PANIC ROOM

[Strider]

Panic Room (2002)


Hopefully, nobody has put a post for this already. Anyway, who's looking forward to going inside the Panic Room. I know, that sounded cheesy, but I wanted to say it. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

I think the movie is going to kick a lot of ass! I have been waiting so long to see a psycho-logical thriller. It's my favorite genre, you know. Getting back to the film, I know this film is going to be great. Why? Because of David Fincher. He's one of the greatest and most talented directors out there today. Except for Alien 3, his other films are awesome!

So, what do you guys think? Are you looking forward to seeing it, or not? Please voice your opinions.

And BTW, once you've seen the film, feel free to post your comments, opinions, and reviews right here on this thread.

Strider


[This message has been edited by Strider (edited 03-30-2002).]

[BakeTheMooCow]

I can't wait for Panic Room. Like you said, David Fincher is one of the greatest and most talented directors out there. And Jodie Foster rarely disappoints. The trailers were good, and I haven't heard any negative buzz. So, hopefully it will be awesome.

[snootch]

I am definitely looking forward to checking out Panic Room this weekend! Did you guys happen to see how good Jodie Foster looked on the Oscars last night? She is one of my favorite actresses and I'm sure that she is going to be amazing in PR.

[A Canadian ThereWolf]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by snootch:
!Did you guys happen to see how good Jodie Foster looked on the Oscars last night? </font>

Yeah, she looked great! http://www.joblo.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Her and a few other good-looking ladies were the only reason to have seen the Oscars last night!

[SteveSzyk]

Let me start off by saying that I want a fuckin panic room. Ok, anyway Panic Room looks incredible, and I can't wait. I'll be seeing it this Friday, and I'm sure it's gonna kick ass. Jodie Foster is always great, as is the director David Fincher. It looks extremely creepy, and has been getting some good word of mouth so far.

[idealdiscountdude]

I'm really friggin' excited to see The Panic Room!

Friday, I'll be there!

[entitee]

by the trailers, i am not excited to see the Panic Room at all. I don't see how much of a plot can be developed from 2 people stuck in a room.

by David Finchers past work, i am very excited. I'm expecting some surprises.

--kev

[Strider]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by entitee:
by the trailers, i am not excited to see the Panic Room at all. I don't see how much of a plot can be developed from 2 people stuck in a room.</font>

Well, that does sound very simple. But I think it'll be much more complicated than that. I believe the writer, David Koepp has some surprises in store.

Strider

[Horror whore]

I got tickets from Media Play tonight (for free, the first 75 customers after 5:00 p.m. got free tickets!!) So I get to see it Thursday at 7:30!!

[BakeTheMooCow]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Horror whore:
I got tickets from Media Play tonight (for free, the first 75 customers after 5:00 p.m. got free tickets!!) So I get to see it Thursday at 7:30!!</font>

You lucky bastid http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif. I want to see it as soon as possible because I'm sure there are some surprises and twists. If I take too long, someone may spoil it for me. I hate it when that happens...

[This message has been edited by BakeTheMooCow (edited 03-26-2002).]

[Push_Button]

I'd love to see Panic Room

I've read the script and it was a bit dissapointing but seeing what Fincher has done with the material is just amazing.

Btw, how good will Panic Room open this weekend?

[idealdiscountdude]

BUMP!

[ColinM]

I'm very excited about this movie, and even though I'm trying not to be too excited (don't want to ruin the movie) it's probably one of my top five anticipated movies of the year. I thought the trailers were great and Jodie Foster is one of the best actresses there is. I was already looking forward to this movie before I knew it was directed by DAVID FINCHER, who has never let me down before.

[The Heart Collector]

Berardinelli says PANIC ROOM is DA BOMB.

http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/p/panic_room.html


If Joblo thinks the same, then I'm THERE, baby. THERE.

[This message has been edited by The Heart Collector (edited 03-26-2002).]

[movieDUDE68686]

Yeah, James Berardinelli of "reelviews" gave the panic room ***1/2 out of **** so thats an A-, and about a 9/10

