The Silence of the Lambs** (1991)

Hard to believe, but before now I had never seen this film. I had heard a lot about it for the longest time, but had never actually seen it. Perhaps this build-up of hype is the reason that I feel mildly disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong, this was a very good film. Just not great. The story is intriguing and suspenseful (and kind of frightening that it’s based off real events) and Anthony Hopkins is delightfully evil as Hannibal Lecter. But, I just don’t dig Jodie Foster. It’s something in her voice- kind of a mush-mouthy, speak-through-the-teeth sound that accentuates the r’s and th’s too much. They’re called jaw muscles sweetheart. Use them.

Also, she wasn’t convincing enough as a hero character to get the bump into my 4-star range. Perhaps a subdued hero is better for an overly evil villain, but I wish there was more even footing in that regard. Perhaps that’s why Lecter was used to help her solve the case. Whatever it was, she just didn’t do it for me, but not at the expense of the movie as a whole.

Taut, gripping drama that relishes in maniacal undertones, Silence of the Lambs will always be remembered as a classic thriller.

RATING: 3.75 out of 5

Inside Man (2006)

Convoluted and fast-paced, Spike Lee has crafted his most commercial and mainstream film to date. Things are not what they seem to be during all parts of the film. A bank robbery that is not really a bank robbery, but turns out to be a bank robbery after all and more; a robber who’s true motive goes untold but we’re left to believe he committed the crime for the greater good; Christopher Plummer as the bank owner with a secret; and Jodie Foster, well, basically being Jodie Foster.

The story unravels like an onion- one tiny, precious layer at a time. It’s not until afterwards that you pick up on some of the loose ends and gaffes made during the course of the film. How did this guy know what was in the bank? Why did he care to expose the person that he did? How could he possibly have planned all this stuff out ahead of time to work so perfectly?

Some of these questions don’t matter as much in retrospect because the film serves its purpose- it sucks you in, thrills, chills and entertains. Great work by Clive Owen and Denzel Washington; not so much by Jodie Foster. For some reason she just seems to act almost the exact same way in most of her movies. And it’s always been difficult for me to get past the way she talks- it’s like she always has her teeth clenched or something. Either way, Inside Man provides some taught drama and will make you think.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5