In very unusual fashion, the film adaptation of the sequel of Japanese smash hit novel, "Ringu", began production and was released at the same time as "Ringu"'s own film adaptation. As the novel, this film was called "Rasen" (the spiral) and while it kept the characters from "Ringu", it followed Kôji Suzuki's novel more closely than the first. However, this move didn't bring the results the producers were expecting as while "Ringu" became a bigger hit than the novel, "Rasen" soon was destined to oblivion. As a result of this, the produces decided to reunite the crew from the first "Ringu" and shot a sequel that followed a new story based on the first film's plot instead of Suzuki's novel. "Ringu 2" was the name of the sequel and director Hideo Nakata did the miracle one more time.

"Ringu 2" picks up where "Ringu" ends, with Mai Takano (Miki Nakatani) discovering the dead body of her boyfriend Ryuji Takayama (Hiroyuki Sanada), death under mysterious causes related to the video that Ryuji and his ex-wife Reiko (Nanako Matsushima) were investigating. Mai decides to investigate what exactly happened to her boyfriend and starts looking for clues about the cursed video. Troubles arise when she discovers why Reiko went into hiding: her son Yoichi (Rikiya Otaka) is beginning to develop the same psychic powers that Sadako, the girl who supposedly created the video, used to display. Sadako's curse is not finished yet.

Reunited with most of the crew from "Ringu", Hideo Nakata returns to complete the tale of the cursed video expanding what he experimented on the first to truly make an improvement over it. While he keeps the subtle, almost minimalist style of the first film, the bigger budget allows Nakata to try new things and play with suspense in exciting different ways. Moving away from "Rasen", "Ringu 2" is like better executed "Ringu", and it almost feels as if Nakata was really happy with the chance to give a proper ending to his own "Ringu". While it lacks an "iconic scene" like the first one's famous ending, "Ringu 2" is a better balanced and overall improved example of Nakata's particular (and very influential) style of the New Wave of Asian horror.

Written by Nakata himself and Hiroshi Takahashi, "Ringu 2" acts like an extended epilogue for "Ringu", with the character of Mai Takano trying to find the missing pieces of the puzzle that Ryuji and Reiko tried to complete, and finally facing the evil supernatural force that Sadako was revealed to be in the first film. Like in the first movie, the film bases a lot of its power in the relationships between characters, and while the bond between Yoichi and Mai may not be as strong as the one with his mother in "Ringu", it is very well-developed thanks to a cleverly written screenplay. Avoiding the mistakes of "Rasen" (that tried to give a proper scientific explanation to the Ring curse), "Ringu 2" keeps its mystery as the driving force of the film, and delivers a conclusion that, while probably less shocking than the first one, it's no less satisfactory.

To be fair, Miki Nakatani does a remarkable job filling the shoes of Nanako Matsushima as main character, and probably a better job than her, as Nakatani shows a freshness and charm that Nanako never showed (in this aspect, Naomi Watts was also better than her in the American remake). Most of the cast from the first "Ringu" returns, which gives the film a nice continuity. Nanako Matsushima feels more comfortable as a supporting character than carrying the entire film, and the same is true for Hiroyuko Sanada (who plays Ryuji) and the late Yoichi Numata (again as Takashi Yamamura). Newcomers to the series like Yûrei Yanagi and Fumiyo Kohinata deliver a good job that fully completes a well-rounded cast.

"Ringu 2" is far from a perfect film, but in many ways it is a complete improvement over the influential first part. Still, as "Ringu 2" is basically an extension of the first film's ending, it's definitely pointless to watch it without having seen the first movie, as it's plot is completely dependent of the first one, and it can't stand on its own without the knowledge of the events of "Ringu". Another minor quibble, is that the film moves to a very slow pace (even slower than the first one did), so those expecting a scary experience like the first one will probably be disappointed. "Ringu 2" plays heavy on atmosphere, even more than the first ever did, so it's slow pace is actually beneficial in this aspect.

Probably it won't become a classic as the first part did, but judging it as part of the "Ringu" series, this film is definitely a winner. Overall an improvement over the first one, "Ringu 2" is definitely a film to see on a dark night with no lights on. Fans of the series (specially those disappointed by "Rasen" or "The Ring Two"), this is the sequel we demanded. 8/10


The "Ringu" series is a saga, and a morality play, that was amazingly directed by Hideo Natata, and Hiroshi Takahashi. "Rasen" (Spiral) was more poorly done, and is a little disappointing, but is still pretty good. The main problem with the inconsistency of the story line has to do with too many cooks not following the recipe.

You will notice how the books upon which the movies are based do not correspond. They makes for good movies in themselves, but are out of sync. The telling of the story gets more off kilter with each new novel Koji Suzuki writes.

You won't really get where he's going with the story until you read "Loop" (2005), whose movie hasn't been made yet. I hope when they do, Takahashi writes and Nakata directs. As far as I'm concerned, "Rasen" and "Ringu 2" were not up to par with "Ringu" and "Basudai" (Birthday, aka Ringu 0).

For those who want more meaning, "sada" means "pure one" and "ko" means "girl". So who is Sadako? She is the embodiment of duality. Good/evil, man/woman, hate/love reality/ unreality and in fact the merger of demon and woman. You have to read the manga (comic book) series to get the background. That duality is what is frightening, especially to people of regimented views of how the world "should" be. Things that were once thought to be the realm of only men or women have in modern times become blurred. Japan is about 30 years behind us in the change of sex-rolls, etc. This is the underlying theme of the movie

So how do we pick up these ideas? We are of course "infected" by the media, and our thinking evolves, and we are no longer who we were. There is naturally no going back. That is progress, though many fight it. What were once evil ideas, become accepted as every day fact.

So is Sadako a kind of messiah? The evil one? We also have our own dualities. We can find ourselves beside ourselves with anger, or filled with manic euphoria. We can feel so angry we could... Or, our happiness can seem to radiate to all.

I was also really disappointed that in Rasen and Ringu 2 we don't see the wonderful Yukie Nakamura, who just knocks my socks off. Very charming actress. Why we see a substitute in Rasen only makes sense in the context of alternate universes, which may be the point.

Where Suzuki is headed with this remains to be seen. The movies might start wading into "the matrix", which could tie the story lines together. Can he weave these webs into a consistent story? Hopefully he can keep up the good work. Without the right writer, director and cast, you'll get mush. If they do it right, look out!!!.........

As for the American versions...what a disappointment. They just don't get it. The actors were poorly cast. They don't seem to understand how beautiful and quirky people who are very intelligent, can also be really creepy, because they can see and comprehend things faster than the rest of us, but like Cassandra, are sometimes helpless to change things because everyone else is so slow. They live a blessed, but cursed life. Like Sadako, their blessing is also a curse. The tension should lie in pulling us and repelling us. Don't use gore as filler for a poorly written and cast movie. I guess too many studio executives had a hand in the broth.


I absolutely loved this sequel to "Ringu". In some ways this movie is even better than "Ringu", something that came as a real surprise to me.

Compared to "Ringu" this movie is better constructed. The story itself goes more in depth, even though of course lots of things are still left unexplained, like in this type of movies almost always is the case. The story is also better told from a movie technical point of view. Most of the scenes and scares are build up very well which helps to make this an unforgettable horror movie. Unfortunately the movie is also filled with some 'silly' moments and at times poor acting skills which really brings down the level of this movie. It all makes "Ringu 2" a great but not excellent movie.

Almost every surviving and death characters from the first movie returns in this movie. This time the main part is played by Miki Nakatani, who in "Ringu" had a smaller role. Many characters who had a small role in "Ringu" play a big one in "Ringu 2" and vice versa. Miki Nakatani who plays Mai Takano isn't really a as good character like Reiko Asakawa from the original was however. That is one of the few things in which "Ringu 2" isn't better with than the original.

The atmosphere is simply delicious. It's typically horror like, meaning that's dark and creepy. It helps to provide some good scare moments.

Another thing I loved about the movie was the musical score by Kenji Kawai. It sounded like one of those old Nintentdo games but I loved it and it suited the movie and its atmosphere perfectly.

The movie does have it silly moments, especially towards the ending and the characters aren't as good as in the original but still "Ringu 2" is a great scary horror movie that is well constructed and from a technical point of view is even better than the original.

8/10


This sequel is very well done. There are a few scenes that are a bit choppy because the movie mixes science and horror, but some of the other scenes are just so disturbing and effective, they make up for the mad-science scenes. The acting is once again of good quality. If you liked Ring, Ring 2 is a must-see. Also recommended is the prequel, Ring 0. But before you watch it, purge yourself of all scary expectations.

P.S.: My (completely re-designed and re-edited) Asian Cinema website can be found at: www. Free Webs(all one word).com/ Kayak-o-fan(also all one word with no dashes. My full review of Ring 2 can be found there, along with others. I update often.


POSSIBLE SPOILERS!! The fear and utter dread continues with part 2 of the Ringu trilogy, set 1 week after the events of the first film. The girlfriend of Takayama tries to solve the mystery of his death by finding his ex-wife and son, and bringing herself deeper into Sadako's life than anyone previously had. The movie is at times frustrating and confusing, at others ingenious, and the scares remain. For the first time, we get the sense of Sadako as a tragic figure, rather than a relentless spirit with the sole purpose of seeking revenge on everyone. She had been alive down that well for a looong time. The tension is less, but the jumpy parts' are increased, terrifying moments including the well scene at the end, the mirror scene, and the treacherous recording scene. Again the acting is flawless, but the most interesting part for me was the fact that minor characters from the first film, get the top billing here. The film is let down by its confusing explanation of the curse, and how to stop it, or harness it, but this is a minor flaw. When you feel your stomach turning inside out, your breath catching in your throat as Sadako floats past barely open doors, you know you're watching an excellent horror movie. And when you turn off the lights, and imagine those nail less fingers stretching for your ankles, you know you won't be able to sleep easily for a while. Great Quotes: Okazaki. Yeah sure I promise I'll watch the tape' 8 out of ten


Saw RINGU 2, along with RINGU on Saturday, August 2, 2003 and must say that I felt that both films were quite well done. However, I felt that the Hong kong import DVD that a friend had that I watched was quite inferior to an otherwise excellent film, for one thing, it was obviously cropped, and equally obvious that it was taken directly from a videotape, as you can hear the tell-tale whirring throughout the movie. to add to this, the subtitles were blurring and white with no dark outlines, which means whenever someone in white is in the scene he obliterates the subtitles, thus making it hard to follow the storyline. Otherwise, the film itself was well-done and logically follows the storyline. An interesting sidenote is the fact that there is one scene (The first visit to the hospital), which was recreated in the US version of the first film. While not as good as the original, I still recommend it, if you can find a better print of it on DVD.


