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FRIDAY THE 13TH

Starring: Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears, Amanda Righetti, Danielle Panabaker and Aaron Yoo

Directed by: Marcus Nispel

Rated R for strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material

By John Delia

I must admit, I’m a sucker for slasher films and Producer Michael Bay’s remake of Friday the 13th hits the top of my list. While you may find a lot of similar things from the original, no one can create violence like Michael Bay. With today’s CGI and special effects and make-up the realism comes pouring off the screen. If you are into getting frightened by a tall guy in a ski mask who roams a scary wood and creates a lot of blood, then this film should provide you with those kinds of thrills.
Searching for his missing sister, Clay Miller (Padalecki) heads up to the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake, where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins behind moss-covered trees. And that's not the only thing lying in wait under the brush. Against the advice of police and cautions from the locals, Clay pursues what few leads he has in the search for his missing sister, Whitney (Righetti), with the help of Jenna (Panabaker), a young woman he meets among a group of college kids up for an all-thrills weekend. But they are all about to find much more than they bargained for. Little do they know, they've entered the domain of one of the most terrifying specters in American film history -- the infamous killer who haunts Crystal Lake, armed with a razor-sharp machete... Jason Voorhees (Mears).
The star of this film is the direction and cinematographer that give you bird’s eye and close up views of all the action. Relentless with shots that make you jump, even when you are anticipating the action, Nispel (Texas Chain Saw Massacre) shows it all. His scenes are very bloody, very scary and mostly gory, but that is what the movie is all about. The plotline probably sucks as the only suspense comes from waiting to see the next kill, but again, isn’t the mayhem the real story?
Now I am not an advocate of slasher movies, and I can only take maybe one or two per year out of the hundreds of all genre movies that I see. But when one like this comes along, my fright meter wants to be jiggled till the dial goes off the end. That’s what Friday the 13th did for me. I gladly am thankful that I do not live in a mountain home or in a secluded forest, as I would be looking over my shoulder for a long time.
The film is rated R and contains some very explicit nudity and sex, adult language and the killings are very brutal and graphic so if your mom says to take your little brother or sister along, make sure they are settled in with a responsible adult watching Coraline or any other G or PG film. If you take your girlfriend to this one make sure you have a leather jacket on or you will probably have to explain the claw marks on your arms.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Friday the 13th is high on the fear and gore meter, and probably a treat for slasher film lovers. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

THE INTERNATIONAL

Starring: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Brían F. O’Byrne

Directed by: Tom Tykwer

Rated R for some sequences of violence and language

By John Delia

Filled with gripping suspense, action and awesome photography The International is a must see for adults who like a good realistic modern day thriller. Direction by Tykwer, acting by Owen and cinematography by Frank Griebe puts this film on top of my 2009 list.
Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk, as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war. When Salinger and Whitman get close to breaking the bank, all hell breaks loose.
Although it is early in the year for judging acting performances, Clive Owen is starting to make his move to top of the male acting food chain. His screen presence has been making a statement for a long time in films like Sin City, Closer, Children of Men, Derailed and Shoot ‘Em Up, with The International he proves his worth as the relentless international cop who pulls no punches in a quest to take down the biggest bank in the world. In the opening scene you see Owen looking at you with his hypnotic stare at the camera for several seconds, moments later he is this passionate character trying to save a friend. His acting ability reminds me of Michael Caine in Funeral in Berlin or Maximilian Schell in The Odessa File while they were on there way up.
Tykwer’s direction coupled with Griebe’s photography is impeccable, guiding the camera in and out of the action. Taking long shots of Berlin, Milan, New York and Istanbul he adds amazing visuals to the mix of action and intrigue. His ‘war’ scene in the Guggenheim Museum in New York should go down as one of the best action sequences in a decade.
The film is rated R for some sequences of violence and language so use caution when deciding to take immature youngsters to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for those who like films that thrill. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)











In The International, a gripping thriller, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war. Directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) from an original screenplay written by Eric Warren Singer, The International was shot on location in Germany and throughout Europe.

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

Starring: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter, Joan Cusack, John Goodman Kristin Scott Thomas, Julie Haggerty and John Lithgow.

Directed by: P.J. Hogan

Rated PG for some mild language and thematic elements

By John Delia

It may be a chick flick, but Confessions of a Shopaholic is also a great date film, as long as the male half keeps his credit card at home. I found the film fun to watch, especially the great CGI with the Mannequins. If you are a woman, have little shopping resistances, and heavy credit card debt, there are a lot of lessons to learn here.
Rebecca Bloomwood (Fisher) has been running from debt collectors for some time, especially since she cannot seem to avoid a department store window. If and item is by a top designer and on sale, she just has to have it. One thing is wrong with this picture; she doesn’t have the job of her dreams to afford her sprees. Always wanting to write for a top fashion magazine, Rebecca finally gets an opportunity for an interview with the editor. On her way to the interview she sees a green scarf on sale and after a lot of finagling, she gets it, but the stop over causes her to miss her one big opportunity. Down and out, someone tips her off that a business magazine owned by the same company is looking for someone. Rebecca realizes if she gets this job she can work her way up to her dream. When she finds out that part of the finagling involved lying to her new editor (Dancy), many more fibs lead her into some very funny situations.
I like Isla Fisher, actually she reminds me of one of my favorite actresses, Amy Adams (Enchanted, Doubt). Isla gives an impressive performance as the out-of-control shopaholic, making the character believable, interesting and in a way heroic (to many women). I loved the scene where Rebecca fights over a pair of Pravda boots and another where she has to talk her way out of a Finnish conversation. But she shines most when everything comes crashing down around her and she has to try to pick up the pieces.
In support, Dancy makes a great managing editor for the business magazine. His intuition on hiring Rebecca slowly changes into second thoughts after a snafu that puts a dim light on his publication. And Ritter as Rebecca’s best friend provides some hilarious interaction when she has to deal with Rebecca’s lack of cash.
Direction by Hogan is pinpoint perfect, getting his characters to pull off the kind of comedy that makes you feel good. I have to admit, I’m not a lover of chick flicks, but this one had a great premise and at last something for the males to LAUGH at.
The film is rated PG for some mild language but should be ok for pre teens and mature youngsters.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Confessions is a good situation comedy that most all the family will like; at least the women for sure. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)