A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: The Ice Harvest

Date Viewed: 11/28/05

Details:

John Cusack

Billy Bob Thornton

Connie Nielsen

Lara Phillips

Bill Noble

Randy Quaid

Oliver Platt

Director: Harold Ramis

Score: 1/2

The Review: A dark satire most appropriate to damp, cold, dark winter nights. But dark doesn't begin to capture the blackness, the psychological bleakness, of these characters.

A bit of a caper, a bit of a con, but you're not really sure who's who -- especially after the first few double-crosses -- but likely you won't really care. They're all despicable, duplicitous, twisted jerks. That said, they're well-played jerks, and if you're into the dark side of satire, this is a reasonable way to spend a bit of time. Cusack and Nielsen are interesting to watch, but there's essentially nothing that's of socially redeeming value here.

(9-Apr-06)

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