AFTER it already occurs. But that's not the creepy part, my friends, oh no. Richard Gere's character is haunted by his dead wife throughout the film, creating a very subtle, yet very evil feeling during the whole viewing process. There is also a very terrifying scene where his dead wife comes to...how should I put it...pay her dear hubby a little visit! It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. Generally, I do not like Richard Gere but I must say he does a very good job in this film. If it's the eery, spooky kind of horror you seek, this is the perfect place for you to stop and take a peek(wow, that ryhmed). By the end of the film, I can almost guarantee you that all you'll be doing is peeking through your half shut eye lids!
Rating:
Summary: Void of Dramatic Tension
Review: I don't understand what went wrong here. The premiss was good, the story had real potential, however, the movie missed in several areas. It failed miserably to hold my attention (I fell asleep twice); it absolutely did not stir my imagination, for the mothman was a let down, though he might as well have been a gypsy moth with wings - I felt that he could not reveal himself in the end because he was void of any real good or evil. The characters were believable but lacked any kind of a true arc, which would have made them more interesting. Richard Gere's character, though believable was utterly devoid of chrisma. He was in brief deadpan and helpless in the throes of mothman fever. His wife died much too early in the film, which was a pity because she was a character I thought had potential. And as for the bridge scene; well, let it suffice to say it was without any real dramatic tension, since the director failed miserably to build to this climatic nightmare - which in film parlance was pure cliche. I guess the worst part of the movie was the music though; it was boring to the hilt. It's a pity, because Pellington was a director with some real promise. But now that he's gone totally Hollywood I doubt he shall rise and give us something truely worthy of his talents.
Rating:
Summary: Looks Like Episode of "Twlight Zone" with Subliminal Message
Review: Though "Mothman Prophecies" claims that the film is based on true events, which happened in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1966-67, you should quickly forget that idea as soon as you start watching it. The film is eerie, to be sure, but its eerieness sometimes goes beyond the most outrageous episodes of "X-Files," reaching nearly the edge of pretenciousness. However, that doesn't mean this film is not worth watching. As other reviewers have explained, I make my summery of the story short. Richard Gere is Washington Post journalist John Klein, whose wife saw something weird before their car accident. Two years later, John finds himself in Point Pleasant as if drawn to the place, to know that there are things going on among that peaceful town by the river. And John himself is about to witness the phonomena very soon. Before you watch, remember this. The director chooses wisely not to expose the key figure of "Mothman" too much. It is revealed with indirect ways -- like sketches and witnesses -- and you may be disappointed its vagueness. But that is the point the director and Gere are making. And under the rather slow and ordinary development of story, there are many things that are really strange. The sound used here is quite unique, sometimes sounds like David Lynch-like noise, and sometimes like ethnic music. But the most impressive part is its subliminal effects -- I cannot reveal this part too much, but look close some part of the images on the screen, which would be later return in another form. Or, one alphabet repeatedly shows up at the crutial moments of the film. Even the lights of cars seem to have some meaning at the end.... But, these "subliminal" parts can be damaging, too, because, after all, the basic idea is as realistic as that of MIB and Loswell. Of course, many people believe them, but I didn't happen to be one of them. In that case, the whole picture might look superficial just as the director's previous work "Arlington Road." Yes, it was shocking, but do you believe in the whole story? About acting, there is no problem at all. Maybe you don't buy the idea of Gere playing an ace journalist (and he is getting more and more nervous), but I find he is very good and convincing. Laura Linney as a local cop is also good, but they are both helped greatly by underrated Will Patton, who gives authentic feeling to the very unbelievable story. The film offers much, but the weakness of the story is undeniable. Or, I should say, if you don't get hooked by the basic idea about prophecies in general, you just don't like the result.
