Logo

Cool News

JoBlo & Brico Both Know WHAT LIES BENEATH

Published at:  Jul 14, 2000 9:30:29 AM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

Hey, all. "Moriarty" here. I'll be seeing this film tonight at the lovely Academy theater, one of the finest in town, so no matter what, I'll enjoy the actual viewing experience. As far as what I'll be viewing... that's still up for debate. I've heard a pretty broad spectrum of feedback on this picture, and since it's Robert Zemeckis, I'm sure there's a certain amount of technical accumen that's to be assumed. I'll be honest, though... I loved the CAST AWAY trailer I saw last night in front of X-MEN, and that's the one I'm really jazzed about. This one's got a script that underwhelmed me, so I'm hoping the director and the cast found a way to make it hum. Let's take a look at how Brico responded to it.



This review may contain spoilers, but the movie's so predictable it doesn't really matter. The plot we all know from the trailer. Michelle Pfieffer and Harrison Ford's daughter goes off to college, and Michelle Pfieffer starts hearing/seeing things. This might be a ghost.

(I noticed that several moments in the trailer did not appear in the movie... an odd little sidenote.)

From the very beginning of the movie, the director shoves jump after jump in the audience's face. A face appears in the frame, an arm comes out of nowhere... etc. etc. ad nauseum. This is unfortunate because throughout the first half there are a number of big moments that build fear and tension, but are destroyed by these little ones. A note to filmmakers in general: "Jump" moments can be effective when used sparingly, but if there's more than fifty in first hour, the audience gets annoyed instead of scared, and then they start to laugh. And when an audience starts to laugh, continously, at what is supposed to be a horror movie, you know you're in trouble.

Of course... I was laughing right along with them.

What Lies Beneath had a strong first half, good characters that we liked, good actors, good setting. But those jump moments kept coming and coming and destroyed any fear the audience may have had. And by halfway through, the audience didn't care anymore, and just watched this insanity play out on screen. The finale leaves much to be desired except for one brief shot that's truly scary (It involves a necklace and a bathtub). I believe the lack comes from an attempt to include twist... after twist... after twist... when the audience stopped caring half an hour ago.

I wish I could say I hated this movie as much as the rest of my group. But I thought it was very funny and almost worth going to see for free. Sadly, it was supposed to be scary, and wasn't. There are bad movies much better than this that you can go see. The tickets may have been free, but I should have stayed home.

And THAT's what I have to say.

Hmmmm. I don't ever wish I could say I hated a movie. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised, like JoBlo of JoBlo's Movie Emporium was. Check how just how much.



Rating: 8/10



PLOT: The life of a happily married couple living in Vermont is suddenly jarred from its foundation when an entity (yes, that's right people, a ghost!)
invades their home. The haunting is particularly geared towards the wife,
who just can't seem to figure out what the heck is going on. The
workaholic husband is also worried, but mostly because he thinks that his wife is going bonkers. Together, the couple attempt to solve the mystery of their
haunted home.

CRITIQUE: A well-crafted thriller, this movie delivers on various fronts including the creepy suspense, the cheap scares via the excellent camerawork, the superior score, the even better use of silence, the solid acting card punched in by one Michelle Pfeiffer and the ending which grabbed me by the nuts and refused to let go. Does anybody remember a director by the name of Alfred
Hitchcock? (sarcasm, folks). Well, Robert Zemeckis sure does and he's made
certain to watch every single one of his movies in order to recreate a lot
of that superb Hitchcockian feel, and by golly, it seems to have worked.
But before I unwillingly make this film feel like a thrill-ride, please
understand that it isn't one by any means, in fact, the only real "action"
in the film takes place during its final half hour. This film works in a
different way. It's slow, methodical and even a little longer than it
should be, but once it gets going, I was hooked with a line and a sinker. Even
Ford manages to make us forget RANDOM HEARTS for a couple of hours, and
effectively emotes more than one feeling in this film (hey, it's a
start!). And the story, you may ask?

