What Lies Beneath REVIEW...*minor spoilers*

[BlynS2]

This is one of my first reviews, so I am completely open to comments. Hopefully it isn't too shabby....hope you enjoy....


What Lies Beneath is an absolute masterpiece. The thriller-like theme of the film is only a portion of the overflowing amounts of suspense, seduction, and lies which make the film what it is. The piece maintains an eerie feel throughout the story and takes you into the house of Mr. and Mrs. Spencer as if you were right there with them. Michelle Phifer's character is impeccable and she pulls it off superbly. Harrison Ford co-stars and does a job equally well done. Each character has a strong presence on screen and their compatability is extremely natural.

The supporting characters add greatness to the film as well. Their time on screen is worth every minute as they help one another try and understand what Claire (Phifer's role) is going through. Phifer is extraordinary as Claire Spencer, wife and mother to Norman and Kaitlan. As her daughter leaves for college, strange and unexplainable things begin to occur in her household; doors open, pictures break, and bath tibs fill to the brim at the blink of an eye. While coping with "empty nest syndrome," Claire does her best to keep her head up. After her husband goes on a short business trip, the odd occurences begin to arise once more. Eager to discover the root of these happenings plaguing her home, she gets caught up in another devastating twist in the story. Her husband's affair. While coping with this shock and surprise, she begins to question her sanity and Norman's honesty as well. Where the story leads from there, I dare not divulge, but the last 30 minutes of footage are some that none of you should want to miss.

The suspense is wonderful and the screams are perfectly timed in accordance to their source of excitement and fear. I remained tense and anxious throughout the entire film, eager to see what would happen next. The brilliant setting of their New England-style home, covered in Claire's prize winning garden of roses and vines, overlooks the lake, where the lies begin and the fate of our characters lie. The believability of the characters is incredible and the emotion they have towards each other and the things happening around them are amazing.

This film is what I expected and so much more. I recommend to all of you to go and see this film. It truly is time well spent. If any of you are wary about the thrill and scare factor of the film, you will walk away very, very jumpy, but not disgusted by any means. It has something for everyone and I hope that you will agree upon viewing it.

OVERALL RATING: 10/10 Excellent on all aspects

[Silent Bob]

Dood that was like a really awesome review. That review made me scared of the movie and makes me wanna see it, which I'll do tommorow...

[Mr. Meat]

Blyn, that was a good review of the film, but I really think you rated it too high. I haven't seen the film so I can't judge it, but saying any film should recieve a perfect score is a hard thing to do. You have to really explain why you loved the film (which you did an ok job with) and write about how the film made you feel. Did it make you think differently on life? What were the little things you liked about the film? Also, give credit to the director(s), writer(s) and so forth.

Again, don't be so hasty to give a film a perfect score, especially if you only saw it once. The only film I gave a perfect 10, ****, whatever the rating system is was One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I watched the film over and over until my eyes started to bleed (not really duh). The runners up were Taxi driver and 2001: A Space Odyssey with a near perfect score.

A good review to a movie I probably won't like too much. Keep up the reviews. /ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Mr. Meat (edited 07-31-2000).]

[BlynS2]

I know that I am inexperienced in reviews, but I thought about it and thought about it and I couln't think of any bad points of the film. Here's a little continuation...

This film had me sympathizing with Phifer's character and wanting to help her with her struggles. The fate of the woman which Ford's character had the affair with also gave you reasons to want to help her as well as get even, you felt as if Claire and Madison (Ford's other lover) were on the same side, in the midst of all the betrayal and lies. Ford's character sometimes came off in a cold demeanor and that lessened your opinion about him and his actions, however his apologetic attitudes towards Claire and his devotion to try and love her again and regain her trust once more, were sincere and you liked him for that, if nothing else.

The Screenplay was greatly worded and with only minor profanity placed at just the right times. No overacting, that I could see, came through in any of the characters, and the little side stories of their past together added to the storyline nicely.

I would still rate it 10/10 despite my layman views on reviewing, however, I would like to discuss any weak points others might have seen after they've viewed it themselves.

Please, respond. All input is appreciated.

P.S. Thank you Silent Bob. So, what did you think of it?

[This message has been edited by BlynS2 (edited 07-31-2000).]

[This message has been edited by BlynS2 (edited 07-31-2000).]

[Silent Bob]

What I thought was: I won't play Solitare on the computer anymore, I won't take a bath, I won't look at my neighbors house, I'll always look behind me, I'll NEVER be in the house alone, and I will never see this movie again at the theaters!!! Do you know how fucking scary this movie was? It wasn't all that gory, but gore doesn't make the horror. The suspence left me with my fingers over part of my eyes, so I could barely see the screen.

But, scary or not, I loved this movie. It had a great cast, a great script, I loved the overall newengland, "i have a big ass haunted house in vermont" creepy feeling to it. The ghost was rally scary, and whenever a haunting took place, it jolted me, and I go "fuck! that scared the shit outta me!" I would give it hmmm... let's see... 7/10.

[Mr. Meat]

Ok well I still said it was a good review. I stated that I didn't see the film yet, and the trailer and other critsism on the movie still hasn't tempted me otherwise. And when I said that you rated it too high, all that meant was that I think the film got too much praise, not mocking your review. I was just giving you some advise for the future, I didn't mean at all to offned a film that you care deeply about.

[Silent Bob]

The trailers don't say anythinga about the movie. You have to see it if you wanna be truely scared. Forget Scream. Scream is not scary. I don't know why.

[yvonne]

thats a great review Blyn! cant wait to see the movie!!!!!!!

[BlynS2]

Oh, no Meat,
I didn't take it that way at all I knew that you were just helping with some advice - I appreciate it. I agreed with you it could have been more in depth, so I decided to do the little continuation above. Thanks for the advice and concern.

On another note, I'm glad you dug the movie Silent Bob. And I agree with you, before going to shower the night I saw the film, I was a little hesitant. Hope the review helps you all.

P.S. Yvonne, you'll love it - tell me what you think of it if ya do c it. /ubb/biggrin.gif /ubb/smile.gif /ubb/biggrin.gif /ubb/smile.gif

over an out