Edge of Darkness (2010)

As the release date approached for Edge of Darkness, I became increasingly curious as to how Mel Gibson would be received. Would he be welcomed back as a star? Would he be rejected due to the controversy that has swirled in recent years? Would people be indifferent and let the movie speak for itself? The most logical response would be the third choice. Well, that should probably be the case for any movie. Mel Gibson is an interesting case, as he has not starred in a film since 2002's Signs and he is a part of the aging guard, alongside the likes of Bruce Willis and Sly Stallone. Sure, he is bit more multi-faceted, but the basic truth remains. So, how do you feel about the subject? Do you think Edge of Darkness shows Mel on top? Me? I say yes, surprisingly so.

Edge of Darkness is a new take on a BBC mini-series from 1985, which was also directed by Martin Campbell. The story centers on a man whose daughter is murdered in front of him sparking an investigation that leads him into a web of dangerous corporations and cover ups. It is a revenge story that contains a strong emotional quotient and plays out like a cross between Death Wish and The Constant Gardener. An odd pairing, to be certain, but the similarities are there. The end result is a film with moderately lofty ideas blended with a more intimate, populist appeal.

I went into the film hoping I would like it, but I had reservations induced by the trailer. Simply put, the trailer is awful. It shows some of the exciting moments, but it also tells the entire story. If you are interested in the film and have not seen the trailer, don't. If you have seen the trailer, do not let it dissuade you from giving it a chance. While it gives things away, it does not really represent the films quality.



The film opens ominously where a moonlit river's calm surface is disturbed by three bodies floating to the surface. The scene quickly shifts to Thomas Craven (Gibson) waiting at the train station for the arrival of his daughter, Emma (Bojana Novakovic). She arrives on time, and the two head back to his home. The reunion is short lived as she falls ill. As they go to leave for the hospital, Emma is viciously gunned down on the doorstep by a bullet though to be meant for him.
A police investigation ensues. They look into his old cases for potential enemies and scour the neighborhood for forensic evidence. Thomas, meanwhile, mounts his own investigation into Emma's death and uncovers much more than he bargained for. He is led to Northmoor, the secretive corporation that Emma was working for that apparently deals in illegal and traitorous projects in addition to a slate of American defense contracts. Since it s a corporation, it is inherently evil, compounded by it being run by the creepy yet courteous Jack Bennett (Danny Huston) from high in his tower office overlooking his property.

Thomas' investigation gains the attention of freelance "fixer" Jedburgh (Ray Winstone). This means the government is involved as well as those at Norhtmoor. Who knows how this will turn out. Even though Thomas always appears one step ahead of those he is looking for and those pursuing him, I do not believe even he knows how far it goes or what they will be willing to do to cover it up. Whatever it is.



At one point Jedburgh explains that he is going to lead the cover up in one direction to move attention away from what is really going on while simultaneously making it so confusing that anyone attempting to follow all of the pieces to their source would give up out of frustration. That is sort of the way I felt afterwards. I had no issues following Thomas Craven's arc, but when it came to what was being covered up and what was really being done, I am not so sure. But, that really is not the point. I am content just knowing something bad was going on and something bad happened. I am also sure that if I were to watch again the details would reveal themselves.

On another note, there is an interesting thought brought up a couple of times in the film, but is not given a lot of time to develop. The cops say that all of their resources are on the case due to an officer being involved. Craven retorts that everyone should get that treatment, implying their should be no room for special treatment if everyone was doing their jobs. It added a nice little undercurrent to his going out on his own.

Edge of Darkness is a thriller, but it is not a wall to wall action film. There is a lot of investigation and detective work performed as the pieces are revealed. This is not to say it is dull, it is far from that. It is an interesting investigation. What you want to look out far are the outbursts of action. When they happen, they hit hard and leave scars. It is a very effective structure. It actually reminds me of the way Lucio Fulci films are constructed, with long stretches of quiet punctuated by brief sequences of extreme violence or gore. This is nowhere near a horror film, but the structure is analogous.



What made this movie work for me primarily was Mel Gibson's performance. The man still knows how to command the screen and has a charismatic quality that makes you side with him. Beyond that, he is getting a bit older and his face is showing it. It turns out it may be a good thing, as he seems to carry a lot more emotion in his face without doing much. Throughout the film, he has the look of fierce determination but it is tempered by the sadness of profound loss. The weight of the world was there in the lines of his face. Yes, the role is a familiar one that is right up his performance alley in the first place, but that does not lessen the impact. Thomas Craven bought his ticket and took his ride for all that it was worth.

