Finally, a flick worthy of Dr. Lecter

Evan Marmol

“Taking Lives” has floundered in the box office competing with more

novel, but definitely not more inventive films. Angelina Jolie and

Ethan Hawk are phenomenal in a movie that has rightfully been dubbed

as a “Silence of the Lambs”-quality feat. The narrative is nearly as

captivating, the plot twists are heart wrenching, and the suspense is

palpable.

Jolie portrays an eccentric criminal profile, a Heidegger that

prefers lying in graves and surrounding herself with relics and

photos of crime scenes rather than interacting with other people. A

romance blossoms between her and one of the potential victims, a

disconcerting proposition for this recluse, and this case becomes

personal with the ramifications reaching far beyond another

photograph and crime scene.

Hawk plays the enigmatic and peculiarly attractive beau playing

opposite the always nubile Jolie. His initial behavior draws

suspicion from the police officers that Jolie is assisting, but they

are quickly diverted by other factors, and his role is diminished

into initiating what becomes a romance with Jolie.

The plot is riveting, suspenseful and captures the full spectrum

of emotions that enables audience participation. Within 30 minutes

the audience is inextricably bound to the motives and the fruition of

a film that lulls a moviegoer into a state of hypnotism.

“Taking Lives” is the best film of its type since “Silence of the

Lambs” but it has had little competition in that genre. This film is

neither a masterpiece nor a consummate failure. It is a flick that

borders on truly superb and popcorn flick on many passes, but it

still earns the recognition and the patronage of audiences that

recall the emotions of films of its type. It is a must see for people

that recall the deluge of psychological thrillers that flooded the

audience post “Silence of the Lambs” and that failed at capturing the

nuances and power of the film they pitifully emulated. This film does

an admirable job and has earned the recognition that it has garnered.

‘Passion’ is a masterpiece

“The Passion of the Christ” transcends the category of

magnificence. It is an unabashed, unabated, historical account of the

most savage brutalities known to man.

James Caviezel portrays the most influential and polemic figure in

history as Christ. The trials and tribulations and abject torture are

captured with painful sentiment, most poignantly, the sobering

reality that one man suffered for a society that had forsaken him.

Despite this, the prevailing emotion is of hope and salvation in a

film that stills the voices of audiences and has captured the

attention of nearly 40-million viewers.

The supporting cast, namely that of the Virgin Mary is superb. Her

expressiveness evokes powerful emotions that resound in the hearts

and tears of the audience. As her pitiful face contorts with misery

and anguish, her emotions can drive the most impassive person to

genuine sorrow.

Detractors have referred to this film as a gory flick with the

intent to indoctrinate and convert the masses. Contrary to this, this

film is nothing more than an anomaly from the puerile and tepid films

that have bombarded modern theaters. It delves into emotions that we

are not wont and which many are starved.

This is not one of the lethargic and anemic films which afford the

patrons a mindless grin thanks to fatuous drivel and formulaic plots.

This film runs the gamut of betrayal, redemption and a profound

capacity for love. It is a more than a film, this is a historical

event that capsizes modern movies and has the sophistication and

effort that most films are bereft.

To amplify its intrigue, the entire film is spoken in Aramaic and

Greek, with subtitles, a remarkable devotion to the film by it’s the

players. The directors also made a painstaking effort to remain true

the bible and the works of Anna Catherine Emmerich, a recognized

mystic that has had scores of visions regarding religious events.

Overall, this is an unrivaled and consummate masterpiece will live on

for ages to come.

* EVAN MARMOL is Laguna Beach resident. He graduated from UC

Irvine with a degree in psychology and social behavior. He can be

reached at Evan_Marmol@hotmail.com.