moviesleuth2 "Close Your Eyes" is an unusual thriller. The story and characters are not present in your typical entries into this or any genre. And although on that level I recommend the film, it falls way short of greatness due to its pedestrian direction.A serial killer has been kidnapping and killing young girls around London. One girl named Heather has survived, but she isn't talking. After hypnotherapist Michael Strother cures Detective Janet Losey (Shirley Henderson) of her smoking addiction, he reveals something that she saw under hypnosis: an image of Heather floating underwater. She thinks that Strother can help her with her case, but he refuses. Eventually he relents, and gets pulled into a disturbing mystery involving some creepy science and mysticism.Thrillers, especially those of this ilk, demand a strong sense of atmosphere. A story can be chilling in its own right, but it's up to the director to put us at an sense of unease so we can get sucked into the story. But although director Nick Willing can boast a few inventive visuals, he can't establish a sense of atmosphere where this unease can build. Films like "The Descent" built up the tension long before the monsters ever showed up, which made the second half downright terrifying; Willing isn't able to accomplish this; in fact, he doesn't seem to be able to try. Worse, he cannot establish a narrative flow. The film is poorly paced, and as a result it seems to start and stop at random moments.This is especially unfortunate because the film boasts some impressive performances. Goran Visnjic uses his soothing voice effectively (even I was almost hypnotized by his voice), and the celebrated Croatian actor makes for a sympathetic protagonist. Shirley Henderson is rather stiff as the policewoman who believes that he can help (actually, she's the only one who believes this). Miranda Otto is underused as Michael's long-suffering American wife. However, Fiona Shaw and John Rogan are creepy in small but important parts.This is an okay choice for those who are tired of the usual schtick from "thrillers," but it could have been a lot better.

author_04 I have seen this movie a year ago, and I still remember all of it. It is gripping and terrifying, and I was staring at the screen, transfixed, for the entire length of it. It gave me some nightmares too, but it was well worth seeing. The characters were fantastic and scary (the baddies) and some parts were so scary I had to stop myself from screaming! Haunting and well-written, this mystery is great. The end (although I won't say what happens) is especially scary, and shook me, sending chills down my bones. Seriously, the end is fantastic (well, bad really, but the quality is fantastic) and leaves you thinking about the movie when it's dark and you're all alone... This film is fantastic. Go and see it. Rent a DVD/video. Watch it on the TV. But don't do it alone...

gridoon To describe this film, I will borrow a phrase that the inimitable Pauline Kael had once used: hokum without the fun of hokum. Despite some camera tricks and computer effects, "Doctor Sleep" is plodding. The script is muddled, and Shirley Henderson's amateurish performance as the female detective is a big hindrance. Though it is filmed in London, it takes little advantage of it as a city, and portrays its police as stuck-up buffoons. Besides, when a movie starts with plot elements like hypnosis and mind-reading, who wants to see a far less interesting story involving occult symbols and satanic rituals? I will admit that some scenes work - they can make you a little queasy - but that's it. (*1/2)

TylerDurden_FC As you can probably see, this movie is not very well known and the odds of many people reading this are highly unlikely. I had never heard of it until I saw it at Blockbuster in the "pre-viewed" buying section. I was skeptical of buying because I had never heard of it and my movie range is quite large. I bought it anyways, and I have to say I wasn't thrilled with it but I enjoyed it.It's not the the type of movie you own and actually watch/want to watch like the regulars. However, if you're in the right mood, then you can thoroughly enjoy it. You can get into it. There are moments where you could scream at the characters in the movie for doing the typical, stupid, clichéd things that appear in most "suspense" movies. There are parts that will make you cringe possibly, if you're the squeamish type. Its all a matter of what type of person you are.This movie is not completely original in all aspects, but neither are the Screams and Halloweens, but people still enjoy them. This is how I see this movie. It's not a well done, fantastic movie---It's just entertaining. With a pretty good and fitting ending I must say.I gave this movie a 6.5/10