Well, I can't honestly say that this film is original. In fact, it's not.
I recognized various elements from other suspense features roaming around in
this one, with the strongest vibes resounding from REAR WINDOW, FATAL
ATTRACTION and PSYCHO. Okay, the last one is probably because the
"bathtub" scene in this film is comparable to the shower scene in the latter, but only because it might actually instill a fear in some people to take more
baths. Actually, there is a more than obvious homage to PSYCHO as well, so I
don't think Zemeckis is trying to fool anybody here. But unoriginality aside,
the film does work and work very well indeed. I personally am not a very jumpy
person, but Mrs. JoBlo was bouncing off the walls at every other "boo!"
moment presented in the film, and so were quite a few others. The film is
extremely effective in that non-teen horror flick kinda way because it
actually manages to creep you out before deafening the room with its
deadly silence, and then boom! Fun stuff. The last thirty minutes also slapped me silly with appreciation for the work of the man behind the camera, and an
excellent ending which had its twists and turns, some very tense moments
and a satisfying resolution. But I would consider myself an ass if I didn't
mention the consistently great work continued here by Michelle Pfeiffer
for this film. This lady is bursting with talent, secures you in the film with
her appearance as an everyday woman, and is completely gorgeous to boot!
Wow. Give her an Oscar already, goddamit!

Don't go see this movie if you're the type of person who is gonna be
asking your cinema partner the same question every two minutes "why don't they
just leave the house if it's haunted?". Listen friends, this is a movie. Work
with a little suspension of disbelief (or naivete in this scenario) and
enjoy the movie for the creeps that it does manage to sway in you. It's
kinda like the movie that THE HAUNTING was billed as being, but wasn't
even close. And this one might actually scare you crapless if sitting at home
alone in the dark. Take a friend, squeeze an arm (or whatever else is
close) and enjoy the first great thriller of the summer.

PS: Pooh on the damn marketing people at Dreamworks for spoiling a good
chunk of this film for everyone. It would've been nice NOT to know some of
the things that they give away in the trailer, but alas, tis the business
of show, and I guess that's all part of the biz.



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 9:51:21 AM CDT

    This film is going to rock...

    by gravyakira

    I heard it is scary as hell.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 10:51:24 AM CDT

    Harrison Ford sold me weed!!!!

    by rossimus

    it was a slim nickel, but it tasted great!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 11:29:06 AM CDT

    Sounds so silly

    by siskels ghost

    Michelle Pfiefer needs implants, Harrison Ford needs a time machine, Robert Zemekis needs Tom Hanks, or Mikey J Fox, and I need a free ticket. If all of those things happen, then I MIGHT go see this stupid looking movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 12:22:37 PM CDT

    I ruined Harrison Ford's breakfast once

    by bswise

    It's true, while working as a short-order cook in college at a 50's-style diner (The Pontiac Grill) in Santa Cruz, CA. He and wife Melissa Mathison were in town visiting their daughter who was then going to UCSC. ("B-Movie" by Gil Scot-Heron was playing on the jukebox.) Harri ordered a breakfast burrito called a "Tuck 'n' Roll." Mel ordered poached eggs. BUT I didn't have the water ready so, in a panic, tried to poach them in the microwave. They came out hard as golf balls and she sent them back. This has been a true-to-life nature adventure from B.S. Wise. Yeah, the movie looks like FATAL ATTRACTION meets THE SIXTH SENSE.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 1:14:27 PM CDT

    This is not good.

    by crimsonrage

    This movie looks like another assembly-line generic supernatural thriller. A film that revels in its own mediocrity. And if there is one thing I cannot stand it's a film that knows it is mediocre, and plays it safe. At least most of the really bad films tried something different. I mean, most of the best films of all time with one wrong turn easily could have become the worst. Look at "Star Wars", it could have turned out awful with a simple stroke of Lucas' hand, or "Jaws", I mean they had a shark with rubber teeth! What I'm trying to say is, genius and stupidity walk a thin line between each other, and we need filmmakers who will take risks, not confine themselves with crap like this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 1:52:45 PM CDT