HERE IS THE REVIEW
Critics writing reviews of Panic Room will likely delve into the cliché bag and pull out some of these familiar phrases: pulse-pounding, edge-of-the-seat, white-knuckler, thrill-a-minute, etc. However trite those sayings might be, they are appropriate for the latest tautly paced and slickly executed motion picture from populist auteur David Fincher. The film's gamesmanship is superior: a cat-and-mouse affair that sometimes features the skill, moves, and counter-maneuvers of chess and, on other occasions, plays out like a game of chicken. Because the protagonist is a woman, we are spared the often expected overdose of testosterone, but the high level of adrenaline more than makes up for it. It's almost like there's a feedback loop between the characters and the audience. Their tension feeds off of ours, and vice versa.
The premise is simple enough, and the kind of idea Hitchcock would have enjoyed toying with. Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) is recently divorced from her millionaire ex-husband, Stephan (Patrick Bauchau). Alone with her daughter, Sarah (Kristen Stewart), she moves into a large Brownstone in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It's an amazing place, with spacious rooms, and elevator, and, most interestingly, a "panic room". Designed to keep out intruders, the small chamber is protected by steel-plated walls, ceiling, and floor, and a door that is close to impervious. The panic room has its own ventilation system, a telephone line that isn't connected to the house's main one, and a bank of video cameras that show virtually every corner of the brownstone.
On the night that Meg and Sarah move in, they find themselves locked in the panic room in an attempt to escape a trio of threatening men who break into their house. Burnham (Forest Whitaker), Junior (Jared Leto), and Raoul (Dwight Yoakam) have come to steal something specific. Unfortunately, what they want is locked in the panic room with Meg and her daughter. Thus begin the games as the robbers seek to smoke out the victims. And things become further complicated when Burnham, Junior, and Raoul realize that there truly is no such thing as honor amongst thieves.
Panic Room does what all the best suspense-based thrillers accomplish: it keeps us on edge for about 90 minutes. It's not hard to become enveloped in the movie's spell. Fincher's style, which involves a restless, roaming camera, lots of shadows, and tension that builds to almost unbearable levels, pulls us in. Are there logical flaws? Undoubtedly, but they don't become apparent until long after the house lights have come back on. And the script rewards us with a rarity: protagonists and antagonists who are both smart. The resolution of Panic Room doesn't hinge on who makes the most stupid blunders, but on who outthinks the other. And there's a nice twist at the end. Unorthodox as it may be, it feels right.
This is much more a showcase for the director than for the actors. However, the contributions of the performers should not be overlooked. Panic Room succeeds because Jodie Foster (replacing Nicole Kidman, who had to bow out due to an injury) and Kristen Stewart create characters we care about. We believe the mother/daughter bond, and experience a sense of urgency when a critical plot point is revealed. Forest Whitaker is effective as Burnham, a burly man who is torn between greed and remorse. The man who constructed the panic room, he may be the only one who recognizes its weaknesses. As Junior, Jared Leto brings a manic quality to the part, and actor/singer Dwight Yoakam develops the nearly-silent Raoul from a background observer into a menacing, psychopathic presence.
It's conceivable that, with a different director, the same script could have resulted in a grade-B thriller. As he proved in both Seven and Fight Club, however, Fincher is a master of style. He knows how to use a camera to bring us into the action, rather than keeping us at arm's length. He understands that rain isn't just a meteorological condition, but a means to accentuate a gloomy atmosphere. Even the opening credits are presented in an atypical fashion. And, bucking the trend of recent movies, Fincher eschews quick cuts in favor of long, leisurely ones. He knows what he's doing, and the proof is in the result. The suspense in Panic Room never ebbs, and that makes for a thoroughly entertaining - if somewhat exhausting - 108 minutes.

[max]

I'm going to the sneak preview tomorrow. But I'm getting the sneaky feeling that it's nothing more than a retread of WAIT UNTIL DARK, a superb thriller starring Audrey Hepburn. In it the Hepburn plays a blind woman terrorized by crooks looking for a doll stuffed with drugs. In the end she turns the tables on the crooks. I expect Jodie to do the same. I kinda doubt PANIC ROOM's going to be as good, though. Ror one thing, Jodie's no Audrey.

[Push_Button]

A very cool UK Panic Room site is up

url: www.panicroom.co.uk (http://www.panicroom.co.uk)

[MovieFreak15]

This movie looks freakin' awesome and I hope it does really well at the box-office. I also hope it is as good as Seven. I'm definitely going to be seeing this tomorrow.

[Horror whore]

OOOOOOOooooooOOOOO... I can't wait!!! I'll be seeing it in about an hour and a half!!! I'll let you know wht I thought tonight...

[The Heart Collector]

Well, since Joblo and The Arrow say this movie RULES, I'll watch it. RIGHT NOW.

[Benny]

I've been looking forward to Panic Room for a while now, and it's finally here! I can't wait to see it, and after reading great reviews by JoBlo, the Arrow, Peter Travers, and my local paper (3.5 out of 4 stars), I am psyched! Plus, Jodie Foster has been MIA in the movies for two years so I'm glad to see her back. Is it just me, or does Kristin Stewart look like a young Jodie Foster?

[notchreturns]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Benny:
Is it just me, or does Kristin Stewart look like a young Jodie Foster?</font>

She defienently looks like a younger version of Jodie Foster, and from what i've read in numerous reviews she holds her own along side the two-time academy award winner.

[Horror whore]

I am just getting back from the movie and only 10 words can express my feelings....

