I'm a little ashamed to admit.

Rating: 10/10 (14 March 2001)

Believe it or not, this movie flat out terrifies me. I have no idea what kind of primordial nerve this triggers in me, but I've never been able to watch the whole thing straight through because I know I'll never be able to sleep.
One possible explanation is that I took Latin for four years in High School, and so hearing it is a more frightening for me than for most people. Doesn't matter. Horror films usually startle me, but don't actually scare me. This one does, so that means it did it's job admirably.
The whole thing is beautifully designed and decorated. The characterizations are good, and don't really provide any comfort. Nothing about any of these people says "Hero who will succeed and save the rest of the world," which just adds to the tension.
It's not the smartest film I ever saw, but since I respect it's emotional impact, this film gets a ten from me.