DVD Capsule Review

Gothika: Special Edition (2004)

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Credits

Release Date: Nov 21, 2003; Rated: R; DVD Release Date: Oct 12, 2004; Genre: Thriller; With: Halle Berry and Penélope Cruz; Distributor: Warner Bros.

By Jeff Labrecque

As a loony-bin shrink, Halle Berry gives her best performance since winning an Oscar for Monster's Ball (consider the alternatives, folks). She wakes up as a patient in her own institution, unable to recall the events that led to her imprisonment. The more she remembers, the crazier she appears to her doctor/admirer (Robert Downey Jr.). Alternating — at its convenience — between psychological and supernatural thriller, Gothikaworks better before we know where it's leading, feeding us tasty, teasing crumbs before stuffing an unsatisfying finale down our throats.

EXTRAS Berry gets Punk'd at the premiere, and French director Mathieu Kassovitz boasts in the commentary about making his audience laugh. Perhaps he misinterpreted the chuckles when Berry evades security by hiding underwater in a swimming pool, or after lines like: ''I don't believe in ghosts.'' ''Neither do I, but they believe in me.''

Posted Oct 15, 2004

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Movie Review Gothika (Nov 21, 2003) | Lisa Schwarzbaum
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In the News Halle Berry injured on the set (Nov 21, 2003) | Liane Bonin
Reel World Details on Halle Berry's upcoming thriller (Nov 21, 2003) | Nicholas Fonseca
In the News Robert Downey Jr. seeks asylum with Berry, Cruz (Nov 21, 2003) | Gary Susman
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