Capsule reviews for Nov. 11

11-11-11

The ominous title is more frightening than anything else in this incoherent thriller from writer-director Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II) about an atheist writer (Timothy Gibbs) who travels to Barcelona to visit his dying father and his estranged brother (Michael Landes), who is a preacher. Then he becomes wrapped up in some spiritual mumbo-jumbo about prophecies, demons and mysterious happenings at 11:11 p.m. on each night leading up to the date in question. The script is more tedious than suspenseful, and the plot twists become more ludicrous as the film goes along. Likewise, the low-budget special effects don’t generate many chills, even for paranoid sorts. (Rated R, 81 minutes).

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within

This follow-up to a 2007 film from Brazilian director Jose Padilha (Bus 174) offers an edgy and harrowing glimpse into crime-infested Rio de Janeiro, following the same cop from the first film (Wagner Moura), now promoted to a higher-ranking job but still battling the street gangs, corrupt politicians and ethically challenged members of the police force that populate the dangerous favelas. Padilha effectively uses verite-style visuals to enhance tension and punctuate the violence inherent to his setting. Although an attempt at injecting social commentary isn’t as successful, the film is both evocative and exciting, not to mention an improvement upon the original. (Not rated, 115 minutes).

London Boulevard

A strong lead performance by Colin Farrell ultimately can’t rescue this gritty crime thriller, which marks the directorial debut of Oscar-winning screenwriter William Monahan (The Departed). Farrell plays a streetwise ex-con working as a bodyguard for a washed-up actress (Keira Knightley). As the pair develops feelings for one another, he finds it difficult to avoid the criminal influences in his life. Monahan demonstrates some visual flair, but the energetic film fails on a more dramatic level, with the plot turning to clichés and the characters remaining at an emotional distance. The solid cast includes David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Ben Chaplin and Ray Winstone. (Rated R, 103 minutes).