Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • April 27, 2011 (continued from Entertainment page) references to horror formulas, homages to classic horror movies, cliché character behavior, the maniacal killer with the creepy face mask and cloak, and strong language. This time around, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), survivor of three previous encounters with three different killers, has become a best-selling author with an inspirational account of how her brushes with death have made her a better person. When a book tour takes her back home, a fourth killer in ghost-face trappings begins slicing and dicing assorted victims. What’s missing in “Scream 4” is palpable suspense, the cornerstone of effective horror. It seems Craven has geared this movie to folks with short attention spans. Rather than build to a shocking moment, the way the original “Halloween” did, it sets up the kills as shocks. Yes, viewers jump, but then the moment is dead, along with the movie victim. It would have been a much richer experience to have had a sequence build to the climactic attack. The audi- ‘Scream 4’ ence wouldn’t know where, when, or how the attack would occur, building anticipation and that great uncomfortable feeling only a well-crafted horror movie can produce. “Scream 4” too often goes down the easy road, relying on formula and lots of stage blood rather than sharp scripting. Viewers really never care much about the interchangeable characters and, therefore, are merely witnesses to carnage. Perhaps a viewer might be curious as to who the killer is, though obvious red herrings will eliminate a number of possibilities. “Scream 4” has a number of chases, which instill a twinge of terror as attacker closes in on victim, and the victim temporarily escapes, only to meet his or her demise a little later. At least these chases feature the attacker running, not lumbering along, zombie-like, so the intended victim can not only call 911, but enjoy a soda and some chips before the pursuer gets within 20 feet. As a person who enjoys good horror movies, I was disappointed with “Scream 4” because so much potential is ignored in favor of what used to be called cheap thrills. Rated R, the movie is an undistinguished addition to a franchise that has probably run its creative course. Jolene embarks on a decade-long cross-country adventure which finds her crossing the paths of everyone from a rough Texan (Dermot Mulroney) who captures her heart and destroys her marriage to his wealthy fundamentalist nephew (Michael Vartan), to an ex-mobster (Chazz Palminteri) attempting to make good in Las Vegas. Denise Richards, Rupert Friend, and Theresa Russell co-star. Bonuses include director commentary, interviews with Chastain and other cast members, and bloopers. by G.M. Smith by G.M. Smith DVDs (continued from Restaurant page) “Jolene” (Entertainment One) is a drama about life on the road. Jolene (Jessica Chastain) is a red-haired wanderer who isn’t content to call one place home for any appreciable stretch of time. Setting off to explore the outside world, FINLEY FINLEY ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Some people will not like what you plan to doMar 21/Apr 20 and will ARIES - this week, Aries, be quite vocal will notit. Don’t letyou Some people about like what it worryto dobecause these people don’t plan you this week, Aries, and will have the power to stop you. be quite vocal about it. Don’t let it worry you because these people don’t TAURUSpower to stop you. have the - Apr 21/May 21 There is no point pushing yourself beyond your natural21/May 21 TAURUS - Apr limits, Taurus. How productive will you be if yourself beThere is no point pushing you injure yourself or natural limits, Taurus.is no yond your get exhausted? There How productive score. one keeping will you be if you injure yourself or get exhausted? There is no one keeping score. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Like many people, you have doubts GEMINI - time. This week, from time toMay 22/Jun 21 you are Like many vulnerable. have doubts feeling very people, youRest assured from time to time. This week, you are that you’ll pull through and tackle this feeling very vulnerable. Rest assured mountain of feelings. that you’ll pull through and tackle this mountain - feelings. CANCERofJun 22/Jul 22 If someone in a position of authorCANCER - of your work ity is critical Jun 22/Jul 22this week, If someone to you, Cancer. authordon’t let it getin a position ofHe may ity is critical of your your this week, be secretly envious of work talent and don’t let get to you, Cancer. He may not one toitmind anyway. be secretly envious of your talent and not one to mind anyway. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Try to see the humor in this week’s LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 events, Leo. Even if things don’t seem Try to see the humor in this week’s aevents, Leo. Even if things don’t seem laughing matter, make the best of thelaughing matter, make thinkbest of a situation. Friends will the you a littlesituation. Friends will think you a the nutty, though. little nutty, though. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Make a conscious effort to be more VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 grounded conscious effort to be more Make a this week, Virgo. Lately you’ve had this week, in the clouds grounded your head Virgo. Lately and that had your head in it through you’ve is no way to make the clouds your that isactivities.to make it through and daily no way your daily activities. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Even though you have 23 lot on your LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct a plate, don’t say “I can’t” a lot on your Even though you have when someone is ready to tack can’t” when someplate, don’t say “I on more work this one is ready You can handle it if this week, Libra. to tack on more workyou week, Libra. to it. put your mindYou can handle it if you put your mind to it. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO - is negative, Your attitude Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio. Your attitude out what is Scorpio. You must figureis negative, bringing You must figure a stop to is bringing you down and put out what these feelyou Trust that everything these feelings. down and put a stop to will work ings. the best. out forTrust that everything will work out for the best. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS - Nov you’ve been If you want an endeavor23/Dec 21 If you want an success, you’ve goplanning to be aendeavor you are been planning to be in the finance are going to need help a success, youdeparting to need help in the finance department, Sagittarius. Look to Leo for ment, Sagittarius. Look to Leo for guidance. guidance. crossword Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Someone you are close to will change Someone you are close to will change his or her plans at the last minute. his or her plans at the last minute. To say the least, you won’t be happy To say the least, you won’t be happy about it, but realize that you must deal about it, but realize that you must deal with the situation anyway. with the situation anyway. AQUARIUS --Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS Jan 21/Feb 18 Don’t expect aa straight answer to aa Don’t expect straight answer to simple question from someone this simple question from someone this week, Aquarius. It’s not likely you’ll week, Aquarius. It’s not likely you’ll get one. This person will be very evaget one. This person will be very evasive instead. sive instead. PISCES --Feb 19/Mar 20 PISCES Feb 19/Mar 20 Not everyone is honest, Pisces, so Not everyone is honest, Pisces, so keep track of your finances carefully keep track of your finances carefully in the weeks to come. Someone close in the weeks to come. Someone close could be cheating you. could be cheating you.