September 29, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 21 ‘Frozen’ depicts the horror of unbridled nature by Dennis Seuling “Frozen” (Anchor Bay), though not technically a horror film, is more frightening than the slasher and torture movies that get to viewers through intense, graphic images. Reminiscent of “Open Water,” “Frozen” is about the plight of three snowboarders stranded on a chairlift taking them to the last run of the day. When the ski patrol switches off the night lights, the three realize they have been left behind, suspended high above the ground with no way down. Since the resort will be closed until the following weekend, they have to battle frostbite, hypothermia, and starvation. Director Adam Green (“Hatchet,” “Spiral”) helms this low-budget movie to heights of tension reminiscent of “Jaws.” More reliant on performance and the horror of claustrophobia than elaborate special effects, “Frozen” is a tightly edited journey into nightmare for the three young protagonists. Emma Bell is especially good at conveying a range of emotion. The big challenge for Green is to keep the movie visually interesting, since he is limited to showing surroundings from the point of view of the stranded snowboarders. He accomplishes this by eliciting believable performances from Bell, Kevin Zegers, and Shawn Ashmore. There is a palpable sense of escalating danger as time passes, weather worsens, and the three realize death is a very real possibility. Blu-ray extras include audio commentary with the director and actors, deleted scenes, and several featurettes. More traditional horror films are the subject of the unrated documentary “Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue” (Lorber Films). This cursory look at the development of American horror films from the silent days to the present is little more than a dizzying collection of film clips that fail to convey the suspenseful flavor of their films. The 96-minute widescreen movie jumps quickly from an early version of “Frankenstein” from Thomas Edison to Universal’s horror classics of the ‘30s, Val Lewton’s 1940s studies in psychological terror, and the “giant bug” and alien monster flicks of the ‘50s all the way through the slasher films of the ‘70s and ‘80s and the current spate of torture pictures. Though many theories are put forth by horror film directors including John Carpenter, Joe Dante, and Roger Corman as to the enduring popularity of horror films, none hits the nail on the head. People simply enjoy a good scare -- as long as the threat isn’t real. “Rich Man, Poor Man: The Complete Collection” (A&E Home Entertainment) is a nine-disc collector’s set containing all 34 re-mastered episodes from Books I and II of the classic 1970s series based on Irwin Shaw’s best-selling novel. The series, which won four Emmy Awards and received 22 nominations, stars Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte, Ed Asner, Bill Bixby, Susan Blakely, and Robert Reed, and focuses on the period of tremendous social and political change immediately after World War II through the early 1960s. Rudy Jordache (Strauss) and his troubled brother, Tom (Nolte), follow divergent paths away from their impoverished immigrant upbringing. While ambitious Rudy seems destined for success, Tom suffers from an endless streak of bad luck. Nolte went on to big-screen stardom after undertaking the showy role of Tom. Asner, known for his role as Lou Grant on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (which was airing originally during the broadcast of “Rich Man, Poor Man”), is excellent as the family patriarch. Supporting players include Ray Milland, Kim Darby, Dorothy Maguire, Van Johnson, George Maharis, Talia Shire, and Norman Fell. The only extra is audio commentary for Book I: Chapter 1 featuring Peter Strauss. “Babies” (Universal Home Entertainment) shows four newborns from different Emma Bell, Kevin Zegers, and Shawn Ashmore play snowboarders trapped in a chairlift in ‘Frozen.’ parts of the world: Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia, Mari from Tokyo, and Hattie from San Francisco. This is a movie that will either inspire such com- ments as “Awwwwwww” or be avoided completely by folks with an aversion to blatant sentimentality. Many people love to (continued on Crossword page) C • O • R • T• I • N • A Fine Dining For Lunch & Dinner Dine & Dance - Live Entertainment R I S T O R A N T E Lunch Starts at $7.00 • Mon-Fri 11:30AM–2:30PM Dinner Starts at $12 • Mon-Thurs 5PM–9PM • Fri & Sat 5PM–10PM Friday, October 8th at 8PM Wednesdays: Joe Zisa & Friends. Ray La Rovere-Piano Call for Reservations Emil Rizzo-Mandolin October 15 - Sounds of Sinatra Saturdays: Mike Constantino-Piano October 29 - Betty Liste Trio Private Party Room For Up To 60 People • Call for Reservations - 973-942-1750 Cook Up Some Business! Charge 118 Berkshire Ave., Paterson, NJ (Totowa Section) • www.cortinarestaurant.com 9-29-10 ester/janine CortinaRestaurant3x3(9-29-10) 3 x 3” Rev1TOP GERMAN AMERICAN K IRK E RS INN Advertise your restaurant in The Villadom TIMES. You’ll reach 56,300 households. RESTAURANT IN BERGEN & PASSAIC COUNTIES Sauerbrauten • Schnitzels • Bavarian Sausages Goulash • Potato Pancakes • Dumplings Spaetzel and more. GERMAN FULL BEERS ON TAP Plus Our Regular Menu • Reservations Suggested Our 41st Oktoberfest is here! BAR 201-652-0744 www.villadom.com Open Monday-Saturday – Noon-Midnight • Closed Sunday www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700