Rating: 
Summary: Eerie and Unforgettable
Review: I finally got to see "The Mothman Prophecies a few months ago. Our small town doesn't have a movie theater anymore, so my daughters and I made the half-hour drive to a neighboring town to view the movie. Did I enjoy the movie? Please, read my review. Director Mark Pellington is quoted as saying he didn't want to make a monster movie. He wanted to strip out the melodrama and leave the audience with unanswered questions. I believe Pellington has succeeded beyond his expectations. "Mothman" is definitely not your usual supernatural horror picture. Nor is it a slice 'n dice horror movie. In fact, there is very little violence in this picture. So, then, is it scary? Yes, definitely. The entire movie gives off an aura, an atmosphere of wrongness, of something about to happen, of hold-your-breath terror. And it often fulfills that promise, leaving the audience gasping as that something does, suddenly, happen. The movie is loosely based on events that took place in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1966 and 1967. Dozens of people reported sighting this tall, red-eyed creature they dubbed The Mothman. UFO sightings became more frequent. Cattle mutilation, mental telepathy, mysterious visits from Men in Black, all these took place in this peaceful little corner of West Virginia. It all culminated with the collapse of the Silver Bridge between Kanauga, Ohio and Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The filming of that scene must have been something to see. The collapse happens at night, and the car lights on the bridge, and, later, shining up through the water, cast an eerie halo around the entire scene. During the strange events at Point Pleasant, a reporter, John Keel, became deeply involved in the mysteries. Later he wrote a book "The Mothman Prophecies" about his strange adventures with the people and the events of the town. The movie evolved from Keel's book. Richard Gere as reporter John Klein, does a great job portraying a man haunted by guilt and grief over his wife's death. Laura Linney as Connie Parker plays the new love interest. Debra Messing plays the deceased wife, Mary, and makes a startling post-death appearance. The Mothman? We catch occasional glimpses, brief tastes of the sheer terror and mystery of this being that is -- what? This is one of the questions left unanswered. Just who or what is this Mothman? I think Mark Pellington, his actors and his crew have done a fantastic job in bringing this strange story to the screen. The use of music helps to intensify the anticipation of approaching terror. Much of the picture, including the collapse of the Silver Bridge, takes place in darkness, again increasing the audience's uneasiness. Did I like "The Mothman Prophecies?" Without a doubt, as did the three people who attended the movie with me. Would I recommend it to others? Well, if you enjoy a movie about something -- not quite right, if you enjoy a movie that leaves you perched on the edge of your seat, if you enjoy a movie that will stay in your mind long after you leave the theater, then yes, I do recommend "The Mothman Prophecies." It's well worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: Failure to view life tactically can be fatal
Review: This is a very good film, you don't feel like you are watching a movie, you feel like you are watching and experiencing REAL LIFE; the audience is robbed of the safety of being detached -- it could be happening to you--- its the very first film to show the real supernatural war going on behind the scenes all over the world today. Read the other reviewers to get the rough outline of the film plot if you haven't seen it. The evil beings haunting our world called the "Mothmen" in this story could also be termed "evil electro-magnetic beings or "EEMBs" --the excellent scene where a voice analysis shows that the voices are NOT HUMAN has to be one of the most disturbing ever portrayed on film. Throughout the film, the EEMBs flagrantly speak through telephone receivers plugged in or not--and masquerade perfectly the voices of humans to set them up for their demise. Modern society is increasingly electronic and vulnerable to electromagnetic evil beings to sabotage cars, speak through phones, crash airplanes etc. For starters, EEMBs cause the traffic accident that eventually kills Gere's beloved wife. People today do not see that the world is out to get them--they think the world is "neutral" and thus are tactically ill-equipped to defend themselves from supernatural attacks. Consider the principal victims who are mentally attacked by appearances of the thoroughly terrifying Mothman before the final fatal bridge incident: Policewoman played by Laura Linney, pre-marital sex couple, alcoholic plant worker and Gere's character -- a careerist, self-absorbed yuppie dink (Double Income, No Kids). All are vulnerable to EEMB attack by their lifestyles -- no protection from God and Jesus Christ under the blood shield of atonement. At no point during these supernatural attacks do the townspeople turn to the Bible/God for help. EEMBs can even take human form/appearance: the male nurse in hallway, who vanishes after saying Gere's wife saw "angels" is later explained by an excellent prompting scene when Gere sees an outline in a run-down building that free association alerts him that the male nurse was not a human but a/the "Mothman" (ie: EEMB). The wife, terminally ill from a brain tumor played by Debra Messing who was seeing and drawing so-called "angels" reveals the EEMB's lie/deception since her art shows evil malevolent fallen angels. Gere's missing time while driving alone long after his wife's death results in him appearing in West Virginia - this common UFO/ET phenomena presents the likely possibility that earthly attacks are linked to the same common EEMB instigators. Also note that in rural areas -- people in isolation are more vulnerable to EEMB attacks. This holds true for UFO/ET sightings/abductions. Mothman = EEMB = demons = prince of the power of air's underlings = symbol is self-destructive moth/flame being. Implications: ghosts, ETs, reincarnated being episodes can easily be convincing masquerades to deceive humans by EEMBs who can perfectly mimic human voices/personalities since they have plenty of time to observe and have the powers to do this. Most important scenes: Gere meets