HOLY MOTHER FUCKING SON OF A BITCH WAS THAT GOOD?!?!?!?!

I had really high expectations for this movie and i WAS NOT let down. The movie starts out looking over New York City making it seem dreadful. The music by Howard Shore sure helped the mood. The opening credits are very neatly done but at times you can't read them.
Then we see Jodie Foster and her daughter buying a HUUUUGE house in Manhattan. Soon enoguh they are moved in and then shit happens. If you have seen the previews you know the plot and I'm not going to brief on that. I didn't really think that Mr. Fincher (or anyone) could pull off such a movie where there are basically only six characters and it happens over a span of like 3 or 4 hours... But he did. And that leaves me with a question..

Will David Fincher ever make a bad movie!?!?

Lemme just tell you this movie is very suspensful... I was holding on to my mom (yes, I saw it with my mom) that whole second half of the movie... The ending does have a few unbelievable events occur, but I just ignored them...

9/10 (Surely one of the best movies of the year!)

[idealdiscountdude]

Wow!!!

What an awesome popcorn flick!!!! The Panic Room is the best film I have seen this year thus far!

Great suspense, acting and direction!!!!

9/10

[Horror whore]

*Horror whore wipes the sweat off her forehead*

I was afraid I was going to be the only one who liked it that much!!!

[The Other]

Panic Room...9/10

A short review for the time being...

Horror Whore, I completely agree. There were a few scenes where I felt myself tense up. This was a great thriller. The acting is very good. Jodie Foster has never been better. Her tomboy daughter played by Kristen Stewart was good as well. Dwight Yoakam of all people was actually very convincing as the "baddest" robber of the three. LOL. David Fincher does it again by taking a relatively simple story line (three burglars break into a large house to find a hidden stash of cash while the two inhabitants are inside) and weaves this brilliant thriller into a wonderful thrill ride. This is the best film I've seen this year, and most likely will still be in my top ten when the year is done. I hope it makes a lot of money. When I saw it today, the first showing ever at my local theater at noon, it was pretty crowded.

[bskutle]

"Panic Room"- A
Another ride of a thriller by David Fincher. A Hitchcockian story with a distinctly Fincher-esque look, Jodie Foster (bringing back the tough woman personality she perfected in "Silence of the Lambs") plays a divorced mother who- with her daughter- buys a town house with a "panic room," which should keep the house's inhabitants (sp?) safe in case of emergency. On their first night in the house, an emergency arises when three burglers break in. The story may be routine, and the burglers (played by Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto, and Dwight Yoakam) may be little more than one-dimensional, but Fincher, Foster (tough as nails, and a kick-ass mother to boot), and Whitaker (working well with what he has) have us biting our nails to whole way. Fincher in particular has his A-game going; he's a supreme visual stylist of all things atmospheric to rival David Lynch, and with the assistant of original cinematographer Darius Khondji- and his replacement, Conrad W. Hall, employs a stunning blend of real cinematography and CG augmentation he employed in his 1999 cult classic "Fight Club" to riveting, mind-bending effect here, creating a roller-coaster of a thriller that would have even made the Master (that's Hitchcock) green with envy. Top it all off with a brilliantly-conceived opening titles sequence (which matches "Se7en" as a Fincher pinnacle) and reliably moody music by Oscar-annointed "Ring"-master Howard Shore, and strap in your seats for the ride of the year. Well, thus far at least.

[dh1989]

Does anybody else think that Jodie Foster's little girl in PANIC ROOM looks like a boy. When I saw the trailer I was not sure if it was boy-looking girl or a boy with long girlish hair. This is probably just me but does anyone agree.

[Strider]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by dh1989:
Does anybody else think that Jodie Foster's little girl in PANIC ROOM looks like a boy. When I saw the trailer I was not sure if it was boy-looking girl or a boy with long girlish hair. This is probably just me but does anyone agree. </font>

Yeah, I agree with you. She does look like a boy. And BTW, she looks a lot like Foster herself. That's some damn good casting IMO.

Strider

[Strider]

Hey yo,

I read Ebert's review for Panic Room a few minutes ago. And I think he enjoyed it. He gave it *** out of **** stars. Here's the link:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-panic29f.html

Strider

[Lazy Boy]

I don't want to sound too repetitive, since everybody else has given their opinions:

Excellent film. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/cool.gif A really tense nail biter. Plus, it's the first film in a while that I've see where there was active audience participation in the theater (screaming, shouts of "Don't do that!" etc.)The only slight quibble I had with the flick concerned the rather tame ending. Upon leaving the theater, I thought, "That's it?" David Fincher is an awesome director. Really. The long, uncut tracking shot (those who've seen it know what I mean) is pure brilliance. I'd like to know how that was so well choreographed. Even the main titles are interesting and original.
Jodie Foster and newcomer Kristin Stewart are an excellent mother-daughter team; I saw this film with my sister, and she thought Stewart was actually a boy!
There is so much to talk about concerning this film. I may have to see it again to know how much I originally liked it. One of the better films of 2002.

