The Others

Rating:
Summary: The movie was unnaturally good, plus the goodies...
Review: Before this it had been quite a while since I had last seen a horror movie, but I have seen plenty in my time. The Others, although it stands terribly as a horror movie, makes an excellent movie on its own and within its own territory.
Firstly, there is little action throughout the beginning and middle of the story, just glimpses of the latter part of the film. A few basic horrific elements (children chanting prayers, a bad daughter-mother relationship, a big creaky old house) keep you on your toes as you wonder which road the story will go, and which horrific elements it will end up keeping. Clever use of techniques prey on the viewer's emotions and interest and keep him or her glued to the film until the end.
This is a great addition to any DVD collection, as long as you're not expecting a wet-your-pants experience. I'd normally give it four stars (for lack of a meaningful central theme and the use instead of a common surface one) but the fun goodies on the bonus disc are worth an extra star.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: This movie was everything and more of what I had expected. There aren't too many movies that can make the hair stand up on the back of my neck, but there was one scene which did exactly that.
I don't think anyone will be disappointed.
This was the movie, I think Nicole Kidman should have been nominated for(academy award). Great performance!

Rating:
Summary: The Others totally blew me away
Review: The Others is an absolutely incredible movie. Only too rarely does a movie come along that can absolutely stun you all at once with its implications. The ending of this movie absolutely caught me unawares, and in one single instant, before the movie even told me what was happening, a blow of shocking revelation hit me right in the stomach. Few movies deliver a personal epiphany to the viewer, but The Others does just that. I cannot point to any part of the film that was not perfectly done. Nicole Kidman gives her best performance ever, carrying the audience along with her character's pain and confusion. The children plays their roles remarkably well, with all the subtlety and believability required to make this movie succeed as a psychological masterpiece. The three servants were magnificent, although I did not appreciate the true greatness of their performance until the end. The house itself is very much a character in the movie, and the darkness, gloominess, and vulnerability it projects into every scene is palpable. There are surely great challenges to directing a movie with such an atmosphere and darkness and isolation, but not only did a twenty-eight year old Alejandro Amenabar direct a masterpiece, he also wrote the screenplay and composed the musical score. The music, without a doubt, greatly magnifies the effects of the increasingly tense, otherworldly atmosphere.

This movie was quite different from what I expected from the trailers I had seen. It definitely has the power to frighten and unnerve its audience, but this is so much more than just some kind of psychological horror. Anyone passing the movie by as just another haunted house story is robbing himself/herself of a great experience. The DVD package contains a number of extra features on a second disc, and the supporting material does add depth and meaning to the movie's themes. Along with a look at the making of the movie, there is a feature on the rare disease the children in the film suffer from, an affliction so rare that there is very little awareness of it among the public. The only thing missing is an audio commentary of the movie by the director and/or actors.

This is really one of the best motion pictures I have ever seen and truly deserving of the critical acclaim it has garnered. The ending really hits you like a ton of bricks. Calling The Others a movie is doing it a disservice; it is a profound, unparalleled motion picture experience that you should not allow yourself to be deprived of.

Rating:
Summary: classic...
Review: Very well done moody piece of movie making. This
is slow moving like reading from a book, you get
to see it open before your eyes, abit creepy and
always entertaining in a stylish period piece from
the 40s era. With so few movies being made now adays
that take the time to do it right, this movie for
the most part succeeds on all levels. The choice
of actors, time period and pace all spell out a
classic. If you like movies such as The Innocents
and The Changeling, I'm sure this will more than
satisfy!

Rating:
Summary: A hair-raising thiller with a creative storyline!
Review: Somebody has seen "The Sixth Sense" too many times...
Though this was a great movie! Set in 1945 during WWII, this is the story of Grace, a young woman living in an old mansion with her photosensitive young children, Anne and Nicholas, who all await the return of their beloved man of the house who has been fighting in the war. When three strangers appear at Grace's door to respond to an AD she hasn't even posted up yet, strange "things" have started happening around the house, and a macabre secret is revealed.
Nicole Kidman gives a powerhouse performance (Heck, she was nominated for a "Golden Globe for this performance!). The story line is very creative: it's always on track. Though this movie's a slow developer, it always leaves you with the "chills" and "thrills." The ending is so surprising... it's so cool! The actors' performances were also very good but it's Nicole Kidman that steals the show along with this movie's artistic and one of a kind storyline and awesome suspense and thrills. Face it, kiddies, if you loved "The Sixth Sense", you'll go for "The Others"!

