Seen and reviewed (Oct. 28 and 30)
New films in theaters this week:
– “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” (rated PG), a concert performance documentary featuring the late King of Pop. (Released Wednesday)
– “The Other Man” (not rated), a dramatic thriller about infidelity, starring Liam Neeson.
– “Paris” (rated R), a multi-story and character drama set in France. Juliette Binoche stars. French with subtitles.
– “Thirst” (rated R), an unconventional horror-thriller dealing with the vampire mythos. Korean with subtitles
Despite having a good cast (Neeson’s co-stars include Laura Linney and Antonio Banderas), the ludicrous “The Other Man” is embarrassing and is almost unwatchable.
And “Paris” is a little overstuffed with characters and subplots. As always, Binoche is terrific, though, and there’s a lot to like in the observant film.
Poster art courtesy Sony Pictures Releasing
As for the Jackson film, it’s surprisingly well-made and assembled. Fans will enjoy it, though there is still a slightly unsettling, exploitative quality to the movie — especially since it comes within months of his untimely overdose death.
The week’s best film is the gory, R-rated “Thirst,” which definitely isn’t for the easily offended or the weak of stomach. But every time the film appears to become predictable, it goes off in a different, crazy direction. It’s easily the best vampire movie since last year’s “Let the Right One In.”
Which, if any, of these movies fit into your weekend viewing plans?