Rating: 9/10

[sleekproductions]

...

[sleekproductions]

...

[Raena]

I saw the movie.

Good, not great. Fincher's other films are better, in my opinion.

The acting, all around, was very good, however.

But the ending was lacking something. I read somewhere that it was re-shot, which may explain why the final cut wasn't as satisfying as it could have been.

One thing that bummed me out:

Fincher films usually have an extra layer and awesome final acts, I think Panic Room was lacking a bit in that department.

The story was only slightly above average, but thankfully, Fincher's direction, the score, and again, the acting made up for that.

Also, I can't forget to mention the wonderful opening credits. The only other movie credits that have impressed me were The Ninth Gate's.

[This message has been edited by Raena (edited 03-29-2002).]

[Push_Button]

I want to see the movie, after all those reviews!

Unfortunately I have to wait till 11th of April....

[Raena]

I did forget to mention the whole film-noir-esque feeling that I got from the flick. That was great.


[This message has been edited by Raena (edited 03-30-2002).]

[BitchTits]

I saw this flick last night. Once again, David Fincher makes another gem.

Highly suspenseful. What surprised me is that through the majority of the movie they didn't use any background music. I guess that was good because it helped to enhance the mood and atmosphere.

Anyways, fun, tense flick. 8/10

[ColinM]

David Fincher has retained his "the fucking man" title with me, because Panic Room is definitely the best movie of the year 2002 (excluding E.T.) thus far. Seriously, I don't remember feeling intensity so strongly in a movie since I first saw Rear Window! David Fincher's directing style is, as always, top-notch, and the acting (especially Jodie of course) was great!

The only bad thing I can possibly think of is that it might not be as good the second time around, but I'll have to wait and see about that one.

9/10

[ColinM]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by BitchTits:
What surprised me is that through the majority of the movie they didn't use any background music.</font>

Really? Wow! I didn't even notice...

[dellamorte dellamore]

Could'nt believe i got suckered into seeing this what amounts to a high tech version of Night of the Living Dead.People are trapped in human safe,and some clueless,braindead,stumblebums try to outwit our fair maiden in distress,i knew it was a rental from the start but i did'nt follow my instincts.


Fincher is an MTV video director with slightly more talent and a larger budget.He hides his films shortcomings with fancy visuals,and lighting his sets with a dark grey tint.


This should'nt be a full length movie,a half hour would have been fine,there were no surprises,and the set up is way too contrived even for someone that favors cheesy b-movies.


The protagonist is recently divorced(that will attract divorcees),She has custody of her young daughter(that will attract all Mothers,and women who like or would like to have kids),her husband is a lying,cheating,scoundrel(that will attract the go girl crowd).


I like how the thieves show up right after they move in,and happens so perfectly,and i said it before this is just some manipulative(the only type of film Fincher knows how to make)metaphor about the difficulty of single motherhood and how dangerous it is to protect your daughter from the evil that men.The room is just a high tech symbol of the womb.

[BitchTits]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ColinM:
Really? Wow! I didn't even notice...</font>

There's some music at the beginning, and a lot at the end, but in between its mostly just silence, except for the characters talking. This to me helped to enhance the atmosphere and make it more suspenseful.

[notchreturns]

Panic Room...7/10


Just lacking.Two word that describe Panic Room.Very good performances all around(Dwight Yoakom stealing the show.David Fincher yet again showing he's a master of the camera.A cliched story and a rather empty ending are the faults in Panic Room.A 7/10 is my grade.It's performances and visuals saved it from being another empty, cliched thriller.

[The Shah Of Blah]

I liked this movie. It seems that in the fincher catalog their needed to be a classicaly directed thriller. This was it. The script to lends to the idea of classic thriller movies, and its simplicity was a driving force in the film being so powerful. I disagree with those who say that the film characters act irrationally.

SPOILER
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
The Characters acted fully within reason, people do not just do what seems reasonable at the end of the film.

I also wanted to note the fact that a person who has gotten used to the FIncher style of direction can begin to "read" his direction. Short shots of a persons shoes, the straying of a camera towards a cell phone, the focusing on a window at the beggining of a scene. All these factors can pretty much create a script in ones mind even before your 20 minutes into the movie. I have not yet decided wether this is good or bad.

[inglourious basterd]

My review of Panic Room (I wrote it for my homepage)

Panic Room 9/10
Starring Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Jared Leto, Forrest Whitaker
Directed By: David Fincher

A week before this movie came out, I was unconvinced that it would be a stand out film. Although the movie was directed by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club, Alien 3), I was convinced that the concept of a “panic room” was an ill-conceived idea. As I saw the glowing reviews from critics, both amateur and professional, it brought forth a glimmer of optimism; however, regardless of that, I still entered the film with little-to-no expectations.

