A Schizophrenic Look at:
Gothika
(2003)
(Warner Region 1 NTSC DVD)
by Don't Feed the Dead and Head Cheeze
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz Starring: Halle Berry, Robert Downey Jr., Penelope Cruz 
GORE

SKIN
I really didn't want to see Gothika in the theaters, and was reluctant to pick it up at Blockbuster, but for some odd reason I grabbed it anyway. I procrastinated for 3 days to watch the damn movie, then the other night, out of sheer boredom I popped it in. I was pleasantly surprised to find a movie that was comparable to the US remake of the Ring. A little tense in some parts, but quite the bang for your buck.
I actually did want to see Gothika in theaters, but since it came and went as quickly as a high-priced escort, I had to wait until it came out on DVD. It's a good thing, though, seeing as how I snore very loudly, and would have most likely fallen asleep in the cinema, ruining it for anyone else who was actually entertained by this festering pile of moose droppings.
Well, my Beantown friend, you know how the saying goes: "One man's shit is another's sunshine." Gothika is the classic ghost story that puts poor Halle Berry in peril, as she must defend her sanity as a psychiatrist put in a mental institution for murdering her hubby. In my opinion, Berry doesn't quite shine as a good doctor as much as a mental patient, leaning the majority of the drama on her twisted sense of reality.
You been drinkin' from the East River again, Dead? A "classic" ghost story?? If by classic you mean "completely recycled from dozens of better films", then yes, by all means, Gothika is a classic. Berry proves once and for all that Monster's Ball was a complete fluke, and returns to her grade Z acting style we've come to know and hate. Casting her as a "brilliant psychologist" is about as believable as Rodney Dangerfield as Christ.
Hey, I never said she was a brilliant psychologist, but a brilliant mental patient. The absolute flop in the movie was Penelope Cruz, who diminshes her credibility even further by providing a piss poor roll as Lunatic No. 1. The real oscar of this film goes to Robert Downey, Jr., who excels as Berry's counterpart and facilitator when she goes bonkers.
Downey is good, but his role as Red Herring/Love Interest is weak and underwritten. We both agree on Cruz, though, who's squeeky voiced latin looney is her weakest performance ever and about as menacing as Mickey Mouse in a speedo.
You have to admit, the SFX were pretty good in this flick, especially when Berry does her number on hubby Charles Dutton. I especially enjoyed the scene when he tries to block the ftatl blow with his right arm. Very tasty, indeed. Unfortunately, the ghost scenes were bit stale, especially the part where the girl is burning and transfers the flame to Berry. What the fuck was that? I thought I was watching another offering from Dr. Uwe Boll.
I admit nothing!! The SFX were as pedestrian and unoriginal as the rest of the film. Lots of backwards film, MTV-style choppy edits, and those hideous "possession" effects effects you mentioned. Berry's facial contortions during those scenes made me laugh uncontrollably.
Berry's facial contortions were about as significant as the Red Sox playoff run last year. I'm talkin' the gore at the house, the shower scene (excluding the naked 80 year old woman) and the end scene when Berry confronts the tattooed assailant. That shit was classic!
Oh, LOW BLOW with the Sox reference! Coming from a Mets fan, though, it's understandable that you'd love a loser like this film. Hell, Warner Brothers couldn't even be bothered to include more than a commentary track and a Limp Bizkit video as extras. House of the Dead got more love than this train-wreck!!

The extras are weak, but I try not to gauge a movie on its supporting material. If that were the case, I would loathe every Japanese movie released in the US. Fortunately, I concentrate on substance and not style, which makes the content of this film perfect for a psychological student like myself. I felt the story was well written, and barring the few acting blips, was a solid offering all around.

 

 
Bottom Line:
Oh, I don't judge a film on it's extras either; if the film is any good!! However, if the film sucks, well, they could at least throw us a bone or two to help make the purchase sting a little less. And as for the psychology of this film, it was absurd! I've seen episodes of Frasier with better researched material. 
Bottom Line: