Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 4

May 3, 2005

Films Reviewed: Crash (2005) and House of Wax (2005)

Commentary: Missing Persons

Featurette: Behind the scenes of House of Wax (2005)

Regarding Crash (2005):

Matt: A very powerful film about relations in our day and age that was slightly undone by a weak musical score by Mark Isham.  The performances by Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, Larenz Tate (among others) are all strong and the story lines do not miss a beat.  This would have been a four star film if it weren't for the score.  Three and a half stars.

Aron: This film is being sold as a "race" tale when it is anything but.  This film explores dynamics among various cultures and status in society.  All the performances are fantastic, especially Ryan Philippe and Matt Dillon as LAPD beat cops.  Very reminiscent of Robert Altman.  Three and a half stars from me as well.

Average Rating: ***1/2 (out of ****)

Regarding House of Wax (2005):

Aron: This is not a remake of the 1953 3D classing featuring Vincent Price.  This is an all new film about a group of college kids stumbling onto a wax museum run by a lunatic and his brother.  It's been done before and it relies too much on gore and not enough on genuine scares.  Plus, Paris Hilton can't act.  Two stars.

Matt: This film is way too gory for my tastes.  It also doesn't help matters that the characters are incredibly stupid and the situation is barely plausible.  Some wonderful production design is in place here, but the gore puts a very bad taste in our mouths.  Also, that's Australia filling in for Louisiana.  Two stars.

Average Rating: ** (out of ****)

Commentary: With the Jennifer Wilbanks "Runaway Bride" story still in the news, Aron and Matt took a look at some of their favorite kidnap stories or searches for missing people on celluloid.  And they mentioned Runaway Bride as well.

Featurette: Behind the scenes of House of Wax (2005), featuring Paris Hilton.  And we've tapped that well dry.