What was the reason for my low expectations? I was beginning to feel that the thriller and horror genre was beginning to become stale and formulaic. There is either the elusive “bad guy” who has superhuman strength (Cape Fear, Joy Ride, I Know What You Did Last Summer) or there exists a chain of coincidental events that yields unbelievable twists in the favor of the protagonist (What Lies Beneath, Training Day, Along Came a Spider). Based on the trailer alone, I thought that this film would serve a little bit of plate A and a little bit of plate B.

What I am glad to report is that I was wrong. It was technically perfect. Fincher flexed his muscles by using inventive shots, by masterfully controlling the dark environments, and by using cuts to generate genuine suspense. Where many of the films above (not all of them) have caused me to laugh (as opposed to cringe), this film forced me to, instead, sit tight wondering what would happen next. What makes the movie so interesting is that the movie has characters that see things from a variety of different perspectives. For every action, there were at least three separate reactions and that with that environment there were many complex situations. Perhaps on paper these situations may have been standard, but when they were combined with Fincher’s ingenuity, it was true movie magic.

Although Fincher was masterful behind the camera, the movie would have been nothing without its leads. An interesting point that has been reported was that Jodie Foster replaced Nicole Kidman for the lead role when Kidman injured her knee while filming Moulin Rouge. Looking in retrospect, I think that the substitution worked for the better. Unlike Kidman, Foster has a naturally strong demeanor that suited this lead character more favorably. Although Foster’s solid performance may have been expected, one of the surprise performances came from 12-year-old Kristen Stewart. With a lesser actress, the film would not have been the same.

This movie was a nice divergence from the typical Hollywood movie. Each plot device occurred because of the genuine responses of the characters that were in the film. While it may be predictable to some, all can admit that the movie looks and feels genuine. With originality, style, and a suspenseful story, put simply, this is one of the reasons why I love movies.





[This message has been edited by psudoazn (edited 03-31-2002).]

[noisy_brut]

BEWARE SPOILERS BEWARE SPOILERS

I really liked this movie. The opening credits were great. The movie overall was very intense and gripping.

Three things I didn't like:

1. The three robbers were breaking through the ceiling with a sledgehammer...and five minutes later yelling at Buchman (FW) not be quiet with his hammer while going for the air duct. (Just a nit-pick didn't really take anything away from the movie)

2. I HATE HATE HATE those (as said in Scream) Now here's the part where the seemingly dead killer comes back for one last scare. There was enough tension in this movie for Raoul to be down and out after going over the rail. He didn't need to regroup and be able to take on Meg and Sarah. Still didn't really ruin the movie...just something that bothered me.

3. The 7 year old sitting in front of me who came in with her two teenage sisters, and then cried thoughout the movie.

[Kami]

****!!!!!!HEAVY SPOILERS!!!!!!****

I have a question, because it seems like a kinda big movie mistake if I'm remembering correctly.

They put a couch in front of the front door. But when Jared Leto went to leave, there was no couch and he didn't push anything away. When Mr. Altman was at the door, still no couch. Then later when Jodie went to open it, she had to shove it out of the way. Was Jared leaving through the back door?

Anyway, I've only seen four Hitchcock films, but this one had the same aura to me. I guess the city scenes in the beginning reminded me of North by Northwest. The credits really freaked me out for some reason. I felt really uneasy looking at them, but I still thought it was really cool.

I didn't care too much for the built up music at the end with focus on her face. I thought something else was going to happen, but then nothing. IMO, the best scary scene was when Raoul was about to kill Jodie and her daughter was just screaming and screaming in the fireplace, unable to help. That was just so raw and frightening to me. Great plot changes throughout!! There was a group of girls in the back of the theater all out screaming when she was trying to get the cell phone. Made it more scary for me. lol

[Silverload]

I enjoyed this movie very much, but it just didn’t have the magic as Fincher’s other movies. The visuals in this movie were fantastic and I was on pins and needles at some parts of the movie. I just for some reason could not get into this movie, it was slow and drug out at times but was still a fun movie. I guess I was expecting more from Fincher. Fincher did do a great job, he took a movie with a very simple story that could easily have been a made for TV movie and turned into a very good stylistic entertaining movie. I do recommend go see this at the theater if you are a Fincher fan, you will enjoy it.

I took my family to this movie, it was my mom’s birthday. I brought my mom, dad, sister, and brother in law to see Panic room. Every single one of them disliked it, they said it was boring and my sister fell asleep in it. I also seen a few people walk out and never came back. People kept talking about how much they hated the ending.

I for one enjoyed this movie and I will by it on DVD when it comes out for sell, but I probably won’t go see it again in the theater.

