Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2016)
April 20, 2016 The Skanner Page 13 Arts & Entertainment FILM REVIEW: Brain-Altered Convict Chases International Terrorists in ‘Criminal’ FILM REVIEW: Saldana Successfully Channels Simone in Controversial ‘Nina’ By Kam Williams For The Skanner News M Kevin Costner, Freddy Bosche and Emmanuel Imani star in ‘Criminal,’ which is out in theaters nationwide. By Kam Williams For The Skanner News C IA Agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reyn- olds) was in London on assign- ment to deliver a ransom to a computer hacker called the “The Dutchman” (Michael Pitt) when he was assassinated en route by a terrorist (Jordi Molla) with a vicious gun moll (Antje Traue). This would ordinarily be a big loss for the Agen- cy, given the veteran spy’s talents and abilities. Luckily, government scientist Dr. Franks has been working on trans- ferring memories from one brain to another. And while he’s been suc- cessful in several attempts with ani- mals, he considers himself five years away from being ready for human trials. Nevertheless, given the emergen- cy, he is instructed to immediately implant Pope’s mind into that of Jer- icho (Kevin Costner), a death-row inmate in desperate need of a new lease on life. Next thing you know, the psychopathic murderer awak- ens from the experimental surgery raring to track down The Dutchman as well as the creeps who killed Pope. That is the point of departure of “Criminal,” a sci-fi splatterfest di- rected by Ariel Vromen (The Ice- man). Curiously, the movie marks Ryan Reynolds’ third venture into the brain swap genre, his previous being last fall’s Self/less. There, however, he played the recipient rather than the organ donor. There isn’t much point to my recit- ing the scatterplot storyline, since it makes even less sense than the pic- ture’s farfetched premise. Still, this high body-count, action thriller is apt to have a certain appeal to tes- tosterone-sodden males seeking to satiate their blood lust by watching folks being blown away in spectacu- lar fashion. In the process, the film fritters away the services of an impressive cast which includes Reynolds, Tom- my Lee Jones, Gary Oldman and Kev- in Costner. The film features a fair amount of eye candy, too, in Antje Traue, Alice Eve, Natalie Burn and Gal Gadot who plays Pope’s widow, Jill. As you might easily imagine, She and her daughter, Emma (Lara Deca- ro), are in for the surprise of their lives when hubby/daddy returns re- incarnated as a redeemed convict in need of a loving family. A novel enough spin on the brain switch theme to recommend, pro- vided you’re very willing to suspend disbelief and you’ve got a strong stomach for senseless gore. Good HH Rated R for pervasive profanity and graphic violence. Running time: 113 minutes Distributor: Summit Entertainment ost of the pre-release buzz sur- rounding “Nina” has swirled around the debate about Zoe Saldana’s darkening her skin, donning an Afro wig and wearing a pros- ‘Nina”opens this week with mixed reviews thetic nose to portray doubtedly be more disappointed by Nina Simone (1933-2003). Apparent- the absence of the haunting strains ly, in these politically-correct times, of The High Priestess of Soul’s dis- some consider the casting of Saldana tinctive voice than by her imperson- as the dark-skinned title character to ator’s performing in blackface. Again be a case of cultural appropriation, and again, it’s frustrating to have to since she is of Dominican and Puerto settle for second-rate renditions of Rican extraction and thus, by implica- such Simone classics as “My Baby Just tion, not black enough to play an Afri- Cares for Me,” “Feeling Good,” “Black can-American. Is the Colour,” “To Be Young, Gifted The beleaguered actress was so beat and Black,” “I Put a Spell on You,” and up in the press that she’s even publicly “Why? (The King of Love Is Dead).” acknowledged the issue, admitting “I Thankfully, Zoe does a better job in didn’t think I was right for the part.” the acting half of the role, convincing- However, I suspect anyone who actu- ly capturing Nina’s mercurial person- ally sees the film would find Zoe’s Af- ality, from the imperious air, to the ricanized features to be less of a dis- violent mood swings, to the substance traction than her singing. abuse, to the bouts of depression and For, while she certainly manages to hold her own, Nina’s fans will un- See NINA on page 15 OREGON S YM P HO N Y PRESENTS THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA Friday, May 13 | 7:30 pm When these legendary Gospel titans perform, it’s a roof-raising musical event. Their soaring voices and powerful energy have been thrilling crowds around the world for seven decades. Stronger than ever, the fi ve-time Grammy Award winners can be counted on for a truly uplifting experience. The Oregon Symphony does not perform. Tickets start at $20 OrSymphony.org | 503-228-1353 Groups of 10 or more save! 503-416-6380 A R L E N E S C H N I T Z E R C O N C E R T H A L L
