Rating: 
Summary: A true Masterpiece! Smart, lush, suspenseful!
Review: Alejandro Amenabar is the creative genius behind the Cruise/Wagner sleeper hit, The Others starring Nicole Kidman. I hadn't seen this film in the theatres and fortunately, no one had spoiled the ending for me. Thank God, because part of this movies attraction is the way the plot unfolds little by little, setting up a mystery that's a lot of fun to guess at. It's a truly "Hitchcockian" storyline that teases the audience throughout the film. I had to watch this film twice to pick up on all the subtle clues.
Aside from the great story, the acting in this film is fantastic. I've heard people say that Nicole Kidman is the star of this movie, but the one who really shines is new comer Alkina Mann who plays Kidmans daughter. Her reactions are so real and geniune you forget she's an actor playing a character.
This movie is also scary. If the Blair Witch Project had you squirming and you liked The Sixth Sense, this movie will have you jumping out of your skin in some places.
It's amazing to think that this is Alejandro Amenabars first English speaking movie. Not only that but he wrote it, directed it AND did the music for it, which is nicely stark, baroque and very beautiful in some places. A true cinematic Masterpiece.
Story A+
Cinematography A+
Acting A+
Costumes A+
Music A+
See this film!
Rating:
Summary: Art, entertainment and many subtle layers and messages
Review: This movie has a number of levels, many of which are not immediately apparent because of the excellent acting, near perfect casting and exquisite cinematography. On the artistic level the movie will appeal more to artists and writers, and to those who enjoy a well crafted plot and a surprise ending.On another level, though, this movie will inspire a self examination of how one perceives realities. It does this by exposing the filters and assumptions that we all use when observing and mentally correlating those observations with our knowledge of fact into our realities. It also has an obvious message about coexistence and acceptance. Regardless of whether or not one believes in the supernatural, the story and the ending will be completely unexpected for most who watch this movie. The many clues wrapped in foreshadowing and other plot devices will not make sense until the end, but if you carefully examine them a day or so after watching this movie you'll have some keen insights into your own unique set of filters and assumptions that you use daily. There are other levels and messages within this movie that will surface days or weeks after watching it, such as the way the female characters are portrayed as more proactive, central figures than the male characters. The movie also challenges religious beliefs in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. I am not sure if this is yet another subtle layer of the plot or if it reflects the views and biases of the writers and director - but these elements are there.
If you enjoy great dialog and a masterful story with an interesting plot that is presented with beautiful visuals then you'll love this movie on an artistic level. If you enjoy mental challenges and subtlety that is presented with social and cogitative challenges you'll love this movie on a deeper level.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: ... Nicole Kidman was wonderful as well as all of the other actors...the kids were believable brother and sister...great movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Political/historical metaphors in the film
Review: I liked the movie -- I'm not going to offer any spoilers or subjective criticisims about the style or look of the movie. I'm not going to compare it to the Sixth Sense or to the old Hitchcock movies either. What struck out at me the most ALL THROUGHOUT the film was the political and historical undertones that served as a subtext to the action and dialogue of the characters. The film takes place right after World War II - in Ireland - during the period that the British Empire was beginning to see the restlessness of its colonies and the rumblings for independence. It is unmistakable that Kidman's character can be likened to that of the imperial British Empire, which no matter how hard it tries, cannot shelter or protect Her colonies forever. For Grace, she is beginning to lose control of her life and the authority she holds over shielding her kids from the outside world. Her son and daughter play the roles of the long-suffering colonies under the British autocracy. Then along come 3 wise old 'veterans' who can see what's in store because they remember from the past. They are akin to the revolutionaries and free-thinkers of the colonies that try to cry out for freedom and independence. After World War II, Britian's empire (like Grace and her family) was dying or perhaps already dead. With the independence of Her colonies, Britain was beginning to come to grips of their "new" role in an "old" world (Grace's vast mansion). .... DO NOT watch it in hopes of gory special effects or teen-slasher elements. Watch it rather for some genuine suspense, sharp dialogue, brilliant cinematography, and a stunning score. Rule Britannia
Rating: 
Summary: Far too predictable
Review: This movie was far too predictable, the entire plot was apparent withing the first 10 minutes. Unlike The Sixth Sense, in which the clues were subtle, here they basically hit you over the head with clues. Too bad it had potential...
Rating:
Summary: They don't make them like this anymore!
