Ring
Taking a little time out from Reduxing I went to see Ring on Sunday. In short you should all avail yourselves of this film. I can see why it’s garnered such a cult following, and how they could keep milking it for sequels.
Like Cronenberg, technology is the medium of terror, in this case the TV, video and telephone. And in that 90s manner it’s self aware enough to frame itself as an urban legend, one that grows by the climax. It’s also fairly easy to see what other films were an influence. Obviously The Sixth Sense will spring to many people’s minds, but there’s also The Shining, Videodrome, The Dead Zone and oddly enough Straw Dogs.
Whatever, the film stands on its own merits. It’s well paced, creepy, atmospheric and a huge amount of fun. Didn’t give me weird dreams though, so it can’t enter that rare echelon of horror films. Take the time, less than 2 hours, and enjoy. Ring 2 opens November 29, so us parents can recover from Harry Potter with a little bit of Japanese horror.
Craig Andrews
