Still Playing

Sun, 04/06/2008 10:44 AM  |  Entertainment

ADPARA>Death Sentence (Thriller, 110 minutes. Kevin Bacon, Garrett Hedlund, Kelly Preston, Jordan Garrett. Written by Ian Jeffers, from the novel by Brian Garfield. Directed by James Wan. In English with Indonesian subtitles. Playing at 21 Cineplex)

An insurance executive crosses to the dark side when his teenage son is brutally murdered in a gang initiation. When it looks like the culprit will be lightly sentenced Nick (Bacon) decides to take the law into his own hands, which, surprise surprise, turns out to be a pretty stupid move. Saw director James Wan seems at first to be aiming for serious drama but lapses in logic quickly put pay to that -- like the central conceit that righteous anger can turn anyone, no matter how meek or clumsy, into an efficient killing machine. A last minute run at exploitation-style mayhem is too little too late. * (out of *****)

The Spiderwick Chronicles (Drama/Adventure, 107 minutes. Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Joan Plowright, David Strathairn, Sarah Bolger. Written by Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum, John Sayles, from the books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. Directed by Mark Waters. In English with Indonesian subtitles. Playing at 21 Cineplex and Blitz Megaplex)

In the wake of a divorce Mrs Grace (Parker) takes her children to live in a strange old house. When Jared (Highmore) finds a valuable "field guide" to the fairy realm it falls to him to protect its secrets, and he enlists his brother and sister in the fight. Director Mark Waters has assembled a great cast led by Highmore, who convinces as an earnest young hero. Well, two in fact -- he plays both the rebellious Jared and his more timid twin, Simon, while bossy older sister Mallory (Bolger) is partial to a spot of sword-fighting. It seems odd to refer to this rather slight tale as "chronicles", but this is a ripping yarn with a good heart. *** (out of *****)

--Briony Kidd

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