Rating: 
Summary: Overkill on the Effects
Review: I do not go to the movies that often. In fact, the last film I saw at the theater was "The Blair Witch Project" in 1999. I hate the crowds, the noise, screaming kids, and the rip-off prices of everything from the tickets to the concessions. The advent and subsequent expansion of DVD players is a godsend to someone like me. I can watch whatever I want in the comfort of home, and since I have a great sound system, the movies always sound great without attaining the eardrum shattering levels at the movie theater. But a funny thing happened since I quit frequenting the theater, namely the explosion of special effects and its substitution for things I always took for granted in a movie: a well executed and interesting plot, engaging characters, good acting, and clever scripts. This does not always happen, as some films do manage to use effects without sacrificing those things that make a great film. I thought "The Lord of the Rings" did a great job of blending characters and effects. Unfortunately, "The Cell" is a prime example of the new Hollywood philosophy of sensory overload over substance.One presumes there are real people in "The Cell," as I recognize Jennifer Lopez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Vince Vaughn, and Dylan Baker from other film projects (Check out Baker in "Happiness," a performance that will surely stay under your skin for a long time). These people move, breathe, and occasionally speak just like real people. Regrettably, that is about all they do here because the film buries them and any attempt at a plot under an avalanche of special effects. It doesn't help when you see that the director of this movie made his bones with music videos, which becomes quite apparent as the film unfolds. "The Cell" tries to be a psychological drama/thriller. Lopez plays a child psychiatrist/psychologist involved in a radical new method of therapy. By putting on a rubber suit that looks a lot like the space gear worn by Keir Dullea in "2001: A Space Odyssey," Lopez undergoes a technique allowing her literal access to the minds of her schizophrenic patients. This is all good and well until we see the other events unfolding in the film. A serial killer with a penchant for hooks and chains named Carl Stargher slips into an irreversible coma minutes before an FBI agent played by Vaughn captures him. The feds learn about the work Lopez does with young mental patients and rushes Stargher to the laboratory where she works. This is critical because Stargher recently abducted a young woman and stashed her away at a remote site. The authorities must learn of her location before Carl's homemade killing device kicks in and dispatches the helpless lass. Needless to say, Lopez accepts the assignment and enters the comatose mind of Carl Stargher, where she discovers a twisted world of horrors ruled over by the "bad" Stargher. If only she can find the innocent "good" child Carl once was, she just might accomplish her mission and help Vaughn and company find the girl. A subplot about trying to bring patients into Lopez's mind instead of vice versa plays out in the conclusion, whereas another thread that hints at a possible romance between Lopez and Vaughn goes nowhere. The special effects are good here, with special kudos for the opulent costumes worn by D'Onofrio and Lopez as the two grapple in Stargher's mind. Another memorable scene with a horse is sure to stand out after this movie ends. It is really too bad that the rest of the film has the potential to induce a coma in the viewer as deep one of Lopez's patients. The acting, for the most part, is bad. Lopez is so stiff you could iron clothes on her, which is surprising because I recall she did a good job at the thespian thing in "Selena." Vaughn slouches through his part as the tormented FBI agent, with bags under his eyes that are so big he would need to check them at the airport. Even D'Onofrio, an actor who usually has great range, fails to plumb the depths of his character and is largely reduced to spasmodic twitchings in a wig that looks like it was bought at a Fab Four convention. At least there are some good gore scenes in "The Cell," unsettling scenes that do help move the story along. But good effects and good gore are not enough to displace the deep deficiencies of "The Cell." I have probably made "The Cell" sound worse than it really is. I could stand to watch it again if I was so inclined and that does say something positive about it. At least the extras on the disc are plentiful. There are deleted scenes, a couple of commentaries by the director and the effects team, an empathy test (!), a map of the human brain with detailed descriptions about the various functions performed by that organ, and some nifty stuff about the costumes. In short, "The Cell" has more downs than ups, but ultimately does achieve a measure of interest.
Rating: 
Summary: Good movie!!!
Review: Before Jennifer Lopez tried ruling the world she was becoming to show an acquired taste in appearing in very good movies...well one or two to be exact until she blew it and planted a nice golden ego seed in her head. This movie is cool and I recommend the horse part...I think that's how they really make hot dogs!!! IT's a good movie with very strong visual presentation and the acting is decent but in the end I was a little taken back at how she decided to show herself as the "virgin" Mary Magdelaine to calm the little boy inside the murderer's mind down. Overall I am glad I have this movie I haven't seen much like this!
Rating: 
Summary: It ...
Review: You know, I cannot put it more bluntly than that. The storytelling was ridiculous, the acting (except for Vincent D'Nofrio and Vince Vaughn) was mediocre. The only reson I give it a two is for the special effects. I feel embarrased to have this movie on my shelves, and I would not recommend it to my worst enemy.
Rating:
Summary: Great concept
Review: While the concept of entering someone else's mind is nothing new in the world of science fiction, The Cell manages to do it with stunning Dali-esque special effects. The colors and imagery in this movie are simply amazing, and in some cases disturbing. However, I would have to argue that aside from Jennifer Lopez's first venture into the mind of the killer, the suspense and tension significantly dropped. To contrast this with another movie about a serial killer that's highly visual, Seven, this movie didn't have me on the edge of my seat or nearly as uncomfortable as Seven. Perhaps the reason is the fact that The Cell included something that many movies don't include... the humanity of the killer. Having the innocent child version of the killer in contrast to the derranged adult version limited the horror. I still think this is an interesting movie and worth a watch if you like trippy and violent movies.
