The Ring

release year: 2002
genre: horror
viewing setting: home DVD, 4/2/05

synopsis: After learning about a videotape which causes viewers to die seven days later, a rather stupid girl finds the tape...and watches it.

impressions: The premise was okay, but I'll make a clear statement: this movie was not the great horror sensation that it was hyped to be. In fact, there was very little horror in it, and only a few scares. Worse, the plot contained many questions that were unanswered, which seems to be the trend in modern "horror" movies.

things to watch for: When we actually get to see the bizarre contents of the tape.

something this movie has that no other movie has: A ghost that operates through a videotape.

acting: I didn't think Naomi Watts did a good job; her character made no lasting impression beyond what I wrote in the synopsis above. The guy who played her boyfriend did okay. The kid actor was fairly flat and emotionless.

final word: It didn't scare me, and thus didn't live up to its reputation as must-see horror.

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