Panic Room 7/10 for both entertainment and critical value

So far (except Rollerball) I have not been disappointed with 2002’s movies. It has already beaten 2001 by a long shot, I just can’t wait for what is in store for us later on this year, 2002 has only just begun http://www.joblo.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


SPOILERS!!!!!

One thing about this movie that did bug me was when Raoul was hit in the side of the head with what looked like a ten pound sledge hammer, and he fell off of a stair case, he was still able to get up and still try to kill them. Anyone hit in the side of the head with a ten pound sledge hammer isn’t getting back up, even without falling over a stair case they would be down for the count if not dead.

Also for people that hate the ending because the good robber that saved them was arrested and the $22,000,000 was completely lost. That ending was just much more realistic.

[ColinM]

Was anyone else completely on the edge of their seat during the scene when Jodie temporarily leaves the room to try to get the cellular phone while the bad guys are arguing downstairs? Jesus Christ, I could not believe how intense that scene was. The way that Fincher removed practically all sound made it all the more powerful!

[idealdiscountdude]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ColinM:
Was anyone else completely on the edge of their seat during the scene when Jodie temporarily leaves the room to try to get the cellular phone while the bad guys are arguing downstairs? Jesus Christ, I could not believe how intense that scene was. The way that Fincher removed practically all sound made it all the more powerful!</font>

You are soooooo right Colin!!!

I was biting my nails at that point. The suspense in the film was so intense!!!1

[The Other]

Yes, I found that scene to be very thrilling. Very well done. I just wanted to scream "UNDER THE BED!" http://www.joblo.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[FeverDog420]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by ColinM:
Was anyone else completely on the edge of their seat during the scene when Jodie temporarily leaves the room to try to get the cellular phone while the bad guys are arguing downstairs? Jesus Christ, I could not believe how intense that scene was. The way that Fincher removed practically all sound made it all the more powerful!</font>

Hey! Watch that SPOILER!

SPOILERS

Anyway, this was by far the best part of the movie. Everyone in the theatre was completely silent - until the lamp started to fall. Then there was the sound of 300 patrons gasping, followed by applause(!) when she got back in the room.

When was the last time you applauded in the middle of a movie?

A great time this movie is. I admit that the sledgehammer to Raoul's head should have been more brutal, and how does one get to the back door of an NYC townhouse? Backyards are surrounded by buildings, so there's usually no direct access to them from the street.

One more thing: since Jodie couldn't be heard while talking to the policemen why didn't she explain the situation to them? They wouldn't have entered the home knowing the consequences.

But does any of this matter? This movie is pure Fincher, and it's a great date movie.

Oh, and the sleepy neighbor is played by Andrew Walker, the writer of Seven. A little trivia, eh?

Oh, and my boyfriend is telling me that the door that Leto was at wasn't the front. Here's "Dunbrick" to explain it:

If you're not from NYC or a metro area, let me first explain that 'brownstones' are 4 story homes, and many times the front door is up on a stoop, like this one. As well as the "Front Door," there is a 'garden' level entrance (also at the front of the house)coming into the kitchen. The cops were at the front door on the stoop, at the parlour level. Junior was trying to make his exit at the garden level door in the kitchen, which is where Steven Altman made his entrance. Neither door is 'street' level. The main front door is above street level, and the secondary door is below street level.

Ladies and gentlemen, Dunbrick! Let's thank him for his cameo at Joblo.com. Anyways, there's not much else to say that already hasn't been said, so goodnight, Schmoes.

FeverDog

[Common Sense Man]

Well I stayed away from all threads so I would not read any spoilers, not that there are many the plot is straightforward.

I would have really, really, really enjoyed this movie except for one thing.

Damn inconsiderate asshole losers behind me talking thru the entire movie! Man I cannot even begin to tell you how pissed I am.

They had to comment on everything, or talk to the screen, "Oh no Jody, don't do that" etc.

This just totally ripes me out of the movie and really pisses me off for the rest of the show.

The glance did not work, the shut up did not work, the shut the fuck up did not work. I was very close to throwing my popcorn on them!

It was infuriating!

So originally I would have given this a 8/10 but I must give it a 7/10 now as I was unable to enjoy or absorb the movie as it was intended.

I really liked the flick, from the very original opening credits to the end.

Maybe a little slow at points but that may have just been my tension level increasing.

The burglar in the ski-mask was hilarious in the opening scene when he just slips in and Forrest is like what the fuck!

A few things did peeve me a bit, like the fact they simply did not bust into the house thru the door, why climb up to the roof just bust in the back window, no one is home, right?

And I thought giving the daughter diabeties was a little too convinient. As we all knew there was eventually going to be a reason for them to want to leave the room.

Yes the cell phone scene was good, but it would have been better if the bitch behind me had not been talking to "Jody" as if she was part of the cast!

