Ever think that things happen for a reason? The next time you notice something uncanny, think twice before you dismiss it as coincidental nonsense, or else you may regret it. A remake of the Japanese original, based on a book written by Koji Suzuki, "The Ring" takes you on a journey that will have you second-guessing all the way back to your nice cozy bed. Protagonist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts of "Mulholland Drive"), an ordinary skeptical journalist, travels to the Northwest after her niece's sudden death. She discovers a mysterious video as she begins to solve the conundrum of the death. After watching the video and digging further to unravel the hidden story, she must unearth the source of the macabre occurrences that have appeared in her life before she too falls victim.

While the disturbing visuals and foreshadowing clues makes this one of the best horror films to be released after a long drought, the acting in the film is less than superb. After seeing Watts in "Mulholland Drive," I was under the impression that she is a versatile actor. However, she has a slight tendency to stop in her tracks and arrest her lungs every time something chilling happens to her character. Perhaps this is a technique director Gore Verbinski ("The Mexican") specifically wanted to use instead of Watts's own interpretation of her role. Either way, it only points to the lack of creativity put into the lead character.

Rachel's son, Aidan (David Dorfman of "Bounce"), is also a flawed character. He looks about seven or eight years old, yet his eyes and his speech belie a wisdom and perceptive capability that seem to come out of thin air. Although Aidan is independent because of irresponsible parents, his air of complexity is a quality a child his age could only have in a film.

Acting matters aside, the film technique is exceptional and the story will keep your mind stirring. In addition to good old-fashioned thrills and chills, "The Ring" warns us not to rely on our senses and the empirical evidence of science. Simply because strange phenomena can not be explained with current human understanding does not mean that they can't or don't exist. The universe works in mystifying ways and as much as we'd like to, we can't know everything.