(October 22, 2002) — As I hear screams and the static of a TV set, I close my eyes, ready to run out of the theatre. Yet something holds me back. It is the anticipation and eagerness of The Ring that keeps me in my seat scared to death, wanting to watch the end so my confusing thoughts of the movie will clear up. The remake of one of Japan’s biggest box office hits is finally here. Directed by Gore Verbinski, The Ring is based on a videotape watched by characters from the movie followed by a telephone call telling the viewer’s death in exactly seven days. The videotape contains disturbing yet haunting footages of a mysterious story. The movie opens with newspaper reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) investigating the deaths of four teenagers, including her niece Katie (Amber Tamblyn). Rachel is cynical of the story of the videotape, until she finds out that the deaths of the four teenagers were caused by watching a video found in a cabin up in the mountains. Rachel’s inquisitiveness leads her to watch the video. She’s determined to untangle the mystery of the videotape to save her life and the life of her son Aidan (David Dorfman) in seven days. Like The Others , this movie is a “thinking movie.” It requires the audience to really pay attention to the movie. Although the plot of The Ring is a bit unrealistic, the cinematography brings a lifelike quality to the movie. It may be mind-boggling at first, but the knot starts to loosen at the end of the movie. For those who don’t have anything planned for Halloween, go watch The Ring . The mood of the evening on the Night of the Dead goes along with a story that is mysterious, shocking and disturbing. Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, disturbing images, language and some drug references. The Ring is playing everywhere.