Bad Seed (2000)

I had remembered a 1956 movie called, "Bad Seed" and it was about a spooky little girl. Then there was "Demon Seed" 1977 about a killer computer. Both claim legitimacy to rest in the category "Horror Film" This movie "Bad Seed" (2000) Written and Directed by Jon BokenKamp does not fit in the conventional concept of Horror Film, (As the You Tube movie category under which I found it, claimed) No scary monster stalking sorority girls. No Undead, supernatural, or demonic subterfuge here. What we get is something much more interesting. Horror perhaps, but along the line of "A Simple Plan"(1998) Warning Spoiler Alert. I am going to discuss the movie. The style of the film plays for the first reel as a smart homage to the Coen brothers. The second reel gives us a cat and mouse series of events, This part of the movie seemed overplayed, as if to pacify those longing for police sirens. The movie concludes with a revelation, and a redemption. and a fail.The force of the Director is strong with this one.He opens with a stylish flourish, that pulls one right in. a basic breakup scenario, In this instance Preston, played by Luke Wilson, just found out that his wife, Emily played by Mili Avital was having an affair. He leaves the apartment to think things over, but when he returns, he finds her dead. Preston is convinced that Emily's other lover, Jonathan Reedus committed the murder. and In an act of vigilante "justice" kill's Jonathan. He then hides the body in the woods. In a daft plot twist, we discover He killed the wrong guy, he murdered Jonathans brother. There is another major player who enters the plot, a Private Gumshoe named Dick. played by Dennis Farina. He is Hired by Preston who is now on the run from the furious Jonathan who is out to kill him, He us is on the lam as well from the police who think he killed his wife.Jonathan holds a trump card, A video tape from a security monitor, that recorded his brothers murder. Preston spends the next third of the movie trying to locate that incriminating tape. Just at the point where the situation starts straining credibility, The films direction again changes, Now we get the full emotional payoff. Perhaps a tad bit too thick, but still managing to pack a good wallop.The Apocalyptic score was written by Kurt Kuenne and the production design by Chris Eguia reflects a care for the period; Well done cheesy hotel rooms, VCR players, and rotary dial phones, The Editing by Ann Trulove is crisp and propels the action seamlessly. On the other side of the coin, I thought the movie a tad heavy in the sentiment department, It verges on the "sappy" Jonathan and Preston share a common bond, that oddly draws them together, they both loved Emily. So the logical question that arises, but goes unsaid, is, Why would Jonathan kill Emily. (A-Hah!) Might I add that the demise of one of the characters was redundant, The Judicial conclusion was also glossed over, we never heard the sentence, sadly the movie ends with a "Redemption in the rain" replay. I'll not fault the movie for this, it was a good ride while it lasted. Eight out of Ten, "He works in mysterious ways" Stars.

You need a score card to figure out what's going on with "Bad Seed."A woman confesses to her husband that she has been having an affair. Just then the other guy calls. Her husband storms out of the house and returns to find her dead. After the funeral, he finds a letter with the guy's address. He goes there and he thinks he has killed the guy only to find out that he murdered his retarded brother instead. Speaking of retarded!The movie dissolves into a one big chase thing. Our "hero" finds detective played by Denis Farina. Wait, if that's not enough the retarded guy who was killed actually killed the girl after all.We've got a fire by suicide to deal with. Complex! More mishuga to me.

Somewhat interesting movie, obviously independent, that strives for edgy. One of those films that isn't the greatest, but you still can't turn the channel. Has a few unknown faces that people should try in a few different roles. If some of the unknowns, like the student that gets his car stolen by the "special police" (Scott Nath), were to be tried in something else, they might shine. Not horrible.

I am not sure why Luke Wilson chose to star in this film. He does an okay job. He looks tormented at the required points and hurt at others. As for Norman Reedus he plays "creepy" well and I found it nice to see him in such a part even though it is similar to his character in the movie Gossip. I think it's better to see another Wilson film than this one. Try Bottle Rocket or Home Fries. Overall, this movie was just okay. If anything see it for some nice Dennis Farrina moments.