Rating: Summary: Didn't make sense Review: I don't have a problem with movies that don't always make sense. I'm a big David Lynch fan. However, the fact that this movie doesn't make any sense ruins it completely. The filmakers think that most people only care about whether Naomi Watts is going to die or not, and that may be true. But once the movie is over, you sit back and think, "Why did the horse jump off the boat?" "How did this dead girl make a movie?" "Who kept calling?" "What indication did this little girl give to her parents that she was evil?" "Why did the filmakers insult my intelligence?" If you are not talented enough as a filmaker to tie up your loose ends, then cut them out of the movie altogether. At least then, it would have been worth the time and rental fee.
Rating: Summary: rent don't buy Review: i really was hoping to like this. i'm a major horror movie buff. this lacked in alllot of places. overall 5 of 10.
Rating: Summary: It's good, if you're willing to pay a little ATTENTION Review: Basically, what I noticed about people who dislike this movie was that they were looking for something to make them mess themselves in their chairs. The Ring WILL do this to some people, particularly if it's late and you're alone. However, that's expecting something that the story isn't really trying to be; if you actually WATCH the film instead of waiting to jump out of your seat, you can pay attention to the story, the characters, and so forth. The 'cursed video' isn't meant to be frightening (although if Nine Inch Nails tend to creep you out, it'll probably make your skin crawl), it's designed to be BAIT. If the [people] who were so eager to criticize it for not being the best horror flick since The Exorcist, or to rant about how it's trendy new-school non-conventional [***] would have gone to the trouble of watching the film for the film itself and not the bowel loosening effects, they would have found a very interesting story. What it lacks is resolution; it ends on a cliffhanger and certain things which could have been explained more clearly are not; they are left just vague enough to keep the viewer interested. Also, this movie is a remake based on the first of three movies based on I believe a trilogy of novels which also spawned a TV miniseries and a manga (comic book). Holding "The Ring" to the same canon as "Ringu", the original version, is just a bit unfair. "The Ring" was made to stand alone. "Ringu" was the first of a series. Cut it some slack. My advice is to watch the Ring and keep your brain focused on the movie and not the fear factor. Then, go searching for information on the original story. You won't be disappointed. As for the DVD, the Easter Egg makes it worth it, and fun as a practical joke for your friends. Also, the deleted scenes (some of which I wish had been left in) are very satisfying. Bottom Line: Watch it because it's a movie, not because you want to scare yourself.
Rating: Summary: Buy This Film! Review: One of the best horror films EVER, probably the best, easily. Ignore the bad reviews from people who couldn't understand it because it was to "werid", lol. I like a lot of weird films, this wasn't one of them. It made plenty of sense to, and scared the heck out of, everyone I have discussed it with, which is a long list of diverse people. Very good film for a date, or any group of people who can keep quiet for the length of the film (its kinda long), or at least don't mind rewinding regularly. Oh, and don't see it alone! (esp. if your not bright enough to figure out plot twists ;)
Rating: Summary: Buy This Film! Review: One of the best horror films EVER, probably the best, easily. Ignore the bad reviews from people who couldn't understand it because it was to "werid", lol. I like a lot of weird films, this wasn't one of them. It made plenty of sense to, and scared the heck out of, everyone I have discussed it with, which is a long list of diverse people. Very good film for a date, or any group of people who can keep quiet for the length of the film (its kinda long), or at least don't mind rewinding regularly. Oh, and don't see it alone! (esp. if your not bright enough to figure out plot twists ;)
Rating: Summary: Average acting, average plot, average movie - Brilliant idea Review: I was so psyched to see this in the theatre and left feeling a bit disappointed. The concept is second-to-none: watch a video tape and die seven days later? Whoa! That's original and brilliant!! Sadly to say, the idea is the best thing about the movie, besides the few, and mindblowing, special effects and overall darkness of the movie. It's really hard to review this movie because everything averages out to be average. The plotline and storytelling of the troubled girl was not effective. The director needed to spearhead the reasons early on and failed to do so, which left you wandering and confused as the movie developed. The special effect of the girl crawling out of the TV was pretty cool though...I was freakin' a bit. Also the pictures of the people who had seen the video tape were very concerning with their faces contorted and misshaped...that was about the most terrifying thing for me. It's worth renting, but don't expect to be blown away...