    Saw "What Lies Beneath" last night...

    by fuzz1

    And it was one of the worst films I've seen in ages. The film isn't an homage to Hitchcock, it's a ripoff. An homage requires originality, with a subtle wink to the source material. This is cinematic theft, from its "Rear Window" chapter (which eats a good half-hour of film without being the least bit relevant to the plot) to the "Psycho" shower-curtain tug. Even the film's one original plot point (in the bathtub) feels like a rerun because of its use in the trailer and its parallel to "Fatal Attraction." Shame on you, Robert Zemeckis, for churning out such a cookie-cutter attempt at a thriller that even a first-year film student wouldn't claim involvement. Harrison Ford, you look down your nose at "Star Wars," but your performance in this film (not to mention the role itself) is the most embarassing thing you've done (and that includes "Hanover Street"!) And Michelle Pfeiffer -- cheer the f*!# up and bring something more to the character than what's provided by the lengthy, convoluted back-story. An Oscar, JoBlo? Give the girl a Prozac, and give me back the two and a half hours of my life I wasted viewing this garbage.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 1:53:15 PM CDT

    What Th-?

    by anton_sirius

    There's a diner in Santa Cruz with Gil-Scott Heron in the jukebox? I must go there! What's its name? Give the place a plug, dammit!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 1:54:30 PM CDT

    THE FIRST REVIEWER EATS FAT SHIT

    by skubrick

    I saw this movie already----It was fuckin sick. Harry licks balls, anyways this movie rocked!!!!!!Fuck your reviews ohhhhhhhh scared of Dolby Schocks you liitle pussy Do you guys have anything hanging between your legs
    Harry eats shit fuck this website

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 1:57:46 PM CDT

    FUZZ 1 GIVES RIM JOBS FOR FREE!!!!!!!!

    by skubrick

    Fuzz 1 eats shit he dosnt know what hes talking about---ZEMECKIS ROCKS----Harry eats shit

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 3:03:01 PM CDT

    Just a thought...

    by doctor snot

    Would JoBlo's woman's name actually be Mrs. Blo? Just wondering...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 5:44:00 PM CDT

    Seen it

    by gold4

    I thought it was pretty damn scary. I guess if I was a jaded critic I might scoff at some of the devices and cliches, but as a guy who just sat back and watched the story unfold I found it effective.
    I was not alone in this, the theatre I saw it in was packed (free tickets will do that) and there were actual SCREAMS at several points in the movie. The old man next to me yelled so loud at one point I thought he was going to croak, honest to god.
    Michelle Pfeifer was a chameleon, her look changed throughout the movie in a very disturbing way. And Harrison Ford was suprisingly NOT the big star in this movie, his screen time was a lot less than you'd expect for the paycheck he hauls in. But he delivers and plays a real stretch role for him, you will be suprised if you can avoid the spoilers.
    If you want a good scare or two (or three or four or....) check out "What Lies Beneath", get some popcorn, bring a date and enjoy.

    Gold 4

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 6:34:52 PM CDT

    I told you guys last week, it's Fatal Attraction meets Amityvill

    by bari umenema

  • Jul 14, 2000 7:08:16 PM CDT

    crimsonrage is a punk

    by bigpimpin

    Mediocrity right, you obviously have seen this movie. Well before you pass judgement why don't we make an attempt to see the movie. Hey buddy just a concept. By the way Zemeckis always breaks new ground, but no he is mediocrehe doesn't know what he is doing but you do. Sorry Wolfgang Petersen.
    Anyways I will resort to saying lick my sweaty crack you gay rager.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 7:14:07 PM CDT

