Adann-Kennn's Movie Reviews for Feb. 8

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar

VDT View — “Edge of Darkness” (Action/Mystery: 1 hour, 57 minutes); Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Huston, Ray Winstone, Bojana Novakovic and Shawn Roberts; Director: Martin Campbell; Rated: R (Strong violence, gore and profanity)

Movie Review: Thomas Craven (Gibson), a law-enforcement detective, is a man on a mission after his daughter, Emma Craven (Novakovic), is brutally killed, gunned downed in front of him. Thomas begins an investigation to determine who is responsible for his daughter’s death.

Gibson makes his return to films as a star after his personal life tribulations. He is very much like Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry. Gibson, looking a little more aged than usual, provides nice entertainment. His scenes with Ray Winstone are classy, each gentleman providing plenty of good indulging dramaticism.

This piece is one that keeps you on edge. The action is bold and daring, each scene delivering energetic realism. Viewers never know what is coming next. This aspect exists because “Darkness” continually reinvents itself, turning to something fascinating as mystery. Audiences should not expect anything less from Campbell, the director who gave audiences “Casino Royale” (2006).

Grade: B (Entertaining obscurity)



“When in Rome” (Romance/Comedy: 1 hour, 31 minutes); Starring: Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, and Anjelica Huston; Director: Mark Steven Johnson; Rated: PG-13 (Some crude humor and suggestive material)

Movie Review: Beth (Bell) believes her life lacks a romantic love interest, a gentleman lover to quench her lonely desires. While attending a wedding in Rome, Beth takes five coins from an alleged fountain of love. After taking the coins, five male suitors (Duhamel, Will Arnett, Jon Heder, Dax Shepard and Danny Devito) pursue Beth when she returns to New York.

Five males arrive at her job and at Beth’s house, yet she never calls the police or seeks help. For a lady unable to find love, she appears perfectly OK with five guys stalking her. After finding one of the male stalkers and his assistant — “Napoleon Dynamite’s” Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez — in her house, she does not report the incident to authorities. This sounds as unbelievable as this unbelievable screenplay.

An array of eccentric characters collides to form this lackluster, silly comedy. This film is an uninspiring romance. Like throwing your coins in a fountain and making a wish, you are throwing away your money if you find yourself in this film’s audience.

Grade: D+ (When in Rome, do not follow others to this movie.)



“To Save a Life” (Drama/Religion: 2 hours); Starring: Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, and Joshua Weigel; Director: Brian Baugh; Rated: PG-13 (Violence and thematic elements, including teen sexuality, abortion and drug and alcohol abuse via minors)

Movie Review: Religious films have become a big hit on screens recently, a genre with plenty of potential for huge audiences. Many of these films, while playing like after-school specials, are message films aimed at particular audiences, those believing in a higher power.

These films often feature a plot in which main characters’ lives change via the faith, belief or contact with a divine being. That higher deity is God in “To Save a Life,” a film parents should take their mature tweens and teens to view. This photoplay is about accepting those around you, a good message for any observers, religious or otherwise.

In his directorial debut, Brian Baugh delivers a nice entertainment. This amusing and emotionally moving drama follows the life of Jake Taylor (nicely executed by Wayne), a talented basketball player and all-round popular guy at his high school. His life is seemingly swell until he witnesses his once best friend, Roger Dawson (Robert Bailey Jr.), commit suicide on campus. This event causes Taylor to reevaluate his life and that of his deceased friend. The events lead Taylor to a youth minister Chris Vaughn (Weigel), who introduces Taylor to the faith and redemption of Christianity.

At its best, acceptance of others, despite differences, is the main goal of this drama. Multiple types of youths collide in this film, which shows why universal acceptance of others is a loving concept, a worthy message told compassionately with humor and amiability.

Grade: B (Get saved!)

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