While a decent enough sequel, Ring 2 is a bit of a disappointment in that it tries to weave too many threads and characters, tries to have too much going on and too many characters and ultimately gets a bit muddled and incoherent towards the end. Another thing that disappoints, after the masterpiece that was "Ring", is that it lacks any one big scare or standout sequence to match the first film's finale or most memorable moments.

One thing that Ring 2 scores in is it's series of little scares. There is still a creepy atmosphere (just without the pay off of the first film). The scene with Shizuko combing her hair, gliding along the floor and peering round the corner with a eerie expression is a genuinely chilling moment. There's also an effective sequence where a survivor from the first film sets off the hospital television

and the other patients start to panic at the sight of the infamous well. The confusing ending also gives us the

return of Sadako (now with the clayface of her real corpse) climbing up the well. The continuation of style, situations and characters from the first film, prevents this from just being an unrelated sequel, but it tends to ask new questions and then provides no answers. A certain hint of ambiguity is introduced to the story of Sadako, who was a convincingly malevolent presence in the first film (despite the beautifully poignant scene where Reiko finds her body in the well and the skull almost appears to cry the gloop off from it). The more sympathetic view of Sadako is successfully followed up in the prequel "Ring 0: Birthday".

One of the film's assets for me was Kyoko Fukada as Kanae, a young student who makes the mistake of trusting a reporter to keep his word. Apparently she's some kind of pop star in real life but I was unaware of that before being impressed with her performance. Kanae is sweet and cute and seems undeserving of the fate that the reporter gets her into, by shamefully manipulating her and then lying repeatedly until it's too late. The scene where the reporter then tries to conveniently erase his guilt along with footage of Kanae backfires on him and provides one of the film's memorably eerie scenes (but also one of the confusing plot threads that I didn't really understand until reading the FAQ at RingWorld). Later there is a certain satisfactory poetic justice when Kanae appears, giggling and smiling, behind the reporter in the hospital. Ultimately much of the satisfaction to be had from this

sequel, comes from the groundwork and impact of the original film. However it is a decent, if flawed effort and still proves to be fascinating and creepy in places. A far better sequel than many. Just needed a bit more overall coherency.


The sequel to The Ring, The Ring 2 is a continuation of the story in the first movie. It is better if you watch the first one because seeing it will only lead to many questions. After the events that happened in the first movie. Mai the student of Ryuji continues the search of the origin of the videotape and how it can be stopped. With the help of the university doctor, they found an idea on how to pacify the contents of the videotape. Not as good as the first but the last scenes of the The Ring intrigues moviegoers to the sequel. A great sequel that lack only some chilling scenes like as the first that was very scary. Frightening scenes are lessen in the movie but as i have said a great sequel to watch.


After the ending in Ringu, there were a lot of questions left and Ringu 2 just pulls you back in.

In Ringu, Reiko and Ryuji are the two who deal with the task of unlocking the mystery. Ringu 2 shows the deadly force of Sadako's fury as people are drawn in without even knowing it. There is more information revealed about Sadako with a pinch of ambiguity as well. Hideo Nakata's presentation and camera shots are unique and add a creepy feel. Certain scenes show the aftermath of what happened and it left my imagination trying to picture what had happened? After the events of Ringu, it's safe to say that some people are skeptical and don't believe in the curse...and find out the truth the hard way. The soundtrack, like in Ringu, sets the mood and tone for the movie as flashbacks and visions add more questions.

I enjoyed Ringu....a LOT. When I found out there was a sequel, I had to see it and was pleased. More psychological terror from the land of the rising sun.


The most important thing to keep in mind about this movie is that it was never meant to stand on it's own. Ring and Ring 2 are halves of the same novel, the screenplays produced by the same author, made by the same director, and released in consecutive years.

In the comments so far, no one has mentioned the novel, or acknowledged just how closely tied these two movies are. Ring 2 isn't a sequel--it's the second half of the same story. they weren't grasping at straws (as some have suggested) to follow a successful movie with a moneymaking sequel, because the movies came out at virtually the same time. It's rather like suggesting that they're making The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers as a sequel to The Fellowship of the Ring, solely to capitalize on the success of the first one and make more money.

Splitting the novel into two movies makes a lot of sense--in fact I think that almost any movie made from a novel should really be done this way. There's just too much in a novel to make a coherent movie without hacking out too much.

Thus, the only way to watch these two is back-to-back. They can't be viewed as separate. Further, you can't judge the first one by itself because the story isn't complete.

That being said, certain things are clearly changed from the novel. Kurahashi Masami, as far as I've read, wasn't there when Ooishi Tomoko died, so I'm not sure what will happen later in the novel, and how Masami became so central in the second half. I haven't yet been able to see Rasen--the actual sequel to Ring-- and I'm concerned that it seems to consist of only one movie. it's a very long novel and I have no idea how they'll make it work.


Possible Spoilers There is no sence comparing this film with the first one they are completely different movies. The first movie is an exercise in horror and scaredthe crap out of me, the sequel (although there are a number of scary scenes, when they see the manifestation of sadako and her mother for example) is more of a thriller come mystery movie. The only really major disappointment in this movie is how sadako is manifested, in the first she was a faceless unstoppable force but in the sequel (except the scene in the well when she is quite literally faceless) she is portrade as a normallish girl........just a disapointment.


Simply put 'Ring 2: Spiral' is not as scary as the first one, but like

most classic horror films (except for Aliens, if you consider that to

be a horror film), sequels don't have the privilege of fresh shock

values of the original movie. Especially if the second movie, as is

the case with 'Ring 2', serves the purposes of explaining the

background further from the first movie. With knowledge comes

power and with this power, the protagonists in the movie and the

audience can fight back a portion of their fear. I may also add that

this sequel is more schizophrenic in its direction and visualization

than the first one. This may have been intended by Nakata as

sporadic confusion that disturbs our sub-conscious perspective,

but it also prevents the film from being able to move forward to a

building climaxes, at least not as powerful and thrilling as in 'Ring'.

SPOILERs Nevertheless there were genuine horrific scenes, as scary as in

'Ring': the revelation of Shizuko's background, her apparition in the

ryokan and the chase within the well with Sadako. It's a pity that the

character of Reiko is killed off by a runover accident rather than by

the curse itself.

But the surprising appearance of Ryuji was a reward and it's

simulteneously disturbing to know that his soul is also trapped

within the well.

Overall 'Ring 2' may lack the suspense and horror of its

predecessor but it managed to deliver the same tone of haunting

atmosphere and revealed the dark secrets of Sadako. Personally,

the professional use of the same cast, crew and director is always

a treasure in a series like this.

I'd have given this movie 8/10 but Fukada Kyoko (who according to

my Japanese friend, is a good actress), had been mis-casted.

She has been too well known, outside Japan, as more of a

pop-idol or pin-up girl. Hence her characterization of one of the

victims is quite unbelievable, not to mention that she became a

second 'video ghost' herself.


Hideo Nakata's follow-up to "Ring" is terrifying stuff. Building on the events of the first film and following the dreadful video curse through to the next level, it is a very worthy successor to the original classic.

In terms of filmmaking style, very little has changed. "Ring 2" is high quality horror filmmaking, including excellent music, a couple of nasty shocks (used sparingly, making them all the more effective) and some really frightening images which stay in your mind long after the film is over. We also learn more about Sadako and the circumstances leading up to her imprisonment and death, which deepens the horror by making the audience more compassionate towards the object of fear. This is the sort of thing that classic Western horror USED to do, but now it is more concerned with shock tactics and tongue-in-cheek self-referencing (see "Scream") to bother with good old-fashioned empathy.

This is not to say that we grow to love Sadako any more in this film than in the first. She is still very much the epitome of evil. "Ring 2" also makes less sense than its predecessor and demands more leaps of the imagination than the first film did. That said, the irrationality leads to some truly terrifying moments: the way the curse marks all media (photos, videos, any TV in range); the whole sequence with the well; the flashback sequence at the Inn where Sadako was raised. By not trying to be too logical about the plot here, Nakata actually taps into a deeper vein of horror, although it makes "Ring 2" slightly less satisfying than its predecessor.

Everything about this production is so good that it barely even needs to be mentioned. The acting is terrific, particularly Miki Nakatini as Mai, burdened with a psychic capacity she doesn't want and drawn into the mystery against her will. Rikiya Otaka also deserves a mention as Yoichi (the little boy from the first film) - his expressions of blank terror and occasional moments of rage are very effective indeed.

Don't watch "Ring 2" alone and don't expect to sleep easy afterwards. This is good quality horror the way it hasn't been made in Hollywood for a good few years now - go with a friend!


This is one freaky, well thought movie. I did not expect Ringu 2 to be so good, but I was pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend it. What a sequel!! Ringu 2 is a very Erie movie. I could not stop watching it. It takes right off where Ringu 1 ended. Many scenes of the movie were just terrifying. The one scene in the insane ward where she looks at the TV and it changes and freaks out the whole ward was classic. I liked the American version of Ring 1 better than the Japanese Ringu 1, but I doubt that the American version of the Ring 2 will be as good as the Japanese Ringu 2. The Ringu movies are the best thing to happen to horror movies in a long time. Keep up the good work Hideo Nakata...I can't wait to see the third movie.


