| News Items: |
| Headlines |
| News Briefs |
| Stories |
| Movies |
| Word To Life |
| More News: |
| Vatican |
| Africa |
| Archives: |
| John Paul II |
| Tsunami |
| Election 2004 |
| Charter update |
| John Jay study |
| Other Items: |
| Client Area |
| Links |
| Origins |
| Movie Review |
|
The Wicker Man By David DiCerto Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- Remaking the 1973 cult British thriller "The Wicker Man" (Warner Bros.) would seem an odd choice for playwright-filmmaker Neil LaBute, whose bailiwick has generally been intellectual and edgy relationship dramas like "In the Company of Men" and "The Shape of Things." Transposing the story from Scotland to the Pacific Northwest, the film centers on Edward Malus (Nicolas Cage), a California highway patrolman who, investigating the disappearance of his former fiancee's (Kate Beahan) young daughter, becomes entangled in the strange goings-on of a secretive island community of modern pagans led by earth-mother matriarch Sister Summersisle (Ellen Burstyn). Following the basic outline of the original, minus the eroticism and adding a feminist twist, director LaBute generates some suspense in his cerebral approach, but overall the film is a bland and unnecessary retread, more hokey than creepy as the story progresses. The film contains some disturbing images, including a burning human sacrifice, pagan rituals, an instance of rough language and scattered crude expressions and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. - - - DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
| FIND A MOVIE |
|
Looking for a movie review? |