Liotta, Patrick brilliant in ‘Narc’

Evan Marmol

“Narc” commences with a stomach-churning pursuit ending with

calamitous results. This sets the tone for an intriguing movie that

entertains with a hectic pace and refuses to divulge anything.

The movie is intricately formulated, so that it will unravel and

reveal itself to the audience at its own accord. The painstaking

efforts made by the makers of this film allow you to think you know

who did it, or what is going on, but the end result is a total

surprise.

Ray Liotta plays the irascible police officer with nothing to

lose. Opposite him is Jason Patric, the forlorn officer with

everything to lose. Together they embark on a mission to discover the

slayers of a comrade. Together, they search for the assailants with

vengeance and fury as their guides. The serpentine tale twists in

many directions, with many deceptive flashbacks. “Narc” is

methodically told and captivating from beginning to end.

Liotta is scintillating, and the remorseful Patric is equally

brilliant. In tandem, they complement a plot that is expertly woven.

The only drawback is the graphic violence. Though lurid, it is

essential for drawing the audience into the ambience. Overall, this

film is a must-see masterpiece.

‘25th Hour’ is exquisite storytelling

“25th Hour” is an example of the versatility of Edward Norton.

Having seen him play an array of personalities in films such as

“American History X” and “Get Smoochy,” we have learned to appreciate

his passion and fervor.

In contrast, “25 Hour” displays a wan, thin-smiled Norton with

eyes sapped of their signature vibrancy. Those glassy orbs in his

cadaverous face express anguish of a man condemned to imprisonment.

Norton exudes utter despondency and the misery of losing everything

he values because of deceit and deception.

There are a few subplots in this film. One serves as a subtle

analogy for his fate, the others are superfluous. Never truly

mesmerizing, but brutally honest, the story is direct and painfully

delivered. The protagonist is immediately forgiven for his

transgression and comes off as endearing, a virtue that never escaped

Norton. The audience is offered little suspense or hope for his

impending fate.

Rarely does a film merely tell a story. We have grown accustomed

to the twists that reveal a reprieve or refuge for the beloved

character. Usually, some expert scheme is concocted or a savior

materializes, and the audience is allowed that cathartic release. “25

Hour” does not contrive or devise, it simply tells a devastating

story of crime and punishment in modern America.

“25 Hour” is exquisite for its unadulterated simplicity and heart

wrenching despair.

‘The Hot Chick’ is shallow humor

The latest mad capped, zany and totally unsubtle Rob Schneider

comedy “The Hot Chick” has the daunting task of convincing its

audience that a ravishing young woman is held captive in his

unsightly body. Notorious for his farfetched films, Schneider really

stretches the limits in “The Hot Chick”.

A case of The Beauty in the Beast, the prom queen awakens to find

herself the victim of an ancient curse, hexed into the body of Rob

Schneider. I cannot fathom a more severe punishment. She frantically

searches for a cure.

In her pursuit of the perpetrator of this crime, she discovers, to

her chagrin, that she is not the most revered person in existence.

Making amends for the actions of her former self, she gains an

entourage that ultimately helps to achieve her goal.

Almost as unsettling as it is hilarious, this film keeps you in

stitches, especially if you find a furry grown man flitting around in

women’s form fitting clothing amusing. The inane emotional moments

hardly detract from the humor.

This film is reminiscent of the body switching movies of the

1980s, but with a little panache. If you can enjoy a comedy without

substance, then I highly recommend “The Hot Chick”.

* EVAN MARMOL is Laguna Resident. He graduated from UC Irvine

with a degree in Psychology and Social Behavior.