RING 2 (Ringu 2)

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: DTS Stereo

A young student (Miki Nakatani) and a TV journalist (Yûrei Yanagi) go in search of the evil spirit which caused mayhem in the original RING (1998), only to unleash a fresh wave of supernatural horror.

Hideo Nakata's commercially-driven sequel employs the same funereal pacing and one-dimensional characters which stifled the first film, and the results are no less disappointing. Denied the element of surprise which invigorated RING's closing sequence, Nakata and screenwriter Hiroshi Takahashi are forced to rely on a dissonant music score, creepy sound effects and a handful of traumatic set-pieces (such as a nightmarish vision outside Nakatani's apartment window, and a heartstopping encounter with supernatural horror in a dilapidated well), though much of the material feels contrived and superfluous, and the climactic sequence (in which rational science is defeated by paranormal forces) is wholly inadequate. Clearly, Nakata understands the concept of 'creeping dread', but is unable to deliver a satisfying pay-off.

Already the subject of a comprehensive TV series ("Ringu: Kanzen-ban", 1995) and a theatrical spin-off (THE SPIRAL, directed by Nakata and released in Japan at the same time as the original RING), the series represents little more than a millennial update of old-fashioned Japanese kaidan, though its ghostly villain ('Sadako') is now a part of the cultural lexicon throughout SE Asia (rather like Freddy Krueger in western society). For some, however, the international success of Nakata's humdrum 'spook show' is baffling, to say the least. RING 2 was followed by the Korean/Japanese co-production RING (1999) and another Japanese entry, RING O: BIRTHDAY (2000), before the series relocated to America for Gore Verbinski's THE RING (2002), bringing the mythos to a wider audience than ever before.

(Japanese dialogue)


I suddenly find myself opinionated differently from everyone else a lot lately. I have never been a big watcher of foreign films and probably have seen one or two prior to the Ringu Series. The American version of Ringu "The Ring" frightened me to death and I loved it but it took me some time to finally see the Japanese equivalents.

The first film as I said previously in the review was much less of a horror film as it was an amazing thriller/mystery. It unraveled perfectly and started the amazing brickwork of an incredible world and story. Ringu 2 is the best follow up I could have asked for. People seem to be disappointed by it and I can't imagine why as it uses the perfect recipe for what a sequel should be.

Ringu 2 picks up exactly where Ringu left off. Ryuji's assistant/student/and lover? Mai Takano is the main character in this one. She is disturbed and haunted by finding her professor's body. She is determined to uncover the story that has ended his life and many others. The rumor of the video tape has turned into a full fledged investigation by police and reporters and spreading fast. Reiko Asawaka has taken her son Yoichi into hiding after saving herself and her son from the videotape and Sadako's curse. The police are looking for her to question her and Takano wants to find her in order to find out more about the video tape. As the story continues Takano must stop Sadako once and for all and save Yoichi who has been possessed by Sadako's evil curse.

The film brings back familiar faces from the original even those that have been killed off in the case of Ryuji. Ringu 2 doesn't only just work to follow up the original but actually works at adding to it in a big way. We are given further information and opens up a whole new ball of answers for questions that were posed in the original. We are given further information into the story of Sadako, the video tape, her parents, her past and why people have been dying. Also Ringu 2 definitely delves more into the Psychic aspect of not only Sadako but Yoichi who seems to have acquired power from Sadako and Mai Takano who seems to have been given power by Ryuji who was Psychically strong in the first movie. I found Ringu 2 to be downright twice as scary as the original even tried to be. There were some frightening scenes in this film and they seemed to try and go for the scares in this one. I felt Ringu 2 to be much more mainstream than the original with the addition of an action type story line and perhaps a rather confusing science fiction element but it fit nicely and was not overwhelming I thought. Taking us back to familiar locations from the original such as The Yamamura Inn and Ryuji's apartment was perfectly recreated. Also a chilling and wonderful ending once again in the well was amazing!! Anyone who loves horror series must check out Ringu and it's follow up. I have not seen the third yet but I will soon!! Although they are more of a thriller mystery, you can't miss out on these. I would only suggest that they find someone new to make fake blood ha ha. I am thrilled and eagerly awaiting The Ring 2 who is being directed by none other than Hideo Nakata who directed both Ringu films. Bravo!! 8/10


Ringu 2 (1999) picks up right where Ringu (1998) left off. Reiko and Yoichi have vanished and Mai is snooping around trying to solve the mystery of Sadako, will anyone believe what she has uncovered? The cast from the first film is back along with the original director. This one has more horrific overtones than the first one. Whilst part one was more of a mystery/suspense film part two is more of a straight forward horror story. I found Ringu 2 to be more enjoyable. Ironically Ringu 2 was incorporated more in the U.S. remake than part one (that's why they're not going to make the remake sequel based upon this film). Watch Ringu 1 and 2 then watch The Ring, you'll understand why some of the set pieces in the remake are so out of place. Silly director tried to cram two movies into one. Let's hope they give Ringu 2 a proper release in the future.

Highly recommended.


Every once in a while in a horror franchise, a sequel comes along which arguably surpasses the original, as with Frankenstein/Bride of Frankenstein and Hellraiser I/II. There isn't much room for argument here- Ring 2 is simply outstanding and outshines the original by a mile.

The best element here is the fact that we now have character driven rather than situation driven horror. Takano Mai is a much better heroine than Reiko ever was (the latter often giving off a distinct "Shelley Duvall in The Shining" vibe). Mai's actions come about in this film out of an overwhelming sadness at Ryuji's death; accordingly, she often acts erratically, irrationally, and emotionally to things she hasn't the will or time to comprehend. The other characters are similarly situated and nicely contribute to the flow of the story (the subplot with Okazaki and Kanae is particularly ingenious.)

The psychic elements of the film are more consistent and less jarring in this film than in the first. It is to the film's credit that for the first time *ever* I was finally able to understand the "virus" analogy in terms of emotion and psychic phenomena. Bravo.

Incidentally, this film *will* scare the hell out of you a few times. There's one scene in particular with Sadako climbing up the side of the well. . . brr.

See it however you can.


The first Ring was an absolute masterpiece, a milestone for the horror genre. It took psychological horror to a whole new level, held a genuine sense of mystique and ambiguity, and made the Deus Ex Machina more frightening than ever before. But whereas Ring had me hiding behind the sofa, Ring 2 just left me yawning - or, more to the point, thinking "Right, tomorrow I'm going to log on to IMDb and tell everybody how much I hate this movie!" Most sequels are blatant cash-ins, but they don't come more blatant than this one.

After Ryuji's death, Asakawa and her son Yochi have disappeared. Ryuji's girlfriend Mei suddenly (ie. conveniently) acquires psychic powers and ensues to spend most of the film chasing after Yochi for no apparent reason. When she's not doing that, she screams. A lot. Some people die, characters are introduced only to disappear without trace, and everything about the first movie is explained with pseudo-scientific hokum, effectively killing any mystique which Ring 1 possessed. As far as sequels go, think "Beneath The Planet Of The Apes" with spooky music and you have an idea what Ring 2 is like.

Okay, let's try to be balanced here. There are some good points. Hideo Nahata's direction is slick as ever (albeit a little rushed), the acting is great (as was to be expected), and there are some genuinely creepy moments (I must admit I did take a shine to the editing sequence). But one of Ring 1's strengths was that it didn't revert to cheap tricks such as monsters jumping out of the shadows - and guess what? Ring 2 does *precisely* that. "Hey, I'm Sadako! Let me jump out of the shadows and scare you a little! Whoooo!" Bo-ring!

More to the point, Ring 2 answered questions which I didn't really want answered. Ring 1 was suitably open-ended, but in Ring 2 we find out *everything*! We find out what happens to Asakawa after Ryuji's death, we find out what happens to Yoichi, etbloodycetera. But, frankly, I didn't wanna find out! It's for me to decide what happens to them! That's what open-ended movies are there for, dammit!!!

Even more heinously, we are shown what Sadako's face looks like underneath that thick clout of black hair. I didn't wanna know that either, because otherwise the horror simply doesn't work (unless of course it's done cleverly and subtle, like in Ring: that "eye" still scares the life out of me). In Ring 2, she just looks like a badly animated cross between Joan Collins and a space alien. In other words, don't bother watching Ring 2 if you expect the kind of suggestive horror that the first Ring was so brilliant at.

Forget Ring 2 and watch the prequel Ring Zero instead, to find out what Sadako was like as a human being (as opposed to the cartoon villain we have in this film). Ring 2 takes a lot away from the first installment, its mystique, its tension, its sense of isolation. Ultimately, it's a disappointing sequel and one which is instantly forgettable.


After watching the very good original on TV a couple months ago and seeing that sequel was on TV last weekend I thought it might be like most sequels and wouldn't live up to the original, but I was wrong.

Hideo Nakata's sequel Ringu 2 is a stylish film with an excellent blend of thrills and chills, without rehashing any ideas that were in the first film. It's filled with superb imagery, good special effects, effective make-up and lots of atmosphere that is impressively imposing.

It lacks the pace of the original (in the case of the 7 days before you die) but for me I found the story more intriguing, gripping and unpredictable. This time around the haunting idea of the cursed videotape/Sakado is investigated in far more detail and it heads into different territory. I thought it was much more darker, especially the ending. With the feel of hope at the end of the first one fading away in the second film.

It's definitely one of the best recent horror sequels I've seen, but then again it doesn't feel like a sequel as it seems to fit in like it was the second half of the original's story.

I enjoyed this movie more than that of the original, but definitely hire them both out and watch them together.

