Not all serial killer movies are born equal. The Calling grossed roughly $3 million,
a fraction of the $73 million spent just to make The Bone Collector, which ended up with $151 million in box office receipts.
Yet structurally, the two have a lot in common. In each, a former star cop forms
a team to piece together mysterious but similar clues to what otherwise appears
to be random killings. They must do so
quickly to stop the quickening mayhem. Also in both cases, protagonists must
solve the puzzles despite the obstruction of incompetent higher-ups. Sounds
like a formula to me.
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| Gil Bellows and Susan Sarandon |
The Calling — I usually love high-quality low-budget crime
films. They are often projects driven
more by love than money. Because they are a result of personal passion, they
may not have that blockbuster appeal. Yet, they often provide a deeper glimpse into
the characters. They are everyday folks like us, and we accept that such horror
could happen in our own ordinary lives. Susan
Sarandon, Donald Sutherland, Christopher Heyerdahl and Ellen Burtstyn bring a level of
gravitas to a story that is more personal than suspenseful. Jason Stone directed The Calling, which was based on the
novel by Inger Ash Wolfe and
released to video in 2014.
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| Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie |
The Bone Collector — I’d like to root for the underdog; but The Bone Collector is the better movie. In this case, money made a difference. Its plentitude here is apparent in every scene,
in the sets, the lighting, the extras, even the camera angles. The plot, the
dialogue and the acting aren’t necessarily superior; but the environment in
which that all takes place is more seductive and where needed far more
terrifying. This 1999 movie also has box office star power — Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Given the somewhat
sappy Hollywood ending, there was no need to kill off the film’s most likable
and most intriguing character. The Bone
Collector was based on the book by Jeffery
Deaver and directed by Phillip Noyce.
In both films, a chill is in he air. You might want a little
warmth. So I’m suggesting a glass of
decent whiskey as an accompaniment. Or, maybe a cup of hot chocolate will do as
well.
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