Pajiba

And this my friends is why I will NEVER understand the hype about Elisha Cuthbert, and even if I could get it, I'll NEVER forgive her for this piece of crap.

Wow. No way would I go see this, rent this, and fyi I HATE the trailer on here, have been hating it since it's been up. I actually was covering it with my hand at one point to read some other review.

ick.

thank you

Holy fuck. Forget all that "scathing and bitchy" bullshit. When you hate a movie, you hate a motherfucking movie.

And this sounds like one worthy of your hate.

Good God, what possible reason is there to make this? I mean, even some of the worst movies out there have some semblence of a purpose. Scary Movie, while terrible, at least makes someone laugh (just not me). Even that shitpile Hostel could make the claim that it's about human excess and consumerism and some other bullshit. But seriously - what is the point of something like this?

Nothing. There is no point.

Ugh.

Oh yes, and that was a fucking fantastic review.

Wow, I think I just got a contact high from your seething fury. That review was so overflowing with venom that I almost want to watch the movie to see if it's really that bad.

But I won't.

What everybody else said. Thank you, Dustin, for taking a stand. I hope *every* critic does.

I'm old (38), so I never got this whole "torture-porn" genre in the first place. More importantly, I don't know how things like this are "r" rated and get sent out to a mainstream audience.

I spent four years in the army as an infantry soldier and saw first hand what type of violence people can do to one another. If people want to see graphic inhumanity, go to Africa or the Middle-east; you won't get titilated by the suffering, trust me. While I am older than most of the readers on this site, it's nice to know that at Dustin and I think alike on this issue.

I'm glad you spilled the end and confirmed what I'd figured out after having to suffer through the trailer before 1408. Anyone with half a brain cell could have figured out that "twist", which proves to me that you're vitriol is dead on, and that these people just wanted to violently torture and abuse a woman on screen for an hour and a half, then just tacked on the ending to try to justify their sick depravity.

Sorry for the serious run-on, but just thinking about this crap long enough to read the review made me feel sick - that "I threw up in my mouth a little" expression just became literal for me. I had to try to spew at least some of it out as quickly as possible.

I actually feel a little bit nauseated after reading that review. God.

Is there any way to send this review around the studios? They need to read it.

Thanks, Dustin.

Blugh.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, for standing up against this disgusting and perverse waste of celluloid. No one needs to see it, and it's about time someone took a moral stand.

I'm also interested to hear that you approved an ad different from the one that went up...apparently that's the same bait-and-switch that After Dark pulled in regards to the billboards. Seems that someone took the ad proofs over personally to be approved by the MPAA folks, which were approved...but the ads approved weren't the ones that wound up on billboards. Douchebag Extraordinaire Solomon claims the "wrong image went to the printers."

Oh, I am SO sure.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i898ca0de1754206a72612f6e991544a2

Look, I can appreciate that this movie sucked, but I could have done without all the pseudo-feminist hand wringing that accompanied this review.

I've got a C-note that says some jackhole corporaet film "critic" calls this a "tour de force".

Look, I can appreciate that this movie sucked, but I could have done without all the pseudo-feminist hand wringing that accompanied this review.

Then go somewhere else.

happyplacehappyplacehappyplace FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHERES THE HARRYPOTTERREVIEW?happyplacehappyplacehappyplace......

Thank you Dustin...great review! No,I was never ever, ever going to see this movie, or Saw or Hostel or any torture porn but it makes me feel a little better that someone in the 'industry' is speaking out against this despicable trash. It makes me wonder with the Republican Right able to make headlines with their opinions on abortion, gay marriage, and their agenda of 'family values' that Fox or CNN or any of the other mouthpieces hasn't done something to prevent this shit being made.

"It had me on the edge of my seat!" --Earl Dittman, Wireless Magazines

I wish somebody would explain to me the difference between pseduo feminist hand wringing and real feminist hand wringing, cuz by golly, I sure don't wanna have to turn in my fem-cred card.

I do wonder if the vitriol would have been the same had the said victim been a guy, but you know, I don't think that would have been made into a movie... unless it were a young boy, because real men don't get victimized, do they? No, they blow shit up a la Ahnold, Brucy and Dolph.

(not that I ever would anyway, but)
I WILL NOT SEE THIS MOVIE AND I WILL ENCOURAGE EVERYONE I KNOW TO DO THE SAME.

Enough is enough. Fuck this shit.
I'm spending my $10 on Rescue Dawn.

The one thing I do appreciate about this site, aside from the usually brilliant writing, is that you never sugarcoat things. So while the movie probably did suck, I applaud the fact that as a critic you have the gusto to articulate that without trying to find some sort of positive spin for it. I always find that there are laughably bad movies (Alone in the Dark, anyone?), but very few movies that should never have existed in the first place (for me, Willard was one of those). So, good on you for being mad as hell and not taking it anymore.

And don't blame Cuthbert - she has to pay the bills, too. Although really, it sounds like doing porn would have been less of an ego-buster than doing this film.

Oh, and Dustin- Thank you for putting yourself through this so you could honestly convey how much this movie hurts all of us just by existing. By being one (of the very few, I hope) to see it, your words are more valuable in the protest against it.
Of course, any protest against this movie will probably only encourage curiosity ticket sales to idiots who want to see "what all the fuss is about." Assholes.

I kind of have a body high right now. You made my week.

"Then go somewhere else."

I heart you, TK.

WOW. That is an AMAZING review, thank you.

Maybe the sickest thing about this is that, through billboards and sidebar ads, they are making sure that people HAVE TO see some of these images, whether we want to (or want our kids to) or not. It's not enough that they want to spread the hatred among diseased fuckers who want to see this - they want ALL OF US contaminated.

No... wait, y'know what's sicker? The fact that this movie has an R rating. Which means that there will in fact be depraved people who HAVE to see this, who don't bother getting a sitter, and take the kiddies along. It's no secret that the MPAA will tolerate violence over sexual content, but are you fucking kidding me? This got an R?!?

ps: mutterhals pseudo-feminist? Where the hell do you get "pseudo" out of this?

Thank you thank you thank you for legitimizing my initial disgust for this movie. Just from the trailers I figured out who the killer was, and that the Cuth is totally useless. Brava.

Came here hoping for an HP5 review and checked this review out, despite having decided three weeks ago that Courtney Solomon was one despicable piece of shit -- and holy mother of GOD, thank you for this. I love palpable, smart rage.

What's Captivity?

You know, with all the sick fucks in this world who hurt people for their own entertainment? It truly terrifies me when it becomes a financial no-brainer to churn out torture porn as way to strike it rich.

hell yeah. now thats a scathing review. and i SO called it the first time i saw the preview some months ago that the co-captive was actually the captor. its obvious from second one of the preview. i will be avoiding this movie at all cost, just like ive avoided every torture porn piece of crap since i first unknowingly watched the excrement pile that is saw a few years back. i can proudly say i havent seen hostel, hostel II, saw II or III, or any of the other knockoffs released since 2004. unfortunately, plenty of other people see these movies and think they are AWESOME because of the sweet gore, man. ive tried to get people to explain to me the appeal of these movies, but nobody can get anywhere beyond "the gore is really cool". fuck these movies, and thank you for this review.

^5 Dustin, TK, Stella, et al. You make our world a better place--by existing and by speaking the truth. There is no 'pseudo' about it. This was articulate, justified, and righteous feminist wrath. This is the moral slap at those who deny--by producing such filth--that women are fully human beings worthy of respect. Shame on anyone who would participate in "creating" such offensive material. There are other ways to pay the bills that do not create a vacuum in your being/soul/essence/humanity--even if you are a movie starlet or self-proclaimed movie screenwriter, director, producer. . .

This review, and the many comments, remind me of why I adore this site and the people who frequent it (especially the grammar gurus--I love you, fellow geeks!).

Dustin, I thank you for being such a great guy. What a great role model you'll be for wee Pajiba-hyphenate. Speaking of which, has the little one made his/her appearance yet? Been a little out of the loop lately!

Sounds about right.

Thanks once again for a review that hits the nail right over the goddamn head.

Wow. I was actually thinking "Captivity" was going to be a bit of a bait and switch after the over the top marketing. Guess not. This flick is the last gasp of torture flicks, I'm guessing it sinks faster than Hostel 2 especially as repugnant as it sounds. I'm not at all surprised about the killer's identity, I had that pegged from the damn TV ads. Just shows how pointless a flick it is, hopefully this is the last nail in the coffin of the genre. Until "Saw 4" at least, that one's inevitable at this point.

God bless you.

Right. The Fuck. On. Dustin.

*clap clap clap clap clap clap*

Thanks for this review -- this torture-porn crap has got to stop. I have enough reasons to fear for my soul without worrying that I haven't done enough to fight this kind of garbage.

where's the hp review? i need some happiness in my life after this one. but thanks for taking one for the team....no matter how bad and offensive these films may be.

Dustin, God bless you. You deserve a Pulitzer in criticism for this review. Why shit like this is made is beyond me. Hell, your description of the "smoothie" was enough to gross me out and spoil my appetite. Hell, I feel downright nauseous and I didn't even SEE this damned thing (by the way, you can see that "twist" ending coming in the TV trailer, for chrissakes!). I'm sorry, however, that you had to sit through this abomination. My prayers are with you for a quick recovery.

Long time reader - first time writer. I'm not the P.C. type who objects to a clever reference that incorporates a stereotype but, I take umbrage with one element of your review: "That we're not actually a nation of sick, twisted frat-boy fuckers..." If you are referring to demented male sadists who enjoy a premise about mysognisitc violence against women, I concur.

I was a member of a fraternity. Although capable of objectifying women (as opposed to G.D.Is? or sci fi fan boys?, or math geeks?), I and we are not sadists. What does "frat boy" add? A reference to a demographic or a concealed elitist stab?

That was a really intense read, sent chills down my spine.

I thought this movie wasn't out yet- because isn't it set to come out on friday the 13th? how come you reviewed it early?