4/5


Hmmm...I really seem to be missing on something here. Practically all my fellow IMDb-users are full of praise for this sequel to Ringu, but I don't second these opinion. It really thought it was a dreadful movie and a very unpleasant cinema experience. How much I'd like to support the Japanese horror-business and encourage people to discover it, I just don't think this is a good representation for it. Personally, I think there's ONE big disease in the film industry: the "easy-money" concept! Small and simple films become a huge and unexpected success and that encourages the producers to shoot a sequel as soon as possible, in order to make even more money. This disease seems to have contaminated Japan as well now, since I really think Ringu 2 suffers from it.

Absolutely NOTHING happens in the first 30 minutes of this film!! Than we're served a full quarter of suspense, exciting cinema and good character development. After that, it's downhill again till the end-credits role. A real shame actually, because those short 15 minutes of highlights really proved that there still was a lot of potential to continue the original story of Ringu. The plot involves the mind and will of the little boy from Ringu - Yoichi - taken over by the evil little girl Sadako. To itself, not a bad starting point but poorly executed. You're most likely to read a lot of comments that state Ringu2 is scary and full of suspense. Well, I think some people confuse suspense with complexity. Ringu 2 is nowhere near scary and I think slow and everlasting are more appropriate words. If you're interested in seeing a really scary Japanese movie, I suggest you check out "Audition" by Takashi Miike or even "Dark Water" by the same director who directed this film. Ringu 2 can easily be skipped


Again, Ringu 2 much spookier to the American Makeover "The Ring 2" and again, the effects were much spookier . And the deaths were more disturbing. And the end was freakiest when that Kanae girl was seen standing behind Kawajiri when he was recovering in hospital. And when Yoichi's mother Reicha died when walking across the road and she got hit by a truck. And the blood of Reicha headed towards her beloved son calling his name. And when Kurashi went into the Institution to see Masami (a close friend of Tomoko's who was shocked by Tomoko's death), she walked past a t.v. and it showed Sadako coming out of the well and everyone in the Institution went berserk! Too disturbing to think about, eh?

This is definitely a must see!


I caught this one zapping around during morning television. I saw a bunch of my favorite actors (George C. Scott, Kathy Bates) and decided to sit it out.

My conclusion, "Angus" is an overlooked gem.

One thing baffles me though: this movie is listed as comedy, but I found not much to laugh about.

"Angus" is in fact a rather painful movie to watch sometimes, because the strongest subject matter it deals with is bullying.

It deals some very real and emotional issues, about parents' frustration about their inability to protect their children all the time. The acting is superb, and to be honest, the comic relief was a tad out of place.

The movie contains some very good acting and some excellent scenes and dialogue. It also features a heart wrenching monologue by Angus (played by Charlie Talbert) when he confides in his grandfather (George C. Scott), who's about to be married.

So, see beyond the awkward comic elements and "Angus" is an enjoyable, "actor driven" movie that did not get the attention it deserved.

You'll probably enjoy the soundtrack as well. Whatever happened to the obviously talented Talbert anyway?


My wife and I rented this movie just because we couldn't find anything else at the time, and did we get a surprise! Great, funny movie, anyone should enjoy this one.


Angus, this is one of my favorite movies. It has such a good story, and the actors were picked perfectly. The first time I saw this, I was amazed! I said "That was great." The story of being brave and living with the life you have taught a good lesson. Charlie Talbert Was great for Angus, as was George C. Scott for Ivan. Ivan was part of the comedy, as was Troy. James Van Der Beek was perfect for Rick Sanford, and Ariana Richards was well-picked for Melissa. The story made me think. I liked how it was through the thoughts of someone who was unpopular, and was picked on and had jokes played on him. I liked how his Grandpa told him to "screw em!" And I also liked at the dance how Angus told Rick off, that was a good scene, and the rest of this movie was just as well, filled with laughs, and pity for Angus and Troy. This is a great movie to see. I definitely recommend it for anyone! 9/10!


What makes the teenage years so vexing is how a young person's line of thinking evolves from the logical, unadultered mannerisms of childhood to the obstinate, interpretive idiosyncrasy of adulthood. As children, we might remember seeing things and make a simple yet direct remark about it, yet, as adults, we might see things, stop to think about it, taking into account all our past experiences and teachings, and make an "observation", when we soon realize that there are other people that have their own "observations". Worse yet is how the young person does not immediately see this transformation.

It is during these years where we begin to contemplate a new reality, one based on indifference and hopelessness. It is here where the young person begins to interpret ideas, histories, and ideologies of all sorts, however good or bad they intend to be, and have the option of either rejecting or accepting them. This is where our hero, Angus Bethune (played flawlessly by Charlie Talbert) is thrown in. As a child, he has always been the butt of jokes and, along with his best friend Troy Wedberg (Chris Owen), the target of bullies. His protection has relied on wit, humor, and physical prowess. His love for Melissa Lefevre (Ariana Richards) is just as strong as his hate for Rick Sanford (James Van der Beek).

Yet, showing his affection to his yearning love is, in his opinion, an unreasonable goal. What could possibly make Angus reason like this? Could it be Rick? By the time we are done with the first act we see that Rick has already managed to mentally, emotionally, and socially control Angus. Rick is also highly manipulative, as he uses his bullying tactics over Troy to betray his own best friend. As if that wasn't enough, he's the good-looking quarterback and the head of the class, which yields ostensible power to him. He shows no compassion to whoever he feels is not "normal", that is, whoever does not follow his concepts of physical and social beauty. Although the film does not demonstrate how Rick obtained such line of though, his mind is no-doubtedly locked in to this ideology. Aptly would Camus describe Rick and his cronies "no longer represent men, but an idea raised to the temperature of the most inflexible of wills."

What about Angus? What about his influences? He seems to have a very supportive and eccentric family composed of his truck-driving mother (Kathy Bates) and his active, unrelenting grandfather (George C. Scott). Troy, equally eccentric, provides support at school. Yet nothing works: In his mind, his positive traits (good at science, excellent tackler, full of heart) cannot overcome his negative ones (overweight, timid, reclusive). He doesn't open his blinds in his bedroom to let the sunlight in, and he already has plans to transfer to another school, where he can be accepted for once. He wants nothing to do with the outside world, which, he feels, doesn't want him anyway.

When Rick forces Angus to come into this world, by rigging an election so as to make him dance with Melissa, Angus becomes really confused. Will Angus go to the dance or not? He can have his "moment" with Melissa, yet he will risk humiliation, knowing that Rick had set this up. However, the real question this second act is this: If he makes a decision, what will it be based on? How will other people and their ideas affect his decision.

Hereafter, his support group will aggravate Angus' confusion by bombarding him with ideology. His Grampa says "Screw 'em" to anybody who opposes what he wants (of which includes marrying a woman thirty years his junior), demonstrating that Angus should not fear what others think of him, thus he should go. His mother wants Angus to focus on his studies, so that he can get his ticket out of Owatonna High, thus he should not go. Troy, in his whimsical self, thinks Angus needs to change his image and manner in order to find acceptance, thus he should go. Angus himself thinks that, in spite of the opportunity to dance with the girl of his dreams, he knows that Rick will make a fool out of him, thus he should not go. How can Angus make sense out of all this?

This is where Grampa comes in. He knows his grandson very well, and he has faith in Angus' warm qualities. He even goes out to get him a nice tuxedo, albeit a plum-colored one, but Angus refuses to wear it. Angus loves his Grampa, but Angus feels weak upon the implications of the dance. This all changes, however, when Grampa dies. Early in the film, Grampa wished that Angus could talk to Melissa just once before he died. Sadly, he will not live to see this. When Grampa's fiancee April (Anna Levine) brings the plum suit to Angus, Angus realizes he has betrayed Grampa's faith in him. He will say "Screw 'em", and set out to attain his goal as well as his self-esteem and self-determination....

Thus, Angus no longer sees Rick as a bully, but as a danger to his well-being. Melissa is not merely a love interest, but a token for being courageous and brave. He has a label for these people now, based on numerous levels of reasoning.

What's so amazing about this film is how it is richly paced. You can take delight in the visual aspects of the film and show compassion for these people. Composition creates a moving experience with the story, using the warm colors of autumn. Music also plays an important role, as it balances teenage angst with feelings of longing and disillusion.

How sad that you truly can't enjoy a film like this if you see it quickly! Angus warrants a deeper study into the nature of bullying, use of power, teenage confusion and conditioning, obesity, and the power to overcome, themes that lie much deeper into its "after-school-special" facade. Don't let the theme of acceptance thwart you off! I must warn you: If you felt alone and alienated in high school, this movie won't disappoint. If you didn't feel alone and alienated, either avoid this film or stop denying it, take the bitter pill, and see, no, "observe" it.

Now go have another.


Angus was a wonderful movie. it followed the most basic of plot lines, but what i loved about it was the acting, writing, and directing, because those were what made Angus extraordinarily good and unique. chris owen was a triumph, and let's not even talk about charlie talbert. Angus also has a quality to it that was very reminiscent of the story it was based on. the exchanges between Angus and Troy were literally the best i've ever seen. they are truly the original dynamic duo of disaster. with luck, other characters hoping to achieve that particular brand of fame will be measured against them for years to come. ps: read the short story if you haven't. pps: james van der beek gave a great (though small) performance, very uncharacteristic of "the kid's movie villain".


This film is an excellent example of the pressures of High School hierarchy. It is realistic and very funny! It has been one of my favorite movies for a long time now and I still am not tried of it. Kathy Bates and George C. Scott (as usual) display their versatile abilities as their hilarious characters trying to cope with Angus' (Charlie Talbert) problems with him as much as work out their own issues. Of all the High School teen flicks, I believe this to be the most dramatic and sophisticated in storyline. James Van Der Beek plays the classic quarterback that everyone has met before and just loves to hate. Angus has always thought that the key was to be more like Rick (Van Der Beek) but then realizes that he truly needs to be himself. As it turns out, Angus' chelating crush, Melissa (Ariana Richards), is just as frightened of other people as Angus is. As a cruel joke, Angus is nominated to be Winter King at their school. Angus realizes the intentions behind the nomination and turns the situation into a positive experience. This movie is full of humor, classic characters we all knew and underwear up the flagpole. I deeply recommend this film. Enjoy!


Of all things, in my freshman year of high school this movie came out and I was stunned. It was about a guy whose own life mirrored my own I just got up and applauded (literally) through the whole thing. Angus was me in school, right down to his geeky friend/sidekick. I was a different kind of person from the rest of the crowd. I was big, and smart, kept to myself mostly but that was so I didn't get into trouble. The biggest difference? I have Tourrette's Syndrome, and was only beginning to show the major ticks associated with it when this movie came out. It was nice to see that people like me could be shown on the big screen in so positive a way. So of course I had to write a review on it here.

The movie is about a fat kid, who like me was good at science and fair at football (though I truly despise football, thanks Coach!) who has a single mom and lives with his grandfather, both played marvelously by Cathy Bates and George C. Scott. Angus wants to get with the popular chick, who just happens to be dating his arch-rival in school that has suffered numerous broken noses over the years from Angus' wrath.

You grow to love his grandad who gives him advice on how its OK to be different, to just "Screw 'em!" If you're looking for a realistic movie about high school and you were different from the rest of the crowd like I was, then Angus is your movie. And his mom, once more like me, seems to be one of the only people who truly ever understand him. Top it all off with his big science project to be able to attend the Magnet School in town, and you've got something spectacular! Add the soundtrack for extra points and I give it a 10 out of 10! "Go for it Angus!" God, I love that line!


Not that I dislike those other high school movie, but this one is so realistic. Angus is overweight and he fines ways to deal with it. He doesn't try to lose the weight to make everyone like him. Charlie Talbert does a great job, in the only thing that I've seen him in. The acting really is great and as a huge James Van Der Beek fan you get to see one of his earlier films. George C. Scott and Kathy Bates are also at their best. I give it an 8/10!


I grew up with this movie, I enjoyed it so much. I watched it every week of my childhood. I wasn't really one of those kids who got picked on, I just thought Angus was a true (real life) hero and I looked up to him. There isn't too many one dimensional characters in this film. Everyone has feelings and the movie does a great job of showing their feelings. I have not read the short story, but if it's anything like this movie it'll be great.

Like all teen movies it has a strong message that is spelled out for everyone. Unlike other teen movies this one seem to show everyone's side of high school life, even though the two main character's are "outcast" they're not really nerds. they both play on the football team and one of them is really good. You don't really expect that from "losers". The whole movie has great gags that everyone can enjoy and they're really funny.

Charlie Talbert plays Angus Bethune (Great name, right?) his best friend Troy Wedberg is played by Chris Owen (Can't Hardly Wait) and he is just hysterical throughout the whole movie. George C. Scott (Patton) plays Angus' grandfather that is always falling asleep and he plays the role of dad to Angus giving him advice. Kathy Bates (Misery) does a great job as Angus' mother, Kathy Bates is just a great actor. Then we have James Van Der Beek (Varsity Blues) playing the bully and he does do a great job at it and Ariana Richards (Jurassic Park) plays Melissa Lefevre which Angus has a crush on.

Overall I recommend this movie to anyone that likes teen movies such as the breakfast club, can't hardly wait, and sixteen candles. As longs as you went to public high school this film can't get old.


I never heard of "Angus" until it came on television. I watched it and loved the movie. I then went to Best Buy only to realize that Angus is not sold on DVD and VHS is near impossible to get a hold of. Thats when it hit me.

Angus is a very under rated movie. It depicts a very real world of the years of Highschool. The main character is Angus, hence the title. An overweight, fat kid who has dreams to leave his town, while constantly thinking about his Dream Girl. His grades are good enough to go to a college out of the town to escape his outer demons. Demon, that being the star quarterback of the school and most popular kid, Rick, who picks on him and his friend. His main good relationships are with his Mom, Grandfather, and best friend. The plot point of the movie comes when Angus is chosen (by Rick as a joke) to go to the dance with his dream girl. Angus then must face his insecurities and step up. *At the end of the movie, Angus overcomes the troubles of high school and humiliates Rick, to get a kiss from his dream girl.

The movie is just brilliant, with good character depth on all the characters. Even the dream girl, admits to Angus that she has an eating disorder. It is a shame that this movie has not been released on DVD yet. But if it is on TV, check it out.


This is not a masterpiece but for people who are different, abnormal or rejects from society because of what they look like or how react, this movie can change a life for the better! It did for me. Since I watched this movie, I decided that I will try to reach for my dreams...That I will go even if people (who are mean) try to stop me or discourage me... Until I found "My Moment" like he says in the movie. This movie inspired me and today and I try to do the same around me.

Another part of the movie made me realize that we (the not normal people), are braver than those who have it all because we have to face adversity ("Superman is not brave because he is invincible... you're not...")

The music is excellent (most of it by Green Day), especially after his grand-father's death in the park. The emotions are so real and I tell people to watch the movie if they want to understand what I've been thru... and I'm sure that It will do the same to many more.

Whenever I need a cheer, I watch the movie again!


I couldn't remember the title to this movie at first, but I remember the plum tux as plain as day.

As a few other people have written and I'll re-iterate, why does Hollywood mis-label movies so much? Are they as insecure as Angus when it comes to picking a genre'? Although there is some comic relief ( as in life - there also is ), this is not what I would call a comedy. This movie should be shown in every single school district in this country when bullying is being discussed. It is the best case for anti-bullying efforts in school that I have ever seen.

So why the "bleeping bleep" is this NOT on DVD? Considering all the TRASH that Hollywood puts out every year, here you have a golden gem that would make a ton of money as more kids who are "first timers" in school would buy.

This isn't the first movie that Hollywood has mis-labeled in the name of sales and won't be the last - but for pete sakes PLEASE put this on DVD ? My kids would watch this in a heartbeat !!! Hey - anyone at Disney listening ??? Snap this film up while it's cheap and re-release it. Guaranteed money maker every year.

The only other film that I've seen come even CLOSE to showing a kid standing up for themselves is "Sleepover" - while I like that one too, it's not anywhere near as real as this.

10 out of 10 for the movie, ZERO out of 10 for the idiots who haven't gotten it put to DVD yet.


I really think all teenagers should watch this at the beginning of their high school days.It will make things a lot easier for them due to the message of this film.Its about saying "screw'em" to the world and to just be yourself and that its OK to be abnormal because "there is no normal".Every teenager suffers from Self Esteem problems but after watching this film they should feel a lot more relaxed within themselves.From touching scenes to funny set pieces it has something for most people and will leave you with a nice feeling inside,how many movies do that these days where its all doom and gloom and ridiculous scenarios.This is also a very well acted movie and is lovely piece of work overall.


A memorable movie for the wrong reasons. The first time I watched "Angus" I thought : "what a great movie! it will be among my favorites!". Now, every time it airs on cable I try to avoid it. But don't get me wrong, I avoid it not because it's a boring or bad movie, it's that it provokes me mixed feelings. There are many comedic moments that suddenly crash with dramatic situations that could make anyone cry. I mean, the warming relationship between Angus and his grandpa is tear jerker (specially before grandpa dies), but then it picks up the teenager situations.

Angus is a story about a boy that suffers from being bullied, betrayed by his ONLY geeky friend, and then loses the most important person in his life : his grand father.

Now, this is an entertaining movie but it carries some difficult situations like bullying, death, loneliness, etc.

Recommended.


Most people who've seen this film agree that it's an overlooked classic in the teen angst genre. I'm not a fan of after-school-type movies, but this one is far from it. Everything comes together so well -- the writing, the acting, the soundtrack -- that it easily holds its own against darker angst-ridden films like the Breakfast Club or Donnie Darko. It's not full of four-letter words, sexual exploration, drug abuse, or any of the other cliché problems of teen life, but rather deals with the more day-to-day high school drama of bullying and crushes in a way that's both more innocent, yet more disturbing because of its accuracy. Similar to Pretty in Pink, but better because I think there's better chemistry between the actors.

It amazes me this movie is not on DVD, but I'm guessing it will be someday. If you have a VCR and can get a copy, check it out. Any movie that features Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You" at the high school dance can't be all that bad.


Angus is an overweight high school student who is great at science, has a crush on a popular girl named Melissa and is bullied by Rick. As a cruel joke, Rick rigs the ballot box so that Angus is nominated for king of the winter ball. Angus also has a side kick little friend named Troy.

Rick makes Angus life a living hell but there is a great scene where Angus gives him the tough lecture on "who is normal?" I thought that it was great because for once, Angus was fighting back.

A part that I didn't like was when Rick and his friends hurt Troy. That just broke my heart but other than that, I liked this movie a lot. So, if you are not normal, this would be a great movie to see.


Firstly, I just want to say that that I did not dole out that score lightly. This film was charming, funny, compassionate and really well scripted. The story isn't ground breaking and the little IMDb summary sums it up nicely. I just thought the performances and characterisation were excellent. I would have given it 10/10 but I felt James VanDer Beek as the popular but mean jock was a bit too two dimensional. Believe it or not the key reason I saw it was due to the clip of a dance I saw on Film'96 with the Mazzy Star song 'Fade Into You' being played. This song is exquisite, and they also used Love Spit Love's 'Am I right' in the movie. I go with my gut instinct a lot with films and I was not disappointed. I know this was a small release but I honestly think if you trust me on this one you won't regret it. Angus is a lovely gem of a film for anyone who wanted a movie were the boy with a heart of gold gets to have his day.


Angus is a film in which some might identify with...you have all those fun issues as a child..angus addresses a few with respect. I could watch this film over and over. The cast is great, not too over-acted ..just right. First time I ever wanted to hear what George C. Scott had to say..and now I must watch again to hear him again..Point is this movie is a gentle look at the life of a kid with a few problems that only others seem to have. Ohh..and great soundtrack also!!


