March 10, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 17 ‘The Crazies’ is above-average, cautionary horror tale by Dennis Seuling “The Crazies” is a remake of the 1973 horror film directed by George A. Romero, who invented the modern cinematic zombie with “Night of the Living Dead” five years earlier. Capitalizing on the popularity of his nightmarish zombies, Romero attempted to tweak them into ordinary folks suddenly turning into motiveless murderers while retainining the emotionless, slow moving, pack-loving nature of the zombie. Breck Eisner has directed an effective remake, switching the locale from Romero’s home state of Pennsylvania to the sleepy town of Ogden Marsh, Iowa, where the townsfolk have gathered to watch a local baseball game. Suddenly, a lone figure is seen walking in from the outfield, a shotgun in his hand. Sheriff David Dutton (Timothy Olyphant) and his deputy, Russell Clank (Joe Anderson), clear the field and approach the man, whom Sheriff Dutton recognizes as the town drunk, Rory Hamill (Mike Hickman). The sheriff’s wife, Judy (Radha Mitchell), is the local doctor. She has been treating some pretty strange cases: mostly people who, according to family and friends, are not themselves. All their vital signs are normal, yet something is clearly wrong. Meanwhile, a toxicology report on Rory comes back negative for blood alcohol, making his actions all the more puzzling. Other strange behavior involving previously peaceful citizens ensues, including a man who locks his family in a closet and then burns the house to the ground. From this point, director Eisner combines elements of mystery, thriller, and horror as the bizarre happenings in town escalate and more people engage in violent behavior. “The Crazies” is a well-made film, taking time introduce its central characters. Sheriff Dutton is a decent family man, and his wife is expecting their first child. Deputy Clank is the loyal sidekick, on hand to watch the sheriff’s back and help discover the reason for the mysterious occurrences. As far as the horror elements go, they range from the cliché (quick loud sounds emphasizing visual shocks, lone individuals in dark places, and nick-of-time rescues), but the story unfolds interestingly and with enough suspense to make the viewer wonder why the town has gone berserk. Though it is easy to refer to the crazed townsfolk as zombies, that is not the case. First of all, they are mortal and do not require elaborate means to stop them. Once dead, they do not get up and continue to pursue victims. Their remnant of humanity is what is unsettling. They are recognizable as the folks they once were, not alien invad- Sheriff Dave Dutton (Timothy Olyphant, right) and Deputy Russell Crank (Joe Anderson) are faced with violent murders in a small Iowa town in ‘The Crazies.’ ers, foreign troops, or escaped lunatics. That is what makes the movie intriguing. There are elements from other films here. The mysterious symptoms and curious behavior are right out of “Invasion of (continued on Crossword page) �� ����������������� ��������� OW N! N PE O Authentic Cuisine from Spain ����������������� OPEN 7 DAYS • LUNCH • DINNER • COCKTAILS ������������ Available Sunday thru Thursday Noon-10pm, Friday until 5:30pm � (Served with Spanish Potatoes) Choice of Appetizer Soup or Salad • Entree �� BAGEL & DELI Hand Rolled Bagels “We’re Not Just Bagels” �� ���������� ������ WE 1 Dozen Bagels ER DELIV $ 99 Min. $10 order SUNDAY SPECIAL: for No Substitutions • Both Parties Must Order From This Menu • Not Available On Holidays Not to be combined with any other offer. Expires 3-21-10 6 With coupon. Not to be combined with any other offer. Expires 3-21-10 DELI LUNCH SPECIAL: Buy 1 Sandwich, Get 1 Muffin FREE Open 7 Days a Week • Mon-Thurs 11:30-10, Fri 11:30-11, Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10 ������������������������������������������ 411 Goffle Rd, Wyckoff • 201-389-3135 (Goffle Rd & Wyckoff Ave) OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: M-F 5-8, Sat 5-5, Sun 5-3 BREAKFAST SPECIAL: Buy 1 Breakfast Sandwich, Get 1 Small Coffee FREE With coupon. Not to be combined with any other offer. Expires 3-21-10 St. Patrick’s Day at Kirkers wednesday March 17 th ������� ���� ���� ��������� Lunch (12-3): $9.95 Dinner: $12.95 www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted • Open Mon - Sat • Noon til 11:30 pm Served with Soup or Salad Irish Soda Bread, Potato & Vegetable KIRKERS • 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne, NJ Reservations Call: 973-427-7700