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Whether you consider plants a source of terror or not will ultimately determine how you feel about the grisly horror movieThe Ruins, but director Carter Smith and his cast and crew certainly give their all in bringing the chills of Scott Smith's novel to the big screen. Jena Malone (Saved) and Shawn Ashmore (theX-Menfranchise) are the name actors in a pair of American couples down Mexico way who are ambushed by hostile Mayans and forced to the top of an ancient temple, where a monstrous and diabolically clever entity awaits them. Director Smith and his talented crew (which includes cinematographer Darius Khondji ofSe7enfame and composer Graeme Revell) create a visually impressive spookshow but can't quite deliver genuine suspense (gore, however, is handled capably), and Scott Smith's script boils away much of the character development and mounting terror in his book, which also strands the likeable cast. The movie's monster, so alarming and imaginative in the original novel, is likely to provoke as many laughs as screams from filmgoers, especially when it reveals its unique talent.-- Paul Gaita

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Cast: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey, Shawn Ashmore, Joe Anderson, Sergio Calderon, Dimitri Baveas
Director: Carter Smith
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror
Release Date: April 4, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
Screen Writer: Scott B. Smith
DVD Release Date: July 8, 2008
Runtime: 1hr 30min
Studio: Dreamworks SKG

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review by ryguy4738. April 29, 2012

posted in Movie Hype

Does gore equal suspense?

**1/2 out of **** "The Ruins" has some of the clearest cinematography I've seen in the dark, dark places of any horror movie in some time. While most genre pictures contain nighttime scenes in which most things on-camera are nigh impossible to see, everything here looks absolutely crisp. When a character descends into a pitch black abyss, we see only what we need to see; and that's plenty. When night falls, the torches of the secondary antagonists light the way, and even then, … more

Comments (2) Compliments (21)

review by woopak_the_thrill. August 11, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

Not Exactly A "RUINED" Affair But it Isn't Exactly A Good One Either...

Scientists have theorized that there are certain extinct plant life that can possibly induce partial mind control through their spores. They can cause anxiety, paranoia and fear to protect themselves from predators. Fossils have been found to support these theories and some plant life are even believed to be meat eaters and is capable of attracting prey. One plant that still exists today is the “Venus Flytrap” which is a predatory plant, so what do you think the possibilities are for … more

Comments (9) Compliments (81)

review by kfontenot. March 25, 2009

posted in Movie Hype

With Multiple Viewings, This One Might Grow On You

I'll admit that when I first saw the trailer for "The Ruins" in theaters, I was pretty interested in seeing it. Once in finally came out, however, I decided that it looked more like a DVD rental. In my opinion, I was correct. The film begins with a young lady in a dark room crying for help. As usual, she can't get a signal on her cellphone and she is eventually pulled into the darkness screaming all the way. From there, the film introduces us to four of the primary players … more

Comments (3) Compliments (12)

review by MzJen_2_review. September 08, 2008

A bunch of vines that eats people...

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this movie and having not read the book I was surprised to find it to be pretty decent. It starts off just like an original horror movie but shift as you get further into it. The Ruins takes place in Mexico with four college-age kids (Tucker, Malone, Ashmore and Ramsy) and another guy (Anderson), the latter who takes them to a Mayan temple where his brother is working supposedly on a dig. When they get there, a bunch of angry Mexican-Myans attack them, they … more

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review by Schtinky. October 29, 2008

Based on the fantastic novel by Scott Smith

Couples Amy and Jeff, and Stacy and Eric are vacationing in Mexico. By the pool they meet a German named Mathius, who says his brother Heinrich is missing and he's going to go look for him near some ruins. Mathius talks the couples into going with him. Heinrich left a map showing the location of the ruins, far off the tourist area of the Yucatan. The next day the couples and Mathius set out, accompanied by Demitri, a Greek friend who doesn't speak English. After a bus, a … more

Comments (1) Compliments (2)

review by rmurray847. September 29, 2008

A near miss. Some bad dialogue and early pacing deflate the creepiness

Four young, attractive Americans are in Mexico for a few days of Spring Break-like laying around and drinking. They meet a young, attractive German guy who encourages them to go with him to visit a Mayan ruin that is off the tourist radar. You see, his brother, an archeologist, has gone there with his girlfriend...otherwise they'd have the place to themselves. The Americans, in a nod towards soaking up some history & culture, accompany their new friend to the ruin, which is nothing more than a modest … more

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see all The Ruins (movie) reviews (6)

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