Red (2010), and from the NYFF: The Hole (2010)

Just wanted to take the time to tell you about a movie that is out in theaters now you should go off and see. I'd also like to take the time to talk about Joe Dante's The Hole which played at the NYFF and which I have yet to write up.

Red is based on Warren Ellis' comic book about retired CIA agents who are put on a hit list for some unknown reason and they end up turning the tables on their pursuers. Of course the bad guys don't have a chance when the good guys are Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and Mary Louise Parker. Its a blast. Unfortunately this maybe getting lost in the shuffle of late October releases. If you love action, or the actors, or just a good movie see this. And if any of you ladies reading this think this isn't for you know that there are two great romances in this, with Helen Mirren/Brian Cox one going on the short list of all time great romances. It's wonderful, and so is the movie. Please go see it so that we can get another one. I want to see more of this madness.

Joe Dante's 3D film The Hole has won awards around the world. It's been hailed as one of the best 3D films ever made.

The plot of the film has a family moving into yet another new home. they seem to be running away from something. In the basement the two boys find a trap door thats locked with numerous locks. They of course open it and find a bottomless pit. The opening of the pit releases all sorts of weird happenings and it ends up with one brother having to go into the pit to rescue the other.

I think the 3D in this film is truly amazing. Joe Dante, a living encyclopedia of film, knows his film history and he's taken whats worked in every other 3D film and he uses it to great effect. The film is light and shadow and levels of space stretching back into the screen. Yea it's among the best I've ever seen. It's the best live action 3D that I've seen, only some of the computer animated films are better (and thats because they can control and modify every bit of it.)

Unfortunately the film itself isn't much beyond just being good. Its a plot that has been done before and while there are a few scary moments, or what passes for them, the film feels way too much like a family film for it to be as scary as it should be.In all honesty we feel way too safe. Dante's earlier film films like Gremlins or even Looney Tunes Back in Action never felt like they were kids films. This feels like a kids film that is good for you.

I'm kind of glad I didn't get to talk to Dante at the screening at the NYFF because frankly the first thing I would have asked him would have been why did you make a kids film, instead of just a film. The insistence that the film have a target audience is what sinks it since the cast, the effects and everything else is there.

I like it I didn't love it, and while I have reservations I will say that if you want to see 3D done right see this film.