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Movies / On DVD / The Mothman Prophecies
The Mothman Prophecies

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The Mothman Prophecies (2002)

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Reviews Counted:132

Fresh:68

Rotten:64

Average Rating:5.5/10

Consensus: A creepy thriller that poses more questions than it answers.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for terror, some sexuality and language

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Theatrical Release:Jan 25, 2002 Limited

Box Office: $35,228,696

Synopsis: Based on true events, "The Mothman Prophecies" examines a series of inexplicable occurrences through the eyes - and mind - of one man. Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton and Debra Messing star... Based on true events, "The Mothman Prophecies" examines a series of inexplicable occurrences through the eyes - and mind - of one man. Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton and Debra Messing star in this suspense-filled thriller about a man driven to extremes to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding his wife's death - and how they might be connected to the strange phenomena in a town four hundred miles away. When is life truly at its best? John Klein (Richard Gere), a respected Washington Post journalist at the top of his game, recognizes that moment. It comes the day he and his wife Mary (Debra Messing) are house hunting and find the place of their dreams. It's a little too big, possibly a little more than he wanted to spend, but one look from Mary tells him this is it. Then on their joyful ride home, with a gust of wind and a passing shadow, the dream is shattered. The accident should have been avoidable. When Mary slammed on the brakes…there was nothing there. For Mary, the incident was a premonition. John puts everything on hold to be with her, but his love isn't enough to keep her alive. While removing Mary's possessions from the hospital, John remembers her last words: "You didn't see it, did you?" Then he discovers a sketchpad covered with odd drawings, variations of the same eerie apparition. John can't understand the significance of the drawings but is haunted by the unsettling images. A couple of years later, John's grief has settled somewhat but he is clearly a man altered by tragedy. He lives his life and performs his job in a fog, an unexplainable presence always with him. While driving one night from Washington to Richmond for an assignment, he loses his way and ends up on a deserted country highway. When his car inexplicably breaks down, he walks to a nearby farmhouse. The homeowner not only threatens John but tells him he has been waiting for him. John is baffled. Sgt. Connie Parker (Laura Linney) arrives on the scene and apologizes for the rude reception, but divulges that the entire county is on edge due to a recent series of odd disturbances. It is only now that John realizes that he is in Point Pleasant, West Virginia -- four hundred miles from where he thought he was. It is not logically possible. But here he is. How? His curiosity piqued, John decides to stay in Point Pleasant to explore the reports of unexplained phenomena in the town. He soon realizes that they may all be related - not just to each other, but also to the strange sketches Mary had been obsessively drawing just hours before her death. But what exactly is the connection? The events defy simple explanation and, even more disturbing, seem to predict impending disasters. Plane crashes, earthquakes… surely it must be a gruesome coincidence? The more he unravels, the more John begins to question his own sanity. Are there unknown forces behind the strange sightings? What terrible thing awaits the people of Point Pleasant? For John, it's a race against time to figure it out - and try to prevent something terrible from happening. -- © 2002 Screen Gems [More]

Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton, Debra Messing

Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton, Debra Messing, Alan Bates, Lucinda Jenney, Nesbitt Blaisdell

Director: Mark Pellington

Director: Mark Pellington
Screenwriter: Richard Hatem
Producer: Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Gary Goldstein
Studio: Screen Gems

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Release:

Jun 4, 2002

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Reviews for The Mothman Prophecies

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The climactic events are so well realized that you may forget all about the original conflict, just like the movie does

Full Review Source: AboutFilm.com | comment Comment
02/17/02
Carlo Cavagna
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

Buttressed by a smart, restrained script and highlighted by wonderfully modulated performances, it rises above what you’d expect from a movie about the supernatural.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/25/02
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Pellington is able to create a real palpable sense of tension despite the fact that very little ends up happening.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
06/12/02
Chris Kaynes
Chris Kaynes
Apollo Guide

...trying so hard not to be a schlock horror film ...it neglects to become anything at all.

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
07/29/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

You're better off staying home and watching The X-Files.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
01/24/02
Larry Aydlette
Larry Aydlette
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Decidedly snail-paced and ultimately dull creepy-crawl.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
02/03/02
Marc Savlov
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle

Ingenious thriller, which draws on urban legend to fashion a spooky supernatural yarn in the best traditions of The X-Files.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
02/17/02
Neil Smith
Neil Smith
BBC

The dramatic direction and tingly accompanying music will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Full Review Source: Blunt Review | comment Comment
03/10/02
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt
Blunt Review

The film is inert and narratively unintelligible.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
01/25/02
Wesley Morris
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
03/24/02
Boston Phoenix

Few recent movies have such portentous and eerie nocturnal scenes ...Don't let this one fly away-it's a real wing-dinger.

Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly | comment Comment
09/23/04
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

Somewhat heavy-handed with stock 'boo!' tactics, Mothman's unnerving story nevertheless generates a legitimate creepy air that will have viewers peering over their shoulders apprehensively as they leave the theatre.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
01/24/02
Luisa F. Ribeiro
Luisa F. Ribeiro
Boxoffice Magazine

Puportedly "Based on True Events," a convolution of language that suggests it's impossible to claim that it is "Based on a True Story" with a straight face.

Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
02/20/02
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

More technically accomplished than most thrillers.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
01/25/02
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

This is the scariest movie I've ever seen.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/11/08
Lisa Alspector
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's lazy for a movie to avoid solving one problem by trying to distract us with the solution to another.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/25/02
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A gaudy yet grim science-fiction horror movie of such surpassing silliness, humorless intensity and stylistic overkill that watching it may actually put you in a state of paranoia. Why are these moviemakers persecuting us?

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
07/20/02
Michael Wilmington
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Illustrates the beauty of a well-made scary movie; you don't have to believe it to feel your hair stand on end.

Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

Criando um clima de suspense e tensão eficaz, Pellington narra uma história intrigante e bem resolvida.

comment Comment
07/25/03
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
 
 
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