From Hell

Rating:
Summary: From Hell
Review: This movie was good. It's a dark drama. Johnny Depp's character was very strange. The whole movie was filmed in darkness. What I mean is throughout the whole movie you were in the dark. Sometimes I had a hard time making out what was going on. Maybe that was intentional. But, all in all, the movie was pretty good. If you like suspense, I would recommend this film to you.

Rating:
Summary: Too busy but worth a look nonetheless
Review: When the film submits to being pure visuals (i.e the hallucinations, the murders) it approaches something really wonderful, recalling the best moments of Dryer's expressionistic horror. When the film deals w/ the societal clash of the times (then and now for the film is surprisingly contemporary in tone), it's right on. The problem(s) though come when the film pushes itself into being a murder-mystery "serviced" by everything (cinematography, music, editing) and everyone else (great actors in roles giving them little to do) out there that it doesn't do so well. To be short, the film has much that works on its own (lots of mise-en-scene which by itself is beautiful), but as a whole the directors have too much going on. This film is not your typical slasher film and for that it must be rewarded; as an intelligent drama/horror piece for adults, it must be taken to the plate. What has kept the Ripper in human consciousness, what makes him such a frightening, enigmatic figure resides somewhere in a place much darker, much deeper, and much more ambiguous than the one you'll get in 'FROM HELL'. This film doesn't quite go those places and for that reason, only 3 stars.

(NOTE: Also, other reviews mention the music in the film as being too much and I will agree, as is heard in the film it comes off as being too much, too overwrought, too overblown...Goldenthal's music suffered a similar fate this year w/ his score for 'FINAL FANTASY...'. However, the score is a work of art which must be savored and appreciated. It's a seductive piece of horror scoring which is a must own for fans of film music.)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Treatment of An Unsolved Mystery
Review: The case of Jack the Ripper has long been, and continues to be, one of the great unsolved mysteries of all time, and as such has been the subject of numerous treatments in film. Of them all, however, none has advanced a more logical or plausible theory in explanation of the who, whys and wherefores of the infamous serial killer than "From Hell," directed by Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes, which attempts to solve the mystery that has by consensus long been deemed "unsolvable." But-- cinematically speaking, at any rate-- the Hughes Brothers make a decidedly solid case of it.

It's 1888, London; in the Whitechapel district prostitutes are being systematically slaughtered in a precise and grisly manner. Scotland Yard is at a loss to solve or stop the murders, and Inspector Fred Abberline (Johnny Depp) is assigned to investigate. Abberline is somewhat unique in his approach, as he is invested with certain prescient abilities, which he enhances through the use of opium, laudanum and absinthe; not the usual methods employed by the police, but it does effect the desired results.

Abberline discovers a link between the victims, and along the way becomes involved with one of the "girls," Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), who may be in danger because of something she knows. But as Abberline gets closer to a solution, he very well may be in danger also; he knows too much, and there is one, especially, who would find ease if he were to just disappear. And by any means necessary.

The proper atmosphere is, of course, a requirement if one is to tell this story convincingly, and the Hughes Brothers succeed nicely in this regard. But it would be hard to find a movie about the Ripper that did NOT achieve a proper mood; it's kind of a common link that ties all of the previous offerings together, up to and including this one. This film differs from the rest in one important respect, however, and it's a big one-- that being the story itself. Whereas the others are good at leading you down the path and taking you nowhere, the Hughes Brothers go out on a limb and actually deliver a satisfying ending, and moreover, one that solves the mystery. It's all speculation, of course, but this film will leave you feeling closer to the truth than ever before. It's well crafted and executed, and they manage to keep the air fairly heavy with menace and suspense, from the beginning right up to the very end, which ultimately defines it as something of a "fable-noir."

Johnny Depp gives a solid, convincing performance as Abberline, who is something of the antithesis of another of his creations, Constable Ichabod Crane, of Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow." It's a challenge for an actor to take on two roles somewhat similar in nature to begin with, and successfully manage to make them quite the opposite of one another in the end, which is what Depp has done with these respective portrayals. The events surrounding Crane may have been dark, but Ichabod was not; here, however, Deep finds a dark side of his character, Abberline, that is as enigmatic as the case with which he is dealing, and it is that to which Depp plays, approaching from the depths and looking up, rather than observing from a position of light, as he did in "Hollow." And it demonstrates that Depp is endowed with that same kind of chameleon-like quality that serves such actors as De Niro and Billy Bob Thornton so well; it's a matter of being able to transform oneself from the inside out, which comparably few actors can do with any real success.

