Bryan H

The Haunting (*1/2 out of ****) Well, that's strike two for Jan De Bont. I swear if they ever give Kevin Costner or this guy another movie camera, I am gonna be sick. Well, after "Speed 2: Cruise Control", De Bont could have really used a push, but, unfortunately, this film pulls him back even farther. This awful remake of the 1963 Robert Wise classic stars Liam Neeson as a doctor who lures three "ordinary" people to an old, allegedly haunted mansion to use them as guinea pigs on a test to see how humans react to supernatural experiences. Well, it turns out the house is really haunted by the owner...blah blah blah...yada yada yada. I think you can fill in the rest, because we've seen it all before (only done better). Unlike the original, this one relies solely on special effects rather than its actors. Just like an old comedian's sidekick that sets up the jokes for his partner, it seems like the characters are just there to set up the house's special effects. Anyway, to save you seven dollars, the movie is two hours of excruciatingly loud door-slamming. There, now you don't have to go see it. You're one of the lucky ones.-Bryan A. Hicks

Eyes Wide Shut (***1/2 out of ****) If you're looking for a movie to haunt you, steer clear of "The Haunting". Instead, go see "Eyes Wide Shut". This, in my opinion, is Kubrick's best film. I still can't get some of those images out of my head. I am not going to reveal too much about the film, except that the cast is excellent, as is Kubrick's direction. What a way to end his wonderful and unusual film career. I must warn that the film is definitely not for all tastes, and moves at such a leisurely pace that the running time is two hours and forty-five minutes. (The characters, especially Kidman, deliver their dialogue in small doses every few seconds. There's such a space between her words, you wonder whether or not she is going to finish.) I must also warn that the film barely escaped an NC-17 rating, so this film is certainly not for children. But it is, without a doubt, something to see.-Bryan A. Hicks

People, it's not Oscar-worthy material here, but you knew that, didn't you? I must say that I enjoyed this film. The reason why: Because I didn't take it serious. I just laid back and let the movie sweep me up. That's the key to enjoying this film. You MUST NOT take it seriously. I must say that you'll either love this film or hate it. There is no between. If you're one that's not easily offended and enjoy action and horror films, then this is the movie for you. But the graphic language and graphic violence may be too much for some viewers. What Tarantino has done is pay homage to the classic Italian horror films of the '70s and '80s. And he has done a very nice job of it.