Rating: Summary: I understand what you're saying Alex... Review: The original Japanese film didn't make much sense either... but it must be remembered that the entire franchise stems from four novels (elaborating upon the events of the first film) that have in turn been adapted for comics, TV and feature films in their native country. The audience for which the original version was intended would already have known the basic story (a very interesting idea) and the attraction lay in seeing a new interpetation, just as one might go to see a new performance of Hamlet; everyone single person in the theatre knows what happens in the play - they are there to see what the latest director has to say about it. Apologies, I have veered wildly from the point, but Alex and others mentioned the original and their comments require a response. Another explanation for the apparent vagueness of the original might be that the Eastern peoples do not share the Western requirement for closure. Loose ends are more interesting when they dangle and sometimes...things...just...happen...for...no...apparent...reason. This can be frustrating for European and American audiences but, once understood, actually provides a very refreshing viewing experience. Anyway, onto the American version. Forget words like 'scary' and 'horror'... sure, there are some 'jumpy bits' and a few moments that will unnerve the viewer - but the true terror of The Ring exists in the dilemma it poses. I shall not spoil it for anyone who has not already seen the film but those who have should know what I'm talking about. One of the reviews suggested that in trying to explain the plot anomalies of the original the American version merely confuses the linearity even more. To some extent this is true, some of the weird events that occur in the film are included purely for effect* - which is a shame - and some of it is just plain unoriginal (The Ring features not 1 but 2 spooky horror film kids - an increasingly tiresome practice). But overall I think that the American film is superior, it does successfully reconcile some of the jarring elements of the original's plot (again, I shouldn't mention any specific moments) and the story moves more naturally (the Japanese version relies heavily on psychic flashback - very lazy). This film is in my opinion one of the best examples of a supernatural thriller to come out of any country in recent years. I never expected the Americans to pull it off but they have. Sure, there are some cheesy bits included for people with no imagination, but there are also some awesome moments of suspense, violence and the final revealation is stunnning and will not readily let go of you. * some of the effects used in the original have proved quite influential it seems. I was watching Stir of Echoes (pretty bog-standard) a few days ago and noticed that the apparition in Kevin Sausage's home moves in the same disjointed and jerky way that Sadako-chan does. The only problem being that there is actually no reason for the apparition to move in this way and it is, once again, included merely for effect. Cheap.
Rating: Summary: Better Than People Think Review: To like this movie, you have to enjoy two things: fractured stories and unease. If you are looking for continuous gore or jumps, you won't have it here. If you are looking for the Mystery Machine to drive up and the end and explain it all, then look elsewhere. Part of what is so creepy about this movie is that you have to try and figure out why even after watching it. No one gives you a tidy ending so that you can sleep. I thought having a few quick flashes of scary stuff worked well, because you kept waiting for it to happen, but never knew when. The ending is a good one because it doesn't follow typical Hollywood fare. The only bad side is that you tend to forget about the characters in trying to figure out what's going on, and in doing so you lose some interest in what happens to them. They aren't developed very well, but then again, you are concerned with the tape before the main character. The kid in the movie also needed to have some more dynamic than he did. He's too informed too early on. Overall, I liked it quite a bit. It doesn't try to make you need a new pair of shorts; more of it seems to be in making you feel weird for days to come.
Rating: Summary: american vs japanese Review: - The American version is cinematically beautiful, they made some scenes breathtaking. That's where the problem comes. Some scenes are unnecessary, like the scene with blood-dripping-from-nose or the fly-appears-from-nowhere. These scenes add some suspense to the moment, but are actually only [fluff]. The ending is the worst I could imagine, read below. Otherwise the characters are superb. - The Japanese version isn't that creepy at the beginning. The Americans did a better job there. I loved the Japanese characters a lot more, now that was solid acting. What I loved most with Ringu was that creepy women-monster, she was 100 times more creepier than her little American sister. I couldn't forget the ending, the American fellows failed here. I recommend you to see the Japanese version first, and then the American version. Both are ok and it's always great to compare. If you see the American version first, you might not like it or get scared. Just make sure you see the real version first
Rating: Summary: Excellent movie Review: This was a great movie. Many people say it was weird and that it didn't make sense, but I thought it made sense. Yes, it was weird, but that's what I liked about it. The concept was bizarre enough to hold my interest. Most of the events weren't too scary, what I found scary about it was how everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. And just when you think the movie is over, something completely and totally unexpected happens and the movie gets even more bizarre. But like I said, that's what I liked about it. You have to wait until the end before you can really understand everything that happened as a whole. Several times, I predicted what would come next, and instead something totally different would happen and that's another thing I liked about it, it was very unpredictable. If you want to make this movie even scarier than it actually is, I suggest watching it at night with the lights off, and the volume turned up. Overall, one of the best movies I've seen in a while.
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