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One Hour Photo
When I first saw the promos for One Hour Photo I thought
it was going to be a rip-off of the Thomas Harris thriller, Red
Dragon, the soon to be released film version of his scariest
novel also about a photo lab technician. And after seeing Robin
Williams playing a nut job in Insomnia (the only good
thing about the film—see my review above), I looked forward to
the psychological-thriller, One Hour Photo, a story
about a one-hour photo lab technician obsessed with a young ideal
family. One concern was unwarranted. This is NOT a Red Dragon
rip-off. The Harris book terrified me and while One Hour Photo
has its moments, it didn't terrify me at all. Again, Robin Williams
(as Seymour Parrish) does a great job playing a nut and again he
holds the film together for a mostly unknown cast (Gary Cole as
the SavMart boss is the most familiar). But this is a hard film
to judge. Most people who see it will like it. It builds tension
throughout using Episodic Structure (see my essay Film: "A Three-Ring
Circus"), and Mark Romanek (also the writer) does a fine job directing
his first big screen outing by getting creative with film tints;
wonderful, eerie snapshot scenes of Seymour zoning out; a Hitchcockian
style; and as I said, tension that builds and builds, making me
wonder where it was all going. So what was missing for me? The film
was so simple. Almost too simple. I couldn't help compare it to
Red Dragon, which is as complex as it is terrifying.
Sure, Williams made me feel for Seymour, but Romanek goes one step
too far (as writer) by trying to explain Seymour's behavior at the
end. But again I'll repeat. Most people who see this film will like
it. I'm waiting for Red Dragon.
The Order
A rogue priest (one of the last of his order), Alex (Heath Ledger) Bernier, investigates the suspicious death of his mentor, Father (Francesco Carnelutti) Dominic. His questions take him down an ancient supernatural path that leads to the discovery of "The Sin Eater (Benno Furmann)," a creature that challenges the beliefs and powers of the Catholic Church. Although filmed well by writer/director Brian Helgeland (1988's Nightmare on Elmstreet 4, 1989's 976-EVIL, 1987's Friday the 13th, and 2001's A Knight's Tale) with interesting sets and locations, this story starts well enough, stirring up interest with spooky demon kids, but than it meanders to a point at about 60 minutes where I forgot what the film was about. It finally pulls itself together for an interesting, although not completely satisfying wrap-up. Too many plot doors opened that no one entered, too much clever language, and too many punch lines (although entertaining) killed the tension for a film of this sort. The Exorcist (1973) this isn't, as yet another film tries to claim, nor is it another Rosemary's Baby (1968), as the director compared it in an interview. Yes, it questions the beliefs of the Catholic Church rather well and supposes there are rogue orders of priests hiding within the Vatican walls. Still, ideas that worked well were not explored to the depth I would have preferred. "The Order" has its moments, if you're willing to wait for them, so the best I can offer is wait for a rental if you want to see it. Also, if you do see it, does Heath Ledger gain an English accent about halfway through the film or was it my imagination? I'd really love to know.
The Orphanage (Orfanato, El)
Director Juan Antonio Bayona and writer Sergio G. Sanchez bring us this ghost tale about parents Laura and Carlos (Belen Rueda and Fernando Cayo) moving into an old orphanage—now a home—with their ill son, Simon (Roger Princep.) Before long, Simon tells his parents about the six “imaginary” friends he found to play with. All is dismissed as childhood fantasy until Simon disappears. Then the film takes a Poltergeist twist when a medium (Geraldine Chaplin) comes in to investigate the child’s disappearance. We also learn that Laura was an orphan at this very institution before she was adopted. The Orphanage is a solid ghost story. The characters, especially the mother, are convincing; and the sets add to the atmosphere as we explore the orphanage in search of the missing boy. While the ending isn’t a total surprise, it closes the story well. The Orphanage is definitely worth a rental. Note: This film is in Spanish with English subtitles.
The Others
If you're in the mood for a good, old-fashioned gothic ghost
story with a novel twist that's powered by acting (two spooky
children) and setting and not special effects, than this one's for
you.
Otis
Long time television producer Tony Krantz teams with “X-Files” writer Thomas Schnauz to bring us the tale of Otis Broth (Bostin Christopher), your friendly neighborhood psychopathic pizza delivery guy, abused by his brother, Morton (Kevin Pollak.) But Otis has other problems; he needs someone to take to the prom he missed so he abducts girls to play “Kim,” the girl of his dreams. However, Otis has to physically and mentally abuse them until they agree to become part of his fantasy. Riley Lawson (Ashley Johnson), a local teen, is next on Otis’ list. Now Riley’s family (Daniel Stern as the father, Illeana Douglas as the mother, and Jared Kusnitz as the brother) tries to work with a very inept FBI agent, Agent Hotchkiss (Jere Burns) to rescue their daughter. Otis starts like a typical psycho-thriller until things take a hilarious turn into dark comedy and the unexpected. Bostin Christopher does a fine job as the overweight, childlike psycho taking girls to his dungeon playroom where he uses elaborate sets and movie screens to bring his fantasy to life. The actors playing the family, especially character actor Illeana Douglas, are superb as the hysterical, vengeful Lawson clan. Equally superb is Jere Burns as the annoying, gum chewing FBI agent. Expect splat-stick blood letting and torture as well as a delightfully entertaining film. Otis is available on rental so place it on your must see list.
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