Judging from the trailer alone, You could
replace Lindsay Lohan's name for
Cuthbert's and describe the
upcoming "I Know Who Killed Me."

God Help Us All when there are people who
consider this dreck entertainment!!!

Thank you so much. I'm actually near tears with fury right now. I had really hoped that this movie wasn't going to be as bad as I feared, but your review confirmed my worst suspicions. Thank you for sitting through this shit so I didn't have to, and for your awesome, awesome, awesome review.

Also, anyone who doesn't think this movie is intrinsically bound up with misogyny needs their fucking head examined.

Please please please change deprivation to depravity. It'sa killin me!

Can't wait to see this one!!!!!

em - thanks for the grizzly laugh, i needed that after this.

thank you thank you thank you dustin! and while i'm at it - thank you TK for the response to the other comment. i love this site.

That's kind of the same twist as "Saw". Plus Elisha doesn't get naked. Plus at least "I Spit on Your Grave" had HALF of the running time being her revenge, not just the final minute.

I haven't seen the trailers or the movie but from the hype, apparent controversy, and your review, it really looks like something my dog would barf up. I'd rather watch the Benchwarmers, and that's saying a whole fucking lot right there.

I've said it before... if simply being disgusted by a trend of violence towards women makes me a feminist, well, then by golly I'm a motherfuckin' feminist. I'd hoped this was something people were pretty much in agreement on, but apparently movie trends are proving otherwise.

Which fucking sucks. And Jocelyn actually made the best point, which deserves to be reiterated - if this was children, or people of color, the world would be up in arms. But since it's a girl, oh, ha! It's just another torture movie, no big deal. That, also, fucking sucks. And finally, in addition to my question of "what's the point?", I suppose we should also be asking "what's the appeal?" I mean, I know, different strokes, different folks, all that shit. But seriously, honestly - someone tell me what is appealing/interesting about this movie?

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go kiss my wife and make her dinner. Anyone for bbq?

Jesus Christ. I want to throw up just reading the review, let alone seeing the movie.

We live in a fucked up society, people.

agreeing with Genny, as i read the review it remined me of regular porn... why would you go to the cinema to see this movie? why does it clasify as a "horror movie", a title that has some social recognition and cinematic value? how can the director support this work? or the main female star! what were they thinking? who pays for this things? do their mothers aprove?
i don't know, this review has left me hopeless. not because i was expecting a good review, but everytime i see a movie with such plot even exist, i think of how sick some people are.

power to the pajiba

i'm sorry for the double post, but i've just read TK's post, and wanted to comment again:
TK: "But seriously, honestly - someone tell me what is appealing/interesting about this movie?"
i have absolutely no fucking clue. the lack of plot shows how much it's only about torture porn. it's like those really fucked up anime, where a monster rapes a girl, and you can't even think of how anyone can jerk off to that.
but the difference is that the former doesn't show on the cinema across America. and it's not performed by actors and actresses. not that this makes it acceptable, of course, but i don't know... i fear this movie is going to make a lot of money.

Your friends are having consensual sex in their home, and if you're alluding to furry handcuffs making that sex a little kinky, that's your perogative. Hopefully they're honest about it with each other and enjoy the hell out of it. Honest kinky is one thing.
It's quite another to disguise what's happening to that girl in the movie as 'female empowerment'.
It's not honest, b/c the real goal of the flick is get some dweeb's rocks off by witnessing torture porn.

and also, I think the current state of the world clearly shows just how much we humans value other humans. There is already too much violence against women in this world for it to be glorified on a 40-ft screen.
I yearn for the day when we respect all life, but ya know, I ain't holdin' my breath.

Nobody hates torture porn more than me. That's one of the (many) reasons I won't be seeing this movie. Or Saw. Or Hostel. Or Turistas. Etc.

But why does torture porn become worse merely because the only victim is a woman (as opposed to half of the victims being women in other torture porn)? The political overtones -- suggesting that this movie isn't so much about enjoying violence inflicted on others as it is about "the man" keeping "the woman" down -- cheapen your argument.

Look, I'm sure it's a terrible movie and a sick viewing experience. But the argument du jour on this is crap. The objections should be based on humanism, not feminism. And when this type of argument is written by a man, it reeks of paternalism.

Says Mark Adams of sundaymirror.co.uk...

It's "...a smartly-made little chiller that manages to keep the levels of suspense racked up pretty high while also delivering clever twists."

He then describes it as "chillingly enjoyable".

This misogenistic idiot's review sounds like it has been written by 10th grade film student.

One question: At any point is she stalked by a cougar?

Actually, as much as -- in theory -- I'd like nothing more than to see Kim Bauer suffer, you're right across the board.

Seriously, thanks for the the venom; this piece of shit is no doubt deserving of every drop of it.

I second the appreciation for your "exquisite fury," Dustin. This is a brilliantly enraged review of what looks to be a hideously offensive and disgusting movie. I don't know who the hell this Joffe guy is, but I hope he crashes and burns in spectacular Hollywood style. As for Elisha Cuthbert, is she so hard up for roles that she resorted to this, or has the bleach seeped into her brain and destroyed her logic and sense of self-respect? Idiot.

Five-star review, Dustin. Exuberant applause.

But why does torture porn become worse merely because the only victim is a woman (as opposed to half of the victims being women in other torture porn)? The political overtones -- suggesting that this movie isn't so much about enjoying violence inflicted on others as it is about "the man" keeping "the woman" down -- cheapen your argument.

You missed something entirely--it's not just about "enjoying violence inflicted on others" it's using sadism to make the main character a more willing sexual plaything for the sadist. He's torturing the hell out of her until she consents out of desperation and insanity, which can't even remotely be considered consent. It's not just that the vicitm's a woman, it's that the victim is a woman who is victimized solely for the sexual gratification it brings her assailant. That's how this is steeped in misogyny.

it's about fucking time! thank you!! thank you!!!

the thing that bothers me the most about this piece of crap is the sheer number of people that are complicit in it's creation. movies don't get made without dozens, perhaps hundreds of people involved. every single one of these people are to blame for bringing this to our tables.

What I love about this review is that not only did you efficiently and so eloquently express your hate for the cruelty, the evil and the overall pointless grossness of the movie; you also hated it because of the lame plot twist that meant NOTHING and would have made it a bad movie anyway without all the other shit.

That's what made your review a great critique. If you just had a problem with the content, it would have been a kind of amateurish review. But since you had a problem with the way the content was delivered, the review has some good legs on which to stand.

It's not just a bad movie. It's TECHNICALLY a bad movie.

I don't mean to be condescending. I just get on a smartypants tangent sometimes. Sorry.

If you need a palate cleanser, may I suggest Patton Oswalt's new cd, "Werewolves and Lollipops?"

My Sweet Baby Jesus, it is awesome. Patton is getting dangerously close to being Bill-Hicks-Legendary.

Mark my words. In thirty years, it will be: Bruce, Carlin, Pryor, Hicks, Oswalt.

And no, I'm not a publicist. I'm just a schmuck who works in a bookstore.

I love (and by love, read loathe and detest with every fibre of my being) how she has to fuck the guy at the end. Cos that's what I'd want to do after drinking human viscera & shooting my pet - have sex with a complete stranger. That's what all of us uptight women need - a good screwing. I don't care if she kills him in the end - he still got what he wanted out of her, using the vilest means imaginable. And she submits - as any woman would do in that situation, NOT.

And for all you idiots who can't comprehend the so-called "angry feminist issue", well, I just don't know where to begin. Here's a basic lesson: Women constitute the overwhelming number of real-life victims of violence, sexual and otherwise, and overwhelmingly, the perpetrators are men. Therefore, it is reasonable to draw the conclusion that there is obviously an issue with the perception of women by men (not all, but some), which must be due to some kind of socialisation process (unless you want to argue that men are genetically wired to abuse women, which I assume you don't). If we look at the portrayal of women in culture such as movies, we see that again, they are often portrayed as victims of violence, and these movies are disconcertingly popular, and on the increase. This movie in particular is about the victimisation of someone BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMAN, and he wants to have sex with her. Join the dots.

Of course it's offensive on a human level, but to pretend not to see the implications for the very concerning (and real) issue of violence against women (particularly sexual violence) is completely disingenuous.

I hope you don't mind Dustin, but I am going to cut and paste this review (with proper acknowledgements) into an email and send it en masse, with the attached message that I am requesting that anyone with a shred of human decency boycott this abhorrent dreck.

Thank you for this review Dustin. I am sooooo tired of this Hollywood fascination with degrading and destroying women. Hey we're fighting a war against the evil terrorists who degrade, dehumanize and murder their women for not wearing their burkas or for falling in love with someone who isn't their first cousin...let's make it sexy for Americans to do the same on film! That should change global society's view of our culture!

Geez. I am trying to become a mother at this point in my life. I have nieces I'd jump in front of a semi for (if I weren't pregnant) to save their precious kooky smart meaningful lives. And crap like Captivity is somehow really cool to go watch for young men? I get the whole sick fantasy crap of insecure walking talking dildo-heads...fine...but guess what? It doesn't always have to be the man torturing the woman Hollywood. Capiche? Oh, you think that wouldn't sell? No shit.

Dustin, words cannot express my admiration for you at this moment!

Here's hoping this film tanks so badly that studios will think twice before cranking out any more stupid-assed torture porn crapola.

Dustin: If do dont mind a brief respite from the thorough ass licking you have been receiving thus far, I think it is complete bullshit to keep that add up of Captivity, contracts be damned. Mind you, I have absolutely no interest in seeing that lame-ass movie, but dont slap these pornagraphers with one hand and take their blood money with the other. You cant get it both ways. Thats hypocrisy. And it doesn't matter that you take the time to point out in your review that you took the add without seeing the movie. You dont get to put on the Publisher hat one day and then the reviewer hat the next -- its a business hazard, I know. Now, I am not saying that you need to issue the studio a refund if you take their add and then trash their movie. Call the movies shitty all you want, its when you take the moral high ground, when you say, I dont know, that you want to throw the filmmakers into the bonfire and emasculate the director because their film is repugnant just put your money where your mouth is and take the add down. Very truly yours, Your friendly neighborhood ombudsman.

