David Fincher's latest movie, Zodiac has hit theatres today and I wonder how audiences will take it. A few weeks ago, I was invited to the Paramount lot to watch the flick and was totally excited! The story is based on the books written by journalist Robert Graysmith (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), who became obsessed with trying to track down the Zodiac killer - a man who committed random murders in San Francisco in the 1960's and 1970's, leaving everyone stunned, scared, and clueless as to what this was all about.

After witnessing the creepy Zodiac trailer on television, I was thrilled to see another movie made by the director who brought us Seven, starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. With high expectations, I sat down in the theater and waited to get scared.

Well, that was my first mistake. Had I have seen the previously-made Zodiac flicks (or so I'm told), I would have known that this movie isn't meant to be scary. It's an investigative story about obsession, paranoia, and a life-altering desire to crack a puzzling case.

If I knew this, I was also told that I would better appreciate the movie. However, with the idea that I was going to get freaked out like I did during Seven, Zodiac was a serious let down. Don't get me wrong, there were a few scenes which got my heart racing, especially when the actual Zodiac killer was involved but they only lasted for mere seconds and then the fun was over.

Since Zodiac was based on a journalist's actual interpretation of what went on, characters faded away without any closure, the investigation felt lonnnnggg and unlike the few characters who remained an active participant in the obsessive story from beginning to end, I lost interest in the Zodiac killer about a quarter of the way through and didn't see why this had to keep dragging.

There are serial killers who are definitely deserving of a life-long chase because they continue to kill and kill and kill. However, with the Zodiac, he murdered a few people and then vanished. Even at times when a note or two would pop up years later, it was most likely a prank and not written by the actual Zodiac.

Due to such a drawn out, confusing investigation, Graysmith's paranoia causes him to believe that the Zodiac is after him - a cool concept IF it were emphasized more. However, instead, you don't get that his fears are actually delusional until AFTER the fact. Therefore, once again, just when I thought a scary moment had finally arrived, bam, my fears got immediately squashed by nothing happening.

In short, for me, Zodiac was like getting on a kiddie roller coaster at the amusement park without knowing it's designed for small children. As you hold your breathe, awaiting a steep, curvy and adventurous ride, the air quickly leaves you as each loop, turn and climb is barely steep enough to excite very small kids.

That being said, I guarantee that there will be Fincher fans out there who completely disagree with me and I would love to hear from you. So, please, write in after seeing the Zodiac and let me know your thoughts.

Moving on to another movie coming out in theatres today is Black Snake Moan, starring Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson. The story centers on a God-fearing bluesman (Jackson) who rescues a promiscuous and wild young woman (Ricci), from herself. More specifically, the story is about sexual abuse and how a little girl who suffered from this type of sexual trauma grows into a woman who is in so much pain that she continues the abuse by becoming her own abuser.

Although I haven't seen this movie yet, I am a huge fan of films that refuse to let the topic of sexual abuse continue to get swept under the rug. The aftermath of sexual abuse is hauntingly real and ignoring the topic doesn't make it go away.

Therefore, my top must-see movie choice tonight is Black Snake Moan.

Finally, while we are on the topic of movies, I went to see Premonition a few days ago at the Sony lot and absolutely LOVED it! The story begins with a wife and mom of two girls (played by Sandra Bullock) who is going about her day when she notices her answering machine blinking. After listening to a strange message from her husband, which we (the audience) don't quite get, the doorbell rings.

Standing at her door is a police officer who informs Bullock that her husband (played by Julian McMahon) was in a fatal car accident. After the burial service, Bullock sadly falls asleep and the the next morning, she awakens next to her husband whom is very much alive.

Although I anticipated this flick being identical to GroundHog Day, it actually has much more to offer! This is a movie that has you thinking about it for a long time after leaving the theater. Within a story about repetitive days, which keep playing over and over again is a strong and powerful life message. In short, we cannot prevent fate and destiny from happening, however, we can alter things by how we live each moment within a single day. Thus, rearranging the way things transpire AROUND destiny. Don't know what I mean? Go see this amazingly told film on March 16 and you'll get it. I promise, Premonition is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.

Please write in with your thoughts, comments, or suggestions on other must-see films - megrell@aol.com

Until tomorrow, that's a Hollywood Buzz wrap!