Heather Graham does a good job with her role of Mary; she's convincing for the most part, but there are moments when it's something of a challenge for the viewer to totally believe that she is a "lady of the night." Her appearance seems almost a bit too polished, especially compared to the other girls. It's a minor complaint, however, as overall, though her performance may not necessarily be one of the strengths of the film, it certainly does nothing to detract from the effectiveness of it.

The performance turned in by Ian Holm, on the other hand, is definitely one of the film's strengths. As Sir William Gull, he is quite believable, with a probing portrayal that does much for the credibility of the story.

Also helping things along substantially, are Robbie Coltrane (who has since become known, and will forever after be, "Harry Potter's" Hagrid), as Abberline's colleague, Peter Godley, and Susan Lynch (who previously gave such a remarkable performance as Nora Barnacle in "Nora," opposite Ewan McGregor), as Liz Stride.

The supporting cast includes Ian Richardson (Sir Charles Warren), Jason Flemyng (Netley), Katrin Cartlidge (Dark Annie), Terence Harvey (Ben Kidney), Paul Rhys (Dr. Ferral) and Lesley Sharp (Kate). Arguably the best and, without question the most satisfying of all the "Ripper" movies, "From Hell" is a well made, graphic and thought provoking consideration of the Whitechapel killings, which for quite some time held all of London in the grip of fear and terror. The conclusions offered here may just be as close to the truth as anyone will ever get; in the event that it is pure fiction, however,it is decidedly good fiction that makes for a couple of hours of riveting entertainment and speculation. Be forewarned, this one is not going to be for everyone, as many of the mental, as well as visual images it presents are extremely disconcerting. Definitely not for the squeamish, but for those who are so disposed, this one will prove to be quite an experience. It's the magic of the movies.

Rating:
Summary: Nice, very nice.....
Review: Very dark, good acting, great suspense, a very nice and entertainig movie. The DVD is really good , I was amazed by the quality of the sound. I really recomend this DVD to the horror fans!

Rating:
Summary: bleah
Review: I almost could not finish watching this movie. What kept me going is that I very much enjoyed the graphic novel, I really admire Johnny Depp and Ian Holm as actors, and I foolishly suspected something might pop up and redeem this over-produced piece of [junk], but no luck.

One of the main things I found so repellent about this flick is the use of music. It's not that the music itself was bad (though it was), but HOW OFTEN they chose to use it. It's as if the editor thought CONSTANT music in the background would subconsciously take viewers' minds off the wretched dialogue and ham-fisted direction, but it didn't work! You can only polish [something] so much before you have to stand back and say, "sorry guys, it's still just [the same]."

The DVD is annoying, too! Impossible-to-read, jittering, cursive text makes one have to squint and hope when they push buttons on their remote, and glaringly-overdone sound effects pollute every piece of background music (in the menus and in the movie as well). It's one of those movies during which you have to continually ride the volume, turning it up for the dialogue, and down for the sound effects.

The only positive things I can say about this movie are that Johnny Depp's and Ian Holm's acting abilities still manage to shine through, but it's like two fresh potatoes in a sack of rotten ones. Just can't compete against the rudimentary melodrama of these filmmakers.

One last thing: Heather Graham, though nice to look at, can't fake a cockney accent to save her life. And she looks like the only prostitute in 1888 London to have a shower every day and unblemished skin. It's as if the filmmakers thought, "now we don't know if the audience is gonna be able to keep up with who the main [prostitute] is, so we'll make her hair BRIGHT RED, so there is NO QUESTION."

If you like subtlety, find another DVD to rent...

Rating:
Summary: Just barely gets two and a half stars...
Review: There are a few reasons why this got as many stars as it did: the dvd is well produced and the extras (excluding the pointless and boring deleted scenes)are quite interesting,it was the first Hughes brothers film I've actually been able to watch all the way through,this is a modest success as a period piece and a few performances are very soild (Robbie Coltrane chiefly but Ian Holm does a good job in a role that lets him down).That said the film REALLY stretches the truth and your patience as it creates a conspiracy that tops even the most fevered linking of an overcaffinated JFK theorist.

