A reprehensible piece of trash

Rating: Null/10 (18 March 1999)

I cannot understand the acclaim this film received, nor how it could by any stretch of the imagination be considered entertaining. I rented "Seven" expecting a taut, suspenseful thriller. Instead, it was the ugliest, most reprehensible piece of trash I have ever seen.
In general I am not opposed to violence in films, provided it is not excessive or gratuitous. But in "Seven," the admittedly intriguing premise--a serial murderer who kills to enact the seven deadly sins--serves as nothing more than a pretext to show scene after scene of the most lurid and nauseating footage imaginable on the large (or small) screen.
I recently noticed that "Seven" was broadcast on network prime time television, and that TV Guide gave no warning advising viewer discretion. I wonder why this film should be shown at all (I imagine it would have to be heavily edited), and why the network would not be more responsible in protecting children (not to mention sensitive adults) from its content.
Normally I wouldn't dignify such trash by writing a review of it. But if my comments prevent just one unsuspecting viewer from seeing this sickening piece of garbage, then they will have been worthwhile. I wish someone had done the same for me.