Martin Campbell's direction is also solid. The man may have a few stinkers in his filmography, but there is no denying he can put together a serviceable film. In this case, the final project is pretty solid. It is interesting, being his first major project since Casino Royale. It is not his finest directorial effort, but if there is one thing that can be said of him over his career it is steady. He always seems to be flying under the radar, while delivering mostly watchable films highlighted by moments of excellence. This one is definitely good.

Bottomline. Is this a classic? No, I don't see it written on the wall. It is a solid thriller that will hold your attention all the way through and with a central character that will feel for. I am not ashamed to admit that it got to me emotionally just a little bit, testament to Gibson's ability to carry the emotional weight of a film. Definitely a solid film and much better than I had anticipated.

Recommended.

Katatonia - Night is the New Day

My first exposure to Katatonia came more than three years ago and I am almost embarrassed to admit that it is also the last time I experienced their music until now. I hate to admit that because that initial exposure was such a positive experience. I should have picked up an album that night or at least shortly thereafter, but for some reason I never did. At least there is always time to rectify the mistakes of the past. At this point, Night is the New Day seems like an ideal place to begin.

If I could step back in time for just a moment, the first time I heard Katatonia's music it was live. They were opening for Moonspell and it was their first ever show in the United States. Unfortunately, the venue was rather small and did not allow them the room necessary to really deliver their music, but they still played their hearts out and made an impression on me. Truly impressive.

Sadly, while the positive experience remains with me, my memory for the details has faded to such a dim glow that I could not tell you much in the way of specifics. However, there is a positive side to this as well. It means that listening to Night is the New Day is like listening to them for the first time and the album is quite an experience. Reminiscent of Opeth while retaining their own identity.

Night is the New Day is a gorgeous epic of lush arrangements and melancholy music. It is like the marriage of the previously mentioned Opeth (whose vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt, ironically, provided vocals for Katatonia's Brave Murder Day) and The Cure. There is a heavy dose of doom and gloom to the music that is actually more welcoming than it may initially seem.

Each of the eleven tracks adds something different to the tapestry that is the whole work. The sporadic de-tuned heaviness and melody of "Forsaker" to acoustic guitar driven balled of gloom "Idle Blood" to laid back doom grove of "The Promise of Deceit." All providing a new piece, different sides of the same band working towards the same goal. It is not exactly the experience I was expecting, but it may be just what I really wanted without knowing it.

Katatonia employs a different style than I am used to. They get away from the all too common loud/soft structure employed by so many bands (to great effect, I might add, I enjoy the style but sometimes it is nice to find a band that does something different while still being similar in genre). These songs have an organic feel to them, as if they were allowed to write themselves rather than have the band's will forced upon it. This allows for more natural sounding music whose elements flow together as one, rather than being squeezed into a template. Different songs bring about different textures as they breather and flow out of the instruments.

That may be a bit more existential sounding than I intend. For all I know these songs could be calculated down to the smallest of details, manipulated into being something different. I do not truly believe that to be the case, but you never know. Whatever the truth may be, this is a stunning album that plays well as a work of art and would seem to be a perfect addition to use in a meditative fashion. Its sound is open, expansive, and ready to be played in a calm room where the listener can choose to focus on the sound, allowing it to take the mind on a journey.

Bottomline. Not what I expected turned into exactly what I wanted. This is an album whose beauty lasts well after the final note has faded. This band has crafted something that is familiar yet new, a welcoming journey into doom and decay. Katatonia is a band with a vision and they want to share it with you. Will you join them for a while?

Highly Recommended.

Tumbl'd Entertainment News For the Week of 1/29

Each week the entertainment world is flooded with news. Big news, little news, inconsequential news, and funny news. It flies around the web at breakneck pace and no matter wear you turn, no matter what entertainment site you go to, it all looks the same. Sure, the opinion may be different, but the core piece of information is the same.

Now, I would love to get in on the fun, but I barely have time to read it, much less write it. So, I try to do the next best thing, I send some of the more interesting (to me) stories out across the web on the Critical Outcast Tumblr Blog and then, at the end of the week, gather them together and add some of my own thoughts. Hopefully, you will find this interesting, entertaining, and maybe even worthwhile!

Conan Has Been Cast!
Guess what? Conan will now be played by none other than Jay Leno! Yes, you read that right! Aw, I kid, I kid. This is the announcement for the new Conan film that is getting ramped up. The role has been awarded to Jason Momoa. I can hear you all say "Who?" Jason Momoa is best known for his roles on Baywatch: Hawaii and Stargate: Atlantis. Does he have what it takes to lead Conan to new heights? I'm not sure, but am willing to give it a shot.

