Riddle

While the movie starts off pretty moody (a good thing), it does turn pretty quickly and becomes pretty ugly. Side stories that seem not to matter, characters getting disposed off and a general weird feeling make this an almost uncomfortable watch. I do like Diora Baird a lot, not only because of her looks, but neither she nor the other leading female can save this film.

Val Kilmer does his thing, which means almost nothing at all. It's not the pounds he has layered upon on his body, but the fact, that it seems, he forgot how to act. Is this really the same man, that gave a phenomenal performance as Doc in Tombstone? It's hard to believe, again not only because he doesn't look like that guy anymore. But the teenage boys playing their parts in here are as bad. So many flaws in this one, I wouldn't really know where to stop. It does look good though (photography that is).

Entirely predictable "thriller" bout a girl who goes looking for her missing brother and finds her crazy supposedly dead, pa. You know that you're in trouble when the first shot of the town where little bro disappeared is of mute, overage children sitting in swings with that frizzy hair children of the corn, damned, whatever, always seem to wear, and they run away scared when she asks for directions. Overdramatic and Overblown, the orchestral soundtrack is inappropriate and so intrusive, like It wants to be the star. Very attractive young cast, including a young Rob Lowe look-a-like, trapped in stereotypes, which they have got down, give them that. Fat Val (Kilmer) checks in for a few minutes to pick up a paycheck How desperate must he have been? Adequately decent camerawork is why it's a 3, not 2.

This film seems to have been given a pretty bad wrap. Even still I decided to give it a go. The story line is easy to follow and answers all the questions the movie gives you (as long as you are not expecting an insane twist.) Val, I believe, was really never given much to develop (character wise) in the film, which is disappointing. Actually, none of the characters really made you care. They really played up the American small town 'cultish' feel. Without going into any detail regarding the plot or giving any spoilers, the story progressed naturally and actually made me feel like I was watching a 'point and click adventure computer game' (which is fine for me as I enjoy them.) All in all, it was flat but I good brainless film to watch. It was enjoyable but nothing special and I am sure there is no reason to watch the movie a second time to see if anything was missed through the first viewing.

"Riddle" is a fun thriller that catches your attention early and keeps it throughout. Elisabeth Harnois plays Holly, a high-school girl with a younger brother who suffers from Thompson's Disease. One day, he disappears and she is, of course, devastated.

Cut to three years later. She is back from college helping out with the Farmer's Market when she becomes convinced she has seen her missing brother. She follows the trail to the town of Riddle, which just happens to be the home town of the last two boys who saw her brother. Riddle looks to be a town on the door of Hell -- completely run down and sparsely populated. The major drawing point of the town seems to be the wonder of Nature that is Diora Baird, who is the daughter the less than helpful Sheriff (Val Kilmer). But Riddle also has secrets, and they are brought out into the open as Holly continues to dig where, as she is told, she doesn't belong.

Lots of good stuff here. The story moves quickly and briskly. Even though you'll probably guess the culprit early on (I did), there's enough ancillary mystery to make that OK. The early scenes prior to young Nate's disappearance are genuinely unsettling and make a couple of characters way more complex than they have a right to in a film like this. And finally, it's not surprising that Harnois and Baird are friends in real life -- they have an easy going, natural chemistry together that really helps drive the film forward.

Nothing classic here, guys, but better than a lot and definitely worth checking out.

Started off really, really well - I was hooked and even had to pause it whilst I went away for a weewee and quick cuppa tea. >;o)

I came back and then it just descended into trash. I wont even try to descibe the rest other than that I havent a clue how to.

Poor old Val Kilmer has hit the bargain basement bucket along with Ron Perlman, Lance Henriksen, John Cusack, Christian Slater and sadly Nicolaus Cage.

My question is really where did the $7,000,000 that it cost to make this tragedy go - I surmise Val Kilmers pocket!

Do your self a favour and bypass this one its an hour and half wasted.