One Hour Photo
When I first saw the promos for One Hour Photo I thought it was going to be a rip-off of the Thomas Harris thriller, Red Dragon, the soon to be released film version of his scariest novel also about a photo lab technician. And after seeing Robin Williams playing a nut job in Insomnia (the only good thing about the film—see my review above), I looked forward to the psychological-thriller, One Hour Photo, a story about a one-hour photo lab technician obsessed with a young ideal family. One concern was unwarranted. This is NOT a Red Dragon rip-off. The Harris book terrified me and while One Hour Photo has its moments, it didn't terrify me at all. Again, Robin Williams (as Seymour Parrish) does a great job playing a nut and again he holds the film together for a mostly unknown cast (Gary Cole as the SavMart boss is the most familiar). But this is a hard film to judge. Most people who see it will like it. It builds tension throughout using Episodic Structure (see my essay Film: "A Three-Ring Circus"), and Mark Romanek (also the writer) does a fine job directing his first big screen outing by getting creative with film tints; wonderful, eerie snapshot scenes of Seymour zoning out; a Hitchcockian style; and as I said, tension that builds and builds, making me wonder where it was all going. So what was missing for me? The film was so simple. Almost too simple. I couldn't help compare it to Red Dragon, which is as complex as it is terrifying. Sure, Williams made me feel for Seymour, but Romanek goes one step too far (as writer) by trying to explain Seymour's behavior at the end. But again I'll repeat. Most people who see this film will like it. I'm waiting for Red Dragon.

The Order
A rogue priest (one of the last of his order), Alex (Heath Ledger) Bernier, investigates the suspicious death of his mentor, Father (Francesco Carnelutti) Dominic. His questions take him down an ancient supernatural path that leads to the discovery of "The Sin Eater (Benno Furmann)," a creature that challenges the beliefs and powers of the Catholic Church. Although filmed well by writer/director Brian Helgeland (1988's Nightmare on Elmstreet 4, 1989's 976-EVIL, 1987's Friday the 13th, and 2001's A Knight's Tale) with interesting sets and locations, this story starts well enough, stirring up interest with spooky demon kids, but than it meanders to a point at about 60 minutes where I forgot what the film was about. It finally pulls itself together for an interesting, although not completely satisfying wrap-up. Too many plot doors opened that no one entered, too much clever language, and too many punch lines (although entertaining) killed the tension for a film of this sort. The Exorcist (1973) this isn't, as yet another film tries to claim, nor is it another Rosemary's Baby (1968), as the director compared it in an interview. Yes, it questions the beliefs of the Catholic Church rather well and supposes there are rogue orders of priests hiding within the Vatican walls. Still, ideas that worked well were not explored to the depth I would have preferred. "The Order" has its moments, if you're willing to wait for them, so the best I can offer is wait for a rental if you want to see it. Also, if you do see it, does Heath Ledger gain an English accent about halfway through the film or was it my imagination? I'd really love to know.

Orphan
Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard) are a well off, happy couple with two children: their son, Daniel (Jimmy Bennet—the young James Kirk from 2009’s Star Trek)—a middle-schooler; and their daughter, Max, a primary grade-schooler. However, after a series of miscarriages and the horrible experience of having to carry her last dead fetus full term, Kate wants to adopt an older girl, so off to the orphanage they go. Once there, they meet Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder from Demon Knight) who shows them around during a party for the children. After wandering upstairs, Kate and John find the nine year-old Esther (TV actor, Isabelle Fuhrman) all alone, singing to herself and painting some very unique paintings. It is immediately obvious that Esther is gifted and talented, and her desire to be different especially appeals to Kate. The kids at school call Esther Pollyanna because of the way she dresses. After the paperwork, Esther joins the happy, well-adjusted family. Very soon thereafter, Esther begins to reveal her true self by exhibiting strange, dangerous behavior. You know going into this film, and other films like it, that the film will rest on the strength of the strange child. What you don’t know is what makes her strange. That’s where this film shines. Esther’s shocking behavior with her stepbrother and sister will make you shutter as she pits one family member against the other. Of course, after certain secrets reveal themselves, Kate’s only concern is saving her real family. Unfortunately, neither she, nor you the audience, will see what is still to come. In fact, most of the adults in the film don’t believe Esther can do anything wrong. The final twist (which maybe hard to digest for some viewers) lets loose the final creepy punch that I did not see coming because it was never used in any other film I’ve ever seen. The Orphan runs over some familiar ground as we try to solve Esther’s mystery, but once it is all revealed this character’s secret makes the plot that more interesting. The cast is superb, but the obvious standout is Isabelle Fuhrman. Orphan falls into the thriller category, and there are plenty of non-stop thrills and chills. Orphan is available for DVD purchase and soon for rent, so get a group of your friends to come over, turn out the lights, and let Esther blow your mind. Orphan was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (2005’s House of Wax.)

The Orphanage (Orfanato, El)
Director Juan Antonio Bayona and writer Sergio G. Sanchez bring us this ghost tale about parents Laura and Carlos (Belen Rueda and Fernando Cayo) moving into an old orphanage—now a home—with their ill son, Simon (Roger Princep.) Before long, Simon tells his parents about the six “imaginary” friends he found to play with. All is dismissed as childhood fantasy until Simon disappears. Then the film takes a Poltergeist twist when a medium (Geraldine Chaplin) comes in to investigate the child’s disappearance. We also learn that Laura was an orphan at this very institution before she was adopted. The Orphanage is a solid ghost story. The characters, especially the mother, are convincing; and the sets add to the atmosphere as we explore the orphanage in search of the missing boy. While the ending isn’t a total surprise, it closes the story well. The Orphanage is definitely worth a rental. Note: This film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

The Others
If you're in the mood for a good, old-fashioned gothic ghost story with a novel twist that's powered by acting (two spooky children) and setting and not special effects, than this one's for you.

Otis
Long time television producer Tony Krantz teams with “X-Files” writer Thomas Schnauz to bring us the tale of Otis Broth (Bostin Christopher), your friendly neighborhood psychopathic pizza delivery guy, abused by his brother, Morton (Kevin Pollak.) But Otis has other problems; he needs someone to take to the prom he missed so he abducts girls to play “Kim,” the girl of his dreams. However, Otis has to physically and mentally abuse them until they agree to become part of his fantasy. Riley Lawson (Ashley Johnson), a local teen, is next on Otis’ list. Now Riley’s family (Daniel Stern as the father, Illeana Douglas as the mother, and Jared Kusnitz as the brother) tries to work with a very inept FBI agent, Agent Hotchkiss (Jere Burns) to rescue their daughter. Otis starts like a typical psycho-thriller until things take a hilarious turn into dark comedy and the unexpected. Bostin Christopher does a fine job as the overweight, childlike psycho taking girls to his dungeon playroom where he uses elaborate sets and movie screens to bring his fantasy to life. The actors playing the family, especially character actor Illeana Douglas, are superb as the hysterical, vengeful Lawson clan. Equally superb is Jere Burns as the annoying, gum chewing FBI agent. Expect splat-stick blood letting and torture as well as a delightfully entertaining film. Otis is available on rental so place it on your must see list.