WTF IS WRONG WITH THE IDIOT. No, the imbecile. No, the crooked mother fucker. No. I can't even. Good GOD what is wrong with whoever came up with this movie?!?!

Just realized this as I was catching up on the comments (almost all of which are brilliant, I love you all)... the thing that would be laughable about this film (if it weren't so hideously wrong on every level) is the very idea that the victimized woman would end up having sex with ANYONE. After an ordeal like that? Who the hell could feel ANYTHING, much less feel like fucking? She wouldn't be looking for sex from her loving husband after that, much less from a stranger.

At first I thought it was just another example of the complete lack of plot - but then I realized it's just a whole new layer of disease: wear the bitch down until she becomes desperate - desperate for some cock! Because that's what she really needs to feel safe and whole! WTF?!?!?

(And because I can't get away from this: but just be sure you don't actually show the sex, because if you show actual fucking, you'll get an NC-17! And you'll lose all those family viewers!)

Dustin, I love you, you're fabulous. Thank you for throwing yourself on that grenade -- on behalf of all right-thinking people everywhere, I apologize that a movie like that was ever made. It's a symptom of a sickness in our culture, a deadness of fellow-feeling, and it's going to have repercussions in the future, I just know it. Thank you for your revulsion and your call to arms.

Yeah, whatever, men are the victims of violence in torture porn. When are they the victims of *sexual* violence in torture porn? Never. In Hostel II they had a woman torturer, and whom did she torture? Another woman. In a sexual way. Do they ever depict men sexually torturing other men? Or women sexually torturing men? Never. Would that be any better? No, but it's the only reasonable example of setting this kind of misogyny on its head. And it Never. Fucking . Happens.

The violence is sexual. The victim is female. The depiction is gratuitously sexual. Ergo, feminist incensement. There is no other fathomable argument to be made.

"Do they ever depict men sexually torturing other men?" Yes, see: Pulp Fiction.

Damn, I was traveling today and missed all the fireworks. Well, see my comments re "Hostel II" but multiply by 10. Dustin, I can't believe you sat through this fucking crap.

The reason Cuthbert's character has sex with the guy after all the torture and abuse is because that's the pathetic fantasy of men who make these films and the needle-dick boys who enjoy them: Treat a woman like a piece of filth, and it will make her more appreciative of the good fortune of having sex with a depraved piece of shit. Her not knowing his identity in the film is just camouflage for the twisted fantasy.

Put your money where your mouth is: take down the add, or I don't believe a (motherfucking) word you say.

That said, movie sounds like a sexist piece of crap...

someone mentioned it and was wondering:
can we get some bumper stickers made?
specifically "fuck torture pore" i think that's pretty catchy, kinda like eye candy, no? maybe a clever visual aid?

these movies will continue for....im going to say...20 more years, becuase they get money. why? because they're marketed as horrors. people will go see them, and it doesnt matter after the point if they dont like them because tey've already forked it over. plus someone (too many comments to go sifting through them all) showed a critic review of him being "glued to his seat". now granted not every critic is a complete jackass (read: non-pajibans) its not enough....

you can tell me that 1408 wasnt a great horror movie, but god damnit, why the fuck would you bash something that is so clearly steering away from where the rest of the industry is going? if we want (good) horror movies, then fucking show respect to even the bad ones that arnt ....well, that arn't captivity.

dustin, i continue to love you as close as i can before it's technically stlalking.

You know, I enjoyed the brutal honesty in this review so much, that I wish Pajiba was this cruel more often.

Too many times have I come here to see praise for a movie I thought to be horrible... be scathing more often, Pajiba! People love it.

Oh dear, Dustin. I've often felt so bad for you, because of all the utterly crappy movies you've had to withstand just so we don't have to, but this takes the cake.

I feel like sending you a fruits basket or something.

To the commenters railing on Dustin for not getting rid of the ad, obviously you didn't pay attention to this part too well.

I can do nothing to get rid of, short of removing the adstrip and pissing off the other advertisers (which I've considered) or shutting down the site all together. But then I couldn't express my utter contempt for Captivity.

I would rather he take their money and keep the site running WHILE shitting on their sick movie, than to punish everyone, including himself, by shutting down. Where does that leave the Pajiba staff? Where does that leave this review, considering that no one would be able to see it? What would be more effective: a well-written, thoroughly destructive review available to anyone who uses a web search, or just another web site gone up in a puff of smoke?

Take a seat, calm the hell down, and think before you launch into invectives. Unless you just wanted to be contrary.

This is the response I hope for when I learned that According to Jim was renewed.

Seriously, how can Miguel and The Comish fail to see that these film are specifically harmful to women?

Just judging from the trailer I saw before 1408, this film is designed for men to get off on the voyeuristic way the torture of a nubile young woman is presented to them. The other half of this film's goal is to keep women terrified and "in their place".

I mean, it even says in big, bold, 14-foot-high letters on the screen- "Do you still think it's safe to go out alone at night?" or something to that effect. This question is POINTEDLY directed at women b/c, in conjunction with the words, the trailer shows Cuthbert- a woman- out alone and being stalked like an antelope by a lion. Not to mention, what man is afraid to go out alone at night? I've never heard of one. AND it's women specifically that are told their whole lives by fathers and mothers and everyone else not to be out alone at night. Or drive alone after dark. What man has ever been conditioned to fear this sort of thing?

This film is ACTIVELY telling women that if they go out alone at night, if they behave in an independant manner- THIS WILL HAPPEN TO THEM. They will be tortured back into submission. This movie is telling women that, no matter what they do, they are to be held captive by men. If you want to leave the house, you'd better have a man with you to "protect" you, and if you don't another man will come along and snatch you and torture you for stepping out of line.

Am I the only person who caught that EXTREMELY BLATANT part of the message?

Aren't messages like this always obvious and blatant to those most likely affected by them?
Meanwhile, people who are least likely to be the targeted audience bitch about how sensitive and emotional we get when we complain?

And, just as an aside, regarding the whole 'feminist' as a bad word debate, can I just tell you that one of the most moving sights I ever witnessed was in DC a few years ago. My sister and I were walking down the Washington Mall and in front of us was your typical looking 'nukular' family, a trim Grandpa and Grandma, their 30 something daughter w/ her husband and their two kids. They were all wearing these blaringly pink t-shirts. As my sister and I passed them, we snuck a look at the t-shirts. To a one, each of them had "THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE" in big bold letters.
I tell you, I got a little verklempt.

Who greenlights this shit??????? For the love of God, whoever gave this sick liitle man the money to make this movie needs to be, to quote the galatic president, caught and shot now.

What a bunch of whiny fucking robots! Oh, Pajiba says the movie is naughty, I won't see it, I don't have a mind of my own.

If he'd liked the movie, how many of you stupid fucks would have watched it and then proclaimed your undying love and admiration to the filmmakers for such a a brilliant piece of art?

Grow a fucking brain...

Thanks!

So easy that you didn't? Excellent.

Go fuck yourself...

Hahaha ... Chris, believe it or not, if you hang around Pajiba for a while you will see plenty of posts from readers who disagree with the reviewer. The reason that doesn't happen too often is that most people who bother to read Pajiba reviews know that the reviewers have similar taste and values to their own and thus can accurately sum up the aspects of the movie that are important to those readers. We're here because we like the way they watch movies and think about them, and we appreciate them giving us a heads-up about a movie that might violate some of our shared standards. Honestly, why are you even on a movie review site if you don't believe it is possible to gauge the worth of a movie through a competent review?

For example, in case you haven't gathered that by, say, reading the comments, almost all of these readers feel torture porn like Captivity violates a standard - a film standard, a moral standard, etc. Dustin's summary of the ENTIRE MOVIE allows us to judge the plot without seeing the film itself, and clearly, we primarily feel that it is morally reprehensible and weak story-telling. Or do you think we're only against female debasement for male sexual pleasure because Dustin said so? Because I know if he posted saying it was really cool and hot, I'd just be disappointed in him. Fortunately, he hasn't disappointed me yet.

PS - Don't mean to sound as if I'm speaking for EVERYONE here.

Thanks Claire. I guess you can type faster than I can.

good god, reading the REVIEW made me sick to my stomach.

And as for the person who said this?

And don't blame Cuthbert - she has to pay the bills, too. Although really, it sounds like doing porn would have been less of an ego-buster than doing this film.

Forget that. I've got five words for Elisha.

"You want fries with that?"

Hell yes I'm going to blame her for taking that job. I'd blame any actress who degraded herself by voluntarily agreeing to a movie like this. I'd blame the actress, the other actors, the director, the editor, the producer. Anyone who willingly works on that kind of drek?

DESERVES THE BLAME.

Chris darlin', I was merely stating a fact. See subsequent posts for proof.

First of all I'm going to agree that the film must be terrible.
However, you are just another idiot internet film critic.
For once I would like one of you ignorant fucks to actually write something meaningful.
'this film fucking sucked' 'I hated this film'
You shit heads are never able to give a good reason why you don't like something.
It's all inane drivel.
What is obvious is that you don't know enough about film to review a movie fairly.
Do the world a favor and throw in the towel.
Your one of a thousand internet film reviewing fucksticks anyway.
Leave it to the people that actually know something about film Pajiba.
Because it's painfully clear that you don't know shit.

Thank you for the review. I think I'm going to print this up and give a copy to all my friends' stupid little brothers who want to see this move.

"It had me on the edge of my seat!" --Earl Dittman, Wireless Magazines

Hopefully, that means he was almost ready to leave throughout the entire movie. But, alas; probably not!

Absolutely no redeeming value!

I commented on this review yesterday, but I must comment again. Dustin, I want you to know that this review has inspired me and has been the smack in the head I've been needing for a long time.