    Bari is a fag

    by bigpimpin

    Bari you go boycott you fudge thumper. Otherwise take your scared pussy ass to go see Fantasia leave the older films to the older men. And go find Leif I think he is looking for you he was dissapointed with last night's rim job.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Good carpenter! Good Thai too!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 14, 2000 11:41:44 PM CDT

    The telltale signs of repressed homsexuality.

    by zeno

    This is a pretty interesting Talkback, not only for the insightful critiques of What Lies Beneath, but also because a few of the posts so clearly demonstrate certain classic indicators of repressed homosexuality. Now I'm sure most of us know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with homosexuality. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees. For the most part, these people are simply ignorant, or at worst bigoted. Sometimes, some of these people turn out to be homosexual themselves. Often this leads to intense self-loathing and fear: The prospect that they themselves are gay is so unacceptable, that they refuse to believe it. They create a complex system of denial, yet subconsciously, they know the truth. Consequently, they take all of their fear and loathing and direct out towards other people, usually accusing others of being homosexual, which to them is the worst possible slur. The internet is filled with these sorts of people because it allows them express themselves, working out as much hatred as they can, while remaining anonymous. Yet the self-loathing is never fully eliminated. For those of you reading this who feel I may be describing you (SKubrick/BigPimpim), the sooner you learn to accept yourself and realize the fact that you yourself are gay, the better you'll feel. I wish I could say that I'm speaking from experience, but I can't: I'm not gay. I do however have gay friends that have gone through exactly what you're going through, and believe me, they'd all tell you that you'd be much happier if you stop trying to hide from yourself, and let the truth that you're gay set you free.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 12:17:19 AM CDT

    That is the exact response I wanted!!!

    by bigpimpin

    Thanks buddy I love when gay people such as yourself get so offended that you release yourself from this so called closet. It makes my messages seem that much more brilliant. You feel into the trap. You got played. and I THANK YOU!!
    peace buddy

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 12:46:36 AM CDT

    Zeno is Once Again Right on the Money about Repressed Homosexual

    by bari umenema

  • Jul 15, 2000 12:49:23 AM CDT

    You see what I mean? Accusatory and still projecting.

    by zeno

    Look, I understand how hard this must be for you. It's okay. If it somehow helps for you to believe that I'm gay, that we're all gay, sure, whatever. Just remember that there must be groups out there that can help you, when you're ready.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 1:17:44 AM CDT

    Well, this JoBlo guy...

    by sgt. bilko

    ...also liked Battlefield Earth. A lot. That's what I read on his site anyways.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 3:41:21 AM CDT

    THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO BE SCARY TRUST ME!

    by geekbasher 3.0

    anything with Amber Vallerta as a ghost will make me piss my pants! Just kidding, I really hope this one is going to be good because I have seen the damn trailer so many times, I feel compelled to camp out at the theatres thursday night so I can be the very first one in the morning show! Just kididng again!
    i am a sucker for a good haunted house story, Haunting sucked so bad that this hopefully will make up for it!
    Tonight I was doing trailer checks (secret side job) and SO MANY PEOPLE LAUGHED AT UNBREAKBLE's wanna-be sixth sense trailer..the first shot of SAMUEL CRACKED OUT JACKSON induced so many guffaws that when the next trailer came on for CASTAWAY...when they showed that shot of tom hanks on the beach all stranded..Some wiseguy yells out "THE WINNER OF SURVIVOR!" and the whole theatre started laughing...
    not a good sign...I am so sick of Tom Hanks! I do wish in real life he would just find a good island to retire on and spare us his Forrest Gump/Green Bile act!
    IT's ALL ABOUT RUSELL CROWE as far as I am concerned..Meg rang me up the other day and said he eats a mean pussy!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 8:35:06 AM CDT

    Loosen up.

    by mojoe


    Just a question.
    How many of you people who put this movie down have actually watched it????? As I thought.

    Do not rely on the views of others so much as you have to decide on your own. Every movie has its pros and cons and to watch any movie one has to be entirely subjective and not "Oh this movie sucks because I hate so and so's guts". You decide! Use your brains and judgment.