This movie changed my life in so many ways, that it makes me upset when I read some of the negative reviews of it, declaring it just another "Teen Movie", This is so much more than that, I have read comments by viewers on websites, saying this movie "changed their life" and I cannot agree more, I really think Charlie Talbert is destined for stardom, he is just sensational, but unfortunately, he has never gotten the recgonition, or the parts he deserves, he has so much range as an actor, I definitely think Hollywood should take a closer look at him, and start sending scripts his way, and the rest of the cast is fantastic, This movie is truly a miracle.


The director and producers of the movie used symbolism to truly make a statement beyond just the obvious. The movie begs you to come and see it again because of the truth that it shows. The casting was well done, and the scenes, especially that after the death of his grandfather, brought even the hardest audience member to an emotional breaking point.

Amanda Leigh Brozana, Wilkes University


"Angus" is one of the most true to life, humorous and dramatic films I've seen in a long time. Talbert did a very good job portraying Angus and so did Kathy Bates and George C. Scott as Angus' mother and Grandfather. It was good to see Ariana Richards in a movie besides "Jurassic Park" and "Tremors." I have no clue on why she doesn't do more acting. She did a very good job.

All in all, the film was wonderful.


This movie is special, not just for its quality, but for what it is not. It is not filled with 20-something actors pretending to be teenagers. It is not filled with the latest pop culture references. It does not threaten to break out with an MTV montage designed to push music product. Instead, it is a well-crafted, gentle movie with an overweight hero, kids who look like kids, and the kind of dialogue that might have been taken from real life. The plot itself is a fantasy. Who hasn't been the high school underdog and dreamed of having your moment? Then again, it is a lovable fantasy because it contains so many of our hopes and dreams. Hollywood used to do this kind of movie regularly, before each one had to become a roller-coaster ride for the $100 million payoff. Watching Angus is like going back to a gentler time, when a finely acted moment counted as much as a special effect. Watch this movie, recommend it to your friends, and watch it again.


What's there to really say? Absolutely enjoyable! Where should I start?

I think it's best to start with Angus Bethune, the fat kid who just doesn't seem to get a break, until an age-old enemy, Rick, rigs an election so that Angus can dance with his long-time crush, Melissa. Angus is played by Charlie Talbert, who was reportedly "discovered" at a Wendy's in Illinois. Talbert plays the role with warmth, heart, sarcasm, and conviction, and he does it so wonderfully (and this being his first film!), he can potentially be one of film acting's best-kept secret. He is sure to have a successful career in acting, pending that we do see him in another film. Angus' interaction with his granddad (played by George C. Scott in possibly one of his most memorable, though short, roles since "Patton") is very interesting to pay attention. The supporting characters, geeky Troy, beautiful Melissa, and Rick the pest (played by a more credible James Van der Beek), form part of the fabric of appealing characters that dot the film. The film would have been better though if we knew a little more about these people, so as to make it a character study.

I've read some comments from expert reviewers about this film. Most agree that Charlie Talbert has a great future in film ahead of him, but that the film itself is "formulaic" and "predictable". This is quite true, and that was one of the fears I had before watching this film. Yet after watchng this film I'm now absolutely convinced that even "formulaic" and "predictable" films can be great, provided that they're executed properly and with heart, as it was with this film. In the case with "Angus", it's a mix of originality (a tongue-in-cheek script and direction) and tried-and-true motifs. There's even a character twist (I won't say who) that threw me a bit off-guard near the end!

In this case, it's Patrick Read Johnson's direction that made this movie very memorable. The cinematography was vivid (or blight) and colorful. The dance sequence at the ball with Melissa and Angus is one of the most beautiful (and beautifully shot) in my memory. The soundtrack is excellent: Green Day is at their top of the game; the Goo Goo Dolls still haven't made the grade; the songs form a nice snapshot of great alternative and punk music reminscent of its time. My personal favorite is Ash's "Jack Names the Planets". Even some of the camera shots (especially with the irises to open and close the film) are dazzling.

Although admittedly it's not destined to be a classic (or at least any time soon), "Angus" is a genuinely warm, funny, bitterly sarcastic, though strictly Hollywood, picture of that ever-so-turbulent, confusing, and questionable time of our lives known as high school. Watch it and you'll at least enjoy it. I did! I gave it a nine.


Angus made me laugh and cry many times during its short hour and a half. Yes, I was a fat teenager. Maybe that's whyI loved this movie so much.

But it's about the strugle, the will to live, that we all face. No matter what age.


Angus is a beautiful movie. Although it sounds like an overused storyline, (outcast who is not accepted by peers), this movie does a lot with it. Charlie Talbert is genuinely believable and Kathy Bates and George C. Scott are fine in their roles. James Van Der Beek is great in his role as the villain. The movie has some good plot turns as well. If you go see this movie, you will truly enjoy it. **** out of ****.


I remember sighing as my brother rented this movie, but it turned out to be quite good. And it has one of the funniest lines in a movie that I've ever seen (the shocked response of Troy in the pep assembly).

The acting is excellent in spots, and very good overall. Of course George C. Scott and Kathy Bates deliver on their performances, especially Scott.

While the ending may have been a little cliched, it still is a enjoyable movie, and much better than your usual teen flick..I'll never understand why people enjoy "Clueless" when there are movies like Angus that offer far more accurate portrayals of high school life.

This one gets a solid 3 1/2 out of 5 in my book


This is one of the sweetest movies I have ever seen. Yes, maybe it sort-of follows the standard plot of this type of film, but there's something about it that makes it stand out...it has heart. And lots of it. The characters are played so perfectly that you think you are actually watching a real group of people.

Charlie Talbert is absolutely wonderful as Angus - no one else could have played him better. Chris Owen is hilarious, especially when he finally gets his revenge on Rick at the dance! Ariana Richards is great as Melissa and James Van Der Beek plays the nasty/popular/jock well. And lest I forget George C. Scott and Kathy Bates - they are awesome in all their movies.

SEE ANGUS! It rocks. You'll feel so happy and ready to conquer the world when it's over. 10/10! ~ Peace out ~


It is such a shame that very few films like this exist. It is a poignant coming of age film that does not revolve around sex. Angus Bethune's transition into his teenage years is about fitting in, and being comfortable with yourself, NOT about getting laid. Perhaps it's just me, but this seems more reflective of the concerns I had growing up than other cheap laugh Hollywood films. Great movie. I laughed, I cried, I had a good time.


This is such a wonderful movie. I saw it for the first time in September of this year and remember thinking that this is such a great movie why hadn't I heard of it. It is a very touching story that made me laugh and made me cry. I hardly never cry at movies. This movie is special.


Jan Svankmajer has portrayed many wacky things, but "Jidlo" is a whole new level. Portraying bizarre things happening during each meal, he goes all out. The first vignette "Breakfast" seems to be a slight repeat of his earlier movie "Et Cetera". The most eye-opening vignette is "Lunch", in which two men at a table can't get the waiter's attention, and resort to eating their plates, utensils, clothes, and even the table...but they don't intend to stop there. With "Dinner", Svankmajer decides to be grosser than the Farrelly brothers could ever dream of being.

Maybe this isn't Svankmajer's best movie ever, but it's still worth seeing.


It's an apt title and solo-focus for Food to be a Jan Svankmajer short; he's obsessed with it, in case you couldn't tell from his other movies (it's used sometimes to ridiculous amounts in Little Otik), and in both playful and gleefully deranged ways. In this short we see his knack at mixing live-action and stop-motion as two gentlemen at a table have plates of food and eat them up... then they eat the forks, then the plates, then the table, then the chairs, not to mention their clothes, and we see how their mouths suddenly flip over to stop-motion for just that bit of mastication and then back to the real human forms. There's also the great bit with the man as a kind of cash-register of food as people sit down and at the flick of a button on his jacket get plastic forks and other things to munch down on their lot of good. Sometimes its disgusting, and at the end when actual body parts get in the mix of things (including, not too undeservedly, a penis and testicles, which actually are the dividing line that isn't crossed) it's downright crude, but it's downright raunchy and crazy and quintessentially Svankmajer. The icing on the cake, of course, is the Blue Danube used as the two naked men munch on their table.


This is an okay Svankmajer short that comes with Conspirators of Pleasure on the Kino DVD release.

It's worth seeing for that movie but seems much longer than it actually it is.

What's interesting is how each chapter seems to deliberately pare itself down in the level of detail given each chapter. The first segment, "Breakfast" is uniform in it's depiction of each actor's "meal". "Lunch" (the most obviously meaningful of the three) moves along a bit faster and "Dinner" just crams as many brief encounters into a couple minutes as possible.

Svankmajer, it would seem, is pretty serious about breakfast and pretty lazy by dinnertime, but I like Dinner the best.

7 out of 10


Despite its length (more than a couple of hours) the story did not find a direction; instead, you are offered to taste the characters in such manner you are forced to hate the bad guys and love the good ones.

Many aspects of the film were definitely brilliant: the sceneries for Mexico in the early 1900s and the script, which seemed to be carefully written to exclude any neologism and include those seasonal slang.

Screenplay, from time to time, shows a clear influence of Emilio `El Indio' Guzman and Ismael Rodríguez.

A bit silly but very amusing.


Most of the time, Mexicans watch movies about American heroes, like The Patriot, but almost never we watch Mexican heroes. El Tigre de Santa Julia (The Tiger of Santa Julia) is a Mexican heroes. History happens to beginnings of 20th century. This movie tell us the history about a Man who was born in a small town in Mexico at 1880, He was left by his father when his mother died, 20 years later, he got to Santa Julia, another small town near to Mexico city, he went to find a better life, with few money and helped for her aunt, he join the Mexican army, but he discovered that they wasn't fighting against another army, they fought against people, people who disagree the government, an antidemocratic government. He refuse the army and star a band, like Robin Hood, they rob rich people to gave them to the poor people. All the other members of his band was female, because they were more loyal, and brave. This is a good movie, is funny, has action, and let us know about a Mexican heroes that many of us don't know.