Rating:
Summary: Whence Walk the Dead?
Review: Fine, atmospheric ghost story, almost on par with the 1963 version of The Haunting or the equally famous The Innocents, the latter of which it has a great deal in common with.

Religious neurotic control freak Nicole Kidman maintains an isolated house in the English countryside in perpetual darkness, to keep her severely light-sensitive young son and daughter protected. Her husband is missing in action in WWII, and antisocial Kidman keeps herself and her children walled-off from the world at large. The new housekeeper tries to liven things up a bit, but is stymied.

Into this environment come...Others. Unseen parties opening the always-drawn curtains, moving the furniture, opening and closing doors, and whispering to the children at night. Kidman and the children have occasional nightmarish visions. Try though she does to deny the reality, Kidman is forced to acknowledge that these other unwelcome occupants are in her house, and she puts up a valiant struggle against their influence.

Contemporary audiences and jaded ghost story addicts will be a step ahead of this movie, but that is of little matter. It's still a great film. It's slow, stylish, and old-fashioned, employing suggestion and atmosphere to communicate its chills as opposed to more overt horror tactics. The entire cast is terrific, especially Kidman and the two kids, who are adorable. The cinematography is top-notch, the direction steady and sure. It's thematically rich, the title having more than one application - which the viewer will appreciate, after having seen this magnificent film.

Rating:
Summary: Decent but contrived.
Review: I really tried to like this movie a lot but, in the end, found it to be just OK. Luckily I rented it as I'll probably never watch it again. If you really like haunted house stories you might buy this film, otherwise save your money and just rent it. The ending was too neatly wrapped up and extremely un-original, I wish Hollywood could come up with something new every once in awhile.

If you are a big Nicole Kidman fan do yourself a favor and skip this movie and buy Moulin Rouge. Now that is a movie!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent film about perception of reality
Review: ...I am startled that so many people missed the point. Those who complain it didn't frighten them sort of miss it. This is not merely meant to frighten in the "Hellraiser" or "Evil Dead" fashion. It is an old-fashioned, make you nervous and bite your fingernails type film. I for one was held in suspense. I really just enjoyed the whole darn thing. I don't think comparisons with other films are fair. It is much more atmospheric. And I did feel for the character, maybe I felt some kinship with her because I am a woman, I don't know. But you could tell she was trying so hard to be strong and she did a good job, but she just couldn't do it anymore after a while. I worried about her and her children and while I knew something was amiss, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I love movies like that. Plus, I am a sucker for English movies and misty isles. Hey, what can I say. Beautiful film, Nicole Kidman is gorgeous and yet you still feel empathy for her. I thought the children were excellent. You wanted to hug them, comfort them. The actors who played the servants' roles were excellent as well. I can't say anything bad about this movie. I wish I could find books and other movies that made me think like this one did. It is more than a scare flick, it is a movie that makes you realize how fragile we are and how differently we all perceive ourselves and our surroundings.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging and occasionally chilling
Review: I had read some good reviews of this movie before I bought the DVD and I was definitely not disappointed. While it isn't a non-stop thrill ride I was never bored and sometimes on the edge of my seat(actually my bed.) The story is well-paced and slowly builds tension until the very cool twist ending. I'm not one to be really scared by a movie and this one didn't terrify me,but it was spooky and I got the chills a couple of times. The film is moody and atmospheric with some beautiful cinematic shots. Writer/director/composer Alejandro Amenabar proves that you don't need a large all-star cast and a lot of expensive special effects to make a good movie.

I haven't seen a lot of Nicole Kidman's movies but I was very impressed by her performance as the protective and high-strung mother,Grace. Alakina Mann was also very good as her daughter and Christopher Eccleston gives a brief but noteworthy performance as Grace's long-lost husband. Well worth the money and more than one viewing.

Rating:
Summary: wish they had more stars
Review: because this movie certainly deserves more.I've been a fan of the director Alejandro Amenabar since his amazing "open your eyes",the spanish original,not the unnesessary remake and this movie definetely shows that he only got better.The direction and cinematography are marvelous,but the acting eclipses it all.Nicole Kidman is superb and completely oscar worthy,Halle Berry might have gotten lucky for whatever PC reasons,but Nicole Kidman truly deserved the oscar.Her acting was flawless,as that of a supporting cast,especially Fionulla Flanagan.
What's really amazing about this movie is that in this day and age of special effects and mindless sequels,there still can be found original,beautiful,well-acted,plot driven movies.Kinda renews my faith in Hollywood:)