Review of Skinwalkers (2002) by Lisa J — 05 Sep 2008

The first time I started watching [B]Skinwalkers[/B], I couldn't finish it. I got freaked out because it was late at night and everyone had fallen asleep, leaving me alone with my werewolf fear. However, the next time around, still alone, but this time during the day, it wasn't nearly as effective. The plot revolves around a group of werewolves who see the condition as a curse and a young boy who has been prophesied to save them. The there's the other group of werewolves who kind of like hunting and killing people and they're trying to stop this little boy. The story is good, the werewolves are effective and it has good production. But I think that's part of the problem. The movie is hit by a cool curse. It think's it a lot cooler than it is. Still, alone at night, this could creep you out.

[B]Rififi[/B] is a truly awesome heist film. Jean Servais ("Porzi"), just out of jail, burns the screen with his eyes. The perpetrators execute the heist in complete silence. It's gritty, sometimes funny and then heartbreaking. I loved it. I don't even have the words for how good this is.

[B]Le Cercle Rouge[/B] is another tight heist film, and a definite influence on at least two Coen Brothers films. Again, the heist is pulled off in silence. This film is on a grander scale than Rififi and show the cop as he tracks the criminals. It features a guy busting out of a moving train window, but that awesomeness is shatter by the ludicrous dance number put on by the women at the night club. Still, definitely worth watching.

In contrast to Rififi and Le Cercle Rouge, [B]The Italian Job[/B] is a joke. Michael Caine ("The Dark Knight") plays a fast-talking thief just out of jail who orchestrates an elaborate heist, with lots of talking, and complete with mini cars. I lost interest in this, and there was a terrible song that got stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Plus, a groan-inducing ending. I preferred the remake. And that's sad.

[B]Kiss of the Spider Woman[/B] won William Hurt ("The Incredible Hulk") an Oscar for his portrayal of a gay prisoner sharing a cell with Raul Julia ("Street Fighter"). To pass the time, Hurt tells Julia the plot of his favorite movie. And they bond. And it really is as boring as it sounds. I guess in 1985, playing a gay character was a bigger deal than it is now, because I thought Hurt did a good job, but not necessarily an Oscar-worthy one. I just kept wondering why they were allowed open flames in their cell and thinking how Hurt looked a lot like Glenn Close when he was wearing makeup.