It had many funny moments as well and I did not even realize that was Dwight until I started reading this thread, what a performance.

Forrest was great also, and yes the little boy/girl was very much like a young Foster.

I did think the ending was a little boring, and I too was caught off gaurd by the giant music build up at the end with the tight close up on her face then nothing.

Maybe that is a product of them reshooting the ending.

I know everyone wanted Forrest to get away but it was a real ending, and those are boring sometimes.

Good call on the couch because when dead man walking tries to leave he just opens the door and goes, but earlier he pushed the couch in front of the door.

I enjoyed it but I could have really enjoyed it if not for the asses in the theater.

Go see it, just beware if an old couple sits behind you, if they do, run! or better yet bitch slap them for no reason as a preemptive strike to keep them quiet.

Out...............................

[Kami]

Thanks for the info on the garden door, that cleared up everything for me. It took a bit, as I had to think on the rooms. But then I realized Stephen was sitting in the chair and there was no kitchen behind him, it led to the back. And Jared was dead in the kitchen.

[Stripes]

Wow that movie was Garbage. 4/10 Let me tell you why...........DWIGHT YOAKAM. He is a horrible actor, and every movie he has ever been in they try to make him a Billy-Bad-Ass.

Also the movie was not scary for the fact that it was trying to be humurous. They actually made you try and feel bad for the bad guys and like them. All but Raoul anyways. Preview is much better than the actual movie.

S



P

O

I

L

E

R

*The Most F'ed up thing is that they did not show the outcome of F. whitaker. I hated that.
*


S

P

O

I

L

E

R

[inglourious basterd]

***spoilers***

Like the ending of Seven (with the character of Mills), I thought that the literal outcome of Whitaker's character (Burnham) was not important. What was important was what the ending implied: In choosing to save Foster and her girl, he had to let go of his dream (the money) and, in the process, had to give himself up. He was the tragic hero. Although it not by any means a new theme, it was one that I thought was explored incredibly.

[BitchTits]

I completely agree. That scene when she got the cell phone was awesome. Everybody was going "oh my god!" and you could tell people were really on the edge of their seats in that scene.

One thing I didn't like about the movie.

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

I was actually disappointed that the leader of the group was killed early on in the movie. He was one of my favorite characters.

[max]

The master of gimmicks, David Fincher, comes up empty this time. PANIC ROOM is a gimmick in search of a movie. Although not a big fan of his, I thought that his other films, especially SEVEN and FIGHT CLUB, managed to go beyond their gimmicky premises and offer a few insights about the human condition. PANIC ROOM is all style, no substance. Actually, the style is the substance. When the movie's over, the thing you remember the most is Fincher's omnivorous camera. Jodie Foster? She's fine. The daughter (can't remember the actress's name)? She's fine. Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto, Dwight Yoakam? They're fine. But they're all given little to work with. Whitaker is smart, Leto is stupid, Yoakam is homicidal, etc.. With characters driven by plot rather than specific motivations, this psychologically barren movie offers little suspense. You know exactly how each character is going to behave. The biggest suspense lies in what new optical trick Fincher is going to show off. Even that gets predictable. The ending, with its false endings, is pure Hollywood. Not that there's anything wrong with that, per se. But we expect more from Fincher. A lot more.

[entitee]

All I can say is that I enjoyed this movie very much. I'm glad Fincher chose a different story this time around. I felt that the ending was resolved well and reasonably. Fincher and M knight shyamalan have been starting to build reputations for having endings that laff in the face of the audience. It's good that he's breaking this trend.
I also enjoy seeing a movie now and then that takes place in few settings and work more on character interactions somewhat like a play.
I say 9/10

SPOILER
.
.
.
I had to wonder what kind of sick world we live in when the audience applauded after Burnham blew out Raoul's brains.
.
.
.
--kev

[kobe]

i saw panic room twice and thought it was great. i basically enjoyed everything about it. imo the best flick to surface so far this year.

[Silverload]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by kobe:
i saw panic room twice and thought it was great. i basically enjoyed everything about it. imo the best flick to surface so far this year.</font>

No way, it was a fun suspense movie. That is all. There wasn’t much plot so the movie is all about entertaining and it does a good job. Especially with that phone scene, it had everyone holding their breath. But it doesn’t have the best story, had its share of plot holes, and definitely is not the most entertaining movie that has been released this year.

[tbone]

While I give Panic Room a thumbs up the movie is not anywhere near 9/10 for me. For one the characters are underwritten, and are saved by great performances all around by the cast. Another thing thing holding the movie back was the predictability. What really disappointed me though was what JoBlo really touched on was the ending. I needed something more, it just ended like any other Hollywood movie. Still Fincher does a great job with the camera and pulls you right into the movie in a tense movie.

