Reviews

88 Minutes

Beat the clock or die

By TOM MEEK | April 23, 2008

1.0 Stars

Al Pacino

Al Pacino may have The Godfather and Dog Day Afternoon to rest his laurels on, but some of his later endeavors, like this ill-conceived thriller, are best forgotten. Pacino seems to concur, wearily plodding through his paces as Jack Gramm, a forensics expert who must beat the clock or die. Years ago, Jack put away a sadistic serial killer known as the Seattle Slayer (Neal McDonough). Now, on the eve of the Slayer’s execution, several copycat murders occur. Then Jack receives the title death threat. Bodies and red herrings (with Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, and Deborah Kara Unger among the unusual suspects) pile up. Through it all, he remains remarkably unnerved, as if a hot shower and a Scotch could make it all go away. Jon Avnet (Fried Green Tomatoes) helms the pic with a similar mindset. 108 minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Circle + suburbs

Topics: Reviews , Celebrity News, Entertainment, Movie Stars, More

| More

view all

[ 06/02 ] Always, Patsy Cline @ Ogunquit Playhouse

ARTICLES BY TOM MEEK

REVIEW: GOD BLESS AMERICA | May 17, 2012
The latest dark comedy from Bobcat Goldthwait tackles both vapid celebrity culture ( i.e. , Paris Hilton, the Kardashians, and American Idol ) and the indignity of being an office drone.

REVIEW: THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS | April 24, 2012
Peter Lord, animator behind claymation staples Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run , directs this very British, very dry romp on the high seas during the time when Britannia did indeed rule the waves.

REVIEW: GOD BLESS AMERICA | April 18, 2012
The latest dark comedy from Bobcat Goldthwait tackles both vapid celebrity culture (i.e., Paris Hilton, the Kardashians and American Idol) and the indignity of being an office drone.

REVIEW: UNDEFEATED | March 15, 2012
Dan Lindsay and T. J. Martin's Oscar-winning documentary about an underequipped high-school football team competing against big-time programs across Tennessee offers a potent contemplation on race and opportunity.

REVIEW: DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX | March 01, 2012
Regrettably, this team loses a lot of Seuss's quirkiness, though not the message about corporate greed and slash-and-burn imperialism.