Ghostbusters.... 3D!
3D is starting to really heat up. Hollywood is going to have to start helping theaters get these projectors, as the penetration is still pretty low. Before long the theaters will not be able to support them. As for this project, I think it is a good idea. The thought of ghosts flying all over the theater is an attractive one. I kind of want to see this now.

Birdemic Trailer
There is really nothing I can say about this other that it is going to be epic!


Saw VI has an added scene on DVD
It is not much, really, but I found it interesting and I assume it is going to have implications on the seventh film.


100 Cheesiest Movie Lines.
This is not exactly news, but somebody did put a lot of effort into editing these clips together. While I do not agree that they are all cheesy, I do think it is very well done and fun to watch.


Lost Season Six Promo
I am looking forward to this season if only to see if they can wrap it up. On the other hand, I am also kind of glad it will just be over.


The Runaways Gets a Teaser Poster
I am looking forward to this.



Repo Men gets a Poster
I still cannot help but think of Repo! The Genetic Opera. Still, this poster is kind of cool, although it does remind me of something.



Fox Acquires Machete
This could prove to be very interesting. It began life as a fake trailer for the Grindhouse double feature and now it has been turned into a feature. I am really looking forward to it, I mean no one can play a bad ass like Danny Trejo. I have seen no footage, but I suspect it will be cool. However, this pick up also comes with a response from the formerly interested Weinstein Company that amounts to: it's not a good movie, good luck with that.

Ryan Reynolds Gets Buried
Lionsgate has picked up this thriller and I am very much intrigued by the concept. In it, Reynolds plays a contractor in Iraq who wakes up to find himself buried. All he has is a lighter and a cell phone. Interesting, no? Sounds awfully claustrophobia. I also know that Stephen Tobolowsky is the voice on the phone.

Hot Tub Time Machine - trailer
This one can easily go one of two ways. I hope it leans towards great.


The Dead - trailer
This zombie film out of Africa looks pretty good. Some of it is standard zombie fare, but some of it looks like it is right out of a Lucio Fulci film.


Lionsgate takes a shot at Paranormal Activity 2
This could get ugly and I have no doubt the movies will suffer for it. I previously informed you that Saw VI director Kevin Greutert had signed to direct the Paranormal sequel, which was also slated to open directly opposite Saw VII. Well, Lionsgate has put a stop to that by invoking a contractual clause that is forcing Greutert to direct VII. Let's just say he is not happy.

How I Met Your Mother Gets a Sixth Season
Yeah! This makes me happy. It always seems like this show is on the bubble, it is nice to see the early pickup for a favorite of mine. Pair it up with Big Bang Theory and you have a formidable Monday night set of comedies!

Tim Burton Heads up Cannes Jury
I like Burton. He always makes interesting films that make me love cinema. Of course, this announcement has people making cracks about the winning movie has already been chosen and it is about an outsider with big eyes. Funny, sure, but always remember that Burton marches to his own drummer. Sure, his style is recognizable, but it is a great one.

Mortal Kombat Reboot?
There are some rumors floating around that a reboot is in the works. I think it could be a lot of fun, but I am not sure how I feel about this. Do I really want to see it? I still like the original one. Better yet, do you want to see it?

AC/DC to Provide Iron Man 2 Soundtrack
The album will contain hits spanning their entire career. The first video is "Shoot to Thrill."


Clash of the Titans is Indeed Going 3D
The tests must have gone well and it will only delay the release by one week. I cannot say I am a fan of this. If you wanted 3D, it should have been shot that way from the start.

Guy Ritchie to Helm Sherlock 2
It sees only natural. The movie was a blast and is a Golden Globe winner and a box office success. To help move this along, he has left the Lobo project (based on the DC character). I hope that finds a new director.

Jessica Alba Leaves a Screening of Her Latest, Sparking Outrage
At a screening of Michael Winterbottom's Killer in Me Alba got up and left during a scene of graphic violence against women (being her in the film). This has sparked outrage among activist groups about the imagery in the film. I have not seen it so I cannot comment directly, but I do find it interesting that she agreed to do the movie yet can't watch it.

New Movies and Box Office Predictions for 1/29

This week's wide releases -
Edge of Darkness
When in Rome

Last weekend proved to be rather uninspiring, what with Dwayne Johnson's latest family film and the supremely lackluster Legion. Hopefully this week will prove to be a little better. I suspect it will, but it does not come without its question marks. One of those questions is wondering if the new releases have the muscle to overtake the Avatar behemoth. It will be intersting to see what happens.

