Moth-er, Is This Creepy!

OK, so I'd read some pretty cold reviews of The Mothman Prophecies, even here in these very hallowed environs, and so, it was only because I wanted some cheap campy thrills at the expense of one of my least favourite actors (RG -- see my obligatory gerbil reference next paragraph*) this weekend that I even went to see this movie with my girlfriend.

Mr. Gere is often typecast in the role of a pretty boy police detective who's typically playing both sides of some sinister corruption cover-up scheme. And each time he reprises the role of detective, he's done a very yawning job. Except to maybe a few swooning women, a hatful of tingly men, and a handful of gerbils. Not me, however.

But, expecting him to marr my afternoon like a bad papercut or an Andy Macdowell cameo, a funny thing happened on the way to the popcorn counter ...

It was as if I were some preternatural winged bug sucked into the present and hypnotically drawn to the awesome glowing yield of a rusty backyard lantern. My eyes were literally glued to the screen -- I loved this flick! It was creepy. It was thrilling. There were twists. A fine cast. And a great plot. And I must say, what a relief, that while RG does play 'detective' of sorts, he plays a vulnerable one without any answers, not the suave macho hunkman we usually see.

He does a fine job as John Klein, a suddenly-freaked out Wall Street Journal reporter, whose wife sketches an endless array of dark angels in hospital and dies after an illness and a mysterious car accident. One night, Klein finds himself suddenly transported unimaginably far from his intended destination -- and then risks his career and credibility by making his own personal investigation of numerous unexplained happenings within the small eerie town of Point Pleasant, instead of heading off to interview the Governor (like a good little ink-stained wretch). And so, he begins unravelling the most unnerving and terrifying news story of his lifetime.

This is definitely a flick to take your date to. Is it unethical to take a date to a movie that will make him/her grab you hard? Let me think. (Pause.) Naaaaaaah! It's all legal. I checked.

I wouldn't classify this as a horror movie; for, it's not about slashing and gore. Thrills are provided by: excellent pacing, an eerie, ominous and foreboding atmosphere, fine direction by director Mark Pellington, fine acting performances all around, and an enjoyable plot.

Consequently, this movie is truly a refreshing change from the tiresome, low-thrill, teen-scream fare, such as I Know Who You Bludgeoned Last Summer and Cheerleader Slaughterhouse 16. I liked this movie the same way I did _Jeepers Creepers_, which I found to be another good smart, well-paced, thriller of a movie. Though, I by far preferred the ending of The Mothman Chronicles, which was a lot more comprehensible and satisfying (given its paranormal nature).

For my money, it's a great, fun, CREEPY thriller, and it will make you more curious about these bizarre and haunting true-life events.

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* Disclaimer (titters!): This has certainly never been proven in a court of law, not by Johnny Cochran or any other reputable lawyer ... but the story goes that some years ago, RG had a spankingly wild party, to which he invited a small family of gerbils. Then, as a result of becoming very closely 'acquainted' with them, he is said to have sought hospital medical attention once he wanted the party to continue no further. In a word: "Ouch!" Am I being too cryptic? Anyway, my friend's mom, a nurse, swears she has a friend who was working in that same hospital and says it's a true story. That's all I'm saying. Hell, I'm not even saying it! :)