Rose Red (DVD, 2002, 2-Disc Set)

In this Stephen King story, which aired as television miniseries in three two-hour parts, Dr. Joyce Reardon (Nancy Travis) is a professor at the University of Washingtonn in Seattle who is determined to prove that supernatural occurrences are real. Using six specialists, each of whom possess a different form of psychic ability, the scientist leads her group into Rose Red, a haunted mansion that has grown in size since it was built in 1907. From there, the film because a wonderfully delirious ghost story, using the bizarre settings contained within the gigantic house to procure constant new surprises.
To sum this review up I loved this movie wierd, freaky and wierd...But what do you expect from Stephen king.

Wow! ROSE RED is the ultimate haunted house movie. Watch it again and again; each time you'll see something you missed and will understand more of the story. I also recommend watching THE DIARY OF ELLEN RIMBAUER, a related DVD set in 1909 that gives the backstory behind the ghosts haunting Rose Red. Stephen King's plot was partly inspired by the real-life Winchester Mystery House (in both cases, a psychic told the owner she would live as long as she continued to build onto the house). There the similarity ends as a group of modern-day psychics assembled by a researcher (Nancy Travis) enters the house, called Rose Red, to investigate. Each of the characters is well-developed. Although they are stock characters (the mad scientist determined to create something that ultimately leads to the scientist's destruction; the geeky Mama's boy; the naive monster who is dangerous even while arousing our sympathy; the religious fanatic) King as always puts a unique spin on each. Some of them will survive, some will not, and the survivors are not obvious. There are some creepy special effects, but most of the time the film uses King's usual method of having the killings occur offscreen (you see the ghost approaching or some blood spattering) but no explicit gore. In my opinion it is much more effective to play up the psychological horror by letting the viewer's imagination supply the gory details! This is a must-see, must-own if you like Stephen King movies or ghost stories.

Stephen King has done it again. He keeps providing us with the most amazing fantasy worlds to play in that we could ever imagine. Rose Red is a real work of art. Although it is very similar to The Shining, in that it is a haunted place that somehow possesses people, kills people, drives them insane... it is different enough to be a deeply pleasing adventure.

Starring Kimberly Brown as autistic little Annie, a quiet shy little girl with stunning mental powers, and Nancy Travis as the goal-oriented 'ghost-hunter' who would use her to get what she wanted. I've always loved Nancy, but this movie was different for her. She was a good girl gone slightly bad, blinded by hunger, when she is usually just all good. She did a great job as the professor who would stop at nothing to see her goal, recordable proof of spiritual activity.
There were other great actors and actresses as well, but for me the movie was Kimberly. She was overwhelming as the bashful, shy adorable little girl who didn't talk much but could rain down meteors from the sky in her wrath. Long before the end of disk one she had my heart completely; it was impossible not to fall hopelessly in love with her. Melanie Lynskey was superb and completely perfect as the equally shy and sweet older sister who looks after little Annie. I doubt that either one of these girls could have been replaced by a single person in the world; they made the roles, they made the movie. They were just so right for it.

Rose Red is a mystery. As with most of Stephen King's work, you can feel something missing; that is, the screen cannot provide you with enough and you know you need to read the book to see all that he has for you. There are questions here that maybe are addressed on paper. You see, Rose Red IS ALIVE. For decades the house has been alive, killing since the very beginning. So the house could not possibly be haunted because the blood began to spill as the house was being built. Why? Maybe there's an indian burial ground under it? Who knows. One thing we do know for sure. Rose Red is a killer. It is alive. It grows on its own. If you wander down the wrong hallway, you may wander forever and never ever be seen again. Rooms appear that were never there before. Hallways change shape ansd size. People vanish like smoke in the air, never to be seen or heard from again, leaving no trace. 'Sleeping' for decades, a professor has decided to assemble a team of gifted people with wonderous powers to see if she can wake it back up and get proof of haunting. A bold and daring (and crazy) idea; generally when the demons go to sleep, you thank God, you don't go kick them in the head. This movie points out clearly a very good saying that we have : Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.

Rose Red was never sleeping; it was just waiting. Waiting for someone like Annie to come visit. Her dad says : "...taking Annie there? That's like checking to see if your gas tank is full, with a cigarette lighter." The nightmare begins immediately and never stops until the end.

Sadly, David Dukes, the wicked professor / enemy of the team did not complete his role in the movie. After a game of tennis during shooting, he had a massive heart attack and died. A stuntman used a mask to finish his scenes and the movie is in his memory. Rose Red took one of them for real.

Rose Red is a masterpiece. If you like Stephen King, you will love Rose Red. Just don't go there alone.

I LOVE haunted house stories and for me this movie is ONE OF THE BEST- more psychological than scary, thought provoking and the house it's self is everything you could ever ask for (in a haunted house), it has an intriguing history, lavish decor and plenty of eccentricities (like 1 room that is decorated upside down- furniture hanging from the ceiling & lights protruding from the floor).

Joyce Reardon is a paranormal psychologist, who teaches classes at a Seattle university. She is fascinated by the disturbing history of a local mansion, Rose Red, and becomes obsessed with the idea that the house is the key to proving the existence of all paranormal phenomenon. To that end, she organizes a team of psychics, including a 15 year old autistic girl, to spend Labor Day weekend at the house in an attempt to "wake it up." Be aware that this is a VERY LONG movie- over 4 hours.

That said, if you like this movie I highly recomend reading The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer. It was NOT written by Stephen King, but it is what he based this movie on, along with stories about the real- life Winchester Mansion out in CA. After you do, you'll DEFINITELY want to watch this movie a 2nd time.

(*NOTE that King also made a movie prequel to Rose Red called The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer. While Rose Red focuses on the HOUSE, The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer focuses on the life of Ellen, just like the book.*)

Rose Red is a GOOD Thriller by Stephen King. Its a very long movie(over 4hrs) but it will keep your attention from beginning to end, and keep you on your toes once things start picking up at the House. This is a very interesting movie. Based on The Supernatural and a Haunted House(Family Mansion).

Acting cast was "ok".

Not a bloody/gory thiller, so it is suitable for many ages. It is more mysterious and interesting than scary. The movie is up-to-date and set in today's times.

RECOMMEND

Rent It or Buy It? Its worth Buying, especially if youre a fan of Stephen King.


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