Director's Gamboa is responsible for the teen saga La primera noche (The first night), La segunda noche, and the light comedy Educación sexual en breves lecciones (Sexual education in short lessons). And all this films have one thing in common: they feature mostly TV starlets; this means they can't hardly act, beyond soap opera's performances. Well then, apparently with El tigre de Santa Julia Gamboa tried to turn on a wilder side maybe in sake for his filmography. He didn't make it.

I know this movie is supposed to be only a fun one, based on a character that grew on México's mind as a legend because of the way he was caught. But, it seems that the whole story is only waiting for that event to happen, and constructed a lame screenplay on it's way for it. In result, we have a film with no climax, and not capable to create in us any root of interest for the people involved. Besides, the story is not that close to what some researchers have disclosed about the myth of the guy who became an outlaw. But that's not the worst part, it´s about bad acting and a pretentious narrative that describes mainly the brave (or shoul I say macho?) and horny side of the character. One more thing is that Gamboa once said that the aesthetics in the film are intentional in order to make it look like a comic book. Bad choice. The computer manipulated skies and open fields looks silly and aged, rather than extracted from a comics atmosphere; and I sure have seen good works on this subject -just take as an example The unbreakable, or Dobermann. In resume, El tigre de Santa Julia doesn't deliver what it promises; there ain't no action, no humor and even less climax. Of any kind.

Sure there´s been recently a fuss over mexican cinema, and even though there are some excellent films like Amores perros or Y tu mamá también, this one has nothing to do side to side with them. So don´t get fooled by the propaganda, and be aware if this boring kitty hits your town.


I strongly recommend not to waste your money seeing this movie!!!. It a very low budget movie. This has been the worst movie I ever seen in my life. Bad plot, bad characters, bad actors, bad dialogues, bad sets, everything was awful.


With the sudden eruption of great Mexican films in the last few years, we are now being cheated upon thinking all Mexican films are worthy of a good review. This film, is not at all entertaining. With poor acting from most of the cast, a weak plot obviously drawn from Robin Hood, this movie proves to moviegoers that marketing can go much farther than the quality of a product. This movie starts off with the birth of Tigre, not wanted by his father who accuses his mother that the child isn't his, is tossed out of the window. With no idea how he grew up we see him arriving to his aunt's, a prostitute, house where he was sent to live. A very stupid conversation over a bottle of tequila convinces him of joining the army, where his best friend is killed in battle by his own captain. After defending a woman and killing the man who was beating her, a local journalist takes it upon his own to publish the story, with his own literary add-ons, and even invents Tigre's basis for his future in crime. Tigre accepting just to get revenge on the man who killed his friend who is now the police captain. He forms a posse o beautiful woman with whom he starts to steal from the rich to give to the poor. This is basically the whole story. Stupid situations, stupid problems with stupid solutions. Steer clear from this mexican movie and just wait to see what Alfonso Cuaron or Alejandro Gonzalez has in store for us in the future. One good tip is to stay away from films where most of the cast belongs to Mexican soap operas and unjustifiable nudity just to try to cash in at the box office.


I saw this a little while ago in the heyday of the "Hong Kong" craze. Me, I'm a purist. I love Woo, Hark, Lam. But this little gem is one that has stayed with me after all these years.

Performances and action are leagues above any American action movie in the past 20 years. Hong Kong/China are where the best action movies come from. No wonder America is stealing all their actors and remaking their movies.

At times comical. At times James Bond. This Hong Kong working of the plot from "Sneakers" is one that is definitely worth tracking down.

10/10


This movie is superb. From the action, to the cinematography, to the technological aspects, to the superb fight scenes, it is awesome. The technology they use makes Bond look like he's using rubber bands and paper clips. This is a must see. Great plot, with action in the air, the water, and the streets.


don't expect a plot that makes a whole lot of sense - it's all about cool special/free-for-hire agents and double-crossings and out- smarting and stuff - sort of like a james bond without the cheesyness.

but this movie really surprised me for it's very well executed and creative action scenes. even now, years later, i vividly remember how a gangster boss gets shot up: first, they cut the power and come in with infrared goggles and shower everything in bullets, then the bad guys catch on and put on their own nightvision gear - they are prepared, of course. next thing, the heroes swap goggles for sunglasses and throw flares... so they outsmart the gangsters, but, perhaps more importantly, they also LOOK way, way cooler - and that is the whole point!

excellent stuff.


The best thing about this romantic comedy is how good it looks thanks to cinematographer Sidney Hickok. This 1935 but the interior scenes look like they were shot in the 1950's. Hickok was a brilliant cinematographer whose career began in the silents and he would go on to shoot such films as The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, To Have and Have Not, A slight Case of Murder, Gentleman Jim and the sci-fi classic Them. Charles Kenyon wrote the story and the screenplay about a woman who overhears the woman who stole away her husband planning a weekend affair with another man so she hatches an elaborate plan to embarrass the woman and her ex by diverting the cheating couple to her home and getting her ex to come over to catch them. Another couple who are jewel thieves are inadvertently lured into her trap and things start getting complicated. It's a good story and a good cast with Kay Francis, George Bret, Genevieve Tobin, John Eldredge, Claire Dodd, Ralph Forbes, William Austin and Helen Lowell. With the rampant infidelity theme this story was probably written with pre-code Hollywood in mind but with the code going into effect the year before it's release it was filmed as a little less salacious. Alfred E. Green who would make such films as The Jolson Story and The Jackie Robinson Story directs. it's a fun little film and I would give it a 7.0 out of 10.


This is the best of the Kay Francis vehicles, and I had never heard of it before a couple days ago.

Kay is stylish, George Brent actually looks handsome. And there is a real plot, not just cutesy and/or tear-jerking posturing.

Married couples, formerly married couples. And -- a couple who are jewel thieves.

It zings along and is great, amusing, romantic fun.


Starting in 1934, when the new Production Code was enacted, 'inappropriate' adult themes were generally forbidden in films. That's because in the fast and loose 20s and especially early 30s, all sorts of very adult themes crept into films. Cursing, talks of abortions, extreme violence, adultery and even nudity were in films for general consumption---including in a Tarzan film (which appealed mostly to kids). So, a backlash took place and most of these topics were out or else if a sanitized version were allowed, by the end of the film the wrong-doers had to be punished.

THE GOOSE AND THE GANDER is about as racy as they come in the Post-Code era. My assumption is that because the movie came out in 1935, it had been designed as a Pre-Code style film but had been re-written for the new sensibilities. So, on one hand, the film has themes of adultery BUT because it's Post-Code, the people never actually get a chance to consummate their illicit affairs. And, by the end of the film, people had learned their lesson and went back to their spouses or, in the case of the criminals, were arrested.

The film begins with married Genevieve Tobin trying to arrange a tryst with George Brent. But, this tryst is interrupted by Kay Francis and her friends. It seems that some time back, Tobin had stolen HER husband and now using a rather intricate plot, she diverts Tobin and Brent to her home--planning on keeping them there while secretly contacting Tobin's husband so he could come there and find his wife with another man. However, when two thieves get caught up in the plot, the entire plan falls apart and where this all leads is anyone's guess.

Overall, this film is very entertaining and funny--with typically good acting from Brent and Francis. Despite the Code, the film makers managed to work around it and make a nice little movie. The only negative, and I was able to look past it, was that the ending seemed a bit hard to believe.


Enjoyed viewing this great film classic and the great acting of Kay Francis (Georgiana Summers),"Play Girl",'41 who loved to fool around with George Brent("Bob" McNear),"The Great Lie",'41 who was a married man. It seemed that everyone else in the picture played husband and wife with lots of infidelity and everyone telling little white lies about who is married to who and why we have to have different rooms to sleep in and why we have twin beds in our rooms. It seems that being divorced was a very evil thing and talking about their "EX" husbands was the in THING!. Genevieve Tobin (Betty Summers),"The Petrified Forest",'36 and John Eldridge (Lawrence Thurston),"Superman",'73 enjoyed stealing automobiles(coupe type) and even going into being a jewel thief. It was great viewing this film and seeing just what people were watching during the YEAR 1935. This film was probably considered X rated. The old gas stations, furniture and women's fashions, plus the modern auto's in the 1930's made this a great film classic with all these young actors starting out in their film careers.


It was with great honor to broadcast such a phenomenal woman, a woman who was not afraid to bear her true essence in film, poetry, directing, teaching and having said the last word. The documentary brought tears to my eyes, with such greatness from her films and poetry, her works shall always be ingrain in my heart. It takes much courage to struggle in a world that has so-long been divided especially when it comes to finding black roles in the acting industry; as well as having her voice heard without being accused of being radical. I applaud all that allowed her story to be told...because she is indeed a woman of many talents and excellence. Her vitality and energy emerged until the very end...thank you Beah!


Very moving and a beautiful job!! I knew very little about Beah Richards, but this documentary opened my eyes. What an extraordinary and beautiful woman! I commend Lisa Gay Hamilton in taking on the task of putting this altogether.

I enjoy every moment from the time the movie started until the time it ended. There's a lot to be learned from here and it's one more reminder of the struggles that were endured during the turn of the 20th century. This movie brought tears to my eyes, something I will never forget.


I just finished watching A Black Woman Speaks and I'm still crying. One of the last things Beach Richards said was "the last word has not been spoken" and I heard myself talking back to the TV saying "Yes Mam, Yes Mam". I felt like I was listening to and taking instructions form my GrandMother who was from Vicksburg. I had the honor of experiencing Miss Richards in person reciting "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark". Lisa Gay Hamilton, thank you, thank you, thank you for believing in your vision and for documenting this beautiful courageous lady, sojourner of truth and African Queen.

A Black Woman Speaks should be required reading in every elementary, middle school and high school in this country. I thank God I am a Black Woman!


LisaGay captured the spirit and soul of this incredible woman. I was moved to tears more than once and after viewing it you can say that she lived so many lives, and empowered people of all races and creeds to do the same.

