I know, I know - why in the world would I choose DREAMCATCHER and THE FACULTY as a face off feature? Because they’re two pretty damn entertaining modern invasion films - that’s why! There are so many differentials between these two films it’s ridiculous. I understand, and openly confess my knowledge. But in the end, both of these are invasion flicks, and both are truly enjoyable pieces by a pair of talented film makers.
DREAMCATCHER centers on a group of five life long friends, connected by not only kinship, but a series of magical powers unique to each character. At the center of this mystical gift lies Duddits (Andrew Robb as a child, Donnie Wahlberg as an adult) a mentally challenged child befriended by a young group of outcasts consisting of Henry (Mikey Holekamp as a child, Thomas Jane as an adult) Devlin, Beaver (Reece Thompson as a child, Jason Lee as an adult), Jonesy (Giacomo Baessato as a child, Damian Lewis as an adult), and Pete (Joel Palmer as a child, Timothy Olyphant as an adult). The four rescue Duddits from the torturing tactics of a few local bullies, and in tern Duddits bestows a special “gift” to each of his new friends, and issues a warning that will one day determine the worlds fate: “otch out fuh isster gay“. DREAMCATCHER isn’t a dead-on replication of it’s source material, but it’s true enough to King’s original novel to keep the literary fans interested, and it’s a stimulating enough picture to keep those foreign to the novel intrigued. The cast is excellent, as both Thomas Jane and Timothy Olyphant turn in (arguably) their best performances to date. The atmosphere is wonderfully bright, yet the film is bloody, and dark enough to make this one perfect for a Halloween or a Christmas viewing. Take all those factors, introduce a stellar performance from Morgan Freeman, an excellent editing job courtesy of Lucyna Wojciechowski and crew, and you’ve got yourself a solid horror flick with surprising replay value. When strange things start happening at Herrington High, a few attentive students take notice, while the vast majority of the schools oblivious population stumble blindly toward a cruel, inhuman fate. It takes the geek Casey (Elijah Wood), the outcast Stokely (Clea Duvall), a rebellious dope dealer named Zeke (Josh Hartnett), the cool chick Delilah (Jordana Brewster), tuff-guy jock Stan (Shawn Hatosy) and the new girl Marybeth (Laura Harris) to assemble the puzzle pieces before the house of cards crumbles. Unfortunately this group has begun to deteriorate from the inside out, no one is to trust, and not many will emerge alive. While THE FACULTY is definitely aimed at the teenie boppers, there’s a simplistic visual approach akin to the cinematography of classic 50’s horror that is extremely enjoyable. Kevin Williamson, still riding the high of the SCREAM and I KNOW films turns in an entertaining, and fast paced script which a group of young talented actors handle with a veterans comfort. Josh Hartnett, Shawn Hatosy and Jordana Brewster all turn in embraceable performances, but long time veteran Elijah Wood captures the crowd as the clumsy dork (obviously) destined to get the girl, and ultimately save the day. Often overshadowed by the success of such films as ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, and SIN CITY, THE FACULTY is a respectable, and enjoyable piece worthy of the ranks of the aforementioned films. Seek it out, it’s goofy - but it’s good fun.
-
|2009-04-20 20:56:57 Lavon Maughan
The first half of Dreamcatcher was incredible. There was great acting and extreme tension. Then we go into crappy, cheesy transformer stage in second half. Had they ended the movie the way the book ended it would have been SOOOOO much better. Also when Mr. Gray pulls his parka hood up and we hear "SWOOSH!" Der der der. Couldn't stop laughing.
The Faculty was a fun homage to fifties horror films. I enjoyed it.
Final scores: Dreamcatcher (1st half) 9. (2nd half) -5. The Faculty 8.5.
-
|2009-04-10 15:34:03 JoAnna
Totally agree with Matt, LOVED ister gay. One of the best King books to movie ever. Background really sets up this movie. And I thought Damian Lewis' accent was a perfect addition to "ister gay" it added an interesting twist.
-
|2009-04-10 15:29:36 Matt Molgaard
Donnie Wahlberg with Down Syndrome was actually pretty damn good. I had no idea Donnie had even remotely NEAR that kind of acting range. The CGI, unfortunately, and admittedly sucked. But much like IT, there are a series of unlikely scenario's which arise in random spots that somehow manage to sew the story together, and it works quite well. I think without the CGI DREAMCATCHER would have recieved a completely different form of embrace. As for the novel, I enjoyed that as well, there were some clear differentials, particularly in the latter portions of the story - but the film was a fair adaptation.
-
|2009-04-10 14:33:30 Ted
Donnie Whalberg with Down Syndrome turning into a CGI ghoul to end the age-old battle between children and a red alien carpet? No way. Freeman was phoning it in from beginning to end, and the British alien (yes, the alien has a British accent) is literally snicker-inducing. There was literally not one redeeming factor in Dreamcatcher. All it did was waste an amazing cast and some beautiful locales.
The Faculty, on the other hand, is at least self-aware of its goofiness and has fun with a tried-and-true premise. While not the most memorable version of Finney's Body Snatchers tale, its at least an enjoyable 100 minutes at the movies.
-
|2009-04-10 10:50:54 Matt Molgaardcouldn't disagree with you more Davey. But then again, I provided valid reasons as to WHY I disagree in the article.
-
|2009-04-09 22:33:00 Daveyyouthere
Wow.
In this race there is no contest. The Faculty wins hands down. While not a perfect film, it towers over Dreamcatcher. To be fair, the novel was no great shakes either. One of those times, like The Tommyknockers and Desperation, where King just tries to hard to be "epic' and comes up with a bunch of boring characters and laughably overwrought situations.
.png "=)")
:blush...