Mothman researcher -- he reports the evil beings are sending mixed signals -- they sometimes warn but also seem to also be the instigators of human tragedies -- will not reveal selves/true intentions --the researcher elaborates that the Mothmen have been around forever and throughout human history and thus see life at least 2-3 moves ahead of humans; his window washers-on-a-skyscraper-seeing-an-auto-accident-before-it happens analogy is a very good explanation of how these evil "prophecies" can sometimes come true. The film shows several layers of malfeasance -- if you act on prophesies -- it destroys the respectable social life of the human conveyer -- if lives are saved the messenger buys into the validity of evil being's false representations and quasi-goodness. The Mothman phones Gere and tells him to wait for a call from his wife the next day at noon. Minutes before the call, the policewoman gives a fatalistic speech about how people are going to die and there is nothing we can do about it etc etc. but does reveal one kernal of truth -- that the phone call Gere is set to receive ain't gonna be from his wife! She remarks; "where she is he (the caller masquerading her voice) is not" -- ie; she's in heaven, he's from hell. Her prior precognitive dreams from EEMBs are elaborate mind screws; she's a single woman unguarded by a male in a very demanding male protective role -- making her very vulnerable --she is outmatched by events throughout the film, but she could have a protector in Gere if he wants the job. However, the rest of the humans are still 1-2 moves behind the Mothmen and are not thinking tactically-- when the evil beings sabotage traffic light on bridge, stalling vehicles on bridge over-stresses support beams causing bridge to collapse, people are naive to blindly follow easily sabotaged traffic light rather than think on their own. Again, humans not realizing that forces are out to get you. Finally, Gere acts courageously at least 1 step ahead of the others around him and dives into water to save the policeman. However the "wake-up 37" message from the electromagnetic evil beings mock God whose two numbers are 3 and 7. The saved policewoman, "37" is still victim in that her previous fatalistic views could now flip-flop into a buy-in to the validity of evil electromagnetic beings somehow being agents of goodness. We don't know because the movie ends with Gere and Linney in shock sitting in an ambulance glad to just be alive. If you want to be scared, this is the film to do it because its talking about reality not fantasy, but I do not recommend it unless you are certainly under the aegis of Biblical Christianity and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: This movie is truly one of the most boring I have ever seen. It's a good idea, and the beginning is chilling, but it falls flat after the first 10 minutes. Almost the entire film is spent talking, and talking, and talking... you actually only see the Mothman about three times in the whole thing. The final bridge scene is certainly terrifying, but it doesn't make up for sitting through 2 hours of boredom. All in all, this film had a great premise... but bad presentation.
Rating:
Summary: Sufficiently Eerie
Review: "The Mothman Prophecies" is based on an actual event that occurred in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge spanning the Ohio River from Point Pleasant to Kanauga, Ohio collapsed killing 46 people. While the movie says that the reason for the bridge's collapse has never been determined, it actually was decided that the bridge collapsed due to old age. It basically had passed its useful lifespan. That is the only real truth that the movie can be said to be based on. The rest of the movie is pure speculation about a supposed creature(s) that appeared in Point Pleasant on several occassions for about one month prior to the bridge collapse. In the movie, Richard Gere plays John Klein, a successful reporter for the Washington Post. John loses his wife Mary (Debra Messing) in a car accident. Before her death Mary has drawn several images of a red-eyed, winged creature that she claims to have seen prior to the accident. After two years have gone by, John still hasn't gotten over his wife's death. He's supposed to do an interview with Virginia Gov Rob McCallum (Murphy Dunne) in Richmond. He decides to leave very early in the morning for Richmond instead of going to a party to meet a woman his friend has set him up with. After about two hours driving his car shuts off on a desolate highway. After an eventful night, he wakes up the next morning to find himself in Point Pleasant. He has gone over 400 miles in two hours and has no idea how he got there. In Point Pleasant he finds a town on edge over odd things that have been occurring. Being an inquiring reporter he sticks around to find out what's happening. He begins to suspect that the events happening in the town have some connection to his wife's drawings. "The Mothman Prophecies" provides just enough mysterious suspense without being hokey. It's easy for a movie like this to go off the deep end and get carried away. "The Mothman Prophecies" stays with a steady build which provides an adequate amount of increase in the creep factor without becoming farcical. Part of the movie's success comes from the believable portrayals given by Gere and the other two central characters, Laura Linney as Connie Mills and Will Patton as Gordon Smallwood. Connie is the local girl turned town sheriff who provides John's connection to the townspeople. Gordon is the first person John meets in Point Pleasant and is the person around whom most of the odd events seem to occur. All involved give performances which make you think they are just regular people being subjected to mysterious events. Unlike with most movies today, this one actually gives you a satisfying account of the mystery creatures plaguing Point Pleasant. There's no description of where they come from or what they want but, the movie's resident expert on them, Alexander Leek (Alan Bates), gives a good account of his experiences and enough information that you can draw your own inferences. Too many movies today use the mystery as an excuse for an entirely different plotline instead of having the mystery at the center of the film. On this "The Mothman Prophecies" is dead on.
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