The Ring

So, the first movie chosen for 2009's Horror Movie a Day was The Ring (2002).  Let's be honest: The Ring, nowadays anyway, is often considered passé.  But think back to when you first saw the movie.  It scared audiences everywhere, myself included.  In fact, this was the first horror movie I had seen that actually scared me.  I've been watching horror movies since I saw Cujo at the age of 8.  It takes a lot to actually scare me.  Yes, these movies can make me jump from surprise, creep me out with the stalking and evil looks, and make me shudder from gore.  But to actually scare me?  That's difficult.  The Ring freaked me out - and I watched it in the theater with a group of friends.  Kelly watched it through her sweater.  My friend Pedro and I clung to each other, freaked out.  In fact, when (SPOILER) Samara comes through the screen after Noah, we gripped each other in fear, screaming, knowing there was only one more screen between her and the audience! (end SPOILER)

Samara, the creepier kid from The Ring. Let's be honest, if she had a face, I think Aiden would have been the creepy kid of the film!

Back to brute honesty:  kids in horror movies are freaky.  They are always evil and creepy and make those of us without wonder why anyone in their right mind would want to have one.  ;)  Think about it: Children of the Corn, Damien in The Omen, Sharon/Alessa from Silent Hill, Yoko from The Grudge, and the list goes on.  Samara is evil, creepy, and able to make phone calls, come through the television, and kill people. This is one little girl none of us would ever want to meet. 

The premise of the film is simple.  People watch a videotape that is a mashup of random screen shots which include a woman brushing her hair looking in a mirror, Samara receding from her image in another mirror, the same woman throwing herself off a cliff, different bugs, and creepy images.  After people watch the video, they get a call in which a creepy female voice says "Seven days."  Seven days until what?  (Yeah, we're watching a horror movie... the beginning has two girls explain the myth, but the characters don't know this!)  So what's a responsible journalist to do?  Why, go find the video and show it to her friend, of course. 

So, um, Noah. Would you mind watching this videotape? What's that? Oh no. No, no, no. There won't be any repercussions, I promise.

Then, of course, her son watches the video.  She is clearly more upset that he has seen it accidentally than her friend who she forced to watch it. Blood really is thicker than water.  Anyhoodle.... long drawn out search to figure things out... (I don't want to give it away for anyone who hasn't actually seen it) and she finally realizes, not a damn thing she has done helps.  Shocking.  But why is she still alive?  Ohhhhh... she copied the video and made someone else watch it.  Hmm.  She then makes her son make a copy to distribute to some random victim so that he will in turn live.  I really hope no one wanted a moral out of this story.  Apparently journalistic integrity only applies until you or someone you love in truly in danger. 

Damn you for watching this tape. Maybe if I squeeze you and cover your eyes, Samara will just think "Oh, well I guess he didn't see it after all."

In all seriousness, it was a good horror movie.  Honestly.  I truly enjoyed it.  In fact, I own the DVD.  If you want a good scare, it is a good choice of movie to watch.  There are issues with almost any movie, and I hope to point some of them out in a humorous way while still showing my appreciation.  The Ring was very well doen and provides the scares that hardened horror movie fans such as myself look for in a film.  Enjoy!