Paul Evans Best selling science fiction author David Norton is invited to a conference in a beautiful Mallorca hotel. David soon becomes aware that he's been dragged into something big and dangerous when people around him start committing suicide, including his fiancée, after receiving a strange phone call.The Kovac Box is a rather good movie, it's just a little forgettable, it could have been something rather good, it's just a little lacking in imagination and style, but on the whole it's a good mix of thriller and sci fi. The ending I found a little frustrating.Great music throughout, in keeping with the film, really lovely location filming, and well acted, Timothy Hutton puts in a very good and solid performance as Hutton. Also some interesting moments in the film which make you question what's going on. Overall still a worthy 7/10

Leofwine_draca This is one of those quirky little offbeat movies that go completely unrecognised by the viewing public, only to turn up unannounced on late-night TV one night years later. I saw it was on, realised I knew absolutely nothing about it, and sat down to watch it...and was pleasantly surprised by an affectionately made film that feels like a TWILIGHT ZONE episode writ large.The plot is like something out of a 1950s-era pulp novel (or maybe Stephen King's CELL) and the story unfolds at speed. Layers of mystery, paranoia and suspense are built up enshrouded in a kind of finesse that only Spanish filmmakers seem to know how to achieve these days.The international funding allows for a decent Hollywood actor (THE DARK HALF's Timothy Hutton) and a host of other genuinely good performers, including Lucia Jimenez's sympathetic heroine and David Kelly's quirky villain. Really, it's the originality that stands out here, with a series of bizarre situations, all handled ably and depicting events you're not likely to see anywhere else. I love this stuff!

gradyharp THE KOVAK BOX is a successful little suspense/psychological thriller from the Spanish writers Daniel Monzón (who also directs) and Jorge Guerricaechevarría. The story may be a bit far fetched, but then what horror story isn't? The premise for the tale holds up well and is aided by some very fine performances by a mixture of Spanish, English, and American actors. The mood of the film is beautifully set during opening credits by a complex maze in which a white rat sniffs and ambulates from confusing corner to confusing wall - just the manner in which director Monzón plans to tell his story.David Norton (Timothy Hutton) is a celebrated science fiction novelist visiting Majorca for a special conference accompanied by his soon to be fiancée Jane (Georgia Mackenzie). David has been having premonitions on his flight to the conference and those brooding thoughts continue as he registers for the conference and finds little disturbing clues that culminate in Jane's suicide leap from their hotel balcony. Almost simultaneously an attractive Spanish girl Silvia (Lucía Jiménez) in the same hotel 'jumps' from her balcony but is saved from death by falling onto an awning. Jane dies in the hospital: Silvia is in the bed next to Jane, witnesses David's grief, and the beginning of a bond is created.David meets a strange old man Frank Kovak (David Kelly) who seeks an autograph of David's first novel 'Gloomy Sunday' and from there the mystery begins. David becomes the unknowing main character in a sci-fi story that mimics ideas from his own first book, a story about the implantation of devices in humans that would enable a central force to assist the victims in their own destructive ends. The plot is tightly woven from this point on and to reveal any portion of it would diminish the chair-gripping finale.Timothy Hutton seems an odd choice for the main character of the film until his combination of cool intellect and understated passion clicks in. The film is graced by the presence of the talented Lucía Jiménez who seems to have the potential of becoming another Penelope Cruz! The cinematography by Carles Gusi and musical score by Roque Baños make the setting visually and aurally spectacular. For those who enjoy mind bender thrillers, THE KOVAK BOX will certainly please. Grady Harp

ellswort8 A Hitchcokian retreaded plot line is welded to A-movie production values to great effect in thriller "The Kovak Box." A crazed scientist plays God on a gorgeous Mediterranean island, causing sexy Spanish sirens to jump off roofs )often naked!) in Manchurian-like premise. Although lacking in originality, this slickly made thriller still manages some sense of freshness largely thanks to a great cast, including a terrific performance by Irish vet David Kelly. great paranoid thriller less concerned with CGI explosions and improbable chase and more concerned with ideas like the power fo suggestion. Still, the film does contain enough shock, action and beautiful locations (not to mention sultry Spanish chicks) to hold most Americans attention!