with few exceptions, they are mere variations and not elaborations or
progressions from the first. This is still, basically, the story of a woman who races against time to save her son from a ghost in a videotape.

One noteworthy bright spot: In a twist on the first film, it turns out that long-dead Samara was adopted and that her young
birth mother had, like the adoptive one, tried to drown her. Twenty or so years later, Rachel must visit Samara's birth mother in the nut
house, and she is played by none other than Academy Award winner Sissy Spacek! In a sequel that for the most part lacks distinction, this is
a touch of class and terror the film desperately needs: Spacek cut her teeth on
Carrie and knows how to turn theCRAZY on when asked.

The Ring Two is scary but not nearly as tautly drawn as its predecessor. And while a third
Ring has the potential to flesh out this story further, I hope the makers think of something new to do before they start filming. --
Bo List

Imaginary Heroes begins promisingly enough. We see Olympic-bound swimming prodigy Matt Travis (Kip Pardue)
swimming laps at a meet, his coach (Jeff Daniels) barking encouragement from poolside. In a voiceover narration, another young man,
who turns out to be Matt's brother Tim (Emile Hirsch), explains, with sufficient awe, that Matt is better at swimming than anyone is at
anything else. Then Tim reveals something only he seems to know: Matt hates swimming.

The prologue ends with Matt taking his life and leaving behind a family to sort