The Cell (1999)

That old booty shaking, hip hopping star Jennifer Lopez, excuse me, J-LO (god I hate that name) stars as a child therapist who is involved with a radical new method of treatment in reaching comatose schizophrenic patients. With a couple funny looking suits suspended from wires, and an electrode or two, she can transport herself into the mind of the patient, and communicate with that individual from there. So of course, who do the FBI turn to when they have a comatose serial killer on their hands, especially when this killer has a soon-to-be victim hidden somewhere with hours to live?

Going into this flick I was sure I was going to not like it all that much, but being the honest guy I am I'll admit I was pleasantly surprised by it. Sure it borrows ideas from about a half dozen other flicks, but really at this point in time can anyone really make a truly original film anymore? The best thing about this flick is that it has to be one of the most visually stunning films in a hell of a long time. The subconscious world of the killer is a truly nightmarish place, full of all kinds of weird shit. I've never taken LSD (I swear on my Deep Red Horror Handbook) but I think all I would have to do is pop this tape in and I can get a pretty good vibe about what a true trip would feel like. I loved the set and costume design as well, very well done. Though the stuff happening in the movie is never really scary, there is a really bizarre vibe to everything going on. There are some gruesome scenes as well, particularly the part where the poor guy gets his intestine ripped out, hooked up to some weird machine, and has it slowly extracted out of him. That was interesting. The acting was ok as well, even by Ms. Lopez. She did not seem as annoying in this flick as she does in real life, that's for sure. All in all, I was quite surprised by this one and would say it's worth a rental. Entertaining stuff.