As a sophomore in college, I'm, of course, broke. For a second job, I work for a company that throws parties in clubs. I have been a shot girl for the past couple of months (go ahead, laugh all you want), and I thought I actually enjoyed it. But I've always felt that I've been stuck in a rut, that I needed to be challenged a whole helluva lot more. This review has made me think more about us females and how often we are thought of as lesser than males, and has made me realize that this job is catered to males and pleasing them. You should see some of the outfits I've worn, none of which I would normally EVER wear in public. And for what? To make all these men happy? To play into some little fantasy they have that maybe this cute chick is easy and I can take her home with me later?

I'm not some fucking plaything for the scum that I typically see in the clubs (and believe me, they are scum. What kind of 35 year old man hangs out in a club and hits on 18 year olds?!) I refuse to continue degrading myself in order to get some drunkard's money. I'm putting in my two weeks notice today.

I want to thank you for helping me see the light, because no one else would.

Big fat "Word!" to the bulk of this thread.

I guess the only thing left to say is:

DUSTIN FOR PRESIDENT.

Here's a basic lesson: Women constitute the overwhelming number of real-life victims of violence, sexual and otherwise, and overwhelmingly, the perpetrators are men. Therefore, it is reasonable to draw the conclusion that there is obviously an issue with the perception of women by men (not all, but some), which must be due to some kind of socialisation process....

Women do NOT "constitute the overwhelming number of real-life victims of violence." According to the Dept. of Justice, men experience higher victimization rates for all types of violent crime except rape/sexual assault. Which, notably, was not one of the crimes perpetrated on the victim in this movie.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_v.htm#gender

A bunch of fucking cry babies you people are. Why give a shitty movie credence by going on and on about misogyny and female hatred and all this other PC crap. You people wouldn't know misogyny if it came on your face. And the reviewer came across as some sort of raving causehead desperately trying to ingratiate himself with the hairy-pitted feminists that apparently frequent this site. It's an unimportant, commercial film that's only goal is to make money. Save your hatred for something more important, or don't. Continue your masterbatory bitchfest and feign superiority, I don't care. I gave up on Pajiba after I saw 1408; that was the most tepid, frightless piece of shit I've ever sat through, and the reviewer practically came all over himself while talking it up.

Agree with Stella.

With Claire - I was asking what made THIS film worse than other torture flicks, e.g., Hostel or Saw apparently, or other sexualized women in danger/captivity flicks, e.g., Caged Heat. Of your list, #s 1, 2, 3 and 7 apply to all torture films. #s 4, 5, and 6, speak specifically to gender and power.

I knew the handcuff thing was not exactly on topic. Just an analogy to show that many people enjoy power/lack of control issues in their healthy sexuality. Its bloody common. Most psychologist and psychaitrists will tell you that there is almost always a factor of power and near violence in the act of coitus. And a sociobiologist will tell you its common in mammals.

Is sadism really worse when a man does it? (Because any depiction of it acts to reinforce the historical subjegation of women?) Not sure we should reject any art if it allegedly reinforces a historical "violation").

Ever see adverts for Dominatrix/Mistress? Plenty of men pay to be dominated, and even have pain inflicted. Not my cup of tea, and I would not pay to see it done, but...

Homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto.

Seems like a lot of critics want to injure the director/screenwriter, or attack their sexuality. Kinda ironic?

I don't think there is anything I could come up with to say that hasn't already been said. Almost certainly said better than I could have managed. I was disgusted with this movie from the trailer alone, and your review has only confirmed what I feared.
However, I would point out that I find it grating/troubling that many of you decrying this film are the same people that only a few reviews ago were happily talking about beating the shit out of little kids. For the terrible crime of being "creepy". I have to wonder where the line of acceptable violence is drawn, what exactly is the thinking behind one act of violence being wrong and horrid, and the other being just fine and even funny?
I'm not trying to be a shit stirrer or detract from the point made in this review and the comments. I agree that this is misogyny, this is torture porn and it's disgusting. However, I was pretty equally disgusted by the comments over at the Joshua review about beating children or even killing them.

Hmmm...open discourse of a very real and disturbing sociological trend = "masterbatory bitchfest and feign[ed] superiority"? Perhaps from the viewpoint of the minority side of a debate. Honestly, though, you seems to be extremely (and oddly) upset over what is really nothing more that a forum of like minded people expressing their disgust with an increasingly twisted filme genre. Perhaps you need more calcium in your diet?

I'd like to respond to a lot more things on here, but I'm at work. I couldn't let this pass, though.

Comish,
There is a crucial difference between torture and murder of men in films and of the same of women, which is the sexualization. Torture porn is used to give sexual pleasure to men who enjoy watching women being brutally tortured or sexually assaulted. These films aren't marketed towards people who see women as weak things to be protected OR towards people who see them as equals, but towards people who consider them objects deserving of pain. This is NOT to say that I like gratuitous violence of any kind - I despise torture films in general, as well as all films that involve such unnecessary and sadistic violence.

Secondly, there is more at stake for women here than one girl's right to make cheap bucks off exploiting this sick fantasy. The impulse of disgust I feel is because women are PORTRAYED as weak people who need protection to survive - and who are valued only when they are not protected, when they are brutally tortured and exploited. It reinforces the stereotypical image of women as weak and subject to the sexual desires of men. Furthermore, it PANDERS to and ENCOURAGES that desire. They don't make these films to raise awareness of sexual crime, they make them to titillate some guys who think girls getting sexually and physically abused is hot and pleasurable. They're reinforcing an image of sexual pleasure that can cause direct harm to women - who are in fact the victims of most sexual violence. And that is HARMFUL.

Wow, mutterhead or whatever your name is. To use the word "came" on something twice in one comment and the term "hairy-pitted feminists" really gives credence to your point. Learn how to spell masturbatory.

So, kate, I guess he means that "hairy-pitted feminists" are men, right?

"I gave up on Pajiba after I saw 1408; that was the most tepid, frightless piece of shit I've ever sat through, and the reviewer practically came all over himself while talking it up."

Ok, then. Let us hairy-pitted, liberal nazi, man haters go about our business. Bu-bye.

Anne, as one of the posters from the "Beat your kids" segment, let me explain why my position there is no different from my position here.

It's about power and who wields it.

I support beating the crap out of a kid that kills his dog. The dog is not consciously aware that the human he trusts is about to kill it.
The family dog is in a position of powerlessness and therefore elicits feelings of protectiveness from me.

What grates here is the perpetuation of the stereotype of women as weak, sexual beings.

In both cases, the less-empowered character gets the sympathy.

Were the situation reversed and an adult were to harm a child, I'd be all for making him slice off his testicles and watching him eat before ordering him to die.

Wow, Roland Joffe directed The Killing Fields. And I just spent three months in Cambodia. I saw the movie and didn't think it did justice to the political situation, pretty much the same way no movie can do justice to it, or the Holocaust, or rape, or you know, reality. Movies are fake. They can't do justice to reality.
So, check it out. I'm a chick, consider myself a feminist, shave my armpits. I fucking love horror movies. And comics. I love gore. My big complaint with Saw was that it moved too quickly through all the interesting gory set ups. And the lame ending and acting, but the acting was bad in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and I totally love that movie. So what makes this movie different? I would say, this: now do you think it's safe to go out alone tonight? I mean, get real people, sexualizing anyone dying isn't new. Watch some Dario Argento. And fair enough, the sex death connection is a theme of horror. But that line just pisses me off. No, I don't think it's safe to walk alone at night. Hey, it's dark out here in the nice old suberbs and I can't go to sleep and I'd like a beer but because my friend got attacked on the street the other night, I think it would be stupid to go. You think I'm whining? Try living with actually not being able to walk around at night without taking a real risk as your reality. You will complain so fast. Not to mention how fast you will complain if your ass gets raped. I know men are victims of crimes, but there's no comparative tag line you could stick on a movie that would make a guy think: I KNOW, jackass. I know can't walk around in Iraq alone.
Any city, any suburb. Different if you're a girl. So yeah, other groups have got it bad too, but that doesn't mean that what women have to complain about isn't reasonable. The difference between women and minority groups is, we aren't a minority, and people think it's silly when you complain. And if a movie came out whose ad campaign was kind of capitalizing on the fears of a minority group, all hell would break out, and people wouldn't tell them to shave their armpits. And let's put this in the context of the reaction to movies like Monster and Hard Candy, where many critics' main problem was that the director seemed to have too much sympathy with the female characters' actions.
I guess what I'm saying is I'm quite all right with lots of things, being a pretty hardcore horror movie fan, but when you're telling America, which is torn between religious elements saying sex is terrible and bad and women are a temptation to turn your eyes away from, and mainstream society if trying to titillate you, and your movie is about making some girl's torture out to be sexy and artfully-smeared-mascarariffic as possible, maybe you shouldn't stick a finger in the face of all the girls who aren't going to see this movie proclaiming: we have made rape and torture totally palatable to all the confused and frustrated males out there, RUN HOME WHILE YOU CAN, bitches! Better not have your periods while we rape you, or we'll make you feel like unfuckable hags and call you unshaved feminists whose sole interests comprise global warming and Michael Moore documentaries.

VERMILLION-- As I said before, "it doesn't matter that you take the time to point out in your review that you took the add without seeing the movie..." At least read my post before you knock it. You just cant take such a HIGH moral stance on an issue and not back it up with your actions. Its one thing to think the movie is garbage, but its quite another thing if Dustin thinks the movie is 1) morally repugnant and 2) that no one should see the movie on those grounds. Having to pay the bills is no excuse and a cop out unless he can tell me that he accepts EVERY add that comes in. He does have editorial control over which adds appear in his publication. Would he accept the add that says the Jewish Holocaust never happened? Of course not. Sounds a lot like the politician who says they only accept money from pornographers in order to get elected and fight porno. Yah, right. Elisha Cuthbert and the producers Dustin wants to eviscerate cant play the "just paying the bills" card and neither can Dustin. To his credit, he did seem to carefully ponder this issue, but he made the wrong decision.

