I just spent a semi enjoyable afternoon watching the DVD selection for the movie, The Raven, and I have to say, I'm not sure why it's a bad movie, it just is. You have good actors, a well versed script, and a very interesting premise.
But it didn't gel. It didn't gel in the theaters; it didn't really connect for me either.
And I'm not sure why.
The idea is wholly creative. And we know taht audiences are kinda fickle douchebags these days. Unless it's a reboot or a sequel, they won't risk seeing a new movie that might have original concepts. But that's the reason why it was coming together correctly. I'm not sure what it is.
Okay, so here's the conceit. Imagine, if you will, someone so impressed with Edgar Allen Poe that they act out his famous homicides in 1849 Baltimore. The design is great, any kid who survived reading any of his stories in high school should nod in unison when they see the set pieces of each murder. There's "the Pit and the Pendulum"; "Tell Tale Heart"; "The Cask of Amatiado". Each story is woven together, as the serial killer hopes to get the famed author to start writing again-it is evident he is into his drink by this point and broke. The murders abound and the old school mystery unwinds. I'm reminded of Castle on television, where the writer works with the cops to find out those details that we in the audience pretty much already are aware of.
I am mad at myself for not listing John Cusack as one of those actors who should be more famous. He pines but doesn't devour the scenery here; being I'm an author and know several gazillion, his types are very evident and I felt that he was morose enough to pull off an interesting portrayal. They play with him fast and loose, and, like his stories, the plot is the thing. This is not meant to be terrifically acted; this is not an Oscar piece or a summer movie. This is the kind of movie that is used as counterprogramming or to fill that void between Christmaskkah and summer blockbusters.
It does what it's supposed to do. It goes from clue to clue with earnestness, but, like I said, the parts just don't seem to make the whole. I think it's more of that high school memory hitting the audience. Fuck going to see a movie you had to slave through when you were 15.75 years old. No need to try to stomp through it again.
Maybe?
I'm grasping at straws. I have no idea why it didn't go over. It works. It's not exciting. It's not bad. It's sorta there If you like murder mysteries, you'll be fine. But? Beyond that?
Nada.
Peace, Roo
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