    I also feel as if the people who spoke too soon are the same people who gleefully watched the likes of Pokemon and the trash heap that was the Waterboy!

    I'm even beginning to think that Harry does have something against Harrison (although I'm not really a Ford fan) as I've read loads of positive reviews from film sites which never seem to make it here.
    Take a visit to The What Lies Beneath site to read some of the critics' reviews. Just a thought.


    Peace.

    P.S : As another point Harry features loads of good reviews of the X Men but have you read the reviews from the critics that matter? Go read them at www.imdb.com.
    Biasness? You tell me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 12:30:40 PM CDT

    Verbal Domination Zeno

    by shadyru

    Accusations are key in attaining a given response. Once again the same exact response I got before and I wanted again. Studies have shown that the ones who take offense are the ones who have the problem. A non gay guy defending a gay guy...not very common. Now you try to ignore my examples of how I have proven your identity. You have stated no concrete argument that I am gay. Then again you can attend these groups that you try to say you know nothing about. Please don't use the same argument twice it's gets a little old. If you plan to get verbally dominated again, oh please, write back. and I thank you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 3:36:38 PM CDT

    ShadyRu = StupidYuR

    by bari umenema

    Shady, SKubrick, Big Pimple-Puss, whatever moniker you are using today, please take your narrow-minded diatribes to a place where they will be welcome such as www.godhatesfags.com (yes there's really such a disgusting site run by the ignoramus imbecile Fred Phelps, a so-called "Reverend" who organizes pickets and protests such as the one his deranged followers staged at Matthew Shephard's funeral last year. Question for you: RuGay or RuBi or RuJustDumb? Me thinks UrSub-Human in your intellect with an IQ of 31. My suggestion is find a Gay Pride Parade to march in and go strut your stuff! You'll love it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 3:53:41 PM CDT

    S'okay man, I'm not angry.

    by zeno

    In fact, believe it or not, I'm actually trying to help you. I'm sorry that you come from a place where a straight person defending a gay person is not very common, because that's what I'm trying to do here: defend you, a person with whom is obviously having sexual indentity problems, against yourself. The thing is, after my first post, if you had said something like "You know, I don't think I'm really gay, but I've just gotten so used to expressing my anger that way that that's just how it comes out, Sorry," that may have been a response that we might be able to believe. Instead, you continue the same attack, only now on me, which only confirms my original point: people like you, who are in such denial about their own sexuality, try to project it onto others by way of insult. In retrospect, for me to "out" you on the Talkback board like this was probably wrong, and for that I'm sorry. (The ironic thing is that one day, you'll probably come out on your own, and you'll want to thank me.) The good news is that you can keep changing your user name like you already have in the future, and that way, no one will know it's you when you post.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 7:25:20 PM CDT

    Well, you can't say I didn't try to help.

    by zeno

    Sheesh, that's gratitude for you. I don't even know how this even turned into an argument for you (well, actually, yes I do; This whole discussion must cut too close to the bone for you). I hope that at least on some level, though you'll never admit it, I've helped you recognize your own behavior: That your homophobia is so clearly cover for your own latent homosexuality, and that when you attack someone by hatefully accusing them of being gay, or use homosexuality as a slur, it's all about you. (Man, if you don't believe me, read your messages again. I mean, c'mon, admit it: Even if by some miracle you're not gay, you really do at least sound like a classic repressed homosexual. C'mon, this is Psych 101 stuff.) Like I said, I just tried to help. Gay, straight, whatever, hopefully now you're a little more hip to your own rap.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 7:52:54 PM CDT

    Shadyru or Big Pimpin, what studies are you referring to in your

    by junior d-girl

    I think you have lost this little flame war you started to the higher intellect of Poster Zeno. I also think you may enjoy a little role-reversal with your girlfriend, assuming you actually have one, and I'm certain she would totally get a kick out of doing you with a strap-on dildo. "Straight" boys especially love this and can't get enough once they've experienced it. Enjoy!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 15, 2000 8:41:55 PM CDT

    What Lies Beneath - Help!

    by bethberlin

    Ok, strange that this discussion turned to issues of tolerance and diversity, and wouldn't let up.