So, JP, your solution is that he either remove the adstrip completely and alienate the rest of the advertisers, thereby jeopardizing the site's continued livelihood? Or should they shut down the site altogether? Because, as mentioned, he accepted it prior to seeing the movie, and now those are the ONLY two options.

So, which should he choose? Hmmm? What would you do, in your eminent, sanctimonious wisdom, have done?

Chris:

Thanks for being one of the first dolts today to make the comment that usually gets made by dolts here, i.e., "guhhh, elitist Pajibans slamming movies you haven't even seen, just going along with the reviewer."

Are you, um, retarded, Chris? (Sorry in advance to PC'ers who don't like that word, but Chris is apparently retarded.) One reads reviews to decide whether to see something. If one could only comment after seeing it, then one could never have a discussion about something horrifyingly terrible without seeing it, which would defeat one of the primary points of reviews. And I don't feel like wasting my time with that.

I don't really feel like wasting my time with you either, dipshit, but enough morons show up and make the same inane comment that I thought if I tried to say it S-L-O-W for you, you might get it. I can't wait for your witty comeback, since your commentary to this point has been so sharp.

Also, for being a dick to others here, I'll do what Stella was too classy to do: Bitch-slap your stupid ass. Go crawl back into your trailer-park twin bed with your sister and resume whatever is you do between corn-nut feedings and WWF marathons. Fuckwit.

Is it upsetting that I figured out the BIG TWIST (the male captive with her was really her captor) from the trailer?

Unfortunately, this movie probably won't be the last banal, plotless, insipid torture porn movie released.

There's a reason Hitchcock's films are considered classics: they're more often than not psychologically terrifying without making the viewer watch something as vicious as human torture (nay, female torture) for the sake of entertainment.

I think I love you Dustin.

Part of what disturbs me about this movie is that its release occurs about three months after the killing of Dua Khalil, a 17-year-old Iraqi woman, in an "honor killing" that was captured on a phone and released on the internet. Joss Whedon first addressed it on his blog, and after reading the CNN story I was even more horrified after reading this review. I am a feminist (though NOT a hairy-pitted one) and I'm stunned and horrified that so many women around the world are killed for various "reasons." There is no reason to let it spill into our entertainment.

Oh, and in the action flicks that I've seen, I've yet to witness the hero forcing his victims to drink an organ smoothie.

If it's so bad, why do you advertise it on your website? That's kinda tacky.....

Regardless of how disgusting this film sounds, and I surely wouldnt go and see it, I dont see the big deal with it. If you dont like torture porn, heres an idea, dont watch it! Its really pretty simple, and im really tired of hearing about how this and that is so morally wrong. Morals are in the eye of the beholder, if some sick fuck wants to go see this movie then he/she(not likely) should go do so. Thats why this is America is it not?

finally. a sensible movie critic that will actually tell the truth. albeit the truth plus a whole mess of F-bombs. but thank you, as a woman i feel better knowing that at least one male on this planet doesn't enjoy this kind of nonsense!!!

I'm so in love with Amanda. If you dump the camel lights I"ll marry you.

Thanks for the review. I've only read about the film and seen previews, but you summed up my thoughts exactly. FUCK TORTURE PORN. I knew a few cocksuckers in high school that joked about "snuff porn" and they're the types of cunts that would get off on this movie. I really do hope the writers, directors, producers, actors, and actresses in this movie get fucking sodomized to death. FUCKING DIE ELISHA (she's the only shitbag associated with this film that I know by name).

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had no intention of ever seeing this movie, but I really needed a reminder that there are men out there who hate this misogynistic torture porn crap. I heart you all. Especially Dustin. Add me to the list of groupies!

A-fucking-MEN!

I hate torture porn/ I didn't like Hostel or Saw and was not even considering seeing any of the follow ups. I think this kind of subject matter is less than tasteful... I will, however, see this movie. Why? Larry Cohen. That's why. He's the screenwriter and director of "It's Alive!", "God Told Me To", "Q", "The Stuff", "The Ambulance" and many other quirky, undefinible features. He co-wrote this screenplay, so there has to be something to it.

BTW, your review smacks of the same critical hypocracy that Roger Ebert had for "I Spit On Your Grave" back in the old "Sneak Previews" days.

Ugh. Hate this kind of film. Kudos to you.

Vermillion: I read all your posts too, and you still haven't said more than "Keep the ad." Keep the ad because we cant risk losing Pajiba. wawawa. Keep the ad because its too tough to take it down. wawawa. Pathetic. (Oh, and thanks for the spelling lesson you pretentious prick). Anyway, I found it funny that the guy who was PISSED THE FUCK OFF really showed those movie jerkoffs where to stick it and ... well, he kept the ad up. I am giving him a pass because I just read he had a baby, so I am going to assume his vitriol ran out of steam upon the sight of his new child. But by keeping the add (sic) up Pajiba has acquiesced to being a cog in the masochistic machine. Anyway, I've said my peace on the matter. Enjoy the movie. I would go see it, but apparently I have to go report to Remedial English before I can post again.

The comish: "But that impulse of disgust you feel isn't because you view women as equals, but because you see women as helpless and in need of protection."

I think your choice of words betrays you. You don't see women as equals, but as helpless and in need of protection.

Bless whoever posted the Earl Dittman quote. If you need a counterpoint to whatever the worst movie ever made at the moment is, you can count on Earl. It's sad - I know Earl and he's a nice guy...so nice, he never saw a movie he didn't not-just-like-but-LUUUUVVVV...all to make sure he continues to get invited to cover the studio junkets.

Earl's a very, very, very large man, so literally ANY movie could legitimately have him on the edge of his seat.

Sadly, I also know Elisha and she's convinced herself that this piece of cinematic excrement somehow has merit. Here's what she said to me: "I'm not really one to be comfortable watching films like that. But to make 'em is a whole lot of fun!"

Then I asked her about being friends with Paris Hilton and she literally ran away.

Don't agree with the axes and pitchforks censorship mentality that's taken hold around here. Truth is the market will give this piece of cinematic excrement exactly what it's due. IT will fail, horribly.

Oh, and I agree with the second poster, Elisha Cuthberth is another example of today's crop of actors. All fluff, ZERO substance, can't act her way out of a paper bag.

You know, I've never objected to the "torture porn" genre because I grew up on horror films and splatter movies and never saw them as anything more than exercises in "okay, go grab the plaster and latex and let's see how we can fuck somebody up with a chainsaw!" special effects. Sure, there was always the whole "the girl who doesn't have sex will live" thing going on, but horror movies are always about deep, icky, primal fear that's as rooted in our heads as the sex drive so it always made sense to keep everything on an adolescent level. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw the "leaked" footage from "Hostel 2" where Heather Matarrazzo gets killed and actually found myself offended... and now this. Don't get me wrong. I love a good zombie rampage or exploding head or chainsaw slaughter, but when did we get so obsessed with *suffering*? I don't get it. I don't understand it. I don't want to see it. What the hell's wrong with me? Am I growing up? Between this and the really fucked up "slap her and gag her" porn that's starting to creep into the mainstream I'm really starting to worry about the world. I worry for the future...

Excellent point bruised&spongey. Thank you for bringing that to our attention. And you're not old, you can't be, I just turned 34.

I'm the kind of girl who just ignores what doesn't interest me, in a "life is too short to waste brain space on crap" kind of way. So torture-porn as a genre never even hit my radar. I love spooky and scary, but not gory just for the sake of watching fake blood fly around. So all the Saws and Hostels and Captivities don't even occur to me. But I did stumble across a few internet sites that mention how grotesquely disgusting this movie is. And I am quite happy to see that Dustin and so many commenters, agree. It is good to know so many people will be ignoring this movie as I have.

The really cool thing about movies is that we are free to not give a fuck about the shitty ones. So here's to not giving a fuck.

Thanks Dustin, and most of the posters. Nothing like a bit of righteous anger. I feel like hosting a boot party. But I also feel like hugging you and giving you milk and cookies.

Can I make one point that seems to have eluded the posters with - shall we say 'questionable' or 'frightening' attitudes towards women specifically and sexual politics in general?

If you don't give a shit about women, at least give a shit about yourselves. Films like this dehumanise men as well. The message is that men are animals. And every person (whether male or female) who gets sexual kicks from this type of shit is announcing to the world that they are inhuman.

Some of the comments on this posting have reminded me of the men who say women ask for it when they get sexually assaulted. That's the same thing as saying- "He's a man, therefore he cannot be trusted around a short skirt or a provocative dance. He is an animal, ruled by sexual and violent urges. He should not be expected to be able to control himself."

THAT sounds like true man hating to me.

Very good review. Don't worry Mr. Rowles, I have no intention of seeing this picture. I'm tired of the torture genre. Some sick freaks must like watching people in agony. Like you said, women are getting the worst of it, but some "people" like viewing this stuff no matter what gender the victim is. How pathetic.

Sorry for the double post!

Censorship is government imposed and enforced banning of speech. What we have here is the First Amendment in action, i.e., more speech, lots of speech, divergent opinions all played out in the Pajiban marketplace of ideas.

*********************************************

Yeah whatever, all I'm seeing is a gangbang (and please don't explain the literal definition of gangbang) there's a certain self important "pajibian" group mentality in this place that's a little off-putting as of late.

Hmmm, I actually thought that the other captive would be the kidnapper, and that's just from the previews. Anyway, it sounds awful.

Wow. I actually wanted to see this but i didn't know anything of it. I tried to get my friend to see it with me but she said she doesn't want to and not because it's scary. So she sent me this review and I was thinking "damn". I'm glad you didn't hold back on this review it really opened my eyes to what the movie was out to be. Forget seeing this I have no desire to now...

Thank You.

Amanda,

Can I have a cookie?! I love cookies.

BarbadoSlim, What is it about spirited, indeed the scathing and bitchy, exchange of ideas that puts you off? If you cannot be more articulate than "Yeah, whatever" then I suppose your delicate little sensibilities would mistake adult conversation for a "gangbang". If you do not like the prevailing "group mentality," then contribute something worth considering to change it. As it is, your submission(s) hardly advances the debate. A suggestion: if you are "put off," then act on that and cease your minimal-value commentary.

