Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • December 1, 2010 How to spring your wife from the big house by Dennis Seuling Sometimes, a movie is filled with one implausible situation after another and yet the story holds viewers, the performances are solid, and no one knows what’s coming next. Such is the case with “The Next Three Days,” a new film that is part caper flick, part action thriller. One morning, Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) is arrested for the murder of her boss, with whom she argued the previous day. Lara was seen by a co-worker at the scene of the crime, her fingerprints are on the murder weapon, and she has a blood stain on her raincoat. These factors add up to a strong case against her, and she is found guilty. Her husband, John (Russell Crowe), never doubts that Lara is innocent, but goes through the legal appeals process to no avail. It looks as if Lara will spend the rest of her life in prison. Desperate to get his wife out, John turns to the Internet and finds the name of ex-con Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson), who has written a book about how he escaped from jail. John meets with Pennington and picks his brain, as he comes to believe the only way to free Lara is to arrange a prison break. Pennington provides some useful pointers, stressing the importance of knowing exactly what to do next if the break is successful, willingness to leave family behind, and having plenty of cash on hand, since everything is expensive when a person is on the run. Getting out, after all, is easier than staying out. Slowly and methodically, John begins to observe security systems when he visits Lara, photographs vehicles that stop regularly at the prison, enters dangerous areas of the city in search of weapons, and mines information from the Internet to put together an escape plan. You might say that John’s plate is overflowing, since he is also caring for his young son and holding down a teaching job at the local community college. That such a mild-mannered, law-abiding man would even think that he could get away with masterminding a detailed, dangerous, convoluted scheme to spring his wife is the movie’s biggest stretch of credibility. Director Paul Haggis, who wrote the screenplays for “Million Dollar Baby” and “Crash,” keeps viewers involved if only to see how and when John’s plan will self-destruct. Since he builds the movie gradually, audiences can see how John is emboldened to move ahead with his plan. State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 TIRRENO’S PIZZERIA Serving Homemade Pasta & Italian Specialties COUPON Bar & Restaurant 2 OFF Any Large Pie $ 00 4 OFF Any 2 Large Pies $ 00 Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks in ‘The Next Three Days.’ $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. State Line Diner VT Off 1 $ 00 On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. State Line Diner VT Off 2 Pick Up Only. Exp. 12-31-10 One coupon per customer. Have a slice and a beer on tap! Full Liquor License We also deliver alcohol. (Must have proof of age) 8 E. Ramapo Avenue • Mahwah, NJ 201-529-4373 • Fax: 201-529-2611 Crowe conveys earnestness and a milquetoast quality early on that contrast with his later Rambo-like exploits. What is missing from Crowe’s performance is passion. He is depicted going through anger, frustration, and despondency, but he never adequately conveys the passion for his wife and his unqualified belief that she is innocent. To complicate matters, Banks plays her role in a rather one-note fashion. There should definitely be shadings to her performance and a darker side that would give the viewer an inclination that she could be capable of murder. (continued on Crossword page) Your Holiday Shopping List  Grandma  Grandpa 11-17-10 Joan/Janine Gift  Aunt Helen Card StateLine2x4(2Coup)11-17-10  Postman to Coach x 4 2 col Teacher KIRKERS   Dance Instructor  Dog Sitter Prioritize & Simplify KIRKERS 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700 www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted Happy Holidays  Neighbors  Re-organize the “to do” list  Get Together with the Girls  Shopping All Done Annual Tree Lightingjoan/janine 11-17-10 December 7th TirrenosPizzeria2x4(11-17-10) 7 pm 2 x 4” Rev1 Dinner at KIRKERS Happy Hour at KIRKERS Lunch at KIRKERS Relax at KIRKERS    