‘Red Dragon’ enters Oscar zone; ‘Moonlight Mile’ falls short

Not for squeamish, ‘Red Dragon’ is scary

“Red Dragon” is a relentless, heart-pounding crime thriller that

is definitely not for the faint of heart. The top-notch writing,

directing and acting bring life to a truly disturbing meditation on

the mind of a psychotic killer.

You may well admire the Oscar-quality performances while squirming

in your seat at what’s happening on (or just off) the screen.

This film centers on the vicious murders of two entire families.

To the credit of director Brett Ratner, the fear factor for the

audience is created mostly with Hitchcock-style apprehension and

anticipation, not excess blood and gore. Still, the expert pacing,

the eerie music, the dark photography and chilling story line combine

to provide an emotionally draining experience for the viewer.

The only comic relief is provided by the sarcastic comments and

droll wit of the always excellent Anthony Hopkins as the caged

cannibal, Hannibal Lector.

Ralph Fiennes is multi-layered as the shy Francis Dolarhyde, whose

childhood of horrendous abuse creates his alter ego, the murderous

Red Dragon.

Equally fine acting is provided by Ed Norton as Will Graham, and

Harvey Keitel as Jack Crawford, two intense FBI agents out to snare

the Dragon before he can kill again.

So perverse are the Dragon’s crimes, the agents feel the need to

consult with another psychotic killer for advice on how to identify

and catch him.

And so Graham comes to visit the notorious Lector in the same

prison cell made famous in “Silence of the Lambs.”

Several uneasy scenes between the two men ensue, with sharp

dialogue and dry humor sprinkled throughout their disquieting

conversations.

The tension between them is amplified by Graham’s being the agent

who caught Lector and put him in his current maximum security

situation. Lector stabbed and nearly killed Graham during his

capture, which only adds to the pressure they both feel.

This strained situation leads to some great twists and turns in

their relationship and the plot. While appearing to help Graham’s

investigation, Lector really seeks to join forces with the Dragon and

help the monster eliminate those who are hunting him down.

Realistic police and forensic work add to the suspense as riveting

clues unfold the truth.

As a crime drama with horror overtones, this film is masterfully

done on many levels and will definitely garner some Academy Award

nominations.

Too bad that Hollywood is so good at presenting what is most

perverse and grotesque in human nature. This is not for the

squeamish.

“Red Dragon” is rated R for violence, grisly images, language,

some nudity and sexuality.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.

‘Moonlight Mile’ struggles down the road

“Moonlight Mile” is one of those films you sincerely want to

admire. the cast, which includes Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Jake

Gyllenhaal and Holly Hunter, along with appealing newcomer Ellen

Pompeo, certainly provides major star power.

When a young woman is shot to death, apparently because she was at

the wrong place at the wrong time, her parents and her fiance

struggle to restore some sort of reason and purpose to their lives.

Unfortunately, writer/director Brad Silberling seems to struggle

to maintain the energy and direction of this story. Scenes that burn

with sincere emotion slip into scenes that feel borrowed from old

soap operas.

The powerful scenes, on the whole, are those with Sarandon. This

amazing actress only grows more dynamic with each film.

Gyllenhaal’s character, Joe Nast, probably never the dynamic type,

is frozen in such a catatonic state one tends to wonder why his

fiance was ever attracted to him. This question, it turns out, is a

key element in the plot.

This film will inevitably be compared to last year’s Oscar

nominee, “In the Bedroom.” “Moonlight Mile” is not a bad film and, in

my opinion, has a much more effective and satisfying conclusion.

However, I can’t quite see it as Oscar bait. I went to see this movie

armed with two extra packets of tissues. I only needed half of one

packet.

“Moonlight Mile” is rated PG-13 for some sensuality and brief

strong language.

* JUNE FENNER, a Costa Mesa resident, is vice president of a

work-force training company.