The Ring
Every once in a while, a sleeper of a movie pops up and really takes the lead. Last year's "The Other's" was one example, and this year it is "The Ring".
I have to admit, my expectations were very very low. I mean after all... we are talking about an urban legend of a video tape that makes you die 7 days after you watch it. How lame can you get? And the clips of the video we get to see look like some sort of existential Fellinni film. But I am here to tell you... they pulled it off. It gets better... much much better. And it messes with your head. This movie is a must see.
There are a couple of excellent scenes where you see the gruesome effects of the tape, but only for a split second! But that image is seared onto my brain more effectively than if they let the image sit there and ooze for a while. And the use of water was very effective. Where some movies freak you out with a puddle of blood on the floor, you will feel the same way about a puddle of water.
Even though the original movie was Japanese, this remake works beautifully for our culture as well. Overall, the story hangs together perfectly. And at the end, the characters make a controversial choice.... sparking after-film discussions about "what would YOU have done".
Go see it. Or you will be visited by a puddle of water in 7 days.... Whoooo.....
Chills...