Edge of Darkness. (2010, 108 minutes, R, thriller) Based on a BBC series of the same name, this movie tells the story of a man whose daughter is murdered and he is left to pick up the pieces. These pieces include uncovering her murderer and discovering what it was that she was doing. Sadly, the trailer for this movie seems to give away all of its secrets, so if you haven't already seen the trailr, I do not recommend watching it. What makes this movie interesting is it being Mel Gibson's first starring role in years, how will he be received? This is also Martin Campbell's first big movie since Casino Royale. It looks like a classic Gibson role, so I hope that it delivers.



When in Rome. (2010, 91 minutes, PG-13, romantic comedy) This romcom has arrived seemingly with a target on its back as it is taking a savage beating from critics. I guess I shoudn't be surprised, it does not look all that great. Still, I do like Kristen Bell and the cast does include Will Arnett and the surprisingly funny Dax Shepard. This supernaturally tinged comedy has Bell traveling to Rome to attend a wedding. The ambitious yet romantically disillusioned young woman plucks some coins from the fountain of love and is now must cope with oddball suitors come out of the woodwork. Meanwhile, she just may have found the one. I am not expecting much, but I still want to see it.



Also opening this week, but not near me:

• Falling Awake
• Off and Running
• St. John of Las Vegad
• The Weather Underground

Box Office Predictions
Will this week finally see the fall of Avatar? Something tells me it has one more week in it. The R-rated Gibson film will likely do pretty good, but I do not think it can overtake the Cameron monster. As for the romantic comedy with the bad reviews? Eh. It will do all right, but will not challenge for the top spot. So, the blue people of Pandora (not the online radio program) survive to win another day and continue their historic run.

Here is how I think it could play out:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	Avatar	$28 million
2	Edge of Darkness	$23 million
3	When in Rome	$13 million
4	The Book of Eli	$9 million
5	Legion	$7.5 million
6	The Tooth Fairy	$6.5 million
7	The Lovely Bones	$5 million
8	Sherlock Holmes	$4 million
9	Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel	$3.5 million
10	It's Complicated	$3 million

Lazarus A.D. - The Onslaught

This has been sitting on my "to be checked out" pile for awhile. I had been told that they tore it up but for some reason, it never quite reached the top. Until now. Now I am left asking myself why it took me so long to listen to those urging me to check it out. Why, you ask? Simply put, Lazarus A.D. rocks and hard. This release of The Onslaught is a re-release of their 2007 debut. It has been remixed and remastered (by James Murphy of Death and Testament fame) for their new home at Metal Blade Records. If this release is any indication, they have a bright future ahead of them.

To make categorizing them relatively easy, Lazarus A.D. can be lumped in with the current wave of neo-thrash that has risen up over the past few years alongside bands like Skeletonwitch, Municipal Waste, and Warbringer. As easy as it is to lump them in with those acts, there is something else to Lazarus A.D. that helps them stand out from the crowd. Granted, I have not had the widest breadth of experience with the neo-thrash movement, although it has inspired me to want to go back and discover all of the bands missed before my late-blooming music love bug took hold with the grunge era, but these guys stick out more to me than, say, Warbringer.

Don't get me wrong, Warbringer is rock solid. I saw them live last year and mused that must be what it was like to be there at the dawn of thrash as they tore it up with high energy onstage that whipped the pit into a fury of activity. I have to believe that Lazarus A.D. would generate the same reaction in a similar situation.



So, what makes Lazarus A.D. work? First off, the remixing by James Murphy is absolutely phenomenal. I have no idea what it sounded like originally, but this release is crystal clear and sharp as a tack. Simply put, this is a phenomenal sounding metal record. Yes, there are a lot of those around but for some reason this one stuck out to me. I addition to that, their sound deftly blends old school influences like Exodus and Testament with a much more modern sound that doesn't sound out of place when in the company of bands like Unearth or Shadows Fall. All this while sounding distinctly like themselves. They bring the old school to the present and make it sound like the new school.

The Onslaught begins with a punch to the face and a stomp to the foot with "Last Breath." The riff opens hard and heavy and gives you a good idea of what to expect from the rest of the album. At the very least you come to expect heavy guitar riffs, solid solos, furiously incessant drums, a small amount of bass, and a vocalist whose repertoire primarily lands in the barking school of metal delivery. All of these are good things.

It does not take long to get a handle on these guys. They are not here to define a genre or bust down any new doors. They have simply taken the formula developed over nearly thirty-years (wow!) and brought it into the now by writing good songs and building on their experience with other styles that have emerged over the years. They kept simple. Nothing about them is extravagant or showy. They have the basics down pat and that is what makes them work. It is impossible to listen to this and not want to put your fist in the air.

