HotToastyRag

They don't make 'em like they used to, including scary movies. Scary movies used to be appropriate for everyone to watch, but you can't find too many of those anymore. If you're looking for something slightly spooky and won't scar your children, go back in time and rent Panic Room. Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart are a mother-daughter team who have to hide in their secure panic room when burglars break in. That's about it. We pretty much know nothing bad is going to happen to them, but we can still cringe and gasp at all the appropriate moments.

That being said, Panic Room isn't actually a good movie. It's not terrible, and it certainly won't hurt you. But Jodie seems like she knows she's stuck in a rut of thrillers, thanks to Silence of the Lambs, and since the plot isn't exactly a nail-biter, it's one of those flicks you don't have to press pause on when you go to get a popcorn refill.

There are very few movies I wish I'd never seen. I can get over a bad movie easily - but one as disturbing as The Paperboy unfortunately gets burned in my brain. I'm working on forgetting it, but it's slow going. Honestly, I can't think of any reason to recommend this movie. It's violent, gruesome, explicit, frightening, disgusting, disturbing, and wholly unnecessary. And it singlehandedly made me avoid seeing any more John Cusack films. Why would he take on this role? He makes Hannibal Lector look like a tamed kitten. Perhaps Nicole Kidman just wanted to look cute in bleach-blonde hair and short shorts, perhaps Matthew McConaughey just wanted to go against type, and perhaps Zac Efron just wanted to be taken seriously in a drama and this was the only script he'd been offered. I doubt any of those reasons to be true - but what possible excuse can John Cusack provide?

What pride can anyone take in acting in (and helping to create, for I point an accusatory finger to all those behind the scenes as well) a film that makes the audience literally sick to their stomachs? Where is the entertainment, inspiration, or art? I take the firm stance that all audience members' lives would have been improved had this film never been made. And no one involved in its creation would have suffered if their resumés didn't boast of The Paperboy.

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, sex scenes, and disturbing adult content, I wouldn't let my kids watch it. Also, there may or may not be a rape scene.

The Others is such a perfect Halloween movie! I'm not one for scary flicks, and I'll fully admit that I screamed my head off the first time I watched it - but for those who like to scream and hide behind a pillow, it's perfect. Of course, the second time I watched it, I still screamed my head off.

Nicole Kidman, looking the prettiest she's ever looked, lives in her large estate with her two young children, waiting for her husband to return home from the war. It takes place in England, so expect a lot of fog. Every time I wake up to a foggy morning here in sunny California, I experience a few seconds of panic - and I have to remind myself that I haven't seen the movie in years and there's nothing to be scared of. But in the film, there's plenty to be scared of! Spooky noises, unexplained activity, and creepy new servants. Those who actually like horror movies will probably laugh that I name this as one of the scariest films I've ever seen; but if you've read my reviews, you know that I Know What You Did Last Summer is usually all I can handle. I highly recommend a rental this October, and even if you're not frightened, you'll be able to appreciate a wonderful performance from Nicole Kidman. It's one of her best!

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to scary content involving children, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.