Thursday, April 19, 2007

Review - The Reaping

"The Reaping" is a horror/thriller, which focuses not only on the ten Biblical plagues, but also on faith.
Katherine Winter is a professor and former ordained minister. After a tragic and brutal personal loss challenges her faith, she now travels from place to place debunking so-called "miracles". She is then called with her assistant Ben to Haven, a small town in Louisiana. A two-mile stretch of a local river has seemingly turned into blood. At first, Katherine approaches this with her usual skepticism. But as the plagues add up...and signs point towards a mysterious young girl as the possible key...can Katherine regain her faith?
This movie works in several aspects. The loss of Katherine's faith...and her slow struggle with what she wants to prove and what she knows is the truth in her heart...is a powerful battle on the screen. Actress Hilary Swank provides an exceptional performance and that gives this movie a real bonus. A lesser actress in the same part would have brought this movie down several notches. The story keeps the audience guessing...and jumping at the right spots. And there are several plot twists that you won't see coming.
There are some disturbing moments in the movie...and those on the squeamish side may want to give this one a miss. But anyone else looking for a good jump-out-of-your-seat thriller..."The Reaping" delivers.
Starring - Hilary Swank, David Morrissey, Idris Elba, Stephen Rea, and AnnaSophia Robb. Directed by Stephen Hopkins.
Time - 1 hour, 36 minutes. Rated - R (Violence, some language, some sexuality, disturbing images)

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