Ringu 'Round the Rosie
Based on the 1998 Japanese film Ringu, The Ring tells the terrifying tale of a video tape that kills all who view it. What certainly could have devolved into a silly urban legends flick, is surprisingly intelligent and frightening, leaving the audience guessing and fighting to catch its breath. In fact, once you get past the first five minutes of film, an introduction which seems to promise two hours of cheap scares and a paper-thin plot, the film suddenly changes pace, creating a genuine tension that never lets up.

Watts happenin', hotstuff?
The Ring stars Naomi Watts as a reporter investigating the mysterious death of her niece. She hears the high school rumors regarding the cursed video tape, and the film spins into a supernatural mystery, with Watts fighting against time to solve the puzzle of the bizarre tape. This is what makes The Ring such a stand-out horror film; it relies heavily on a plot that unravels at a torturous, methodical pace. As each subsequent clue towards revealing the secrets of the tape is discovered, the trepidation intensifies, and the viewers are drawn further into its murky depths.

Refreshing Treat
What makes the film so refreshingly spooky is that it really works hard for its scares. Don't look for those cheap, cat-jumping-out-from-behind-a-bush thrills; The Ring is frightening because the intricate plot is layered with jolts of terror and an ominous New England backdrop. Add to this some artsy, atmospheric filming by Director Gore Verbuinski, and you have yourself a real treat for Halloween.