The Watcher - Keanu's new thriller

[angrytiger]

I got a chance to see this flick when a friend who worked on the film invited me to a screening, and I had a great time.

Keanu actually does a pretty good job of playing a maniac without over-doing it. And James Spader does intensity like its nobody's business but his. Marisa Tomei's performance doesn't hurt anyone either.

Good script. Simple idea, but somehow really effective. Its more about the suspense, the thrill of the chase, than cheap theatrics and predictable nonsense.

Good visuals and a great soundtrack too (RobZombie, Portishead, NoDoubt).

-the tiger

[JoBlo]

Hey, cool! Thanks for posting angrytiger. I JUST heard about this film for the first time the other day, and was REALLY HAPPY to hear that Keanu was playing a BAD GUY!!

Looking forward to it.

[Silent Bob]

Iz it kinda like the Bone Collecter? Is it scary?

[BlynS2]

Yeah, what's it about, it sound pretty good. Glad to hear Keanu will be playing a different kind of part...Do ya know when it comes out...?

BlynS2

[angrytiger]

Hey guys! Sorry it took awhile to respond.

Here's the basic plot.

*WARNING: some minor content follows*

Keanu's character, who is obsessed with Spader's character (an ex-fbi agent who was assigned to Keanu back in Los Angeles) to the extent that he's followed him all the way to Chicago to continue their Batman/Riddler like relationship, sends Spader photographs of girls he intends to OFF and gives them basically a 24 hour deadline to find the girl before he gets to her. Spader and the Chicago FBI examine the composition of the photos for any clues (other subjects, background) as to where she was at the time of the photograph. Then, they go on the hunt!

You know, the Bone Collector is a good comparison, however, visually The Watcher is a bit riskier, and perhaps the film is slighty moodier on the whole. There was a series of shots of the black and white photos sent by Keanu blown up to tremendous proportions that I thought really looked cool. There's also a series of slo-motion, soft-focus shots that sort-of illustrate the vastness of the city hiding the potential victims.

Another primary difference is that Spader's character is more psychologically handicapped than Denzel's, who is of course considerably more physically handicapped.

What else? Cooler soundtrack. More fire.

I think the release date is set for early to mid September.

Take care,

-the tiger

[juniorbiggs]

Well the new trailer looks pretty good, but I still don't know about Keanu's skills.

Hollywood will take any actor, and dress them in black, and bam - they're the bad guy.

Im all for actors stretchin' it out a bit, but I think this is going too far. Keanu Reeves did a great job in Bill and Ted's excellent adventure because that's who he is.
And in the Matrix he learned his Kung-Fu and he looked good, and he was playing opposite Laurence Fishburne.

I just think the studios are pushing it with this one.

biggs

[ovenghost]

Gotta' agree with JB concerning Keanu's ability (or lack thereof) to stretch beyond the boundries of that surfer persona he's been playing for so many years.

Though I did read the recent Rolling Stone article and it seems there may be a few more neurons bouncing around inside the brainpan of Keanu Reeves than I had originally assumed.

O.G.
ovenghost (not original gangsta')

[angrytiger]

Hey OG, I agree re. Keanu's brainpan.

That R.S. article was enlightening. It seems that Keanu's lack of emotional range as a performer can be, logically enough, traced to his upbringing.

But the wisdom he displays in choosing projects is evident in their success at the box office. Its also clear that he puts more thought into the emotional lives of characters he's considering playing than I had originally thought.

-the tiger

[santafepheonix]

Sounds like it might be a pretty good movie. I saw a trailer last night during Survivor - what a crazy show that was.

Anyone see the Keanu interview in Rolling Stone. I suppose he's pretty interesting guy after all.

[santafepheonix]

Oops, apparently EVERYONE else has read the interview. That's what happens when you don't read the entire thread.

Sorry.

[juniorbiggs]

Keanu Reeves is interesting alright.

He's a deep air-head.
Perfect. Hollywood loves him. There's plenty of room.

[Brock Landers]

Keanu Reeves is not creepy or scary in any way whatsoever. This is just another example of Hollywood putting the same people over and over into films because of who they are not beacuse they deserve the part. In fact, James Spader would have been better as the killer (think "Jack's Back"). Hollywood doesn't want to take a chance with a no name so they pick Ted's bogus journey. Why not Hugh Jackman or Vincent D'Onofrio at least they are talented and somewhat imposing. Who would be frightened of Keanu?...probably someone with taste in film...

[angrytiger]

When I first heard about this project I thought Spader WAS playing the killer for sure. I would vehemently disagree with anyone who argued otherwise. Spader is, easily, much scarier than Keanu Reeves on any given day.

* * * * Spoiler warning * * *

Ironically, the character he plays in The Watcher is indeed, so intense that at times one wonders who the real psycho is. Its an interesting psychological study of a classic co-dependant relationship gone seriously awry.

By the way, speaking of horror and Keanu Reeves, I saw Bravo's Gary Oldman Profile this morning where they showed a clip from Dracula and thought 'what must Gary Oldman be thinking when he shares screen time with Keanu'. Gary Oldman is doing all of this really amazingly deep stuff, its like he's on another planet (he is Dracula after all), and then there's Keanu. Let's remember that Keanu attempts a British accent in this film.
The poor guy just doesn't stand a chance.

That aside, I have to admit in all fairness that Keanu does manage to hold his own in The Watcher. He keeps his performance simple, which worked very well for the Matrix. And he actually has a moment or two in which he is genuinely scary. I couldn't believe it! He's no Anthony Hopkins, or Anthony Perkins (a performance channeled straight from the heavens), but, given his historically limited range, I was pleasantly surprised with his performance.

-the tiger

ps: your "taste in film" joke was quite funny

[Brock Landers]

I totally agree with your assessment of Keanu in the Matrix...he needs more roles where he doesn't talk much...

Gary Oldman sure is amazing in anything he does...The only thing that threw me off about Dracula was, of course, Keanu...I liked everyone except him...even Tom Waits...

Speaking of Anthony Hopkins, I just bought "TITUS" on DVD because I heard it is so good...have you ever seen it? I hear his role compared to a roman Hannibal Lector and he really pushes the envelope of "mass acceptance". By "mass acceptance" I mean that is a risky role as far as his career goes...sort of like the despicable characters played by Christian Bale in "American Psycho" or Vincent D'Onofrio in "The Cell". These are risk-taking actors who don't pull a "Hanks" (as in Tom) and just do the same safe stuff over and over...how boring...

[Brock Landers]

note: when I say despicable I mean that lovingly. "American Psycho" was great and i love both Bale & D'Onofrio.

[angrytiger]

Haven't seen Titus but I love Shakespeare and I usually try and see as many versions of his work as I can.

Titus Andronicus is supposed to be THE bloodiest of all of his plays, but I've never read it so I get the really cool opportunity to go ahead and see the film first. I usually always read his stuff first so I can keep the storyline straight for whatever film version I might see. But it might be a nice experience to go in completely blind.

Man I thought Christian Bale was great in American Psycho. I still haven't seen the cell yet (for no good logical reason!), but ever since seeing Dionofrio in a little Indy. film called Guy at the Seattle film festival, Ive been in awe of his potential.

Again, its good for Keanu to stretch. This film should do well enough to keep him in the public eye until the Matrix blockbusters make him richer than God.

-the tiger