Just listen to tracks like "Thou Shalt Not Fear," "Damnation for the Weak," and "Forged in Blood." There is no denying these guys are good. From Dan Gapen's leads to Jeff Paulick's vocals to Ryan Shutler's rapid fire drums, Lazarus A.D. is on point and will not be denied.

Bottomline. I really wish I didn't wait so long to press play on this album. It is solid, infectious, and just really freaking good. Who needs genre mash ups and flashy frills when you can get modern thrash like this?

Highly Recommended.

Blu-ray Review: Whiteout

Whiteout arrived in theaters back in September where it was greeted with a resounding silence. It's opening weekend saw it land in seventh place and would be the only time it would appear in the top ten at the box office as it took a rather precipitous tumble down the charts. Not only was it a popular dud, it did not fare to well with the critical set, mustering a mere 7% on the tomatometer. To think, when I saw it I enjoyed it. Honestly. I did not think it was anything particularly special but I did enjoy the setting and thought it was an effective thriller that failed t rely on big effects and the typical trappings of other graphic novel adaptations.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, Whiteout is not a superhero story like Watchmen or a new take on a genre like 30 Days of Night. No, it has smaller aspirations, instead of drawing the impossible, it took the possible and put it into drawing. Now, the the story has been taken back from the black and white pages and put onto the screen in the form of an unassuming thriller whose success lives and dies with he setting. If this were set in, say, the American Southwest it would just be another thriller. Move it to the South Pole and you give it a little more bite. It is still as familiar as ever, it is just a but colder.



Now, I mentioned that I liked it the first time I saw it and I am not lying. Although, I did realize that I was likely to be very lonely out on the frozen tundra inhabited by those who liked it. I didn't care, why should I go along with the crowd? Should I betray my integrity and no say I liked it when I did? Without my ability to write how I feel what use am I? Wait, don't answer that.

Whiteout has now arrived on Blu-ray and upon multiple viewings, I have found it to be a rather dull affair. I do not think it is terrible by any stretch, and there are still things that I like about it. The problem is that it just feels flat, like the cold has drained the life out of it. Where the cold, white, desolation worked on the big screen in the theater, it just looked plain and dull on the small screen. In the theater the vast white on the screen, the darkness of the room, and the air conditioning all added to the cold thrills of the story. I felt like I was right there with them. At home the illusion was broken and it was just me and the movie, not other factors there to help out.

The movie centers on a South Pole science station where US Marshal Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) is assigned. Her time is about up as the base is planning to clear out before a bad storm hits. Things are going well until a dead guy is found stuck to the ice. What is thought to be an accidental death is revealed to be a murder. This murder leads to a conspiracy on the base with a killer on the loose. It is up to Carrie to track down the truth before it is too late. As if that wasn't enough, Carrie went to this base to escape her past, which seems to be repeating itself again.



Audio/Video. I have to say that while the film has some moments of impressive visuals, the 2.4:1 widescreen image does not look as good as I would have liked it to. Actually, it is one of the more inconsistent Blu-rays I have seen. The sweeping shots of the cold white landscape look pretty good, but as soon as you start getting in on the characters fine detail seems to go away. It surely is better than DVD, but I expect more. I was a little surprised by how dull everything looked, as if the life were drained right out. The blacks are deep but detail gets lost and close-ups don't look particularly good. I guess it is all right, but not what it could have been.

The audio, on the hand, is quite good. The dialog is front and center and John Frizzell's score has a nice presence. Where the Dolby TruHD 5.1 track shines is when they are outside in the storm. It truly sounds like there is wind and snow blowing around you as the effect moves around all of the channels.

Extras. This release is a little light on the extras.

• The Coldest Thriller Ever. This takes you behind the scenes as the production battles the elements. It may not be terribly great film, but I have to respect them for battling those frigid elements!
• Whiteout: From Page to Screen. This takes a look at the development of the original graphic novel and the adaptation to the screen.
• Deleted Scenes. Nothing special here, they would have just slowed the film down.
• Digital Copy. For use on portable devices.

Bottomline. I guess it could have been worse, I could not have liked it at all. While a general dullness has been revealed in multiple viewings I still have a little affection for the general simplicity and straightforward manner with which it approaches the material. There is something refreshing about that. With that said, there is no reason to own it.

Very Mildly Recommended.

