Best horror movie ever

Rating: 8/10 (20 October 2002)

Being a major film fan and amateur critic, I had become extremely cynical about a movie's ability to chill me - until I saw "The Ring" this weekend. I have not seen the Japanese original or sequels, but the American version ranks as the best horror movie ever for me. Lacking the cheese and stupidity of gore-filled slasher flicks, but packing the serious punch of terror that even good suspense/thrillers miss, "The Ring" breaks new ground in western cinema. While a few of the plot details may be puzzling, watching this film is such a powerful visceral experience that you can't and won't be bothered by them. I found "The Ring" to be completely engrossing and ultra-creepy, and I left the theater feeling totally impressed and a little out of breath. Not since I watched "The Exorcist" on TV at a far too young age has a movie so effectively gotten under my skin. Hats off to Gore Verbinski for a rare achievement. A must-see for all fans of the genre and anyone else who can handle it.