(rated PG-13, 110 mins.)
In a role almost as twisted as her performance in “Mulholland Drive” Naomi Watts stars in the remake of the Japanese film “Ringu,” that broke box office records, based on the novel by Suzuki Koji (Japan’s Stephen King). Watts stars as reporter Rachel Keller, who learns that her niece’s death and other young women, may be the result of a cursed videotape that kills its viewers several days after they watch it. When she herself watches it and her own countdown to doomsday begins, Rachel enlists the help of a skeptical reporter, Noah (Martin Henderson) to help save her own life and the life of her son (David Dorfman) who by the way, gives a creepy yet mature performance. The ticking clock provides intensity to the already chilling premise that feels like the first cult film since “Blair Witch Project”. The gray, bleak cinematography, with a more sophisticated Nancy Drew type premise keeps us guessing right until the end. The child/death interaction with the hereafter is reminiscent of “Sixth Sense” elements bringing restless souls to the surface. Better watch this one at the theatre because after getting the premise, you’ll stay away from it as, um, a video rental.
