Flicks: Good time for a scary movie?
If you need an antidote to recent sports epics, it would be a good idea to watch "The Comebacks." This comedy will spoof an array of sports films, from "Dodgeball" to "Field of Dreams." It should be hysterical. "The Comebacks" features David Koechner in a variety of costumes and hairstyles as he switches spoofs. The main story is about a hapless football team of misfits he is asked to coach in what could be its 'comeback' season. I'm eager, but waiting for it to come out on DVD.
On the other end of the spectrum, I guess Halloween wouldn't be creepy enough without some scary movies. This week's frightener is "30 Days of Night," and "Saw IV" is next week. I'll probably wait for video because I'm too creeped out right now. The preview gave me chills, and not just because it takes place in Point Barrow, Alaska. "30 Days of Night" is the conversion of a graphic novel (aka stylish comic book) into film by British director David Slade.
He was primarily a music and commercial director but made his big screen debut in 2005 with "Hard Candy." I found it disturbing, yet compelling. Although I really wanted to, I couldn't stop watching. "Hard Candy" is a horror film of sorts in which a bright, 14-year-old girl meets a 32-year-old Internet pedophile, and makes him accountable for his actions. That's a mild way of describing what she does. The interesting thing director Slade did was take an extremely minimalist approach, which is why I mention this movie. He works with a very low budget, two main actors, one set (his house) and visual effects in the audience's head. There is one scene in the movie that seems so disgusting (I won't give it away), but it is done only through descriptions by the young actress, Ellen Page. A visual is created in the audience's mind, which is much more gripping and horrifying than any visual effects team could concoct.
Of course in "30 Days of Night," Slade is given greater budget, decent writing and some stars. I don't believe he is a "modern-day Hitchcock," as "30 Days of Night" star Melissa George claims, but he certainly shows promise as a newcomer to directing film.
Abduction Flicks
Another joining the directing ranks is actor Ben Affleck with "Gone Baby Gone." Affleck has never been a great actor in my book, but he has shown glimmers of greatness in movies such as last year's "Hollywoodland." Perhaps directing is a logical transition for him. He also co-wrote the screen adaptation of this Dennis Lehane book.
Don't dismiss this film just because Affleck chose his brother Casey for the lead. Casey Affleck may be just what this movie needs. I want to see this Boston kidnapping drama, but I am torn because "Rendition" also looks interesting.
The subject, surprisingly, is also kidnapping, but a different kind. Jake Gyllenhaal is a CIA analyst who is asked to observe an interrogation of an Egyptian-born U.S. citizen outside the states. The man - played by relative newcomer Omar Metwally - is married to an American woman played by Reese Witherspoon. The movie raises questions about the anti-terrorism law of extraordinary rendition, which allows U.S. agents to transport suspected terrorists to off-shore sites where anti-torture laws do not apply. Is this man being tortured a possible terrorist or just a family man who wants to get back to his pregnant wife? Are rendition laws acceptable? I think this movie may force too much political viewpoint on me, but I am curious about it.
As I mentioned last week, Meryl Streep will be returning to the big screen for "Rendition," her third movie of the year. Streep plays a high-level member of the CIA who orders the "Rendition," which is mostly a supporting role. I look forward to seeing her in the lead in a few weeks with "Lions for Lambs."
Regardless, Streep brings up the level of every film in which she appears. Plus, she is not the lone Oscar-winner in "Rendition." Witherspoon won in 2006 and Alan Arkin, who's in a supporting role in "Rendition," won in 2007.
Unfortunately, if it's between "Rendition" and "Gone Baby Gone," my decision is not easy. Both movies seem equally appealing to me. I guess I'll have to go to the movies with the step-monster and let her decide. Have fun this week.
Norwich Bulletin
In Flicks, Donna Antonacci will narrow each week's field of new releases to one must-see cinema adventure. Reach her at dantonacci@norwichbulletin.com.