Rating: 
Summary: GO BACK JACK
Review: I thought the 19th Century Cockney prostitutes in the Jack The Ripper film, "From Hell" were going to break into a musical number from "Oliver" at any given moment. They were so darn Cockney and seemed forever on the verge of fully realizing their Dickens-like caricatures. They could have belted out "Consider yourself a friend, consider yourself one of the family!", at the most inappropriate moment, like when Jack slashes them into what could only be described as a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs and I don't believe I would have batted an eye. Just expecting the unexpected. Old Jack's evil legendary status gets a bit tarnished here. It turns out he's a Simon Legree type or something a little more vague, like ancient Druids. I think I get it though. Jack The Ripper didn't kill those prostitutes, society did. I suppose society built The Pyramids and killed John F. Kennedy as well. Ho-hum. The only mystery left is how much time was spent coming up with the wonderfully creative title of this film. Towards the end I thought, "Oh it is a farce! The cast is going to break into a chorus of "The Sound Of Music" on a European mountaintop!", but no, no, forget it Jack, it's Londontown. Big budget sequel minded merry London. I can see it now. Jack is Back! Just when you thought it was safe to parade around old London in a frilly dress.
Rating: 
Summary: From Hell
Review: It is 11:59pm and I have just returned from the theatres watching "From Hell". Two words float in my mind: "Beautiful" and "Perfection".
It is based on the very famous Jack The Ripper who was the first and deadliest serial killer played by... (just kidding).
Johnny Depp plays as the detective with psychic powers who sees the victims before (and sometimes after) they get murdered. Heather Graham is a prostitute who's fellow 'employees' are beening murdered by The Ripper, who is on the list as well.
The visionary and extremely dark environment is quite Oscar[tm] worthy, the acting is superbe by absolutly every actor/actress and the level of violence and gore is not recommending this film to children. The story of a conspiracy and a hint of religion is brought up so well that I almost melted in my seat from the genius and perfection of it.
This film goes up on my 'favourit movies' list and I recommend it to anybody who thinks they may like it (just beware the violence).
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointing film, and Hollywood is to blame
Review: When I first saw the trailer for "From Hell", I was understandably ecstatic. Based on graphic novel of the same name, written by Alan Moore, I had really high hopes for this one. Judging by the previews, it looked as though the Hughes brothers might do it justice. But alas, as film adaptions of books often go, they butchered it. Let's start with Johnny Depp's character, Inspector Abberline. They turn him from an honest and hardworking detective that slowly develops some feelings for a young prostitute, into an opium-addicted clairvoyant that falls madly in love with the aformentioned hooker (Heather Graham). And speaking of Heather Graham, could they have made a more horrible choice for a 19th century prostitute? The other hookers in the film look, well, like they should (ugly), but Graham sticks out like a sore thumb. As for the story, this butchery is typical of big Hollywood films. The book focused on the character of Jack the Ripper more than anyone else in the story. In fact, he was revealed in Chapter 2! That's what made it so fascinating: the book went inside the killer's head and tried to explain the motivations for his gruesome killings, besides the obvious ones presented in the film. It deconstructed and analyzed a truly twisted mind and tried to convey how, in the words of Alan Moore, "Human experience went to the very edge...then stepped beyond". The film turns into a typical whodunit, keeping you guessing until he is revealed at the very end. Anyway, I've ranted long enough. See the film if you want - for pure entertainment, you'll probably enjoy it. But if you want a richly textured and fascinating, albeit fictional, story about one of the most notorious serial killers of all time, read the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Keeps you thinking
Review: This movie, although creepy and violent makes you think. Anyone who is fascinated with the Jack the Ripper mystery will be surprised by the ending. It makes a lot of sense and through out the movie I kept guessing from one suspect to another, never thinking of who the Ripper really was. Johnny Depp's performance was great as well as Heather Graham. Definitely recommended for mystery and suspense buffs.
