Mensajero de la oscuridad

Mothman Prophecies is one of those movies that, despite its shortcomings in story or pacing, make up for it with atmosphere and the hair standing up on the back of your neck eeriness. There is just something so moody, foreboding, and genuinely unsettling about this film. Its not scary or a horror film in the traditional sense, but watch it alone in the dark and try not to get uneasy in parts. The acting in the film is superb, with an all star cast including Richard Gere, the amazing Laura Linney, and vastly underrated Will Patton among others. Their acting sells this movie. I found myself drawn to their characters regardless of the blandness of the script itself. Credit must also be given to Mark Pellington, the director, for taking a so-so script and crafting a truly creepy and underrated gem from it. I find myself watching this again and again if it happens to be on TV, and it has become one of those guilty pleasure movies for me that I watch just about anytime I see it on along with The Green Mile, Signs, The Shawshank Redemption, and O' Brother, Where Art Thou?. Definitely worth a look, but be forewarned, don't watch it alone in the dark.

(**** out of *****)

What a wonderful and rich role for Gere who should maybe experiment more in movies that deal with the realms of the unknown.

A much respected reporter for the Washington Post John Klein (Richard Gere) is about to have his life turned upside down when his wife dies in an automobile accident that seems to have been caused by a mysterious flying creature which he never did see himself. The plot takes Gere to the Ohio/West Virginia border where he meets with the local residents who all seem to be having their troubles with strange lights, weird phone calls and a bird like creature which they call the Mothman. Klein investigates the mystery at the cost of his own sanity and career.

The film is very scary but lacks the pace and fibre that made the John A. Keel's book an awe inspiring read. There are no Men In Black, UFO's, alien impregnated women, phone tapings or a clear resolution to some of the character's fate. In fact only about 10% of the book is actually reproduced in the film. The other 90% seems to have been plucked from an episode of the `X-files'... but what a good episode it is! This is a film that has high production values. The lighting, camerawork, sound and editing are always on top form which is something that prevents the movie from disappearing into the ranks of science fiction B movie hokum. `The Mothman Prophecies' looks simply `weirdly' gorgeous on the big screen.

There is not enough Mothman revealed to the viewer but country folk Gordon Smallwood (the well cast and superbly acted Will Patton) creates a much needed conduit into the effects that the Mothman has on the people of Point Pleasant and this is what the film is really all about - The consequences that the supernatural can have on the psyche of a small backward town's population. Although the ending is Mothman free it certainly does jolt the emotions and evokes a sort of belittling sympathy for the human beings of this planet.

Watch this film and then go read the book for a much better look at really went on. All in all, the film is a spine-chilling riveting stuff and well worth repeated viewing even though it never truly escapes its `X-Files' feeling.

The film is simply terrific, fantastic special effects, good plot and a really shocking and surprising ending! This is really a horror film mixed with a thriller that has respected my own perspectives. I suggest it to all the people who liked films like "The sixth sense" and "The others"...It's almost a masterpiece of his genre!

This gets high marks for suspense alone. It is a very tense movie, guaranteed to keep the first-time viewer glued to his/her seat. It might even raise a few hairs on the back of your neck!

Dramatic music also helped with the suspense. In addition, we get some fine acting performances from Richard Gere, Laura Linney and Will Patton.

Don't be fooled, however, with the "based on a true story" tag line. It might be "based" but that could mean only a very, very small part of this film was actual; the rest presented for dramatic purposes. This film is a good case of that, from what I've read.

Nonetheless, it's interesting, has good visuals and decent sound and some genuine creepy moments. This definitely a film to have on DVD, as opposed to VHS, although I suppose at this point, few people buy tapes anymore anyway. Those looking to curl up on the couch with a good thriller: give this movie a look.

Except for its obvious moments of self indulgence and lethargy, the most of the screenplay's inventive writing was extremely effective. Not only was I emotionally invested, but the film also possessed a hypnotic, surreal quality that kept my eyes and mind transfixed on whatever was unfolding.

I am perplexed as to how works of this quality could remain unnoticed for so long, when works of limited value and output almost always garner the greatest attention from both the public and reviewers. Irrefutably, it is one of the most overlooked and underappreciated psychological thrillers ever.

"In the end it all came down to just one simple question. Which was more important, having proof or being alive? Trust me. I turned away years ago, and I've never looked back."