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The Ring (Widescreen Edition)

The Ring (Widescreen Edition)

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $15.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Movie, Dissappointing DVD
Review: When I saw "The Ring" at my local theater last fall was impressed enough by its wonderfully creeped-out vibe that I made it a point to pick it up on DVD when it the stores. Having watched it last night though I felt a bit disappointed.

Yes, the film still holds its impact on the small screen. In fact, given its storyline it's arguably better watched on a TV than in a theater. But my complaint with "The Ring" DVD is that it feels like it was thrown together quickly to get it in stores early while it's still "hot" from its recent theatrical run.

Certainly it wouldn't be the first time. "Dogma," "X Men," "Memento," and "Lord of the Rings" are just a few movies that were released in relatively bare bones DVD formats that were later followed by deluxe Special Editions bursting at the seams with extras. The challenge this obviously creates for fans when it happens is they then have to decide if they want to buy the same movie twice.

Now maybe that won't happen here. Perhaps the plan was always to make "The Ring" a lean DVD release in recognition of the fact that many discs are overloaded with their "everything AND the kitchen sink" set of extras. Really, unless you're unemployed do you have the time to sit through your average "2-disc set loaded with EIGHT hours of deleted scenes, featurettes, documentaries, storyboards, and trailers"? Probably not.

However, given the price of the typical DVD, a healthy set of extras can make you feel like you got your money's worth, something you may not feel after buying this movie.

This is a film that, for example, cries out for a "Making of" documentary, one that could have not only highlighted the production but also its roots in Japan. "The Ring" is actually a pretty faithful remake of Hideo Nakata's 1998 thriller "Ringu." That film was based on a novel by Koji Suzuki and its success abroad spawned not only one but two other films, the sequel "Ringu 2" and prequel "Ringu 0."

But casual viewers won't find any of this out because no such documentary is present here. While the DVD does include a trailer for "Ringu," that's the only reference to the original source material. As for the much ballyhooed original short film that was created by director Gore Verbinski, especially for this disc, it's just a compilation of footage of the film, deleted scenes, and imagery from the movie's "cursed video."

Though the alleged intent is to "reveal more electrifying secrets about the mystery" of the film (which some moviegoers apparently found confusing), there's nothing here that careful viewers won't have already ascertained from having watched the film the first time.

And that's it for your extras. No director's or actors' commentaries, no shooting script, no storyboards, nothing else.

Ultimately, this DVD is worth buying for fans of the movie. Its hauntingly beautiful cinematography practically cries out for the pristine picture quality that DVDs provide.

Still some cost-conscious fans may wait until "The Ring" 2-disc Special Edition "loaded with EIGHT hours deleted scenes, featurettes, documentaries, storyboards, and trailers" hits store shelves. I have a feeling it won't be a long wait.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: She Never Sleeps.......
Review: This film was ultimately disturbing. There were a couple of slow parts here and there and at times "The Ring" started to become a sort of "B-Movie" with some ridiculous scenes thrown in. But on a whole, this film cast a dark and gloomy spell on me and had me freaked out. The ending was so depressing and scary. It made me think, "great, the world is coming to an end, satan has arrived and is taken on the identity of Samara". That is what the movie was trying to say in my oppinion, is that Samara was indeed Satan. Scary stuff, beware.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Genuinely scaring and unpredicatble
Review: I don't like many horror movies since they are either predictable or unnecessarily graphic, or pointless. Some might find this movie pointless, and I would think that could be the basis of a complaint. However, the unpredictable nature of the plot and the sudden, if somewhat intentionly confusing twists will keep you on track rather than frustrating you. Unlike the original Japanese version, which I have seen, there is actually less revealed about the basis for the plot, and one really must figure it out only at the end. In this regard, the film is more like the Sixth Sense. This movie will attract a cult following more among the sensitive rather than the those he need to be overwhelmed with gore.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What is not to get?
Review: Although you may not have to be a rocket scientist to understand this movie, it is just for entertainment. I thought it was fun to watch, and spooky too. If you could not figure out the ending, re-watch it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Usually, American remakes of foreign films destroy all that is wonderful and special in the originals, resulting in a inferior hollywoodized second-rate film, but the Ring is an exception.
What is great about this film is the subtle and oppressed atmosphere generated by the visuals which allows the audience to feel with the character's increasing desperation and impending doom. In addition, the final twist near the end must be one of the most terrifying scene on cinema in recent years, that chilling scene along warrants viewing.
Finally, do not beleive in those critics who complains about plotholes or a dumb script, they simply are unable to "connect the dots" and has to be spoon-fed to understand the film. Part of the pleasure of this thriller is that it dosen't insult the audience's intelligence and allow them to discover the truth from the clues in the film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Abusrdly Good
Review: I'm reading a lot of bad reviews here, but I think the audience is just jaded. Sure, it doesn't make ultra-sense, but the bottom line is I have never been more scared than when I left this movie. You cynics miss the point. It is thrilling, horrifying, clever, and shocking. I highly recommend it. If you want a straight-up horror movie, this is quite a scare.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I will not wear a ring anymore
Review: This is the most scary non-bloody non-serial killing movie I have ever seen. The first scene-- when she comes out of the TV to kill a woman and hangs her in the closet--- will be a horror classic.
After watching this scene, most teenagers will be cured of their TV watching addiction.
It also combines some true sad emotions.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very gripping
Review: I am a lover of suspense, so this worked for me. Leaves you on the edge of your seat! The one thing I did not like (which is why I gave it 4 stars) was the ending. I do not like endings which do not explain the whys and wherefores of things....it stops rather abruptly and that's it. I would have preferred a bit better resolution.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Didn't even make sense-a mess of a film!
Review: This film looked great in commercials, and did well in the box office,so I thought it would be the next Sixth Sense. Wrong! This films first ten minutes with two girls was more like a tenn movie/pseudo-horror. The rotating plot then went to the kid you see climbing up the staircase you see on the ad, which wasn't very scary. A reporter watches a videotape, and if you watch it you have seven days to live. Now she has to unlock the mysteries of The Ring. This film goes deeper and deeper to different locations, but after all the work you do seeing who killed who at which dam, and all of these mysteries, the ending does nothing to satisfy. Although it is subtle,and that is the key to a good horror film, I would have liked to see more of a well-planned ending (you'll see what I mean). Although I can see how people would like this, for me the whole thing on the horses and everything else that tries to make this film deeper and more understandable is superflous and confusing. What a mess. Thank you for taking the time to read my review and feel free to leave me a helpful/not helpful feedback. God Bless America!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Scarier The Second Time Around
Review: The first time I watched this, I didn't think it was that scary. I did really like it because there was a story to it and not just pointless scary moments that really were there for no reason. The Ring is very well set up and I just love the camera work. It really freaked me out the second time I watched it. I don't want to give away the last part, but it's good and scary! I haven't seen the original Ringu, so I can't really compare the two. You should check this out, even if you think it looks dumb. I thought it looked stupid, too, but it was pretty scary and has a good story. Some of it was a bit confusing, but overall it makes sense. WARNING: don't watch this alone! I never will. This is recommended for AT LEAST one viewing. It's still scary after I've already seen it twice. Hope you check this out! ENJOY!


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