I only hope within my lifetime that her visions are realized, for this is a movie I would love for my future children to see to realize that you cannot except hatred, you must fight to change it with love.

I know as a person of Irish heritage I cannot possibly know the struggles she had to endure, but I know my world is a better place because of her bravery both on and off screen.

Bless you, Beah.


Contrary to one of the other comments (which, actually, I'm happy to see, seems to have been in the minority). Interesting, different, off-beat, down-to-earth, refreshing, real. Interesting characters, well-portrayed, trying to make it real and make it work in a non-usual family situation. Patricia Heaton was very good and very attractive. You could see the potential, and I was glad to see her eventually make it big. Nikki Cox was interesting and a lot "realer" than in her later teen sexpot role in that "Married With Children" ripoff. Unusual, off-beat plots and execution made it really something special in my opinion, way beyond your average family-based sitcom (and without taking the more low-brow approach of MWC and its clones -- not that I have anything against MWC, but I think that THIS show accomplished something more significant). I would have liked to see it go farther. It certainly deserved more of a shot, as did Gaby Hofmann, as the central character.


Unique, amazing, massive project thoroughly documenting the expansion of the United States into the vast territories of the American WEST. Brutally honest, sympathetic insight into the fall of the many Native American peoples... some of the material is painful, sometimes bleak, but an absolute MUST SEE for any feeling person with even a passing interest in the history of America. Outstanding photography and the classic Ken Burns look & feel (executive & senior producer), but with director Stephen Ives' own insightful point-of-view. This series ranks right along side Burns' "Civil War" in scope and depth, IMHO. See it anyway you can, then demand the set on DVD! (DVD not available at this writing).


Stephen Ives directs this mammoth undertaking of the history of the West in America produced by Ken Burns. The film is mammoth in its length, at over 12 hours, but, more importantly, it makes a considerable effort to construct a balanced portrait of the West and its inhabitants: Europeans as well as Native Americans, Blacks, Mexicans, Chinese, etc. The film uses many actors and writers in voice overs to tell its astonishing stories, some familiar and some not so familiar.

The series focuses on the many famous and not so famous individuals, who played a significant role in the development of the West in some way. Lewis and Clark, Kit Carson, Levi Strauss, Brigham Young, John Brown, William Quantrill, Mark Twain, Custer, Charles Goodnight, Black Kettle, Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, Benjamin Singleton, Theodore Roosevelt, Frank Hamilton Cushing, William F. Cody, and Erskine Woods are just some of the many individuals touched upon that had some role in the gradual transformation of the West. Instead of just stories on each individual, Ives weaves in the many significant landmark events that the individuals either affected or took part in.

The film explores virtually every major event of the 19th Century that even remotely had anything to do with the West. The film highlights the Lewis and Clark expedition, wagon trains, the California Gold Rush, the founding of San Francisco, the Mormons, the Sand Creek Massacre, Custer's Last Stand, the Transcontinental Railroad, the great buffalo herds and their dramatic disappearance, the origins of cattle drives and their transformation of the western economy, European Immigration, the origins of cowboys and cow towns, the Freedom Trail/Thieves Road, Little Big Horn and the necessity of using the U.S. Cavalry for protecting settlements, the western migration of Blacks, the Great Oklahoma Land Rush, and Wounded Knee as well as the history of specific Native Americans, such as the Lakotas and the Nez Perce.

The film uses these individuals and events, as well as many others, to piece together a cohesive narrative that tells us a history that too few history books in schools contain. It is nothing less than the systematic assertion of one culture at the expense of others, specifically Native Americans. For instance, the population of Native Americans dropped from 150,000 to just 30,000 in 20 years from 1850-1870. By 1877, Indians were outnumbered by 40 to 1 in the West. Proportionally, the Indians lost over 100,000,000 acres of land to white settlers during this period. It illustrates how Native American genocide was directly proportional to American Government edicts, such as the Homestead Act and the Dawes Act, which denigrated Native American cultures, tribal ownership, and structure. This Act transformed many Native American communities into Americanized individuals. However, the film does not choose to present its views in a sentimental or even subjective manner, which makes its points about history and ultimately ourselves all the more poignant.

There are several incidents that the film uses that lead up to the Native American disappearance, including the ethnic strife already present among miners during the Gold Rush. The American cultural browbeating of Mormons, Blacks, Mexicans, and Chinese occurs simultaneously during the American development and expansion of the West. The vignettes about the Carlyle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania and Frank Hamilton Cushing's infiltration into the Zuni Indians of the Southwest as an anthropologist and ethnologist suggest just how complete our intent was in living above Native Americans rather than with them. This intent was based more on our cultural ignorance than on any hate.

Native Americans lived in community groups and we lived more as individuals, which is why it's no surprise that a mythic individual played more of a role in relegating Native Americans to second class status, however inadvertent, than any collective group of Americans, at least in popular culture and entertainment: William F. Cody. William F. Cody was Buffalo Bill, a shrewd businessman, who developed a touring wild west show to entertain the white American masses. The shows came complete with cowboy and Indian battles with the Americans always coming out on top. The film suggests that this is where the historical myth of whites being victimized by Indians originated, later carrying over to dime novels and movies. Likewise, William F. Cody reinvented himself in a role as Buffalo Bill and inhabited it, blurring myth and reality. Buffalo Bill becomes a metaphor for the U.S. Government's treatment of Native Americans, and coming at the end of the 19th Century, he's a metaphor for how America treated all other minority groups in its development of the West as well. Perhaps he's a metaphor for how we treat others even today.

The film concludes with a vignette called "The Gift" about Chief Joseph, still another powerful example of how we misunderstood Native American culture. The film informs us, moves us, and teaches us in ways few history books can. The voice-overs are very interesting and moving at times. The cinematography is breathtaking and the musical bridges are wonderful, some of them (I believe) are authentic Native American songs. This is a towering achievement on a grand scale, yet with much to say to individuals with conscience. It is history as it should be told, uncompromisingly painful but truthful. It should be required viewing in every high school classroom. **** of 4 stars.

* Note: Watch the silent film Tumbleweeds (1925) for one of the greatest action scenes of the silent era, the Oklahoma Land Rush scene.


Burns and Ives combine to produce a work that's very much up to Ken Burns' standards. As a viewing experience, it's everything you'd expect.

And then there's the content.

Much has been made about the supposed bias of Burns' presentation of the history of the west. A lot of time was spent on the way the US treated the indigenous populations, on the crimes of the US military, on the theft of lands, and the systematic attempts to eradicate native cultures. The loss of the age before white settlement is lamented.

Is this a balanced perspective? Maybe not, although I don't think it's as biased as other reviews would have you believe. The triumphs of the west are told as well as the losses. Not all whites are painted as evil, nor are all natives painted as innocent. Events are often just told as they happened, and the viewer is left to draw their own conclusions. A lot of the content doesn't concern native Americans at all.

More important that all of that, however, is that it's a story that needs telling. Americans have been indoctrinated with romantic fictions about the west for over a century. Giving Burns a chance to tell the other side of the story doesn't seem too much to ask. A few Hollywood movies that paint the indigenous people of America before westward expansion as noble savages - also a pleasant fiction, incidentally - does not make up for a century of bias, misinformation, and outright lies taught to American schoolchildren. What's worse is that for the most part, these fictions are still taught to American schoolchildren.

At nearly nine hours, The West is an experience that will take up several of your evenings, but it's nine hours that may change the way you think about American history.


I don't know what it was, maybe it was going through some of his own trials and tribulations (addiction and rehab), but George Carlin seems to be, well, different this time around. In a way I should've expected this- I remember reading a couple of years back when he was planning the special that it would be more based around language (if nothing else he is the single greatest linguist in the history of post-modern stand-up), and on that level the special isn't a disappointment. There are three things, however, that make the film not necessarily bad or over-wrought, but just, well, different, like a musician or band we all know through and through trying a little something new. This time, with Life is Worth Losing, there is a lot more philosophy in some ways, and also a little bit of loss in some of the timing for a few good laughs.

The first thing is that his delivery is a little different; usually it'll seem like he'll go for his three topics (the little things in life 'Seinfeld' style, words and expressions, and the "big" world), but much of the special this time is with a delivery that doesn't (at least some of the time, maybe not for the most part maybe so) have that much of the same strange skepticism. The second thing is that he changes the structure around one base topic, suicide, and one wonders if this will be for the entire length or if there will be a switch to another topic or not. There's variations on the theme, sometimes it spreads out into the gripes of America, and it's always fascinating, but maybe not as hilarious as one might expect (sometimes it's more like ironic musings than full-our jokes). The third thing is that at times he is so into giving a lyrical, sometimes even poetic kind of rhythm to his bits and terms in his linguist way (the first five minutes of the special a great warm-up, is a keeper) that might throw people off. In a way he is even angrier than he was in what I think is one of his very best specials, You Are All Diseased, because this time his anger is loaded at present day subjects which are, quite frankly, infuriating.

As some might come to think, I might be saying all this to shadow over thinking that the special just wasn't as funny as his best stuff. It's not necessarily that. At times I was in the same practically non-stop laughs at a few minutes a clip. As a Carlin fan all these rants that end up not leading to the same kinds of routines and such is in a way refreshing even as it is a little odd. At times I almost wondered if he was returning to a little of the spirit of his act back in the 70's mixed with his now usual brand of old-man brilliant wit and observance of all things in the world. He even seems to be going past just plain old cynicism. There is so much truth in the special at times it's kind of staggering. And to see that in such abundance and forming out into such tangents reminds me why I keep coming back to his best stuff. I'm just not sure after seeing this right off the bat that it's him at his total best, it's almost as if he's in a transition now into a totally new part of his career. Still, it's worth it to hear some of his classic takes of end of the world scenarios, the 'fat' situation in the US, and things involving suicide TV. And those last fifteen minutes are very poignant.