Once again a hit foreign film has been remade in America
and released with as little mention of its origins as possible. However, in a
shocking break with precedent, this time Hollywood didn’t fuck it up. While I’m
still partial to the Japanese original, the new version by Director Gore
Verbinski (‘Mousetrap’, ‘The Mexican’) stays more or less true to its source.
There are several scenes that play almost identically in both versions.
Verbinski and his screenwriter must have seen the sequel as well; they also lift
a couple of scenes from ‘Ring 2’. Thankfully the tone remains serious, real
actors have been hired instead of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ cast members, and the ending
hasn’t been watered down.
Of course, none of the above tells you much if you haven’t
seen the original. So here’s the basic plot of both movies. A group of teens
watch a bizarre video tape, after which the phone rings and a voice tells them
they will die in seven days. As the film opens, we get to see one of these
deaths, and the effect it has on a person who witnesses it. A female reporter
investigates the story and watches the tape herself. Now in a race against
time, she enlists the aid of her ex husband (boyfriend in the US version), who
is also the father of her neglected son. They ultimately discover the origin
and meaning of the tape, and seek to undo its curse.
Pretty simple story, but it’s the eerie atmosphere and
sense of dread that elevate both versions above the usual mainstream horror
dreck. Some scares
seem to work better in the Japanese version, but the US version has some good
shocks of its own. The climax, however, definitely plays out with more suspense
in the original. As far as specific changes, the US version does away with the
boyfriend/husband’s psychic abilities, changes the origin and background of the
curse somewhat, and expands on the theme of neglectful parenting hinted at in
the original.
The only things that really bugged me about the remake are
the way the protagonists more or less stumble into several key clues. In the
original things are discovered through careful investigation and the characters
appear more capable. Also, a scene involving a horse on a ferry, not in the
original, didn’t work well and should have been left on the cutting room floor.
Its sole purpose seems to be to give the audience a “jolt” so they don’t get
bored with the plot exposition.
Ads for ‘The Ring’ are quoting some critic who compares the
film to ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, two of the best adult horror films
of all time. That comparison is not unwarranted, and I would also add ‘Don’t
Look Now’ and ‘The Shining’ to the list of films in whose company both versions
of ‘Ring’ belong. Go see the remake now, while it’s still in theatres. If
you’re interested in the original, B-Ware video in Lakewood has it for rent, as
well as ‘Ring 2’, ‘Ring 0’, and ‘Ring Virus’ (a Korean remake). (Bob Ignizio)
‘Ted Bundy’ (First Look Pictures, 2002)
Directed by Matthew Bright
This is the third of three serial killer bio movies out
recently, the other two being ‘Ed Gein’ and ‘Dahmer’. ‘Ed Gein’ stuck to the
facts probably better than any movie about or based on Eddie so far but it
totally lacked the necessary atmosphere, the acting was bad, and it sucked
overall, see Deranged instead. ‘Dahmer’ had a great moody and creepy
atmosphere and was superbly acted. ‘Dahmer’ did stray from known the facts
into lengthy scenes filled with speculative dialogue but it worked. I think
Ted Bundy may be the best of the three.
Michael Reilly Burke plays Ted and does a
fantastic job portraying America's number one sociopath. This is the guy
they coined the term "serial killer" for and after seeing this movie you'll
know why if you don't already. Ted has a girl friend, he works for
politicians and a suicide crisis line, he comes across as likable and
charming but it's all just a facade, what he really cares about - all he
cares about - is killing. He was so relentless and driven to kill that he
actually escaped from prison twice, and the second time he committed two of
his most heinous murders: the coed massacre and the killing of a twelve year
old girl.
You've probably heard his story somewhere before,
he is the most famous serial killer after all. This movie sticks very
closely to the facts and the director focuses almost exclusively on Ted,
there is no cop drama or portrayal of the media in this picture.
There is an element of black humor throughout the
film that I really enjoyed but that may be down to my personal tastes. The
director works in some actual footage and photographs of Ted and has chosen
an off-beat soundtrack that you wouldn't expect, although I think it works
very well. Effects are done by the great Tom Savini and he has a small role
as a detective who questions Ted when he is captured for the first time.
There are some very disturbing and graphic scenes in the film but it stays
away from pure gore. If you get the DVD version of this be sure to watch it
again with the commentary by director Matthew Bright. (Alan Seibert)
‘Comic Book Villains’ (---, 2002)
Directed by James Robinson
While this is far from being a great film, it is a
decent little B picture. ‘…Villains’ starts off by introducing us to the
world of comic book collectors and dealers. As one who has some familiarity
with that world, I can say writer/director Robinson does a pretty good job
of capturing the reality of it all. Raymond (Donal Logue) is the cool
shop owner, a true comics fan with a loyal following of customers including
Archie (DJ Qualls). Across town, Norman (Michael Rapaport) and his wife
Judy (Natash Lyonn) run their own store. Unlike Raymond, they’re only in it
for the money. When it comes out that an old woman name Mrs. Cresswell
(Eileen Brennan) is in possession of her recently deceased son’s collection
of pristine comics going back 40+ years, the proprietors of both stores find
themselves in direct competition to get their hands on the prize.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Cresswell doesn’t want to sell to anyone for any price.
Both factions do their best to win Mrs. Cresswell’s
favor, with Archie pitching in to help Raymond. As time goes on, however,
Archie and Mrs. Cresswell begin to develop a real friendship. Up to this
point, the film is sort of a light comedy with some really good character
actors playing more or less realistic people. However, once Raymond enlists
his old high school nemesis Carter (Cary Elwes) to try and steal the
collection, the third act turns into a bad Tarrantino rip-off. I guess it’s
Robinson’s way of showing the insanity and greed lurking in the mind of the
obsessive collector, but it just winds up going too far over the top. With
the degree of talent and attention to detail displayed in the first two
thirds of the film, it just seems lazy to fill the last third with shootings
and car chases.
Still, ‘Comic Book Villains’ kept me entertained.
Robinson obviously knows both his comics and his comic book fans. All the
details regarding comics trivia are accurate, and the patrons who frequent
Raymond’s store display more depth than the usual stereotypical comic
geeks. The relationships between Archie and Raymond and Archie and Mrs.
Creswell are also handled very well. If you’re a comic book fan, you should
definitely check it out. For everyone else, only a slight recommendation.
(Bob Ignizio)
