New Releases:

Knocked Up

I admittedly felt much skepticism toward "Knocked Up," regarding it as another of the piffling dumb-humor comedies that have plagued cinemas of late ("Anchor Man," "Old School," etc). I also avoided "The 40 Year Old Virgin" under the same surmise. Though the film's surprisingly high reviews are well deserved, "Knocked Up" doesn't at all resemble the clichéd witless mess the comedy genre has digressed to. It's as relieving as it is funny, which is largely due to the excellent script that is so riotous precisely because it is so believable. Following the recently turned upside-down lives of Ben (Seth Rogen, "Superbad") and Alison (Katherine Heigl, TV's "Grey's Anatomy") after a one-night stand gone awry has left her pregnant, "Knocked Up" exploits the genuine quirkiness, vulgarity and hilarity of dialogue, especially between people in frantic situations. It is a comedy that, unlike so many others, never blatantly reminds you that you're watching a comedy, and it never becomes a caricature of itself. Heigl proves she can do roles beyond television, and Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann actually steal the scene a few times as supporting roles. However, "Knocked Up" is hurt by its unwarranted lengthiness and should have been condensed more in the editing process. Although it's not black comedy, or even intellectual comedy, writer/director Judd Apatow is creating a new subgenre (reality-comedy, maybe?) that's a refreshing alternative to fatuous absurd comedies and the typically painful triteness of romantic comedies. Apatow is clearly still refining his vision, but "Knocked Up" will undoubtedly entertain you.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Black Book

"Zwartboek," the Dutch timepiece, is finally making it onto video in the States after being released in Europe and various film festivals late last year. It's very refreshing to see any World War II era film actually managing to avoid war scenes, and war in general. "Black Book," however, maintains the tension and unrest of the time, telling the true story of a young Danish- Jewish woman who, after losing her family to the Nazis, infiltrates the party as a secretary, then mistress, in order to obtain information for a resistance group. However, unlike sugar and milk in World War II Europe, there's no shortage of betrayal and greed in "Black Book." It largely focuses on man's tendency toward avarice and vengeance. However, the themes are a bit lost in the historical backdrop that doesn't depict the emotion vital to several scenes. Because of this, the film is not nearly as powerful as it could be. However, the movie is technically very impressive, which is to be expected from the most expensive Dutch film to date, and, despite being a bit lengthy, the story is captivating and unusual. Although entertaining, "Black Book" feels slightly distilled and almost a little disappointing. It's redolent of great works like "Schindler's List," but also of Lifetime Original Movies.

4 stars out of 5

Foreign

Requiem

This 2005 German film retells the story of a mentally disturbed teenage girl who inspired "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," but takes the concept in an entirely different direction. Unfortunately, this film is not any better than the mediocre American counterpart. Taking a much less suspenseful and horror-based route, "Requiem" closely follows Michaela as she goes to university for the first time and struggles to live a normal life despite her seizures. Just as doctors and priests alike scratch their heads in confusion, the plot is rather drab, as it focuses on the delusional thought process of the girl and the emotional toll it wreaks on her family and friends. Not intensifying until the last 10 minutes, "Requiem" feels rather empty, especially since very little of the buildup is significant or poignant. Being set in the ’70s, it does well to capture the era's look but unintentionally resembles a movie made thirty years ago due to cheap-feeling, unpolished cinematography. Perhaps deceiving in its subject matter, there is zero element of horror or suspense; "Requiem" is entirely a drama about a confused young girl. It is an unoriginal drama without enough depth and sentiment to it merit the time to watch it. I'd rather see Laura Linney wear an a-line skirt in the courtroom-horror, B-grade Hollywood adaptation, which at least manages to be entertaining despite still being bad.

2 1/2 stars out of 5

Also out this week: "Bug," a psychological thriller from the director of "The Exorcist"; "Next," a poorly reviewed suspense thriller starring Nicolas Cage; "Evening," a family-centered drama starring Meryl Streep and Claire Danes; and "Full of It," a puerile comedy, best to be avoided.

Coming out 10/2: Suspense thriller set in a haunted hotel, "1408"; "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer", yet another marvel comics movie adaptation, no better than the last; and "Day Night Day Night," an indie-film following a preparing suicide bomber.