Panic Room

Two things that I DID NOT expect from this movie. I didn't think it would make me as tense as it did, and I didn't expect to think to myself, "Jody Foster is HOT". I was pleasantly surprised with both. Not since Christina Ricci lost 15 lbs, have I been so pleasantly surprised. Oh wait....that wasn't that long ago.

After about a week of trying to locate, and then successfully d/l the screener of this movie, I realized the local Dollar-Theatre was showing it so I gave my PC the finger and loaded up tha miss-us to check it out.

David Fincher crafts a nice little story that managed to keep me in place for 2 hours without thinking "my ass is numb" even ONCE. The camera work in this movie was great. Not only do you feel like you're in the house....you feel threatened as well. Just when you've ident'd yourself with Jody Foster, the movie flips the story and you start to feel threatened for the antagonists. Forest Whitaker, Dwight Yoakam and even Jared Leto put in great performances as the frantic--and disorganized--bad guys.

I liked this movie....alot. I'm gonna move Fincher up a notch or two on my favorite director list (I'm sure he'll be thrilled) and wait for the DVD.

-K

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Heya, spooks here. I've got to agree with you, man. While PANIC ROOM isn't as philosophical as FIGHT CLUB or viscerally terrifying as SE7EN, it still reeks of Fincher. Many people have called it his "studio film", and the more mainstream subject matter does lend strength to that argument.

One of the strongest points worth mentioning about the flick is Fincher's ability to provide the viewer with a sense of spatial familiarity. His "photogrammetry" has matured from FIGHT CLUB to a point where he constructs a minute-and-a-half continuous shot through the entire house. Unbelievable. The viewer knows the complete layout of the brownstone by the time the action heats up. This allows Fincher to play with the audience's panic button, something he does with extreme skill.

I believe that a single scene in the middle of the film warrants seeing it. Definitely one of the most tension-filled sequences I've seen in a long time. And Fincher provides it in lovely slow motion, teasing the audience to the point where you're screaming at the screen.

Acting is very good all across the board. The film's skeleton cast makes for more character development and showcases the diversity and skill of the wonderful Jodie Foster. She is definitely one of the most talented actresses of her generation (and hot, too! )

The only problem I can see with the film is that it's not as screamingly different as his earlier films. PANIC ROOM could very easily have turned into a stock studio picture, but his touch saves it and turns it into something different. However, there are no Tyler Durdens to question your entire view of life, nor are there any John Does to make you terrified of what a person can do. Instead, PANIC ROOM doesn't really leave you with a message, as Fincher's masterpieces do. The story is self-contained and simple, avoiding an overall metaphor or meaning. It only delivers what it promises to - a tense, nail-biting thriller designed to entertain.

As I've said before, Fincher is one of the new breakout directors who has the ability to save Hollywood from the all-too prevalent formulaic studio template flick. His work is always raw, visually striking and intellectually challenging. While this particular film is more mainstream than his others, it still bears the mark of his creativity (along with signature, cool "Fincher-titles") and is a worthy opener for his Indelible Pictures label. I can't wait for his next.


Overall rating---------> 8/10

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I thought Panic Room was a fantastic movie. I remember before this movie first opened, i had seen a trailer for it and was just pent up with excitement to see it by the end.

Props to TMMVCD for putting the release out coz i just couldn't wait for the UK theatre date. Anyway, i wasn't disappointed. A great movie with the trademark Fincher brand stamped all over it.

Panic Room is like going to your favourite restaurant and ordering your favourite dish every night of the week for the next 20 years. Tasty.

My Verdict: 8/10

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I indeed was suprised by Panic Rooms greatness. It was a little bone chilling at parts and I enjoy that. Not good enough to buy on DVD for my collection. But I just so have the Screener

dc_man's Ranking: 8/10

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it was a terrible movie which failed to make me tense once. and the ending was horrible
2/10

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What do you get when you cross an owl, with a bungee cord? My Ass.

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quote:

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Originally posted by darkslide
it was a terrible movie which failed to make me tense once. and the ending was horrible
2/10

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Thank you Darkslide, for marginalizing your opinion. ::adds DS and Betty to the "do not take their opinion seriously:: list.

-K

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the movie was horrible... nothing else to say...

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What do you get when you cross an owl, with a bungee cord? My Ass.

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I liked this movie a lot. I also found myself saying "wow, jodie foster is kinda hot", which is weird cause i never thought of her as being hot! good movie though check it out if you havent.


7/10

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everyone liked this movie alot but i was not that thrilled with it, it was good and a good idea but i think it could have been better, trying to be real on this rating so i think its a....
6.5/10

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