Sounds like this flick makes Boxing Helena look like The Sound of Music......

First, killer review.

I live in Boston, so I'm not familiar with the ads in LA, but there are ads for Craptivity on the T (the subway), and I've had to look at them for weeks now. Even at first glance, I was curious and disgusted by the image of Cuthbert's face, make-up smeared, behind a fence/cage. I looked at it longer, trying to figure out exactly what the point of the "film" was, and I concluded that it was yet another carnography/torture-porn flick; and yet I felt something more - I wasn't quite seeing the whole picture. I thought "Her tears are dripping with mascara, her mouth is open slightly as if to release a horrified cry, and the overall look is gritty and dark. This shit has gone too fucking far."

After reading your review, I feel relieved that my basic instincts about this piece of shit were mature and clear. I actually feel like a good person because I don't enjoy this drek.

All day today at work, I was telling people to avoid the movie at all costs. As far as the ads go, I always carry a boxcutter and was very close to shredding the ad to pieces before I got off the train, but I stopped at the last moment for fear of being arrested (there was a T guy nearby). Perhaps if I ride at night...

It's just more of the same, you see, people don't wanna debate shit they want to bully, the classic dictatorship by majority. And to actually think that I thought this place w as different. If anything the smug jackassery can get worse because of the supposed higher level of education.

I actually agree that the movie is crap, I just said the market would decide its fate. I didn't feel the need to write an over worded self-serving Supreme Court brief about it.

You know this genre of movies ,and this movie in particular, is so fucking awful in every sense of the word, that the TV spot for it mentions the the FUCKING BILLBOARD that got all that attention. The ad mentions another ad that was just as terrible as the movie. And of course it is the "most controversial horror movie ever" says fucking who? Some jerkoff? Christ fucking almighty take this so called "genre" and put a fucking bullet in its rotted brain. Fuck Fuckity Fuck Fuck.

So.... What do you all think about "Classics" like "MANIAC", "Last House On The Left", "Last House On Dead End Street", "I Spit On Your Grave", "Mother's Day" and the like... or is that beyond you scopes since their all older films.

I ask because you're talking about these current Torture Porn films the same way protestors talked about those films back in the day.

I think those films were more effective, given their filmmaking style: grittier and more realistic.

Ithink the only thing really unsettling about this new crop of films ("Capitivity" included) is that they're slicker looking, have name actors, and are released on a grad scale, like the major film releases.

Personally, I find you lot much scarier than the MPAA.

motherfucking slow clap for this review.

Never thought I would be saying this, but in their own way, BarbadoSlim and markus are right. Dustin had to see this as position as a film critic. While the review was quite entertaining by itself, the glad handing and self-congratulation is overwhelming. I admit, I am guilty of it as well, and I own up to my part.

rudy, you claim we are here for the free exchange of ideas, but when they presented ideas that were not coinciding with the groupthink, they were attacked. It wasn't like he was one of those guys who has to pop in and say "Stop being sheep! Why listen to a review?", which I do believe we did receive here on this page. BarbadoSlim agreed that the movie was garbage, and merely stated that the market would show how people truly felt about this film. Hell, he is practically an optimist, believing that the number of people who get off on films like this are considerably outnumbered by those who realize what utter dross this movie is.

If you thought the movie was crap already, great, wonderful even. But this isn't Watergate folks. This wasn't some groundbreaking piece of journalism. This was a man sick and tired of torture porn giving a crappy movie the text equivalent of the finger. That is all. You already know how you felt, and you should already be secure in your feelings. Getting validation from this review is pretty creepy.

I am not saying we cannot express your concurrence with the review. Just tone down the righteous indignation a bit, especially if you were not going to see it anyway. In my opinion, the best example of an appropriate comment was from Wesley. He told how he felt about the flick, and how the review affected him. I wish I had kept it that simple.

Vermillion, I heard Pretentious Pricks is opening up for Bad Religion on the Warped Tour. Wanna go?

Good to know that there are other people out there who won't stand for this new brand of genre. First Saw, then Hostel, Hostel II, then this?! Lets put an end to this trend already people! I don't care if it targets males or females, it's just wrong and an insult to cinematic industry.

I'm scratching my head over the idea that some of the folks commenting have that this is a new genre.
As already pointed out by several other readers, these kinds of movies have been around for decades. So it's having a small resurgence lately . It has a catchy new name though in "torture porn", which may be why it is suddenly on everyone's radar. A large number of the older '70's horror films would easily fall into this category, including classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

There are several fascinating elements in a lot of the comments so far. One of the most interesting (to me), is the way people decry the film's cruelty, while advocating the same torture for the people involved in making the film.
Or, even more bizarre, decrying the violence and then suggesting that it would be OK if it was perpetrated on someone they don't agree with politically.

It would be interesting if the current administration decided to ban films like this on moral grounds. Would that change how some of you feel about these kinds of films? If W came on television and said "Captiverty is an uffront to the 'Mercan way of life, and we must protect our young'uns from this kind of garbage". Would everyone be saying "Yeah, ban that shit!!!"? I'm guessing that they wouldn't.

So, sure, you may not like this genre. Don't go see the movies. That is really the bottom line...

I'm simply offering this as food for thought, hopefully I haven't misspelled anything that will immediately discount any point I am trying to make.

For the record (before I get the "if you don't like the reviews why are you posting here, troll?" responses), I like reading Pajiba, I mostly agree with the reviews and hence, I use them to help decide if I am going to enjoy a movie. I also don't normally watch a lot of "torture porn".

This movie is what degraded beings do to each other. If you are not at least Clear as defined by Dianetics and Scientology you are degraded. Quite the crap and get on the Bridge to Total Freedom! Watch out for the perverts and criminals in the world. You will find the worst of the worst on my website www.religiousfreedomwatch.org the things they do are much worse than this movie. Just be grateful my company, American Coast Title is run well and is profitabel enough to pay for the public service website.

And if you want to make money look at the reward section of my site.

Joel Phillips

To Gus Hanson: So, you'll marry me if I give up the Camels, huh? Are you wealthy enough to fund the luxurious and daily cocaine habit that will replace it? If so: Yes, I will marry you.

Oh, and you'd better be a dreamboat and have a big wiener.

Ahhh!! There's a false-Amanda leaving comments here! Just to keep things straight, from now on I'll be Amanda H!!!!!!!

In your face, false-Amanda!

Wow, Dustin, I agree with everything you wrote! Thanks for sticking up for what you believe in.

This movie is sick, sicker than sick. I HATE this type of sick and twisted movie genre with a passion...actually, this movie shouldn't even be put into a categlory it's so horrible.

Meredith said: And if people are offended by it and want to say so, that's not them just going along with everyone else, that's them having their heads in the right place.

Wait a sec.
Are you saying that anyone who isn't offended that this movie exists doesn't have their head in the right place?
Does this count for all movies that offend people? Or just the ones that offend you?

There were thousands of people offended by the photo by Andres Serrano called Piss Christ. Mostly Christian conservatives, were they "just having their heads in the right place"?

Art's not comfortable. Maybe the filmmakers wanted this type of response in order to make a point about the dehumanization of women, or our societal obsession with celebrity (Cuthbert's character is supposed to be some big fashion model/actress ala Paris Hilton).

Saying you dislike this kind of movie is fine. Saying that movies like this shouldn't exist is simply censorship and is just as fucked up here as in any other situation. Before I get excoriated for that statement, let me add that wishing movies like this one didn't exist is cool as well.

George opined: As for the Manga genre, I enjoy that stuff, it reaches parts of the psyche that bear little connection to reality. The BIG difference is that the makers of torture porn try to convince you that what you see is REALLY HAPPENING, and that is never an issue when the Manga monster comes out of the sixth dimension to rape the Manga girl.

LOL

That's a joke, right?

Who the hell sits in a theater and thinks "this is really happening, eek!!"?

And it's ok to enjoy looking at Japanese schoolgirls getting sodomized by Cthulhu as long as it's just a cartoon? Do they have animated manga? If so, would that be ok to enjoy? What about a big budget live-action manga? Would that still be ok? It seems to me that if you enjoy watching girls getting raped by monsters then you don't get to pass judgment on people who may like watching movies like Captivity.
How the hell is it that manga touches the dark recesses of the psyche and this movie doesn't?

Its a horror suspense movie stop trying to use it to get up on your feminist soapbox. Its a fucking movie, not real and if you don't like it then don't ever watch it again. There's way more important things in this world to bitch about then some stupid movie.

You now what sucks? Clicking on someones name here in the comments....then reading their blog...then finding that they are VERY funny...funnier than you thought you were...and you just really wanted to be angry with them for a minute...but now you can't...that sucks...I think...Nexus6 & TK.....funny stuff. BTW...shit-ninja...classic.

dustin...nice review. get that aggression out before the baby starts crying at 2 am!!!

seriously, though, even though i am a fan of the most extreme and unnecessary horror, i had this one figured out about halfway through the trailer.

i though, "hmmmm, how could they market this the same way as "saw" et al yet still make an 'original' movie?" OK, make the "other guy" the captor.

granted, i don't try to figure movies out and i tend to just enjoy them and let them take me where they will, but this one was just too obvious.

and BTW, elisha cuthbert is too damn hot to be stooping to this level. at the very least, she needs to do "girl next door 2", where she returns to porn and bangs the shit out of the headmasters of the colleges of the 3 losers in "girl next door" so they can graduate. i'd pay to see that.

teebee - come by anytime.