Review: I suspect that the reviewers who found his film boring are used to blood, gore, special effects and non-stop action. I cannot blame them. Entertainment today is made to hit us over the head with "excitement" at every turn. I leave most movies feeling as though the studio executives thought I had Attention Deficit Disorder. That being said, The Others is a classic horror film in the tradition of Hitchcock or old Hollywood.(ie: Rebecca, The Innocents) The director reveals bits and pieces of the mystery, gradually drawing the audience in deeper and deeper. The story is well-written, the creepiness is overwhelming and the ending is truly satisfying. This is a great mystery! Nicole Kidman, beside looking absolutely beautiful a la Grace Kelly, is a tour de force. This was one of the finest performances of the year. It was subtle and layered, unlike the more acclaimed performances of laast year which were al about screaming and getting naked. The kids were not your typical, cloying child actors. They wer great. Finnoula Flanagan as the housekeeper was terrific, as always. As for the ending...it is a doozy!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Does this thing end????
Review: This movie was bad! Patronizing and agonizingly slow, the ending was anti-climatic. A sleeper.
Rating:
Summary: To clarify what this movie is and is not...hopefully...
Review: "The Others" is very much like the "Sixth Sense," "Memento," "The Conversation," "Seven," and other types in this genre (no, not horror, but mystery). Once you know the ending to the plot, the pleasure of the film is immediately lost. That having been said, I'll try to offer a fairly impartial review without revealing any spoilers. This movie is not a scare-a-minute. It's much more subtle than that. Nearly all of the action takes place within the confines of an expansive estate in the country with only two significant exterior sequences. The plot is pretty simple: a young, wealthy mother of two is alone in her home while her husband has been missing since the end of the war almost a year ago (FYI: World War II). The film opens with a scream (literally) and the introduction of the replacement servants (apparently the previous help left in the middle of the night a short while back for reasons we aren't explicitly told but can presume rather quickly). From there, it's just your typical haunted house story and unfolds from one marvelously acted, well-shot scene to the next. Nicole Kidman's performance is solid and for those of you who admired Haley Joel Osment from the "Sixth Sense," you will be surprised to see some very quality performances by two child actors who will definitely give you the willies--along with nearly everyone else in the cast. The two children, by the way, both have a rare skin disease which make them unable to withstand exposure to sunlight. Whenever the kids are out and about in daylight, all the doors have to be locked and the windows shut. It's an eccentricity that gets played upon fairly well in the film. There are very little "encounter" sequences or clichéd theatrical flairs in this film. Nearly all of the suspense is aural as opposed to visual. The director refrains from showing you any paranormal activity and just allows the audience's minds to wander and fill in the details that aren't shown on screen. This actually does the film a great service because it focuses on the main point of the film: the acting and the actors themselves. Who will like this film: anyone who enjoys CLASSIC horror films and outstanding "intelligent thrillers" will likely take to this film. For people who like mysteries with well-executed last minute plot twists or are just looking for a refreshing take on an idea that's already been run into the ground, this film might also satisfy. The simple truth of the matter is, if you don't like movies about haunted houses (and I'm talking about the good ol' fashioned creepy country homes style haunted house pictures), then you won't like this movie--period! But if you are into the genre to begin with, than you pass the litmus test of being able to put up with all the clichés that come with the territory. Mark my words, this movie is not meant to modernize or make trendy the idea of haunted houses like most of the mystery/horror films out there today. It is art by numbers in the sense that it takes a very strict formula and applies in such a way that actually works. And considering how little creative space and how little room for error there are in these type of films, I would say the film succeeds admirably and give it 4 stars. On its merits as just an ordinary film in any genre, I'd have to give it a 2.5 to 3 star ranking.
Rating:
Summary: A spooky thrill ride that almost is perfect...
Review: This movie has a lot in common with the sixth sense. They both have surprising twist endings. Nicole Kidman gives a extrodinary perfomance as well as Christopher Eccleson and the little girl Ann. This movie starts with a slow beginning but soon jumps to a suspensful thrill ride. This movie sometimes is confusing and you may not understand the movie the first time. You might have to watch this movie twice to understand it. I don't know why this movie is rated PG-13 because there is no blood,bad language but there is some kissing. Other than just being scary there is nothing really bad in this movie. I would probabley say this movie is okay for kids 10+ but they might not understand the ending!
Rating:
Summary: Most likely the best film of 2001
Review: Ooh, so good!
This had to be the most taut, gripping suspense thriller I have ever laid my eyes upon, for the first hour at least. I was glued to my chair through the first sixty minutes, actually sweating from the tension of this poor woman and her horrible house, with a ghostly specter named Victor terrorizing her daughter. This first hour was one of the most intense, exciting hours of film that I had ever watched, it is just too bad it devolves a little during the last fourty minutes.
Yes, the surprize ending was decent, but after the Sixth Sense, which wasn't a good movie until the end, I am tired of twist endings. The movie tries too hard to shock the audience at the end instead of keeping what it was doing best, scaring the crap out of them. The ending is almost funnier than it is scary, which was a little perplexing, because it was working on being the best thriller of all time when it focused purely on fright.
Oh well, it's still a great movie, and well worth watching!
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