Ring Around The Scaries.

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2004)

I know how to write a story, craft a tale, create images and immerse people into other worlds. I know the beats, cadences and standards of storytelling, and while I haven't written a 'scary story' I'm familiar with the process. Further, I have studied fear from both a psychological aspect and a mythological aspect.
I watched this movie on cable, over a year after its release, in the fullness of the afternoon sunshine streaming into my eleventh floor, three bedroom apartment.
And I was scared.
This was a brilliant film, so brilliant in its terror inducing imagery and story that I would recommend anyone with an overactive imagination or a low-tolerance for fear, avoid this movie at all costs. It's that good.
Technically speaking (directing, acting, scripting, cinematography, lighting, score, et al) the film is highly proficient in all areas. There may have been flaws, but none that I observed on first viewing. In that regard, you could do much less rewarding things instead of sitting down and watching this movie. It was engaging, enthralling and unabashedly creepy.
Be aware as I repeat myself: If disturbing imagery or scary tales are too much for you to handle DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. There is very little in the way of gore, and the mortality rate is low for this genre. But the movie is definitely going to make a lot of people's skin crawl.
ESPECIALLY when they watch it at home.