-ShitNinja

Tried posting earlier today, apparently it didn't go through and now I'm at the perfect buzz level to drool all over this site & sound completely ridiculous doing it.
Dustin, I fully intend to never, ever get on your bad side, never ever ever - I'd have to leave the country after receiving a brutally-written beating I could imagine you giving me in response to any offense I may inadvertently inflict upon you, which I will now apologize for in advance if such a horrible occasion should arise.
I tore into your deliciously hateful review like a Doberman on fresh, wet, raw hamburger meat (I save my better metaphors for times when I can post more timely - sorry for this substitute). I hate summertime and, like more than most people would like to admit, my temper naturally goes up with the temperature itself, confirming my belief that a confluence of different reactions to this most excellent review virtually brimming over with hatred and disgust from most commenters involved is a direct result of part of our global-warming mentality coupled with our ever-expanding realization that the current administration is screwing us just as they have from the beginning, and that indeed they expect to bankrupt our nation and leave the rest of us to fend for ourselves when we're no longer considered a "powerful" country, directly because Bush and Cheney decided that was no longer relevant (Come on, peeps, I rarely have a forum to bash Bush- indulge me already).
Let's face it folks, even with the vitriol that two of our most consistent commenters (Vermillion & B-Slim) admit went a bit over the edge, reading that incredibly craptastic review of a sick excuse for a movie (AND each and every single comment) only provided my troubled mind with further proof that we love a great bitch-slapping review of a movie that Dustin seems to deliver better than anyone nowadays.
MG summed it up perfectly for me when he "got a contact high from your seething fury." All the rest of you have made my own opinions obsolete, which is both satisfying and frustrating at the same time, seeing that virtually every thought I could articulate on the subject at hand has already been covered and communicated, mostly in such eloquent ways that any singular opinion I could offer would be less than minimal to the overall and complete, fair and balanced response (yeah, I went there) we've already seen in this comments section at this point, am I right?
Hell, maybe now my window unit has cooled the bedroom air with a nippy 74-degree temp I can finally go to sleep in, seeing that it's closing in on 3 am and this is the coolest time I can hope for in a 24-hour SC day.
Thanks to everyone for the great Saturday morning reading I enjoyed so much. G'night already.

I hope the dvd is unrated.

As my birth name is Amanda, I'm pretty sure I'm not a "false Amanda." Sorry to confuse your adoring fans though.

now i HELL of want to see it. It sounds rad
www.iseerobots.com

Maybe the filmmakers wanted this type of response in order to make a point about the dehumanization of women, or our societal obsession with celebrity

And maybe Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer will sew my prom dress while I drink rainbows from a fountain made of moonbeams.
Sorry about the sarcasm.
Go to www.stickersisters.com for your guerilla sticker needs.

Also, I will be sending this review to many people.

Soooooo... I should let men open doors for me and stop demanding equal pay for equal work because then I might not get tortured for someone's sexual pleasure?

Interesting perspective.

I'm a few days late on this because I just came to your site for the first time via the comments on the avclub's review, but I am subscribing to the feed (i hope there is one!) right away. This review was amazing, and I feel a little ridiculous saying this but it has rejuvenated my faith in feminism. I'm glad to see that there are so many other angry feminists out there in the world--and I mean that in a good way. Thank you, Dustin!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I feel that both this rant and Joss Whedon's have a sexist logic underlying them. Others have pointed out that objecting to the films because the torture object was a sexy young woman is sexist. I agree. The notion that women should receive special treatment or respect that men do not, presupposes an inequality between men and women. Objections should be on humanist grounds.

People have rebutted by saying that only men (bad, wrong men instructed by twisted, woman-hating culture) like torture porn and THAT is why these films are about men hating women.

In my experience this is demonstrably false.

If people will venture to read fan fiction and erotica written by women, it will not take them long to discover that lots and lots of women like to fantasize about attractive young people, usually men, tortured in a sexual way, often with the victim then have sex with their captor or presented as getting off on the torture.

I would love to see a day when women have the opportunity and daring to make expensive movies about their "sick depraved" sexual fantasies instead of only being able to express themselves in the anonymity and low cost venue of the internet.

Actually, I rescind my previous statements after reading a small fraction of the comments. For every man who was repulsed it seemed like there were at least 3 more who were excited. I will continue to live in fear.

rm, I hope you don't seriously make life choices along the lines of "I will continue to live in fear" based on comments made by a bunch of juvenile miscreants on a movie review website.

One of the more laughable trends of modern society is the feminist demand for both equality and special treatment concurrently.

The reason there's a "demand" is because the equality hasn't been achieved. And, pray tell, what special treatment?
'cuz last I checked, I still have to shell out $55 a month for birth control, while useless shit like Viagra is covered.

lol u stupid gay loser's/females (in same group) should all stick to harry potter and alice in wonderland coz that's all u can jack off teh :D
stupid noob can't even right a review without crying like a bitch

As a woman and a hellaciously opinionated one, I Fucking HATE torture porn\craptacular movies that do absolutely nothing but help to participate in the dumbification of the general public. I love war movies and genuinely good horror movies (of which I have seen few that freak me out as badly as the original 1950's edition of "Psycho"). I cannot really think of a single good horror movie in recent years. This kind of disturbing, pseudo-psychological wanna-be mindfuck needs to be stopped. This boils down to a particularly nauseating way to spend 90 minutes during which time, if you a soul-bearing being, your brain cells should actually begin screaming for help or acting like a group of lemmings and committing mass suicide.

Bonnie, your comment about the honor killing is a great point to bring up. Currently in the UK, there is a trial about an honor killing of a young woman by her father and uncle. They slit her throat and the police were unable to stop it, even with a order of protection. Also, kudos on the following comment.
"Oh, and in the action flicks that I've seen, I've yet to witness the hero forcing his victims to drink an organ smoothie."
I believe that this holds true for most movies. Action, Sci-Fi, Chick Flick, what have ya.
The only reason I have not posted until now is because of my intense hate for this type of movie. I have no intent on ever seeing this movie or any of it's torture porn partners.
Bravo Dustin, Bravo.

teebee: yeah, i knew it was a risk when i went there with the coulter joke. it was a reference to another thread about rape, and someone made a bad joke and people went betchass crazy. so, please don't take it personally, and i don't take things personally, and that way, we are all happy and can appreciate one another's bad, tasteless jokes. :)

cheers!
N6

This movie is really poopy.

Not many people saw it last weekend, so this movie probably helped to hasten the end of the current torture porn trend. Bad movie -> bad business -> there's some sense in the world.

That's the take-home message for me.

I can understand the misogyny discussion but no one has mentioned how Elisha's character blows her captor's cock and balls off with a shotgun, then blows a hole in his shoulder and finally ends it by a shot to the head. Then she says, "Thanks for the lesson."

My what a ride this "anaconda" of a thread has been. Nice to see so many people standing up for their opinions, regardless of what side they're on. Would this be the longest set of comments, I wonder? Ah well, at any rate:

Thread's dead, baby. Thread's dead.

RIP

i swear i will NOT see this movie to see what all the fuss is about. Nope, not even when I read such a negative review--denouncing its horrors in no way piques my interest at all. I am not at all curious as to what new boundaries this film may claim to cross, and I swear I could not care less what so-called commentary or even special effects are involved. I am not a part of the society critqued in the above comments and neither is anyone else who left those comments. I am a completely detached, wholesome individual and refuse to seperate content from creator. There's simply no excuse.

I mean, it's not like the genuine hate and disgust for this movie is going to make people who aren't so easily deflected by a movies content want to go see it more or anything.

cheers

I made the very unfortunate mistake of being drunk and going to the movie theatre and seeing this movie.
However, in my defence, I will say that I had never heard of it before and had no idea what it was about.
Let's just say I was very very angrily sober by the end.
The only way they could have redeemed themselves after this stinking piece of shit was to have Elisha Cuthbert put down a little hurtin' of her own. Grab those pliers. ACTUALLY pull his teeth out. Remove his testicles with a machete. Chop his arms off with a chainsaw. Tie him to the chair and make him a nice little smoothie, a la Your Own Fucking Dick flavor.
Christ.
What a stupid fucking movie.

FROM CNN: With Captivity opening to just $1.5 million last weekend, After Dark Films' Courtney Solomon is ready to leave behind torture porn and explore exciting new exploitative film genres: "It's overkill. I think audiences have said, 'I've had enough.' It's as simple as that."

I can understand the the people who are against movies such as this, but it is only a movie. There have been far worse movies made than this one. I have done research on past and present serial killers, cults etc and this movie is nothing compared to the real thing. This movie was not made to piss anyone off it was made for the day and age of horror mania. The grosser the better. Take Hostel I,II and Saw (all). I found Hostel II to be worse then Captivity . There is a
basis for everything so, not everythingt has to have a plot. I have been desensitized to these kind of movies for YEARS and I look beyond the personal feelings (that so many of you seem to have) towards the porn torture. If you really want to make a difference then put your frustrations, anger, dissappoints and what else you may have or feel, towards child molesters, rapists , murderers etc that we co exist with in the real world. What happens in our very neighborhoods, Congress, Churches, Schools are (as I have said before) far worse then this movie could ever hope to be. This movie did not bother me or piss me off and I have no hate for the people who have made it. If you really want to see something disturbing go to court, watch a rape trial, and there you will learn that Justice is the scary one. For example a women was raped and beaten within an inch of her life, the rapist admitted to eveything and got off with 2 years probabtion. No jail time, penalties, community service. This woman had no idea who this man was she never met/saw him before, but he was able to walk free because she knew she was going to be raped and she told him to please use a condom because a disease will be far worse then a rape . Now, where is our equal rights groups on that, where is the anger for the judge, jury, defendants, and plantiffs. That man was able to run around free and commit more rapes which he did and was imprisoned for two years 4 years probation due to the raping of a minor . If all the Womens Lib Activists and Bleeding Hearts want something to bitch and moan about then pick a topic that makes a difference, and something that we could have control of. Banning a movie is pointless, because there are those that are still able to buy them,. To cut this short there was a reference made to the flick I spit on your Grave and the 45 minute rape scene, Oh My God, Please that movie at best should be a comedy, Drama. Horror/rape were not explicit enough for the movie to be banned. The inuendo of rape was there but Damn, you can see a worse rape scene in the movie The generals Daughter. I am a female so please so not think that I am some guy digging this sort of movie for the T & A. I watch movies such as this just to see who can be the most gross and imaginative. Why else would anyone go to see this. It is the same thing as rubber-necking on the freeway after an accident, All of US wonder how much blood there is /how mangled are the cars. We ALL have a morbid curiosity and is part of US ALL and there is no way to get rid of it, it is after all human nature. If you really want to see something utterly disturbing watch the movie Cannibal. It is based on the the true story of Armin Meiwes and Bend Juergen. I watched this movie in fast forward ( due to the fact that sex between two men is DEFINATELY not my cup of tea ) but it is cannibalism at its best(far worse then drinking human entrails). It is a TRUELY REVOLTING movie. Sorry for the typing errors but I was in a hurry I have class , Medical Student

I'd like to address the criticism leveled at Pajiba readers who agree with the review without having seen the movie. Dustin revealed that there is a scene where the female protagonist (if such a word is applicable) is forced to decide between shooting her pet or being shot herself.

