Secret Window

Rating:
Summary: It's all about the ending..nothing matters but the ending...
Review: I thought "Secret Window" was a fantastic movie. Ebert & Ropert gave the film two thumbs up and I couldn't agree more. Johnny Depp plays the lead character Mort Rainey. Mort is a novel writer who is confronted by a man named John Shooter(John Tuturro). Shooter claims that Mort stole his story and ruined the ending to it. Shooter refuses to leave Mort alone until he fixes the ending of his story. Depp is outstanding in the movie and his performance alone is enough to recommend the movie. Some have claimed the film's pace to be too slow, but I feel it is very methodically and wonderfully paced.One of Depp's brilliant lines in the movie is " It's all about the ending. Nothing matters but the ending. And this one is very good...this one is perfect." I thought that line is an excellent description of the movie's great ending and "secret" twist. I will definitely be buying this DVD when it arrives on June 22. I also strongly recommend Depp in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Blow". Depp is outstanding in both films. Secret Window..some windows should never be opened..

Rating:
Summary: Not so secret "Window"
Review: "Secret Window"
Release Date: March 12, 2004
DVD Release Date: June 22, 2004
Genre: Thriller
Studio: Columbia/Tri-Star Pictures

Directed by: David Koepp
Starring: Johnny Depp, John Tuturro, Maria Bello, and Charles Dutton

Based Upon the novella "Secret Window, Secret Garden" by Stephen King.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for violence/terror, sexual content and language)

Rating: C+

The Story:
Author Mort Rainey (Depp) is going through many problems in his life. He is in the middle of an ugly divorce with his wife (Bello) and he has terrible writer's block. So he goes to live in the middle of the woods in his cabin...alone...to try and write. Not with the arrival of John Shooter (Tuturro) claiming that Rainey had stolen his story, Mort's life slowly slides out of control.

The movie is based upon the Stephen King short story "Secret Window, Secret Garden" in his "Four Past Midnight" collection and does at times have the feel of a Stephen King novel throughout the movie. With a PG-13, the blood and gore level is not as high as some of King's other movie adaptations ("Dreamcatcher", "It", "The Shining") but there is not a lot of suspense and I called the twist 40 minutes in.

What Worked?
Well, the cast is great! Depp, Tuturro, Bello, and Dutton are all great actors and give the best performances they can. Like always, Johnny Depp ("Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", "The Ninth Gate") is amazing and entertains. He really saves the movie. John Tuturro ("Mr. Deeds", "O, Brother Where Art Thou?") gave a creepy but not that menacing performance was John Shooter. Maria Bello ("Coyote Ugly", "The Cooler") gave an emotionally driven performance as Depp's soon to be ex-wife. And Charles Dutton ("Against the Ropes", "Gothika") was good as well. The cast is the high point of the film.

Next I loved the scenery and the music. Since the movie was not all that scary the creepy wilderness scenery and the great score by Phillip Glass ("Taking Lives", "The Hours") really made the movie a little scarier.

What didn't work?
Well... the movie was extremely predictable! I called the twist not even an hour into the movie! I was very disappointed that I was right! The way the movie looked from the trailer was a suspense filled thrill ride with action and plenty of scares. It was scary until Shooter kept showing up and making threats and then would not do anything! There could have been some freaky chase through the woods, lurking in the shadows type scenes...but there was noting like that. Shooter never jumped out of nowhere or anything, when he showed up he would just talk to Depp character!?

The worst part of the movie was the ending! Like I said anyone who likes murder mysteries, horror, thriller movies will be somewhat disappointed because if you know how to watch then correctly you can call this movie from a mile away! So this is a not so "secret" movie in the end. I am not going to tell you the ending because people will get mad.

Bottom Line:
I think this would be an entertaining movie to fans of Depp or anyone in the cast. Teens will flock to see this for a good scare but I recommend renting the DVD because its not that great of a movie.

Rating:
Summary: J.Depp salvages (again) a mediocre film..
Review: Before i say anything else, if you have seen the recent film "Identity", and liked it, you'll have double the reasons not to like "Secret window" because they have exactly the same trick or premise involved, and whereas "Identity" is brilliant Secret Window is far from.

In this, yet another adaptation of a Stephen King book, the tradition of his books not really working on the big screen goes proudly on. It may be the directing that was at fault, which delivers a film that drags along at points and never makes you jump (this being a thriller supposedly), and also which basically reveals what the "score" is from the very opening scenes if you were careful enough to notice. Even if not, most people i know knew what the trick was midway through the film and that can't have been what the director wanted.

It might've also been the script-writer. I haven't read the book, but what i saw on the film script-wise, certainly doesnt qualify this as a "scare-pic". It never reaches any levels of respectable intensity and it never really grabs you.

Nevertheless, the two main protagonists, J.Depp and J.Turturo are absolutely great, both in their own regards. Depp plays his part of a slacker author in a massive writer's block with brio and humor, and Turturo plays the cold-blooded sadist-killer from the south with equal zest and attitude. I, in fact, enjoyed Turturo's part even more than Depp's, and that while being a massive Depp fan.

There's been a lot of films like that, coming of Hollywood lately, "who-dunnits" with a big twist in the end, and Secret window is definetely one of the least impressive in its category.

Aside of the actors' performances, this is a film that's forgettable. If you do watch it, take the time and watch "Identity" afterwards and you'll see what i mean about their similarities and their grand difference in quality.

