He makes huge movies.
The Ring (2002) -- I haven't seen the original Ringu yet, but I would hope it's better than this, which is an overrated dumb little horror movie that barely makes sense. (See Hideo Nakata for the sequel The Ring Two.) C
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) -- The idea of making a movie based on a ride sounds initially like a dumb one, but this was done pretty well, and in the end you realize it was actually a pretty decent idea. The moments in the movie that you recognize from the ride are especially nice. (My favorite ride moment was always the dog with the keys to the jail, which is present.) Johnny Depp is the best part of the movie, doing a fun swagger throughout, and the rest of the cast does well enough. The main problem is the story itself, which feels a little aimless or that it could easily end at any moment, and there's really no reason for it being as long as it is. The movie is epic enough already. Not a perfect movie, but it makes for a fun night and is a standout among Disney live-action movies. (Gore Verbinksi also directs the sequel, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.) C
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