The return of Ghostface! I wasn’t aware the Wu-Tang Clan had put out another album, but there you have it. No, really, this week’s movies are not about the Wu-Tang Clan; they’re about the resurrection of a long-thought-silly teen slasher franchise. Wes Craven is really a genius. He’s like a pack of lulling Sirens from The Odyssey. Yes, that’s what he is. He can literally lead teens on film to their deaths like no one else today. And Scream 4: The Screamiest Ever looks successful! (Well, almost.) This is a magnificent feat. Freddy Krueger is cashing his last unemployment check as we speak.
Scream 4:
The reviews so far have defied expectations, or at least are better than Neve Campbell could have hoped for.
In Scream 4, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey (David Arquette) and Gale (Courteney Cox), who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill (played by Emma Roberts) and her Aunt Kate (Mary McDonnell). Unfortunately Sidney’s appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends, and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger.
What you can expect: In a rather effective ode to the original, Scream 4 brings back some of the chills and thrills that surprised many and opened the door to the slasher movie once again. Wes Craven, teen-gore master, is undaunted at his attempts to connect the next generation to the “pick them off one by one” horror genre. This time he uses everything in his arsenal, which is basically new technology and media. Naturally. If you’re going to make a teen slasher film, you have to get teens where they live, and that’s in their iPhones. Not totally sure what new areas there are to be explored within this formula, but unsurprisingly, Craven manages to pull it off. He must have a teen spy working with him, or he understands the youth better than most. He should write a book. Perhaps The Anarchist’s Guide to Raising Teenagers.
What could annoy: Aside from the fact that there’s a “4” after the title of this film…I’m placing my bets on Courteney Cox and David Arquette. No real reason in particular other than they were always a bit of a weird, annoying couple to begin with, and I very much wished their characters dead in the original movie. I just can’t fathom how they’ve survived this long. Which may not be a difficult question since after filming this movie, Cox effectively took a knife and slashed the remains of her marriage to Arquette.
Rio:
Pretty good reviews for the bird-brained animated feature.
From the makers of the hit ICE AGE series comes RIO, a comedy adventure about taking a walk on the wild side. Blu is a domesticated Macaw who never learned to fly, living a comfortable life with his owner and best friend Linda in the small town of Moose Lake, Minnesota. Blu and Linda think he’s the last of his kind, but when they learn about another Macaw who lives in Rio de Janeiro, they head to the faraway and exotic land to find Jewel, Blu’s female counterpart.
What you can expect: A colorful animated comedy. With plenty of famous voices including, Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Fox, Tracy Morgan, and Will i.am — this movie is overstuffed with acting and performance talent. While the story isn’t as moving or heartfelt as some of the Pixar releases we’ve seen as of late, it’s still a formidable bit of escapist fun for viewers who want a lot of party with their animation.
What could annoy: It looks a little bit like a colorful migraine, and some of us can only take that Black Eyed Peas thing in small, nearly miniscule doses. An entire movie of the Peas doing their thing could be harmful. All in all, the kids should like it. The adults, well, I dunno, ear plugs?
Indie Picks:
The Princess of Montpensier
Speaking the international language of love and the critics agree.
France, 1562. Against a background of the savage Catholic/Protestant wars, Marie de Mézières (Mélanie Thierry), a beautiful young aristocrat, and the rakish Henri de Guise (Gaspard Ulliel), fall in love, but Marie’s father has promised her hand in marriage to the Prince of Montpensier (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet). When he is called away to battle, her husband leaves her in the care of Count Chabannes (Lambert Wilson), an aging nobleman with a disdain for warfare.
The short and sweet: Sprawling costume drama. Action, adventure, love and war. Basically a bodice ripper in movie form. Harlequin is taking notes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D5JTxLf_K4
The Double Hour
This art-house offering is getting rave reviews.
Guido (Timi), a former cop, is a luckless veteran of the speed-dating scene in Turin. But, much to his surprise, he meets Slovenian immigrant Sonia (Rappoport), a chambermaid at a high-end hotel. The two hit it off, and a passionate romance develops.
The short and sweet: Critics are throwing words around like “noir” and “psychological spookiness.” Here’s to hoping it lives up to the hype. Who doesn’t love a well-constructed psychological thriller? It’s said to have many twists and turns, which, done right, can lead you to Mulholland Drive, Les Diaboliques or The Vanishing. Done wrong, you get Body of Evidence starring Madonna or Sliver starring Sharon Stone. Feh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4yzgbspy5Y