Rating:
Summary: Just saw it in theater today!!!
Review: I really liked it. Depp is always entertaining. I was constantly looking into my popcorn trying to avoid the screen. I scare easy.

I wish the Tim Hutton role was larger. I have always loved him and wish they had given him more to do.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent.
Review: "The only problem with Stephen King Films, is that the best ones have been taken" - I've read this on so many reviews by Critics about this Film and I don't think thats a fair point. I think there are plenty of Stephen King pieces left and this is one of them. It might not be as long or in depth as something else from his works, but its still Stephen King and its still in that style.

The quirkyness, the crazyness, the insanity and the morbid humour makes this role made for Johnny Depp. Not many Actors could do it convincingly.

The story itself?

Great, I completely liked it. I think many people didn't appreciate it because they've not read a Stephen King book and they don't realise that is how he writes. You might not always have answers, it might not make sense but thats the way it should be. Thats what makes King such a fabulous Author. Its messed up but it delivers, and I think this Film does the same.

I think it deserves every star I've given it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent performances all around- especially Depp!
Review: Johnny Depp stars as Mort Rainey, a writer who has had some success. He is awakened by a man named John Shooter (John Turturro) who claims that Depp stole his story and published it. Depp agrees to show Shooter proof that he did not steal the story, while Shooter makes it clear that he intends to make Mort's life tough until he obtains the proof.

This is just the beginning of the story, the window dressing. What makes the film excellent is the acting. Depp is wonderful again as a writer who is dealing with recent tragedy in his life. Turturro is great as an almost over the top tough, Charles Dutton is a strong supporting friend/lawyer for Mort, and Timothy Hutton is menacing as the boyfriend of Mort's soon to be ex wife.

The plot is complex and twists often, but never out of control. All the time, Depp is great and he really shows his range. This character requires him to be in control of himself, but just barely. There is an edge required here based on the situations the character goes through. Depp pulls it off beautifully. By the time the credits roll, you will be impressed. The story makes sense, and the surprise ending is good (not great) but the strength of the acting makes this almost a must-see.

Rating:
Summary: Slow, but ace movie. 2nd may 2004.
Review: Although it is quite a slow film, i really enjoyed it. You have to watch it all the way through to understand it, and there is nothing scary about it even in parts there's that abit of a scare for some people. It does involve a couple of the same people over and over again and there arn't a lot of people in the film either. I won't tell you what the story is about, or i might ruin it for you. A FIRST SUSPICION FILM, THAT KIND OF CARRIES ON THROUGHOUT THE FILM. not everyone's type though.

Rating:
Summary: Depp makes the movie!
Review: I have to wonder if this film would have been nearly as good without the likes of Johnny Depp in the key role of Mort Rainey.Thankfully we don't have to know. I have heard the phrase recently on the title of an article about Depp..."a little Depp will do ya" well, in this case, "a lotta Depp will do as well and quite well"! I became an instant fan of his and the movie after seeing his work in "Pirates of the Caribbean",but, it was this film that made me truly appreciate what a gifted actor Depp truly is and it forced me to go back and rewatch his other work I had seen and watch his work I had not seen. All of which I was never disappointed. Let me just say I loved this movie. I stayed intrigued throughout the entire film and the ending did surprise me unlike some other reviews I have read who seemed disappointed. Don't let the fact that it was only in theaters for 2 or 3 weeks fool you. Its very good. I had not read the book because I really don't care for much of Stephen King's books so maybe that was a plus for me...I don't know. But this movie I take exception to even though I understand there were a few changes. It was "based" on the novella though keep in mind. Depp commanded the screen which is good since there were many many scenes with just him or with him and his dog Chico. I was never bored watching him play Mort. He was quirky, strange, an unpredictable and at many times very very humorous. In fact I chuckled and laughed quite often and was thoroughly entertained as well.Isn't that why we usually see a movie? Depp spilled out his lines as if he really was Mort. This could have been a character you didn't like,but, you did like him..you couldn't help yourself. Depp became the character ,which he usually does in all of his films, and you believe him. I was on the edge of my seat many times and trying to figure things out throughout all of it and then was very surprised in the end, and, afterall..."all that really matters is the ending"! I think many will be pleasantly surprised when they view this. Don't go watching this expecting the book on screen there were changes and some have said they were glad there were. Watch this as another intriguing Depp film. I am constantly amazed at how it seems every single character this man plays is different from the last one unlike so many actors who keep playing the same type of role in movie after movie. This is a good film. I don't think you will be disappointed.Charles Dutton did a nice job as well. I love that guy and he always plays these interesting characters in films as well. Mario Bello and Tim Hutton were good although Depp just simply outshined them. The characters were necessay, but, this was Depp's film. I think you will like it.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE
Review: One of the best movies I ever saw. It has a great story behind it. Johnney Depp stars as a writer. He is overcoming a future divorce and is having trouble getting along with his wifes new boyfriend.

It has a very good ending. Its not what you would expect through the movie. I am going to buy this the first day it comes out. It has great acting, story, and ending.

Rating:
Summary: This Movie Is Awesome
Review: I personally think this movie is great! yeah, so its kinda weird, but if it wasn't wut would be the point. i liked how the whole movie keeps you guessing. the scene where he was talking to himself, that was totally creepy, and i loved it. but the one part i couldn't stand was at the end how his hair was, ick! he looked like a geek, but then again, its johnny depp, who i absolutely love! normally he's the hottest man EVER!