Captivity, a movie self-described by its film company as “A combination of SAW and HOSTEL meets SILENCE OF THE LAMBS,” opened last weekend in theaters. Critics are unanimous about the movie: It’s not just bad, really bad, it’s morally reprehensible with no redeeming value:
“Rarely have I found myself so uncomfortable viewing anything over such an extended period of time. There’s nothing redeemable here. It’s not tense or scary; it’s just demented.” (James Berardinelli, ReelViews)
“both nastily unpleasant and laughably ludicrous” (Jason Anderson, Globe and Mail)
“The film itself is sordid, unpleasant viewing, as promised, yet more tedious than terrifying.” (Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Perhaps the most telling quote comes from Terry Lawson of the Detroit Free Press:
“One has to worry about a world where there is a constant appetite for films like this one.”
What is it about humanity that seems to revel in misery? Is this a byproduct of our comfortable western society? Although thankfully this particular movie has done very poorly in theaters, why are such movies so popular?
(See RottenTomatoes.com for full commentary on the movie.)
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