Reviews

88 Minutes

Beat the clock or die

By TOM MEEK | April 23, 2008

1.0 Stars

Al Pacino

Al Pacino may have The Godfather and Dog Day Afternoon to rest his laurels on, but some of his later endeavors, like this ill-conceived thriller, are best forgotten. Pacino seems to concur, wearily plodding through his paces as Jack Gramm, a forensics expert who must beat the clock or die. Years ago, Jack put away a sadistic serial killer known as the Seattle Slayer (Neal McDonough). Now, on the eve of the Slayer’s execution, several copycat murders occur. Then Jack receives the title death threat. Bodies and red herrings (with Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, and Deborah Kara Unger among the unusual suspects) pile up. Through it all, he remains remarkably unnerved, as if a hot shower and a Scotch could make it all go away. Jon Avnet (Fried Green Tomatoes) helms the pic with a similar mindset. 108 minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Circle + suburbs

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Topics: Reviews , Al Pacino , Movie Stars , Celebrity News , More

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ARTICLES BY TOM MEEK

APPALOOSA (2008) | October 02, 2008
A revisionist Western in the vein of Unforgiven

NIGHTS IN RODANTHE | September 24, 2008
Weepy, made-for-TV material

BANGKOK DANGEROUS | September 09, 2008
Like a Nine Inch Nails video in need of trimming for YouTube

APPALOOSA | September 09, 2008
Unexpected and rewarding despite conventional scenarios

THE HOUSE BUNNY | August 27, 2008
Cheap gags and the requisite amount of T+A

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