Jake Gyllenhaal and Chloe Sevigny in "Zodiac"
courtesy of Paramount Home Entertainment
"A Premature Movie"

"Zodiac" is now out on DVD and it tells the story of the "Zodiac Killer" of California. But since the mystery of who this person was has never been solved or proven, isn't this movie a tad premature? It is okay to have theories but in a movie of this type we want the final answer. It is also hard to believe Hollywood could make a movie about one of the most infamous serial killers in history and make it boring. But they have. "Zodiac" is based on the true story of a man in California in the twentieth century who went on a killing spree and was never caught and convicted. The way the whole thing is presented is dull, dull, dull.

Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist working at a newspaper in California. He is on duty when the first "message" from the killer comes in to his publisher. The writer assigned to the story is Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.), a man struggling with his own demons of alcohol and drugs.

Graysmith becomes fascinated with the killer and his story, so much so that when the police and reporters can't make a dent in the case he starts his own investigation. He relies on Avery and the detective in charge of the investigation, David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo). He hounds them until they share information with him.

Nothing about this movie works. Gyllenhaal plays Graysmith as a complete loser. Maybe that is actually the way he was, but this hardly makes for an invigorating or interesting leading man for the story. Graysmith seems to be barely aware of who he is and where he is, much less being an investigator.

Ruffalo is almost as bad as Toschi. The man's personality is like fingernails scraping on a blackboard. He may have information about the murderer but you don't want to hear it because you don't want to have to watch him.

Then for the female lead they have chosen Chloe Sevigny. She looks lifeless and acts that way too. When you put her and Gyllenhaal on screen together you have the "dull couple of the year" come to life.

Add all of this up and you have a loser of a movie, so don't rush out to get the DVD. Murder and mystery are usually fascinating. This is the one time it isn't.

Better by far is "Renaissance," an animated science fiction movie that shows its dark side. It is set in 2054 and tells the story of a detective named Karas. He has a job to do but doing it almost costs him his life.

Karas lives in a world that is bleak and dark. His assignment is to track down and recover a kidnapped scientist. That isn't an easy job but Karas is a very quick-witted man. What others can't accomplish he can.

Daniel Craig gained fame as the new James Bond. Now he shows his vocal talents as the voice of Karas. Other actors lending their voices to this worthwhile movie are Catherine McCormack, Ian Holm and Jonathan Pryce.

This is not the usual Disney animated film. This is one with depth. See for yourself.

A weekend in the country - what could be better? Well when a group of friends arrive at a country home they learn there are many ways to ruin a weekend. A supernatural presence is one of the worst. In this horror film the evil spirit of a preacher is the demon who torments them all.

If you like cheesy horror movies, and there are some of us who do, then rent "Wages of Sin." It is a horror movie that is a hoot. Billy St John is the star and that is another reason to rent it (just kidding - who the heck is Billy St John).

Justin Kreinbrink and Santiago Craig co-star in "The Decoy." This is a movie about a man accused of the murder of his best friend's in-laws. When he is sentenced to be hanged his friend is the one to escort him to his hanging. Now there's a convoluted plot.

If you are in the mood for a western then this might satisfy your appetite. It is "The Decoy."

Finally Paget Brewster, and yes I at least know who she is, stars in "The Big Bad Swim." This is a movie about people and relationships. An adult swim class serves as the backdrop to this story of several lives and the way they all interrelate. Jeff Branson and Ricky Ullman also star in this enjoyable film.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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