    My question - what is the plot twist to this movie? I appreciate a movie more when I don't have to get caught in the plot twist and can study the rest. eg, Sixth Sense and Fight Club. Anyone want to help me out?

    PS So long as homophobic, hate talk is sanctioned, even in 'fun' or metaphor, we aren't going to overcome it. Didn't X-Men teach you anything?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:41:32 AM CDT

    ZENO SUPPORTS ELLEN

    by skubrick

    Zeno what the hell do you have to do with this conversation anyways stop coming out of left field with your fuckin gay ass lectures-----No one understands what the fuck your saying "COCO THE MONKEY"
    By the way its really easy to see that you like taking the hikes from the tight ends.
    Besides "its not the cup in the water its the cup that holds the water"---Luther cambriosses on the night of the battle of rapenoind. Peace

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:44:24 AM CDT

    GOOD BURGER

    by skubrick

    I saw Good Burger last night and had to sat it was preety good. Im a New York film student.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:44:48 AM CDT

    GOOD BURGER

    by skubrick

    I saw Good Burger last night and had to sat it was preety good. Im a New York film student.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:49:14 AM CDT

    JUNIOUR GIRL STICKS FROZEN BANNANAS UP HIS ASS

    by skubrick

    JGirl made one of the dumbest talk backs this site has ever seen. Thats fuckin embarrising Id kill myself if I were you. P.S you have good comebacks Strap on Dildo----we have an original
    Get some help JGirl

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:52:22 AM CDT

    I CANT TAKE THIS SHIT

    by skubrick

    HOW GAY ARE THE PEOPLE ON THIS WEBSITE----"Strap on Dildo"--what the fuck is that shit. DARK HORIZONS FUCKIN RULES!!!!!!!
    I bet the people in this talkback thought Gone in sixty seconds was a good movie.......

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:56:27 AM CDT

    And Junior D-Girl Supports Zeno!

    by junior d-girl

    Pay attention SKubrick and ShadyLadyBoy: I think the two of you are absolutely Perfect for Each Other and cheerfully encourage the two of you to start e-mailing each other so that eventually you guys can meet for some closeted ManLove. You have lots in common and should make a Super Couple! Enjoy each other's sparkling wit and the pleasure of each other's company (just remember to use condoms! Always use condoms boys!) and be sure to post next weekend to tell us all about how it was doing what will no doubt come so naturally to both of you superstuds (oooh la la boys, I'm getting all hot and bothered just picturing it -- a couple of geeky fanboys -- gag me with a spoon why don'tcha. Ciao!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:58:48 AM CDT

    BARI IS FUCKIN DUMB

    by skubrick

    Bari your comeback sucked to."GO STRUTT YOUR STUFF AT A GAY PRIDE PARADE"......Ahh I guess that was funny.....maybe one day....
    YOur a fuckin idiot. Sorry im helping you out this time. Did it take you a while to think of "strutt your stuff at a gay pride parade"--Do yourself a favor and dont do anymore talkbacks because you really suck at them. YOur worst then Juniour Girl and Juniour Girls one fuckin idiot. Peace Audi 5000

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 2:01:18 AM CDT

    Lick my BALLS JUNIOUR GIRL

    by skubrick

  • Jul 16, 2000 2:21:58 AM CDT

    I'd sooner KICK your balls!

    by junior d-girl

    Using Krav Maga technique by the way. Tell me, does your computer have a Spell Check feature? Do you know how to use it? Because you can't spell to save your life. More spelling errors in your posts than on the entire AICN site all boards inclusive. Oh I hope you're not really a film school student, because if you are I suppose all we can look forward to from you are retreads of "Road Trip" and "Animal House" and other assorted crap like "Action Jackson" and Jean Claude Van Damme movies. Please drop out now and get a real job, Hollywood DOES NOT NEED YOU!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 3:28:10 AM CDT

