By MARY LYNNE O'NEAL

Staff Writer

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

The popular calling used in the game of hide and seek becomes a haunting and chilling phrase that makes you want to cover your eyes and cower down while watching "Hide and Seek," starring Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning.

David (De Niro) is a well-known psychologist in New York City. After discovering his wife committed suicide, he takes his daughter Emily (Fanning) and moves to upstate New York in a little house out in the country to escape from the painful memories of their house in the city.

Not only is David mourning his loss, but Emily's memory is forever scarred by the last time she sees her mother.

Fanning is usually seen as a bright and charming little girl, but takes on a very sullen and ghastly role in this film. Don't be surprised if she gets an Oscar nomination sometime soon.

The town is small, with no children to play with. Emily finds a new friend named Charlie who seems to dislike her father and doesn't like being discussed to anyone else. She only seems to come alive when Charlie is around, and she likes to play hide and seek with him.

The movie becomes a game of hide and seek in itself, as David tries to discover who this mysterious man is and why his daughter is so quiet and solemn when he tries to talk to her.

Because De Niro's character is a psychologist, he handles most of his daughter's behaviors better than most would.

The movie is a little slow at first, and it takes a while to set the story in place. It is definitely not the best movie from these actors, but they make their characters come alive and leave you guessing.

Some parts are a little disturbing, but it is a very suspenseful movie that redefines the innocent childhood game of hide and seek.

Ready or not, here I come.