Rating: 
Summary: what's on a man's mind
Review: i love this film, artisticly it's magnificent, and the dark world it creats just takes hold on you while you watch it, there are a lot of very interesting refernt to modern artist such as demian hurst and sindy sherman. it's not a detective story in the original sense of the word, even though the plot does revolve around a murderer-victim-detective triangle, but insted of looking for clues on the outside wirld, this films allow you to look for clues in the murderer mind. i don't think it's lacking in story, i find it reflecting on some very interesting issue of life and death, the borderes between us and the world, religion and sexuality in a very interesting and original way. it's both a deep and phylosofical film and a great fun to watch.
Rating:
Summary: J. Lo and a Psycho
Review: I purchased "The Cell" on DVD before I had even seen the movie, because I just knew I would love it. And I was right. Visually, this film is beautiful; I love the dreamlike (or, is that 'nightmarelike'?) quality of nearly every scene. Plot-wise, this film is creepy .... Jennifer Lopez (before she became WAY over-hyped) is wonderful as Catherine, a psychologist who literally enters the minds of her patients, via some weird machine and a rubber suit. After a serial killer goes into a coma (while his current victim has not been found yet), the FBI enlist Catherine's help, in hopes of tracking down information on the girl's whereabouts. This means Catherine must enter the mind of a psycho, which leads her on a twisted journey into this guy's own personal hell. Vincent D'Onofrio plays a great villain - in real life, Carl Stargher is a quiet man, strange but almost seemingly harmless. In the other reality that is his mind, he is crazy, dangerous and the king of his own little universe. D'Onofrio plays both parts perfectly. Vince Vaughn is also great as the FBI agent who is anxious to save the madman's current victim. And by the way, the way Carl kills his female victims is terrifying. Soon after watching "The Cell", I watched "The Silence of the Lambs" for the first time, and I found a lot of similarities: both contain an FBI agent searching for a killer, a psychologist trying to help track him down, and a creepy killer that kidnaps and kills his victims in the most disturbing ways. If you liked "Silence of the Lambs", you will probably enjoy "The Cell" (and vice-versa). Roger Ebert actually named this film as one of his top-ten favorites of 2000, and I can see why. It's well-acted, the cinematography is beautiful, and it's pretty creepy. As far as psycho thrillers go, this one's in a cell of its own.
Rating:
Summary: J. Lo
Review: i was feeling this movie. at first i didnt know what was going on but then i had watched the whole thing. this was a good movie for her. if u havnt seen this movie thenm u should.
Rating:
Summary: A truly original movie
Review: Jennifer Lopez takes the starring role in this psychological thriller, as she is asked to do something most of us couldn't even dream of. She is sent into the mind (or: dreams) of traumatized serial killer Carl Stargher, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. And what Catherine Deane (Lopez) finds is a series of sick and twisted thoughts that are used to help find Stargher's last victim; who's location is not known. And although many of the manifestations and visions lead to nothing, the special effects are awesome nonetheless. D'Onofrio's performance may be a bit sick, but you have to love or at least appreciate his acting. The things he thinks/says and the moves he makes will really make you quiver. And it's not the first time Vincent's done such things. You may remember him from 'Men In Black', as he played the alien bug with loose skin and cockroaches crawling from his mouth. In fact, his character here may be more overlooked than that of his in 'Men In Black'. Along with Lopez and D'Onofrio, you'll find 1998's "the failed remake of 'Psycho'" star Vince Vaughn. And Vince does a much better job as a simple FBI agent than he does as a killer. And although a well-rounded character of Pete Novak may be absent, he still does a good job. What really makes this movie impressive is it's directing. Which, believe it or not, comes from a first timer: Tarsem Singh. The visual effects are so unbelievable and seemingly real that you wonder how the director began to imagine the scenes. But aside from the special effects and Vincent D'Onofrio's performance, the film is just plain average. I gave it 3 stars because of the acting, visual effects, and originality. If it had had a better ending and a more sizeable plot, 'The Cell' might have got another star. Though not to mislead you, it is a good movie. One that you need to see for yourself to believe. So if you like those serial killer thrillers; or even just good acting and directing, you need see this movie. It's really quite impressive.
Rating: 
Summary: Sick as hell
Review: this is the sickest movie ive ever seen although i must admit jennifer lopez still looks beautiful like always but how gross? this is so mindblowing and if you dont want to have these disturbing images in your mind i suggest you to never watch this. who can be so sick enough to make a movie bout a serial killer who kills girls to turn them into dolls??
Rating:
Summary: A Visual, Beautiful Assault on the Senses
Review: On par with Fincher's 'Fight Club', Hitchcock's 'Vertigo', Hawks' 'The Philadelphia Story', I have not watched a movie so many times as this. Director Tarsem Singh's vision is hallucinatory, dream-like, and stunning in it's process. David Lynch fans unite....this is his dream. A visual painting of emotions, this is The Cell. Taking cues from movies like 'Coma', combined with Marilyn Manson videos, Singh comes up with a great story, told by visualization. The inherent dread of a horse being cut up into anatomical, freeze dried specimens, with a still beating heart...the abject horror of depression when Vaughn faces the new world of Carl's delusions....chandeliers of snowflakes tinkling...every picture is a new illusion....
The Cell is a hallucinatory experience, for the straight...you don't need to do any kind of drug...this movie does it for you...
the commentary by Singh is also illuminating, how he sees each characterization and how it affected him throughout...
No doubt in my mind this will be the film people will talk about 20 years from now...it's just that good.
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