Now. Without having seen the movie, I can honestly say that I have NO desire to see a movie that has a scene like that in it. There is NO redeeming quality in something like that. Even if the rest of the movie were worthwhile, I'm grateful to Dustin for having revealed that spoiler, because that scene alone would have ruined it for me. Please tell me what possible value, artistic or entertainment, that this sort of scene has.

Some years ago, under a different screen name, I used to take part in an online rendered art community. Almost all of the artists used Poser or Bryce to create scenes and scenarios in which no actual human being was harmed. The name of the site contained the word "erotica," although the genre ran more toward kinky. There were limits--no snuff, bestiality, or obviously underage content could be used--but it could get fairly extreme.

I was one of the few female artists on the site. I can tell you that there were some members who definitely wanted to see "a hot chick get tortured." There were many members who didn't contribute actual artwork themselves, just commented on other members' contributions, and some of those comments got a bit frightening. There was one guy in particular who always wanted to see female genitalia being brutalized in some manner, and his comments reflected his frustration that the artists weren't willing to give in to his preferred kink. So yes, there are people out there who will flock to see "Captivity."

What worries me most is that I actually know someone--note I didn't say he was a friend--who will probably get off on this movie.

I must have downloaded a censored version - i didnt see any of the blender or dog scene. Fucking a, rippers, dont bother with censored versions!!

N6...no offense taken...she is truly an awful person...she knows no bounds and embarasses conservatives everywhere...unfortunately she, along with good 'ol boy Rush are the voice of the right....at least that's what THEY tell us...anyway...I was just concerned because I have read many a comment on this site that would have included that statement as a true desire and the whole discussion centered around how awful women were being treated....so....we all good?

this movie was awful and predictable, but your review was even worse. its kinda like people getting self-righteous and calling for the execution of mass murderers. taking a stand against obviously offensive material isnt really all that interesting.

Thanks for this. I'll never understand the warped "wait, this isn't woman-hating because of the one scene" logic.

Wow! Whatta review! This movie got some real bad reviews, but this is the best best bad review I've read, of anything really, in quite a long time! First time to your site, and I know I'll be back.

....welllll i can't say i'd feel close to a shred of remorse at all if half of those nasty things we've been talking about happened to Ann Coulter... sorry if that makes me an asshole?

Cheers, Dustin. You are truly one of the good ones. And thank god for all of y'all that are hating on this movie, for all the right reasons--there is hope yet.

People who like movies like this ARE the terrorists.

"Please tell me what possible value, artistic or entertainment, that this sort of scene has."

...er, go see it in its context?

man that review was ace!!!!

I am going to post it on my blog and link it back to you..... this needs to be heard!!!

these films are just plain crap! bull a load of bullshit!

wow what a twist!!

like the late great bill hick said "a huh huh will thar bee titties in it!"

man!!!

peace

G

Jesus, that review was scarier than the film looks. Elisha Cuthbert is definitely in Kim Bauer-mode when it comes to her career, as in everything she touches turns to suck. Thanks for saving my soul.

Matt said:

....welllll i can't say i'd feel close to a shred of remorse at all if half of those nasty things we've been talking about happened to Ann Coulter... sorry if that makes me an asshole?

Yeah, that makes you an asshole. Why the fuck is it OK to torture people who don't agree with you politically? What sort of fucked up world do you want to live in? Torture is only misogynistic if it happens to non-conservative women?
I'm gonna promote you from "asshole" to "fucking idiot".

Let me be blunt for one moment...

half of you motherfucking people havent even seen this movie so you all have no room to say anything about it.
personally i havent seen it either but im not sitting there taling crap about it and you all are. why dont you actually whatch it before you act all smart alec and agree just to look cool. If you have seen nothing but the trailer then why are you even saying 1 word about that movie?! hu?! huh?! why dont you leave a smart alec comment to that?! huh?! yeah try again.
~sierra

what?!
now none of you flakes want to comment anymore because you know im talking about you.
thats what you should of done a long time ago.
your just a bunch of bitchy people just like you all are listed online.
its really funny.
you all are talking about this movie but you dont even realize everyone else is talking about you.
saying some of the same stuff i just did.
its a real sad shame.
your all just a bunch of cowards.
-sierra

I just watched an AMC Moviefest interview with the film's screenwriter, Larry Cohen. This is verbatim what he had to say when asked upon whom the main character is based.

"She's a character that was inspired by Paris Hilton. I'll come out and admit it. She's a spoiled brat, model, actress, who has really no talent, who's gotten by on publicity. She slapped a cop one time, and got herself on the front pages. She deserves what she's gonna get. This is like Paris Hilton's brief incarceration, exaggerated one thousand fold. This is the kind of prison that everybody wishes Paris Hilton had been sent to."

I have several issues here with this. I know there is this perception that Paris has "no talent, has gotten by on publicity." I totally disagree. I think she's a major talent. She is an artist, a smart business woman, has earned millions. She works hard & parties hard. Like millions of people. She has certainly entertained a hell of a lot of people over the years.

As far as this "slapped a cop" bit goes, Paris has done nothing remotely like that at all. No one can deny that she's always cooperative with the authorities. Even when they won't leave her alone, as they are constantly stopping her to hit on her. As she is wont to say, "We love the police."

As for this kind of small, narrow-minded, cruel thinking and mentality, I believe it but I don't understand it, refuse to accept it. This wanting to punish, to death-wish someone who has hurt no one. This kind of misogyny. All because you don't like her lifestyle, her freedom. Mind your own damn business then. Just because the media talks a lot about someone you don't appreciate, you are not forced to pay attention.

It is really just hate fronting for jealousy.

I could go on & on but Mr Rowles's scathingly brilliant review of the movie does justice just nicely. If I mean by nicely that he makes me feel his painful torture at seeing hers, of enduring this painfully tortured movie-going experience, then harrowing hell yes.

Elisha Cuthbert is a crappy actress with even poorer judgment in choosing roles/casting agents. This movie will certainly solidify her status on the C-list.

Honestly, I know this is probably mild-seeming to some people here, but I felt this way about Se7en. Also about the first five minutes of Joan of Arc. This type of horrifying, dehumanizing "torture porn" is not good, even in small doses. It's even more disgusting that, now, they make full-length, mainstream movies about it. I bet if you ask the filmmakers, they'll say they have to compete with the Internet, or that consumers want this type of thing, or whatever.

All I know is that there must be a moral absolute somewhere, a stopping-place at some point, before we collectively drown in our own excrement.

I refuse to support movies like this, and I hope other people (lots of other people) feel the same.

Ha ha ha, I won...

I saw the movie I liked the movie! Sure it's brutal and even offensive but that is why it's called A FUCKING MOVIE!!! If you don't like it don't watch it you piece of shit!

WOW....this was the most hilarious and yet at the same time most disturbing thing i've seen in quite a long time....And no, I'm not talking about the movie. I am in fact talking about this movie review. This guy thinks the movie reached a new low in the torture genre, worse than all the SAW movies or the Hostels?! Are you kidding me? Has the reviewer even seen this movie or is he being desensetized by his misguided sense of morality. And people are thanking and agreeing with him blindly and admit to not seeing it. The movie is possibly the worst movie I have ever seen, and yes, the plot does assume a misoginistic approach. But this is the made for tv version of SAW, watered down, without the gore. To take this on as the exemplary genre pit pottom depravity exhibit is just ridiculous.

I was waiting for the unexpected twist at the end of the review in whih he would reveal he was being sarcastic but this was not the case. The review did manage to be worse than the movie itself, a feat I figured impossible after seeing it. To avoid having such a low opinion of this reviewer, I will assume that it was misposted, as the review must have been intended to be posted under the Hostel 2 review page. Or worse, he is only creating hype that will for sure be unrequited by the non-"frat boy" audience. Who knows, maybe the movie's marketing people sent him a free poster....

I thought about seeing this movie, but now i don't have a single desire to. I thought Saw was fucked up, but not this way. Your right, no one should make movies that show rape and pain of women (or anyone else for that matter). I am a Elshia Cuthbert fan (due to the severe 24 addiction i have developed), but this disapoints me that she would do a movie such as this.

I am dying to see this movie

i'm sorry but what the FUCK???

Ok yes, I agree with Dustins review, i haven't seen this film and I have no urges to see it to be perfectly honest but wtf??

PEOPLE.HAVE.NO.OPINIONS of their own on this site. I just read about some girl who was handing in her notice because she'd "seen the light" thanks to dustins review. The guy is a fucking film critic. Can you not make up your own mind about dressing up like a slut and taking notes off "scum". In actual fact I think YOU lady are the scum for taking money off NORMAL men who are just going to see a piece of ass. What the hell is wrong with you!

So yes this is torture porn and yes dustin your review is just going to spark such a shitstorm that people are going to FLOCK to it!! I think this whole fucking thing is a setup! you accept their advert, you write a shitty review.....reverse psychology becuase all the little college kids are gonna be "omg she drinks organs......i wanna see!!". Fuck me this is weak. WEAK.