I knew before watching "Ringu 2" (the sequel to the original Japanese version of "The Ring") that I should have watched "Ringu" again, but I didn't. And I couldn't remember who the lead character in the sequel was. I'll post more on "Ringu 2" later, after I watch both films again (I recently found out that the films are a two-part adaptation of a single novel). But whether or not you saw or liked the Hollywood remake of "The Ring," I recommend renting the original "Ringu" if you're in the mood for a well-paced (albeit slower paced) chiller, pretty much free of gore. Although it had been touted by buffs as "the scariest film of all time!", I would underhype it and say that it is creepy and well crafted, and for those who prefer references, I found it to be a sort of cross between "The X-Files" and "Twilight Zone."

I am not a big fan of musicals. I did my best to sleep through a live production of "Les Miz," but a friend from work saw fit to wake me up for the climactic wedding scene. Grrrrrrrrr . . . The only musical movies I have enjoyed were "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (in which all dialogue is sung), "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," if that counts, maybe "Little Shop of Horrors," and, if I remember correctly, "Absolute Beginners" (due in large part to Patsy Kensit). "Velvet Goldmine" wasn't considered a musical, was it? If so, throw that in there, too. And I still haven't seen "Moulin Rouge." So when I saw and loved "Chicago" this weekend, it was more than just enjoying a film, it was joyfully adding a new member to a very exclusive club. I happen to enjoy the gritty, double-entendre filled jazz from the era that the musical invokes, so it was an easier sell for me than most musicals. Everybody was good, but Renee Zelwigger did kick major butt.

Right before the screening of "Chicago," I saw "Identity." I went in knowing nothing more about the plot than what is shown in the trailers. And I'm not going to elaborate on the film here, because it would be wrong to give any plot elements away (by the way, evidently the DVD and VHS boxes give away a MAJOR surprise in the synopsis --- so if you're thinking about renting it, do so without reading the box!). But I will say that it is worth watching to see which side of the rather divisive fence you stand on after seeing it. My catch phrase description of "Identity": a "Memento" for the masses.