Diane Lane and Billy Burke in "Untraceable"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
“The Dynamic Diane Lane”

Diane Lane is one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood. She gives great performances one after the other but never seems to get credit for what she does. In the new to DVD film “Untraceable” she is the glue that holds the film together and makes it work.

That is not to say “Untraceable” is a perfect film. For from it, this movie wants to play it both ways. It wants to preach against the horrors of torture porn on the Internet, and then it wants to give us a movie version look at what torture porn is. This duality is the downfall of the movie. If you can overlook that conflict the film is a taut, tense thriller with a dynamic performance by Lane.

She plays FBI Agent Jennifer Marsh. She is a widower with a young daughter who lives and works in Portland, Oregon. Her specialty is cyberspace and she and her co-worker Griffin Dowd (Colin Hanks) spend their work hours tracking down people who violate the internet in some unlawful way.

One day they are drawn to a site named "killwithme.com." There they watch an animal being killed by torture. The torture becomes more and more deadly based on the number of people who log on to the site. A few days later it is a man who is being tortured to death on the site, and once again the number of people who log on determine the quickness with which he is executed.

The scenes of these "deaths" are gruesome and repugnant and showing them is completely at odds with the message of the film that says we should not be such "voyeurs." The film also is quick to say we are just as guilty as the criminal when we watch such horrendous events.

As repugnant as the theme of the film is, it is also a fast-paced thriller. Lane is totally believable as the earnest and capable Agent. Hanks sets just the right tone as her loveable associate. And Billy Burke is successful at playing the cop who might be a worthy possible love interest.

Joseph Cross of the film "Running With Scissors" is absolutely creepy as the deranged killer. He has the deadliest eyes seen on the screen in some time. They cry out EVIL! I'm sure he is a nice person and that evilness is just all acting. At least I hope it is.

Although the film is weak in several areas it is strongest in its final scenes where Marsh goes up against the killer. She is no damsel in distress but can protect herself and anyone else. It is a case of woman power at its best.

"Untraceable" is a film that tries to have its cake and eat it too. It preaches against violence but makes violence its theme. It just doesn't work and that is its main failure. Diane Lane gets an A from me for a solidly secure performance. Maybe next time she will land a better film in which to show her talent.

Sean Combs surprised a lot of people with the maturity of his performance in the film “A Raisin In the Sun.” This movie, now on DVD, was first seen on television a few short weeks ago. If you saw it then and want to see it again you are in luck. If you somehow missed it but heard about it, you are in luck.

Combs led a cast that included Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan and John Stamos. They act out a story about a family finally able to dream their dream and think it can come true. There is an amount of money coming to them and each has a thought of how it should be spent. That’s when the conflict begins.

This is an extremely well made film, and an almost perfectly acted one. It is a movie you should see.

For pure comedy you should take home the DVD of “Two and A Half Men: The Complete Third Season.” Once again you can have a marathon watchathon with Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer and Angus T Jones who play the two and a half men of the title.

The humor in this series is a little adult so keep that in mind if you let the kids sit in on your viewing. But it is funny, funny, funny. This series has won awards and is one of TV’s most popular hits. Check it out!

There are a lot of horrific surprises in the film “The Cottage.” Andy Serkis of “Lord of the Rings” fame plays a man who is holed up in a cottage with his brother and their hostage. The hostage is driving him crazy but that is a lesser problem compared to the actions of his mad neighbor.

What is good about this movie are the unexpected situations that arise. Things are not what they seem to be and the winners and losers are not clearly defined. This is not a film for everyone but for those who like a little horror and humor combined, it might provide entertainment.

The scares in “The Cottage” are nothing compared to the horrific events in “Frontiers.” This one is shockingly scary. At least it was to me. The movie is about four friends who stay at a motel that looks innocent enough, but rapidly turns into a place of sadistic evil.

Not for the weak of heart, mind or stomach this is a movie that will keep you awake at night. Be warned this is a very shocking and terrifying movie.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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