Box Office Update 1/22-1/24: Avatar.... Again

In a way, I am getting a little tired of seeing Avatar at the top of the chart every weekend. On the other hand, it is awfully exciting to see a movie capture the imaginations of so many people across all demographics. No movie has done this since Titanic. How ironic that both are James Cameron films. Yes, The Dark Knight was also a phenomenon, but there is something about this movie that surpasses that in the way it has drawn across the demos and not only have a great run, but be utterly dominant at the box office.

Avatar is doing something else besides shattering a series of weekend records and preparing to become the biggest box office hit in history (in unadjusted dollars). Think about what it must be doing for James Cameron. Yes, it is making him a veritable ton of money, but it could be setting him up for a big disappointment. His films have always done well, but his last two features are now the two biggest hits domestically and in the world. With that cred, he can write his own check for any project that strikes his fancy. What happens when his next film doesn't challenge the box office crown? Perhaps Cameron should make a small $5 million indie film? Then again, maybe not.

Coming in a distant second is the Paul Bettany angelic thriller Legion. The film proved to be a disappointment, despite its interesting concept and a couple of good shots the film fails to truly take flight. It is hampered by a poor script and performances to match. Too bad. I really wanted to like it. I'd recommend catching up with The Book of Eli or Daybreakers.

The Tooth Fairy came in fourth, trailing behind The Book of Eli. Fortunately, it looks like this family film will not last long. I really wish we could get some quality family entertainment. It is hard to get excited about family movies when you get this and The Spy Next Door on back to back weekends. Not to mention the continued success of the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel.

Continue down the list and you will find the lone remaining new release in eighth place. Extraordinary Measures appears to have arrived dead on arrival, it makes me smile, although I have not seen the movie. It looks like a TV movie of the week you would find on the Hallmark or Lifetime networks that inexplicable features Harrison Ford. I have nothing against the real story and I am happy to the success for those involved, but this movie looks like an entertainment black hole.

Next week will see new competition from the new Mel Gibson thriller Edge of Darkness. It will be interesting to see how Gibson is welcomed back to the big screen. Also hitting theaters across the nation is the new romantic comedy When in Rome, starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel.

Three movies dropped off the list this week: The Blind Side (11), Up in the Air (12), and Leap Year (13).

This Week	Last Week	Title	Wknd Gross	Overall	Week in release
1	1	Avatar	$34,944,081	$551,741,499	6
2	N	Legion	$17,501,625	$17,501,625	1
3	2	The Book of Eli	$15,732,493	$60,735,686	2
4	N	The Tooth Fairy	$14,010,409	$14,010,409	1
5	3	The Lovely Bones	$8,418,192	$31,242,633	7
6	5	Sherlock Holmes	$6,628,069	$191,076,852	5
7	4	Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel	$6,403,504	$204,140,348	5
8	N	Extraordinary Measures	$6,012,594	$6,012,594	1
9	7	It's Complicated	$5,810,025	$98,270,085	5
10	6	The Spy Next Door	$4,584,524	$18,544,619	2

Box Office Predictions Recap
Not bad, not good, but not bad. While I got some of the placements wrong, my dollars were all in the general ballpark with the notable exception of The Tooth Fairy. I am not terribly surprised by the fact I was off on The Tooth Fairy, in some ways I am kind of glad. On the other hand, I did not think I would still be seeing Avatar at the top of this chart. How long can it last?

Here is how the field matched up:

Actual	Prediction	Title	Wknd Gross	Prediction
1	1	Avatar	$34,944,081	$32 million
4	2	The Tooth Fairy	$14,010,409	$20 million
3	3	The Book of Eli	$15,732,493	$18 million
2	4	Legion	$17,501,625	$16 million
5	5	The Lovely Bones	$8,418,192	$10 million
8	6	Extraordinary Measures	$6,012,594	$8 million
7	7	Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel	$6,403,504	$7 million
6	8	Sherlock Holmes	$6,628,069	$6 million
9	9	It's Complicated	$5,810,025	$5 million
10	10	The Spy Next Door	$4,584,524	$4 million

DVD Pick of the Week: Give 'Em Hell, Malone

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.

Full disclosure: I have not seen many of these titles, and what follows are not necessarily reviews, but opinions based upon what I know of the titles I pluck from the new release lists I peruse. The opinions I give based on the new releases are my own, and my recommendations are based on my personal interest. In any case, I hope you enjoy and perhaps find something you like or a title to point me towards.

Give 'Em Hell, Malone (also Blu-ray). Russell Mulcahy has a spotty track record ever since he delivered the cult classic Highlander. I do not think this will be on that level, but I remember seeing an extended clip a while back and thought it looked like a lot of fun, plenty of violence and bullets. You can probably guess that I have not yet seen this, but I want to. Thomas Jane stars as the titular Malone, a private investigator protecting some big secret through hell. Sounds like fun! See for yourself:


Michael Jackson: This Is It (also Blu-ray). This film, put together from rehearsal footage proved to be a pretty big hit when it arrived in theaters last Fall. It is now poised to make a big splash on DVD. I chose not to see it on the big screen but I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious. Perhaps I will get around to checking this release out.

