Written by Logan J. Fowler and Justin Matchick
Release Date: February 3rd, 2017
Starring: Vincent D’Onfrio, Aimee Targarden, Johnny Galecki
Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: Horror is not the first genre I normally seek out but I did see the original film, The Ring, back in college. I remember thinking it was pretty good, and that it was genuinely scary. I never saw the sequel but didn’t feel like I was missing much. I don’t know if this reboot/sequel will hit the same notes as the the one that started it all, but I’m assuming that that’s what the people behind it are hoping for. -LJF
Pre-Trailer Thoughts: It’s been a while since the last entry in the Ring series, with the generally poorly received The Ring 2 coming out over a decade ago. Are audiences still going to be scared of the idea of a haunted VHS tape? Considering this film has had its release date pushed back three times already it seems like even the studio is doubting any chances of it being a hit with audiences. – JTM
Rate the Trailer: 1 out of 5. Come on, Vincent D’Onfrio. You’re beter than this. Also, are we sure that this isn’t a Final Destination sequel? Cause the plane sequence sure makes it seems like it is. I’ll admit I was grossed out by the hair getting pulled out of the mouth, but that’s going to elicit more mouth gagging by the audience than honest screams. -LJF
Rate the Trailer: 2 out of 5. Just like with last month’s Blair Witch, Hollywood has taken an influential horror movie and replaced mood and tension with jump scares and body horror. Gore Verbinski’s The Ring relied on an overwhelming sense of dread to make film-goers feel as worried as the main characters, a feeling that was sorely lacking from this trailer. Rings seems more interested in showing off it’s use of loud shock scares that have been plaguing horror films in recent years, moments that prioritize making the viewer jump instead of actually giving them a sense of fear. The cast doesn’t excite me either, aside from Vincent D’Onofrio who looks to just be repeating the exact character he played in Sinister. – JTM
Theater, Rent, No Thanks, Undecided? No Thanks. I really don’t think I’ll miss out on much if I skip Rings. -LJF
Theater, Rent, Undecided, No Thanks: Rent. It might be worth watching on Netflix one night when I’m bored months from now, but otherwise I’m not going out to the theater for this one. Even if I wanted to see it when it comes out I can’t even be certain when I could see it, as there’s no telling how many more times they may push this release back. – JTM
