A Brilliant Conflict

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Weak psychological thriller would have been better as a 30-minute "Tales from the Crypt" or "Twilight Zone" episode. Halle Berry plays a psychiatrist who wakes up to find herself a patient in the asylum she works. She has no idea how she how she got there or why and then spends the rest of the movie trying to figure that out why she's there, trying to convince others she's not crazy, and trying to get out. It's not a terribly clever set-up, but the Berry is a a solid lead for the film and is supported by an able cast that includes Penélope Cruz, and Robert Downey Jr. before his career blew up with "Iron Man." The weak script is also bolstered by slick directions, photography, and production design. Overall, this is a dull mystery without a lot of thrills, suspense, or interesting of characters, but it's well crafted from a technical standpoint and does feature a handsome cast, which is enough to make it watchable.

Gothika (2003): Dir: Mathieu Kassovitz / Cast: Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr., Penelope Cruz, Charles S. Dutton, John Carroll Lynch: Deals with what is real and what isn't real through the mind. It stars Halle Berry as a psychiatrist at an institution until she awakens as a sudden patient behind thick glass. Panic stricken, she tries to figure out what happened. Driving home in the rain she encounters a female on the bridge but upon approach everything changed. She is informed that she murdered her husband yet she hasn't any memory of it. Very detailed and clever until it hits a dead end with a conclusion that reveals idiotic supernatural elements that had no business being part of this. Director Mathieu Kassovitz keeps everything uncertain and is backed with a decent production but the screenplay is subdued by corny elements that hinder any suspense. Sympathetic performance by Berry who holds her own despite the nonsense climax. Robert Downey Jr. is standard issue as a doctor who is basically there for viewers to suspect of doing wrong. Penelope Cruz is unnecessary as a patient who is nuttier than a fruitcake. Charles S. Dutton is basically a prop. The film is well made but quite stupid and sometimes very irritable. If you wanted to have your head manipulated throughout a film, then this slug junk will due. Well made mind screw. Score: 5 ½ / 10

This is a fairly descent crime horror flick starring Halle berry as criminal psychologist Dr. Miranda Grey, who awakens to find herself a patient in the institution where she works. She has no memory of a murder she is accused of committing and finds herself being manipulated by a demon as she tries to regain her memory and her freedom.The acting is sub-par at best, with Berry pulling off some very campy moments and forced drama. But, what made up for the film is the fast-paced plot, surprising twists, unpredictable story and thrilling sequences. It was nice to see Penelope Cruz star in a horror movie and she gave a riveting performance. A descent horror movie, overall, and I wasn't bored by it.Grade B-

Okay, Halle Berry is a psychiatrist; yeah, and I am the pope. The former Miss Ohio is Dr. Miranda Grey, a shrink at a mental hospital. On her way home one night, she has a car accident while swerving to avoid a little girl. The kid turns out to be a ghost and she takes over Halle's body. The doc awakens at the very hospital she works at. She is treated by Dr. Peter Graham(Robert Downey), a former coworker. Her husband was murdered on the night of the accident, and she is suspect number one. The ghost carves "not alone" on her arm, and she befriends Chloe(Penelope Cruz), who warns her about a rapist prowling the hospital. Dr. Grey figures out that the ghost used her body to kill her husband. The story progresses from silly to the ridiculous, and although I have a soft spot for Berry's beauty, I was less than impressed by Gothika. A good cast, including Charles Dutton and the above mentioned cannot save this turkey.