[Freak]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by BitchTits:
I was actually disappointed that the leader of the group was killed early on in the movie. He was one of my favorite characters.</font>

Leto wasn't the leader of the group, he thought he was, it's not the same thing. There wasn't any leader, they were just three different guys. I also thougth it was a good thing that Leto died so early, he was freaking annoying.

And the movie ...
9/10
The best thriller since The Shining.

[inglourious basterd]

Guys...please remember the spoiler warnings.

[the saw is family]

i am definetly in the minority on this one i really was extremly dissapointed by this film. honestly one of the worst scripts ive seen put to film. the dialougue by jared leto was so unrealistic it made me cringe hearing it. also jared leto had to give one of the worst performances ive seen in along time it was so over the top. his constant spouting of one liners was extremely annoying i thought this was supposed to be thriller not a comedy. i thought david fincher did a great job directing though,but the films script was so poor i don't think any director could of saved the film. also just aminor complaint i thought the cgi work in the film was a little shaky,but this is all just my opinion. panic room-5/10

[kobe]

does anyone know if Howard Shore's score for the picture will be available??

[Strider]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by kobe:
does anyone know if Howard Shore's score for the picture will be available??</font>

It's already available. Go to your local music store, and you should be able to find it.

Strider

[Strider]

Panic Room (2002)

Rated R for Violence & Language

Director: David Fincher

Starring Jodie Foster, Forest Whitaker, Dwight Yokam, Jared Leto, & Kristen Stewart.

The film's plot focuses on Meg Altman(Jodie Foster) who has just recently gone through a divorce with her rich husband. She and her daughter, Sarah(Kristen Stewart) move into a very expensive Brownstone house that includes a "panic room". It's meant for your safety and protection. On their first day, their new home is invaded by three burglars: Junior(Jared Leto), Burnham(Forest Whitaker), and Raoul(Dwight Yokam). They all are looking for something hidden inside the "panic room".

David Fincher truly is one of the greatest and most talented directors out there today. With "Panic Room", he really out done himself. It amazes me that Fincher turned such a simple story into such a brilliant movie. As always, Fincher gives this film a dark and moody feel that is very enjoyable.

I must give credit to David Koepp. For he's one of the reasons this film worked so well. You know, some people probably think a film that focuses on five people inside a house is simple. They're right, it is simple. But Koepp starts to make things more and more complicated. Especially once he shows us there's no "honor amongst thieves". Koepp's smart script for "Panic Room" is one of the best he's ever written.

Jodie Foster hasn't been on the silver screen for a few years. After seeing her electrifying performance in this film, you're glad she's back. Foster plays her character with such fire and intensity. She really disappears into this fole. What a great actress.

As for the robbers: Each actor plays their roles brilliantly. But Dwight Yokam really steals the show as this psychotic human being who's mind is corrupted by the thought of money. And surprisingly, there is some very funny humor shared between them. And that's another thing: The humor was a nice touch.

My only complaint is regarding the ending. It left me unsatisfied, and begging for more. After watching such a great film, the ending was a bit of a disappointment.

A brilliant chess game. A battle of brains and wit. This accurately describes "Panic Room". It's an excellent edge-of-your-seat, psychological-thriller mixed with David Fincher's own unique style. Fincher definitely has another winner on his hands.

Running Time: 1 hour 59 minutes

Grade: 9/10

Strider

[bigvic]

Panic Room was great!

[FilmBuff84]

I saw this movie tonight and it ROCKED!!!! Jodie Foster is brilliant in the lead role. The film is very suspenseful and the acting by all is spot on. Foster is natural and believable in her concerned mother role, Kristen Stewart was well cast in the daughter role, and the chemistry between the two females is great, the dialogue they share is hilarious at times. Forest Whitaker is the good bad guy and Dwight Yoakam makes a very convincing silent turned psycho bad guy, but it's Jared Leto who has the most fun with his role. He delivers the best lines and clearly is enjoying himself. David Fincher knows how to make a film and as well as being a high with acting, a script and suspense, the film looks good with its shots and opening credits, almost 3D. This gets an A+. Gotta love a good panic.

[ToasT]

This movie was excellent! It was a great action thriller. Everything was great, the casting, plot, dialouge, cinematography, I mean every damn thing.

The only quarell I had with the film was the use of too many sleek "computer enhanced" camera shots. It made the film seem a little less real than i had anicipated. But all in all it was great.


9.000/10.000

[ToasT]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by The Shah Of Blah:
I also wanted to note the fact that a person who has gotten used to the FIncher style of direction can begin to "read" his direction. Short shots of a persons shoes, the straying of a camera towards a cell phone, the focusing on a window at the beggining of a scene. All these factors can pretty much create a script in ones mind even before your 20 minutes into the movie. I have not yet decided wether this is good or bad.</font>

Trust me your worship, it's a good thing.