By Chris Kavan - 10/22/10 at 10:12 AM CT
With Halloween fast approaching, today sees two very different films that deal with otherworldly guests. On one hand you have a malevolent demon/spirit that seeks to destroy, on the other you have people who are trying to understand death and what happens to those who pass on.
1) Call me crazy, but only because it's so close to the 31st, I'm going with Paranormal Activity 2 as my top pick. Granted, it looks almost exactly like the first one, with slightly different cameras and more things to scare (babies, dogs!) but I thought the first one was low-budget creepy and a bit unnerving. Scoff all you want, but even if you wanted to slap the characters around for doing the dumbest things, in the end it worked for me.
2) If scares aren't up your alley, then you can experience a much more dramatic experience in Hereafter. Clint Eastwood has done westerns, crime and plenty of drama, but this is the first time he's tried to tackle something with a fantasy aspect, even if it is grounded firmly in reality. The premise looks interesting, but I have to admit none of the previews have left me dying to see this one. I know I will watch it at some point, and most likely enjoy it, but probably not in theaters.
3) If you hate Halloween and don't want anything to do with ghosts and the afterlife, then the drama The Company Men will save the weekend. In a story straight out of these times of economic hardship, the story follows three men who must deal with the threat of corporate downsizing. Can't say it sounds like the most interesting of subjects, but with Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper as the three men in questions, at least the acting should be good. Plus you get Kevin Costner with a horrible Boston accent! Bonus!
Next week the only film opening in wide release looks to be the umpteenth Saw film (now in 3D - who would have guessed?), but I got fed up with these about three films back but somehow people keep watching them. I predict it will be way too big of a hit with bored and/or drunk college students.
