Daddy, Daddy...Hot, Hot, Hot

My 13 & 10 year old daughters had recently heard a psychic named Sylvia Browne mention reincarnation on Montel Williams talk show. Combine this with both their desires to see a "horror" flick (but not too scary mom), and to learn a little more about the subject and thoughts of Audrey Rose both the book I had read as well as the movie I had seen long ago surfaced.

We dashed off to our local Blockbuster, and were lucky enough to find they had one measly copy, but at least it was there.

After closing the curtains, popping the popcorn and grabbing drinks; it was time to revisit an old friend- Showtime!

Audrey Rose opens with a car crash. Is it today's variety with explosion upon explosion and other effects? No. It is a simple car crash much like one I believe you could see in everyday life. The car rolls and a fire starts. Through the flames you can see the face of a little girl- Audrey Rose. She is calling for her daddy and banging on the car window saying what sounds like "hot, hot, hot."

You then cut away to a scene of a mother (Marsha Mason)picking up her daughter Ivy (Susan Swift) at school. All is lovingly portrayed between them, but yet danger and unquietness lurk in the form of a bearded rather sinister stranger (Anthony Hopkins) who is staring at them and following there every move.

Ivy's dad (John Beck) has also noticed this man and thinks he is stalking him. He even goes to the police to request help only to be told that nothing can be done unless the man harms the family in some way physically. Like most of us would be, this is one family walking around scared.

Finally our bearded man, Elliot Hoover, contacts the Templetons and arranges a face to face meeting. It turns out that his daughter was the little girl we encountered in the earlier car crash, and that she died in it. He believes that his daughter's soul has been reincarnated in their daughter Ivy, and that this soul is in torment because it died so brutally and came back too soon.

As the movie progresses little Ivy begins to have many disturbing things happen to her. Nightmares, hands burned upon a cold window, and a plunge into a school bonfire of her own free will. The only one seemingly able to help is Elliot Hoover. He has a calming and quieting effect upon the child.

Ivy's mother begins to believe that there may be some truth to Mr. Hoover's story, while Ivy's dad resents his influence and believes the whole thing to be a load of bunk.

The story comes to a climax at the end and a battle to see who is right ensues. The end will leave you gasping for air. It will leave you wondering whatever your personal beliefs if reincarnation could indeed be possible.

This was a thought provoking movie that encourages you to at least be open to beliefs that may not be your own. My daughter's report that while the movie was a little scary, they found it more sad than anything else. I enjoyed seeing it again through fresh eyes, and they just plain enjoyed seeing it.

Don't like the choices below for age so I will state that I think this movie is ok for children 10 & 0lder if you believe they are mature enough to handle the subject matter.