Ring

An urban legend circulates about a videotape which, when watched, causes death a week later.  A reporter named Asakawa investigates, finds the tape and watches it.  To be honest, it looks like an out-take from "Eraserhead", but it unnerves Asakawa.  She tells her psychic ex-husband, who watches the film and starts to receive visions on the origins of the tape.  They've got a week to figure it out.
                          
For most of the film, this Japanese horror sensation is only mildly creepy in a "Sapphire and Steel" sort of way.  There are plot holes, including the handy psychic visions which come and go depending on needs of the plot and the fact that people watch the tape despite hearing about the dire consequences. 

It's just like when I tried to warn the world about "Speed 2: Cruise Control".
  
There is NO video that I would risk my neck for.  Unless the title included the words "Naturist" "Lesbians" and "Marg Helgenberger Frolics With The".           
                                                                                
But the unravelling mystery is compelling, there's a disturbing "mosquito in the ear" score and the director infuses things with enough unease to make the first 100 minutes of the film unsettling.  But it's in the last 5 minutes that he really delivers the goods with a scene that had me filling me Y-fronts.  In the way it keeps the tension simmering until The Big Scare, "Ring" reminded me of that old horror classic "Curse of the Demon" which sends chills down my spine to this day. 

Of course, I should apply the usual caveat that horror is a matter of personal taste and this film may leave you cold.  However, in my case 
it hit a nerve and I had to hide the remote control in a sock drawer and put a cloth over the telly.  8/10.                                                    
                                                                                
p.s.    For those of you who hate subtitles, Dreamworks are doing the remake.
   
p.p.s.  The sequel is on tonight directly followed by the wonderfully surreal and nightmarish "Night of the Hunter".  The best film David Lynch never made, in my opinion.  Don't miss it.