The Ninth Gate

Rating:
Summary: Polanski goes back to (Old) Scratch
Review: Roman Polanski returns to some old stomping grounds, although sadly not quite back to "form". To its credit,"The Ninth Gate" does not rely on post-MTV "Scream" irony or F/X laden gore. Instead, the movie harkens back to the sort of deliberately paced gothic mystery Polanski once excelled at. Johnny Depp's performance as a chain-smoking, semi-alcoholic "rare book" expert earns the film most of its stars. Depp is hired by a mysterious rich eccentric (Frank Langella, with the ham factor cranked to "11") to authenticate a volume of satanic incantations that may or may not have been co-authored by ol' "Scratch" himself. Much silly Euro-trash themed intrigue ensues,with a denouement oddly similar to the campy "sacrificial ritual" scene in Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut". Also along the way,luscious Lena Olin manages to shed her clothing (I think it's in her contract). Polanski's wife is thrown in as a love interest, and seems as perplexed about her character's purpose as we are. Still, just involving enough to watch all the way through at least once. The enigmatic final dissolve raises more questions than it answers, but you may be just be grateful that the film DOES eventually end!

Rating:
Summary: Atmospheric, but unsatisfying
Review: "The Ninth Gate," directed by Roman Polanski, is one of the latest in the "Satanic" genre of horror films. The story involves a rare books dealer named Corso (played by Johnny Depp) who is hired to track down variant copies of a Satanist ritual book. He encounters sex, danger, and mystery along the way.

There is much I liked about this film. Beginning with the haunting music to the opening credits, Polanski really creates a sinister, yet sensuous atmosphere. Depp delivers a fine performance: he brings a bewitching combination of sleaziness and sexiness to his character. There are some good supporting performances. And, as a lover of books, I find myself particularly intrigued by a movie that is, at its heart, all about books.

But ultimately, "The Ninth Gate" is a disappointment. The film is all setup, with no payoff. In fact, the closing scenes of the film struck me as silly--even laughable. If you want a more satisfying cinematic portrayal of Satanism, I recommend Polanski's own classic, "Rosemary's Baby." Nevertheless, there are enough positive elements in the "Ninth Gate" for me to say that I'm glad to have seen it--and wouldn't mind seeing it again. If you are a fan of Satanic cinema, give the film a try.

Rating:
Summary: "Mumbo jumbo, mumbo jumbo, mumbo jumbo . . ."
Review: ". . . boo!"

That's what Boris Balkan, whose collection of ars diavoli, works about (and by) the Devil, is unrivaled, says to a group of Satanists at the climax of director Roman Polanski's The Ninth Gate. It's risky having a character say something sarcastic that could apply to the movie we're watching itself. The Ninth Gate doesn't resonate with deeper meanings like Rosemary's Baby, but as a Devil movie it's literate with good acting (Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Emmanuelle Seigner, Lena Olin).

As much as I like subdued character-driven horror pictures like this, I agree with David Thomson in The New Biographical Dictionary of Film that it doesn't seem like Roman Polanski's film. If I didn't already know Polanski directed it, I wouldn't have guessed.

I did like the ending. It wasn't one of the apocalyptic clichés that usually wrap up this kind of horror film. And it leaves one character's nature not completely explained.

I guess you can't do a Devil movie without mumbo jumbo. Here Lena Olin's Baroness (or whatever) de St. Martin recites a Latin incantation; in Rosemary's Baby the coven next door to Rosemary and Guy murmur spells. If you're going to summon the Prince of Darkness you've got to sacrifice a virgin, or at least call him on his cell.

Rating:
Summary: Hated It! ....Boring
Review: If you're looking for a movie that has some in your face thrills and chills you better stay away from this one. I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen and I found myself losing interest with the characters and ultimately the entire movie as well. Since this was a slow moving plot with very little fx, there at least should have been some suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout, and this offered absolutely nothing. Johnny Depp's performance was o.k., but his character and the entire film was very flat and boring.

Rating:
Summary: Suspense and mystery at every turn
Review: I ws not expecting anything when first viewed this movie late at night. But I soon became aware of sinister plot by the producer to build a crescendo of surprise all along the way. Each event leads to another thrilling episode in the quest of this book dealer. Even he is surprised at the sequence and occurence of events tht have been laid in his path. Johnny Depp is very good in this role. Not many actors could have pulled this off. I still am a bit entrigued about the ending. Not sure what he finally did but looks like he made a deal with the devil. It is a great story and everyone should watch it but don't leave the tv as each event leads up to another and the story never dies in the middle but follows a definite narrative all the way thru.

Rating:
Summary: A good relic hunt movie
Review: This film is a wild ride of a relic hunt.

I did find myself wondering "Is that Johnny Depp?" - frankly the face fur was DISTRACTING and so obviously NOT a real beard and mustache.

The mythology of the plot felt invented but that didn't take away from this being a very enjoyable film.

For some reason I can't explain, I expected a different ending - not sure what but it probably could have gone a different way.

Very good film - it can be watched more than once but not many times.

Rating:
Summary: Deliciously dark and enthralling. Well executed.
Review: Looking for a dark, entralling - perhaps even a little diabolical - mystery? Don't miss this one!

This is one of my favourite movies and one of few movies I have viewed many times. The story follows a ruthless 'book-detective,' Corso, on a fairly routine job that becomes more enigmatic, sinister and deadly as it progresses.

The atmosphere is deliciously dark but not frightening. The script is economical and tasteful, the dialogue natural and light, the acting convincing. Witty and humorous at times, too.

But wait - there's more! Wojciech Kilar's soundtrack is superb, it really conjures the right emotion and contributes greatly to the film's overall success. (Don't listen to it alone at night - it's really powerful;)

It is a very clever adaptation of the novel The Dumas Club, and, in many ways, is more entertaining. (See my review of the book.)

In short, highly recommended, it'll have you glued to the edge of your seat - each time you watch it.

Rating:
Summary: A movie worth watching!
Review: A very good mystery, The Ninth Gate, brings to the screen the story of a book searcher (Johnny Depp) who gets himself embroiled in the schemes of an evil and wealthy cultist who wants to summon the devil.
The film follows his travels from the US to Portugal and finally to France for the final showdown.
The plot, the setting, and the dialogues, are all very good!
With slight elements of both the X-Files and the Prophecy trilogy, The Ninth Gate, is a movie guaranteed to provide an evening's entertainment. It is one of those films that gets you and keeps you thinking long after it's over.


Rating:
Summary: An excellent film!
Review: The editors review above seemed positive, but then he ended by saying it's always on the verge of being interesting-I think what he meant was on the verge of thrilling, but never really goes there. This really is an excellent film, and continues to rank among my all time favorites.(Some of which are- Runaway Jury, Terminator, Windtalkers.)It sort of has the look and feel of a classic Hitchcock. An excellent cast and I think Johnny Depp's best role, although many would say "Donnie Brasco" was. 4 1/2 stars for "The Ninth Gate."

Rating:
Summary: A great film, but the book is better...
Review: If you have read "The Club Dumas" by Arturo Perez-Reverte and have seen this film, The Ninth Gate, like me, you are probably wondering why Polanski made so many changes to it.

The book itself is a lot more complicated than the film, not only are there more characters involved but also has a better storyline. Even though many changes were made to this film, Depp still did an awesome job at portraying Lucas Corso and the storyline was not that bad. I, however, recommend that all you folks out there read the book first, that way you will enjoy this film more.