    What the?

    by calbear

    Hey guys and gals,
    Can we get back on the subject of this lame and stupid movie? Well, I thought this movie was really really bad. I saw it at a free screening in San Francisco on the 11th of July. I guess everyone was expecting a really good supernatural thriller, but instead, what we got was a movie with a convoluted plot and overused cheap thrills.
    Is it too much to expect a good movie with smart, intelligent, and believable characters? There was one part in the last moments where Michelle Pfeiffer is grabbing the phone out of Harrison Ford's pant pocket, while the cell phone is just lying there on the table. This movie perpetuates the "stupid character in scary movies" stereotype that we've all seen parodied in the Scream trilogy...There are other parts that are even lamer, which in the end, make the movie unbelievable and overall, much less enjoyable. I agree with the other reviewers about how the movie was mired with cheap thrills. The first part was so ridiculous that the entire was laughing more than it was getting spooked. Not good for a supposedly serious horror movie. Overall, a very very disappointing movie. I'm just glad that I got the tickets for free!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 10:21:10 AM CDT

    Sure, I support Ellen. She's funny.

    by zeno

    I'm sorry to derail things one last time, Calbear. If it helps at all, I think Berkekly is a fine school. SKubrick, I'm sorry you're having difficulty understanding what I'm saying. If you go to film school, they must try to communicate complicated ideas to you somehow. If you can understand them, you should be able to understand what I'm trying to tell you, which is much more simple. I'll try one more time: You relentlessly attack people by accusing them of being gay. Why? Because you are gay. For further explanations, try reading my posts below. Work on it. I don't know, sound out the big words if you have to. I don't think I can make it any clearer. Junior D-Girl, Bari, et. al., thanks for trying to do battle with this guy(s), but I'm afraid yelling at him is not what he needs. Haven't seen Good Burger; never heard of it. Stanley Kubrick made some truly great films, Paths of Glory is one of my favorites. Have you seen it? One of its themes is about sticking up for what's right, no matter what. Good message.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 1:42:31 PM CDT

    "What the!?" is Right, but here's why this Board got Hijacked

    by bari umenema

    A casual visitor to this Board may indeed wonder what the fuck is going on here with the sidebar debate about homosexuality, repression of said sexuality, closeted alienation etc. and so on. And since the damn posts are still out of order (ALVARADO, MASTER OF THE WEB, WAKE UP & PLEASE FIX THE POSTING ORDER!!) you really can't follow the thread unless you go all the way to the bottom where I was labeled "a fag" on Friday Night. Grand Master Zeno then posted a very witty reposte to this slur and, well, Big Pimpin/SKubrick went berserk with inner rage directed outward as so patiently explained by Zen Master Zeno. You would then have to Scroll Upward to further follow the thread 'til you got back to the top. Why Skubrick/Pimpin chose to label me as "a fag" I do not know, perhaps it was all he could come up with after reading my reminder that What Lies Beneath appeared to be a generic USA cable type-straight to video movie with only its stars and director making it "worthy" of theatrical release (hey I got back on topic!). In closing I would like to apologize to those who have been offended by the insane direction this Board went in, but it was a lively, spirited and highly intelligent debate on our side and a typical brain-damaged, bigoted, prejudicial and inert debate on the side of those who seek to slur people based on perceived sexuality (for the record I am not now nor have ever been "a fag" but if I were I would be open about being gay and I hope this will be the end of it. If SKubrick/Pimple-Puss would like to continue this he'll be talking to himself. Now let's get the damn posting order fixed!)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 9:35:54 PM CDT