Rating:
Summary: Johnny Depp is amazing
Review: We saw the film last night and it was another great Johnny Depp movie. His accent is encredible, as is Heather Graham's. The film was suspenseful without being overly gruesome or gory. I had not read the book so I cannot say whether or not the film was true to it but the film is well worth seeing. It was just over 2 hours long but the time flew by and there weren't any wasted scenes. Johnny Depp always manages to pick amazing roles in well done movies (with the exception of the Nightmare on Elm Street thing -- but he was just a kid then) and this movie does not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: FICTION IS STRANGER THAN FACT IN "FROM HELL"
Review: "From Hell" starring Johnny Depp and Heather Graham is a period piece set amid the gas-lit streets and shadowy alleys of late 19th century London. A murderer is on the loose and it's none other than Saucy Jack himself. The Hughes brothers have taken absurd liberties with almost a dozen discounted Ripper theories is concocting this stylish yet factually empty offering. Depp's Aberline is a composite of the real Fredrick Aberline and Robert Lees, a Victorian psychic who had visions of the murders. The rippers victims were in fact 40+, toothless and filthy hags, yet Graham and her costars would have you believe they are jut a bath shy of a swimsuit calendar. The imagry is jumpy (intended to mirror an opium high) and continuity is sacrificed for hipness. For those familiar with the case of Jack the Ripper, you will find little factual in the film save for the names of those involved. Yet, if you are oblivious to the true nature and evidence associated with the murders, you will find "From Hell" an entertaining whodunnit and whydtheydoit. Based loosely (and I mean VERY loosely) on Stephen K. Knight's 1977 drivel-fest "Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution", the film draws not from truth but from the fantastic and the ridiculous to further the dramatic effect, but in doing so weaves a stylish and moody thriller that, though having little to do with the actual case, will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Depp and Robbie Coltrain offer solid performances and Ian Holm as Sir William Gull is phenomenal. If this film only stirs an interest in the Ripper among it's viewers, then it has done it's duty.
Rating: 
Summary: beautifully shot, but why did they bungle the facts?
Review: I, like the others, was anticipating the best Ripper movie ever & in some ways, it is. The sets, costumes, & cast are all great, but why do they have to twist up the facts? They take things out of chronological order & screw it all up. Like I said, they had the chance to make a wonderfully accurate document of what really happened (a la "Titanic") & bungled it. I still liked it, & Jonny Depp was great as usual, but this could've been better.
(...)
Rating:
Summary: Jack's Back...Unfortunately
Review: I love Jack the Ripper tales, and was really anticipating this movie. As the credits began to roll, however, I felt extremely unsatisfied. The atmosphere is good as is the direction, Depp and Graham (who I wanted to see more of) were both convincing, but the problems here lies within the script. I recently read the review of the Last Castle, and people said the same thing. Why is Hollywood rushing these movies when they obviously are not ready? Anyway, Depp's character gets high and has visions. This was not the type of movie I was expecting. I wanted to see a real detective investigate the scenes more and describe the criminal. Jack the Ripper was never truly identified, but this movie offers its own conclusion. A strange conclusion, but one nonetheless. I would have preferred an even darker movie, with more of a foreboding atmosphere. Also, it would have creepier if a killer was never truly seen or identified. Depp's final scene is laughable and DOES NOT belong in a movie like this. I want more of a creepy murder mystery than an awkward love story!!! I've heard comments about how Heather Graham is the prettiest prostitute and it's true--all of her friends are ugly yet they're getting the men.
Rating:
Summary: Alan Moore/Eddie Campbell graphic novel comes to life...
Review: It was an extremely pleasant surprise on my part to discover that "From Hell" was directed by the same set of twins that wrote, produced and directed 1994's "Dead Presidents", a film that I thoroughly enjoyed. Its stunning soundtrack, and early performances by Chris Tucker, Larenz Tate, and Terence Howard great! However, I digress... "From Hell" unveils a bleak, crime-ridden portrait of city life in a 19th century London that can be likened to the plight currently suffered in major cities throughout the world in this day and age. Complete with prostitutes, pimps, and poverty, 1880s London is depicted as a place that was in fact more desperate and hopeless than perhaps some of us have been led to, or would like to imagine. Johnny "Mr. Versatility" Depp is great as always. Look out for U.K. acting vet Robbie Coltrane as Depp's sidekick, a seargent to Depp's inspector. More than anything however, I was intrigued by some of the plot twists presented in this film...I for one now possess a newfound curiosity in the history and activities of 'secret societies'... This is a horror/mystery film complete with incredibly grisly scenes that can leave some moviegoers with that disturbed, 'icky' feeling. I don't think "From Hell" is the scary date movie that its catchy promotional poster seems to suggest. Rather, I believe this film presents an interesting take on the societal context behind modern history's first serial killer. Thanks for reading! C.H.R.
Rating:
Summary: Good movie--I've actually seen it.
Review: Allow me to be the first reviewer on this page who has actually SEEN THE MOVIE. "From Hell" was very good. It was quite scary and suspenseful, as you might expect. Johnny Depp and Heather Graham give great performances, and the sets are amazing. I really got caught up in this film and its time period. I was sorry when it was over, and I don't say that about many movies. I'd recommend this for everyone, except those with weak stomachs! Great for Halloween.
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