Misogyny, Health Care, and Those Damn French Rats

By Sarah Carlson
July 13, 2007

Captivity.jpgIf you aren't a fan of "Harry Potter," Michael Moore, France or misogyny, you'd be better off avoiding this week's new film releases. Moore's latest documentary, "SiCKO," blasts the U.S. health care system but is reportedly more even-handed than his previous flicks. Already, the documentary has grossed almost $13 million in three weeks, putting it at No. 6 on the list of highest-grossing documentaries in the U.S. (so far). Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" holds the No. 1 spot at almost $120 million -- take that, Gupta!

Also opening is "Paris, je t'aime," a collection of short and sometimes abstract stories from 18 directors that serves as an ode to Paris. Overall, many critics said that while uneven, "Paris, je t'aime" offers enough delightful moments to make the viewing of it worthwhile. Directors who contributed to the film include Alfonso Cuarón, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Gus Van Sant, Gérard Depardieu and Wes Craven. Among the members of the large cast is Steve Buscemi, Miranda Richardson, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elijah Wood, Natalie Portman and Rufus Sewell.

And now for the star of the weekend: "Captivity," a 90-minute excuse for director Roland Joffé to show lead Elisha Cuthbert being tortured. Being forced to watch a woman showered with acid; drinking a smoothie consisting of blended human organs; wiping the blood and guts of her poodle off her face after she's forced to shoot him -- just another day for Jennifer, a model who's drugged at a bar and brought back to a torture chamber. "Captivity" already made headlines for its obscene marketing campaign consisting of graphic billboards plastered around L.A., some in full view from school playgrounds. Has the torture porn genre finally crossed the line? Some say yes -- quite vehemently so.

The best solution for everyone? Don't see this movie. Just go see "Ratatouille" instead. You know you want to. For a complete list of movies showing in Abilene, click here.

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