    Bari its all good in the hood

    by skubrick

    Hey I got no problem with that aint no thang but a chicken wing on a string at burger king--I just want to know why you put WHAT LIES down so hard like that. I personally saw the film about a month and a half ago ( a special directors cut by Zemeckis) and everyone in that theater was clapping their asses off when the lights came on. Unless your a pussy like Bari then youll like the film but dont come on this site with your review acting like your ebert.--- allright let people see the film first. Then will talk and "Pimple face"--your getting better by the day. This sites been restored by Hero Big Bari. Are you Braveheart in your last post that brought me to tears.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 16, 2000 9:38:23 PM CDT

    BARI one more thing

    by skubrick

    Im 15 and I know more about movies then youll ever know. So id shutup now. Peace Im gone
    (Dont do another lecture were trying to save this talkback thanks)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2000 12:20:54 AM CDT

    This movie is amazing!!

    by bigpimpin

    Zeno, baby, relax this has never turned into an argument. I simply stated that you love to repeat yourself. Now look at it from my perspective. I chose to throw a few accusatory statements in the mix to a response. I have stated earlier that you gave me the response I was looking for. It was a retaliation for my statements. Now why are you accusing the culprit for arguing. I am not arguing I just wanted a desired response and I received it and I thank you for chosing to write back. I do not have as much time as you to spend on the internet so therefore you do not have to reply. I loved the responses you gave me though It was fun while it lasted but you have proven my theory correct that people are naive and they will respond to a accusation without ever thinking twice that it might've just been a joke. Anyways see you at the movies

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2000 12:29:24 AM CDT

    Don't rip on this movie until you see the real thing

    by bigpimpin

    I forgot to say one more thing to the rest of you film critics. One says they have seen the special screening of this film. I have too in the same city same time. The whole theater was clapping where were you? Although if were one of the few that are really experts at taking apart a film and critiquing it what the fuck are you doing writing a review on this website for?
    All you people do is tear apart films. Well why aren't you on your dolly making million dollar films....oh why? I thought so.
    It is like those athletes in high school that sit on the sidelines and say they can do it better, oh we believe you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2000 12:40:37 AM CDT

    Junior D Bitch you are a clever one.

    by bigpimpin

    Oh I am sorry you are still a slut in training but you got dissed by a fifteen year old.Wow!
    Now you are probably one of those sorority sluts that knows all about the dilldo and this strap on thing you are talking about. That leaves me to one conclusion you are a typical slut. Oh you don't do those things. Yeah right you seem to know alot about the butt area did your boy slam you to hard. Oh I'm sorry sluts should be treated like whores.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2000 1:34:33 AM CDT

    I LOVE Zemeckis, Praised him to High Heven a week ago after the

    by bari umenema

    You guys will have to use the search feature for "What Lies Beneath" to find my posts from last week since they're no longer listed on the main menu page. However, it is my firm opinion that this movie is not one of his better endeavors -- you are forgiven for missing my lengthy and thoughtful "Sidebar on Zemeckis" from last week, please use Harry's renowned search feature to look it up then we'll talk, or you'll talk or spout off or whatever you want to do and I'll read your posts. (If you are only 15 then you weren't even born when "Back to the Future" hit theaters in '85 and you were only 4 for Part 2 in '89 and 5 for Part 3 in '90, but I hope you guys at least caught "Forrest Gump" and also I Praised the Hell out of "Cast Away" based solely on the trailer and the Concept -- Cast Away is the Big Zemeckis Movie this year, "WLB" is merely a filler script he decided to do while waiting for Hanks to lose the 30 or 40 pounds required for filming the last half of Cast Away realistically.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 17, 2000 1:55:01 AM CDT

    And to make it even easier for you to find my praiseworthy "Side

    by bari umenema

  • Jul 17, 2000 3:20:18 PM CDT

    2 More Negative Reviews for this Pic on the AICN Home Page, Gues

    by bari umenema

User Login

Forgot password? Retrieve it here

or register as new user

Quick Talkback Form

Please login to post talkback