You walk away with more quetions than anwsers: How does the drug addled Depp manage to maintain his career? The conspiracy angle might have seemed interesting but isn't a mystery suposed to have a believable climax? Wouldn't this film have suited it's fine recreation of old England better by casting British actors in the leads and avoiding the phoney accents? When will Johnny Depp find another film that makes use of his skills in service of a completely satisfying whole? There are more but you see my point. When this many questions go unanwsered or more pop up,it means the film did not succeed.The "romance" between Depp and Graham seems forced,the best part of the film is the relationship between Depp and Coltrane but that's left behind while the conspiracy unfolds and Coltrane's character couldn't have been the only person around who wasn't a hooker,addict,unfeeling Brit or evil conspirorist-right?

For a glimpse inside the mind of the Hughes brothers check out the commentary track if you rent this (or buy it-which only hard core fans of the brothers or Depp should consider doing). I only heard parts of it but it was all complaining and whining about not only this film (which seems to have bored them) but the state of their careers in general. Creating a film like this out of interesting (if over mined) material isn't going to help guys. For all the attempted moodiness,intrigue and flashiness it's never manages to become more than a sleepy hollow...

Rating:
Summary: Nicely flawed thriller
Review: The Hughes Brothers bring us this surprisingly good, and maybe all too believeable, thriller based on the graphic novel of the same name. Johnny Depp stars as an opium smoking Scotland Yard detective assigned to bring Jack the Ripper to justice by using his special "talent": smoking opium with some other drugs to have psychic visions, and naturally, it works. Eventually Depp uncovers a vast conspiracy that even has links to the throne, and all is not what it seems. Heather Graham stars as a prostitute who Depp falls for, and Ian Holm absolutely steals the entire movie as a washed up surgeon. The cinematography is superbly shot, and Depp gives a fine performace as usual, but Graham is just not believeable in her role, not acting wise I mean, but she is just too beautiful to be a prostitute from that time period, the other actresses look their roles (no offense to them). There are some nice DVD extras as well, and the entire package is well rounded, so if your a fan of Depp or are looking for a different type of thriller, there aren't many better choices than From Hell.

Rating:
Summary: So creepy it's good!
Review: This 2 cd set has tons of features that will clue you in on the whole legend of Jack the Ripper. Many great features, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes look! The Hughes brothers best and I have to say that Johnny Depp looks mighty fine in it!

Rating:
Summary: Shellshocker
Review: "From Hell" is a much better movie than I anticipated. The stylized sets, the excellent lighting, and the attention to detail are great. The DVD version offers over 20 deleted scenes with the parts leading to them and came after that were included in the film being in black & white, with the deleted scenes in color. This was a nice touch. I enjoyed the delted scene with the detectives running about with flashlights. My wife said, "Did they have flashlights back then?" I said, "That's probably why they deleted it!"

The acting in the film was very good. Depp turns in his usual magical performance, always letting us sense a depth to the surface action. Robbie Coltrane as the sidekick cop Peter Godley was appropriately loyal. One of the deleted scenes in the library showed a great personal devotion which was a nice touch. Heather Graham as Mary Kelly didn't look like life had been hard on her, other than having to wear a slightly soiled costume, but was a great love interest. My favorite was Susan Lynch who bowled me over as Mrs. James Joyce in "Nora." Here she plays the lesbian hooker Liz Stride with appropriate pluck. Ian Holm as Sir William Gull did surprise me with his change at the end. All in all, the sets are stunning, the story good, acting superb. Not one to watch with your kids around, however... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Psychological Thriller
Review: We don't know who Jack the Ripper really was, but the new film From Hell offers an explanation that's as good as any and serves it up with equal parts scary realism and Hammer-style melodrama (you almost expect Peter Cushing to show up). The result is a film that's wonderfully creepy and genuinely entertaining, wicked and witty, pulled off stylishly by the Hughes Brothers (Menace II Society). They show a definite talent in bringing the material to life; the movie looks and feels visually ferocious without losing touch with its decidedly old-fashioned concept. Peppered with murders of startling violence and gore, it feels more otherworldly and over-the-top, yet also more real than, say, the Scream films. It's disgusting, but it's invigorating. As a physician to the royal family, Ian Holm steals every scene he's in.