Surrogates (also Blu-ray). This movie is mildly entertaining. It has some decent action sequences and some big ideas. The problem is that the action and the ideas are handled independently of each other, they never come together to make an interesting movie. Still, you could make a worse choice to spend with a movie.

Whip It (also Blu-ray). Drew Barrymore's directorial debut turned out to be quite a good experience. It is not the most original of stories, but it is given an energy, an boost that makes it feel fresh again. Ellen Page stars in this coming of age tale that sees her discover a passion in roller derby through rebellion against her parents. It is well written, acted, and really works.

Saw VI (also Blu-ray). Who would have thought this aging franchise could find new life in the sixth go around? Not me, that's for sure. This entry brings in some current events to the series with talk of healthcare. We also get a good dose of blood and some backstabbing. No, not my favorite horror series but it certainly has its charms.

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. This movie does not look all that great, but I do like the title. It centers on a guy trying to patch things up with a soon to be married friend following a screw up at the bachelor party.

The Toolbox Murders (Blu-ray). This is the 1978 original. The title pretty much says it all. A masked killer kills people with the contents of a toolbox. Wonder if the Blu-ray upgrade will help it all?

St.Trinian's. This movie is supposed to be some sort of slapstick comedy about a lawless girls school, but it is just a plotless mess that wants to be funny and wacky. I would rather give the original series from the 1960's a shot.

Highlander: Immortal Edition (Blu-ray). Russell Mulcahy's best film arrives on Blu-ray. I bet the high definition could make the Scottish sequences look quite good. Then again, the movie is at the lower end of the budget scale. Remember: "There can be only one!"

The Spy Next Door

Coming into this year I vowed to cut back on questionable films that looked bad that I was not interested in. I think I already broke that vow, but I sill promise to try and cut back through the year (it could make my bottom 10 a bit more interesting). To this end, I said I would see one of The Spy Next Door and The Tooth Fairy. I am a fan of both Jackie Chan and Dwayne Johnson, although I am partial to Chan. The decision was made when a couple of my friends wanted to see The Spy Next Door. So, off we went in the hopes of a good time, although I was not without my doubts.

As I left the theater, I cannot say I liked the movie but at the same time I cannot say I disliked the movie. Well, at least not entirely. I did come away feeling the film could very easily be ripped apart, it is just that kind of movie. At the same time I did not quite have the heart or desire to take that route. The Spy Next Door is a movie aimed squarely and unabashedly at the younger set. This is not really a movie for adults, it is not really made with that crossover appeal. Sure, adults can and do enjoy it but I am sure you understand.

The Spy Next Door surprisingly hooked me early, although not completely. I loved how the movie opened with old movie clips. The opening credits sequence played clips from a number of old Chan films (although it seemed weighted towards The Tuxedo) while "Secret Agent Man" played. It was fun seeing some of the clips and instantly gave Chan's character a background and history that you would not have the time to do otherwise.



As the story proper begins, we are introduced to Gillian (Amber Valletta) and her three kids, which are quite the handful. As she is getting them ready for school we also meet Bob Ho (Chan), a quiet, unassuming, bespectacled pen salesman who also happens to be dating Gillian. Of course, the kids can't stand the corporate drone that they believe Bob is.

Of course, none of them know who Bob Ho really is. When night falls, Bob is called to his real work, as a spy on loan to the CIA. He is working to capture nefarious Russian baddie Poldark. He is captured with ease, but promptly escapes and this is where the plot takes hold. It seems that Bob has come into possession of something the Russians want and will stop at nothing to retrieve it. Unfortunately, this places Gillian and her family right in the middle of some deadly spy games.

The plot is pretty inconsequential. It exists merely to allow Bob to bond with the children and to put some action on display for the audience. To that end, not much thought was given to its development. This is how we end up with generic Russian bad guy stereotypes that went out of fashion twenty years ago and a story that does not take any chances on any front. There is never any genuine peril for any character to have to get out of and there are also many moments that threatened to have heart that were squandered. It was clearly an effort to keep the movie moving, lest we actually begin to care and become involved.



In any case, this is a family film where the bad guys will be vanquished, the kids will like the hero, the love interest will have a momentary lapse of understanding, and the ending will be a happy one. What else do you need to know?

