Explanation sought for The Ring

Back in the early '90s when the Partnership for a Drug-Free America was running an ad campaign showing us all what eggs (a.k.a. our brains) would look like on a frying pan, Ehren Kruger and Scott Frank must have decided to make omelets with theirs. Drug usage is the only logical explanation for the concept behind the new suspense horror film The Ring. The film's writers, Kruger and Frank, developed a screenplay based on a popular Japanese film that leads audiences from the edge of ridiculous to the edge of their seats. The story follows reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts), a single mother researching the bizarre deaths of some local teens. Friends of the victims say their deaths were caused by videotape. Apparently, anyone who watches the tape dies in seven days. Rachel's investigation leads her to a small cabin where all of the teens stayed a week prior to their deaths. She finds a blank tape and watches it out of curiosity. The video reveals a series of images seemingly as odd and eerie as the film itself. After watching the movie, Rachel receives a phone call telling her she has seven days to live. While not believing the message at first, strange events over the next few days force Rachel to hunt down the meaning of tape. She studies the images on the tape with the help of her son's father Noah (Martin Henderson). Rachel's research then leads her to an island known for unexplainable events. The movie concludes with Rachel and Noah fighting for their lives and the meaning of the mysterious videotape. It wouldn't be fair to divulge more because most of the film's strength comes from the unexpectedness of its story. While slow and irrational at first, the film's story concludes strongly. The real conclusion is beyond expectation after first leading the audience to believe the film is over. The movie also gets a giant boost from a relatively unknown cast. Although only a child, David Dorfman displays great potential in a chilling performance as Rachel's son Aidan. No one from the cast overshadows the story, allowing the focus to be in the proper place. A close second to the film's strength is its beautiful cinematography. There is a certain quality of reality to it that causes viewers to feel what is happening on the screen. The scenery and props are masterfully chosen, adding extra shudders to the film's scariest scenes. The Ring couldn't have opened at a better time with Halloween looming in the distance. Viewers should appreciate the lack of goriness that is characteristic of most horror films. The concept is a bit left field, but this movie is genuinely scary and offers a story with such a good ending that any snags in the script can be overlooked. Don't close your eyes during the movie, and don't miss it while it's in theaters. Oh yeah, and don't do drugs. The Ring is now playing at the Regal West Town 9, Carmike 10 Knoxville, Halls Cinema 7 and the Regal Farragut Towne Square 10. Rating: A