When it comes right down to it, there one, and only one, reason to like this movie. That reason is Jackie Chan. The man is always smiling and his enthusiasm is terribly infectious. I find it hard not to root for him or enjoy the stunts he does. Yes, he has slowed down some and he does use wires on occasion, but that in no way lessens his considerable charisma. He has always wanted to make action films that kids can go to, this is one of them. While it is far from great, I am sure he is as proud of it as any film he's made. Has he made better? You bet. Will he make better? I would not doubt it. For this film, Chan has some fun moments here where he can show off and the kids seem to like it.

Oh yes, I could have done without George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus. Those two create an entertainment black hole that is nearly impossible to escape.

Bottomline. Should you see this movie? Probably not. It is emotionally empty and generally plot-less, but is not without a few fun moments. Like I said, there is always the ever-smiling presence of Jackie Chan to carry you through.

Not Recommended.

Legion

I sat down in the theater and waited for the screening to begin. As I sat there quietly watching the pre-show advertisements I resigned myself to the fact that I was stuck in front of a row of popcorn munching kids that did not understand the concept of closing your mouth. Then the trailers rolled. The first trailer was for Iron Man 2, a film I cannot wait for, and when the title came up to the strains of Black Sabbath a tear came to my eye. Then the movie played out in front of me and as the credits began to roll another tear came to my eye, but for a completely different reason.

The base concept is an interesting one. An angel comes to Earth to protect a chosen few (or one) from an oncoming assault of angels working on orders from God. It was done with strong results back in 1995 when Christopher Walken took the name Gabriel and wreaked some Biblical proportions in The Prophecy. Now we revisit the concept with Legion. The angle in which it plays out is different from the Walken film and we would be better off for it if the film was half as good.

Legion opens much the same as the trailer. Archangel Michael (Paul Bettany) lands in Los Angeles and promptly cuts off his wings, freeing him from the collar around his neck (what was the purpose of that again?). After this, he hits up an armory just before things "begin," by begin I believe he is referring to the extermination of the human race.



The scene quickly shifts to a dusty diner/service station in the middle of nowhere, run by the trifecta of Dennis Quaid, Charles S. Dutton, and Lucas Black. Joining them is Adrianne Palicki as the pregnant waitress they are helping out. The diner has a variety of patrons and they are about to become a ragtag group of would-be survivors when the angel horde strikes.

All right, let's cut to the chase, what happens here? God is disappointed in humanity, but instead of repeating Himself with a flood, he sends his angels to exterminate the infestation. One angel still has hope for humanity and chooses to side with them, not to mention an unborn child destined to save humanity. So, this angel and a random group of people set up shop at a remote diner where they arm themselves to do battle with the oncoming army.

Sure, it sounds like a decent enough tale. I know I'm always up for a little survival-type horror. Unfortunately I don't think anyone actually read the script before they decided to make it. You see, the screenplay is littered with atrocious dialogue. The obvious questions are not asked, the characters are mere sketches, and what the do say is riddled with obvious cliches. It is poorly written all around. Any moments to get into the story and add any sort of depth are passed over.

I was dumbfounded by the lack of intelligence exhibited by the characters. I cannot say I heard one intelligent line of dialogue from any of the players. There were a number of heartfelt moments but they never went any higher than greeting card style prose.



How is the action? It was all right but nothing spectacular. The biggest thing that I learned during the action is that angel feathers are bulletproof. Much like the screenplay, the action was rather lackluster. It was filled with your standard bullets and a little bit of hand to hand. None of it was particularly special. I guess it just follows the theme.

Part way through Legion something dawned on me. This movie tells a story very similar to Terminator. Legion takes the religious allegory of the Terminator franchise and made it all more literal. A mysterious guardian sent to protect a woman, an unborn child destined to lead humanity to salvation, and an enemy that will not stop (until the end when everything just sort of stops). Not to mention the speech to Charlie (Adrianne Palicki) that it is up to her to train her child to be a leader. Very Terminator.

This movie just did not work. Bad dialogue, uninspired action, boring visuals, and lackluster direction. The funny thing is, there are a couple of isolated shots that I did find interesting. There was one shot of the siege on the diner that looked to be right out of Lucio Fulci's The Beyond, while another shot looked like it belonged in a George Romero zombie film. It is too bad these bits were so brief. I really think a good film could have been made with the material, but the time was not taken to develop it.

Bottomline I was alternately bored and dumbfounded by this movie. It should have been a shoe in to make a good film. The screenplay really stuck me as half-baked. The trailers painted this as an interesting film, the execution revealed it to be a dud. Oh well.

Not Recommended.