Capsule reviews for Sept. 9

9 September 2011 Todd Jorgenson

Burke and Hare

The uneven dark comedy Burke and Hare marks the return to feature filmmaking after a 13-year absence for director John Landis (Animal House). It’s a broad remake of an early 1970s horror film about a pair of 19th century Scottish grave robbers (Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis) who try to make a fortune supplying cadavers for a medical school. But the script isn’t worthy of the talent on either side of the camera, resorting to stale gags and cheap thrills instead of the edgier approach that such material requires. The sharp cast also includes Tom Wilkinson, Isla Fisher and Tim Curry. (Not rated, 91 minutes)

 

Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football

Insightful if straightforward documentary chronicles the football team at Fordson, a public high school in Dearborn, Mich., with a predominantly Muslim student body. But more than sports, the film is about religion and how it affects the community — about post-Sept. 11 attitudes and persecution, about the challenges of varsity athletes fasting during Ramadan, and about the blue-collar neighborhood that has supported the team for decades. It’s easy to root for these student-athletes, and even if it doesn’t exactly break new ground, director Rashid Ghazi’s film is well-intentioned and encourages tolerance. That message comes across in entertaining fashion. (Not rated, 92 minutes)

 

Inside Out

Audiences might not be clamoring for a kinder, gentler big-screen version of pro wrestler Paul “Triple H” Levesque, but that’s what shows up in this low-budget drama about a New Orleans man who tries to start a clean life after bring released following a 13-year prison sentence, only to become caught up in a criminal scheme with his best friend (Michael Rapaport). It leads to fewer fight sequences than would be expected considering the star, instead settling for a predictable story with mediocre production values. Levesque might be trying to carve out a career like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but his performance lacks subtlety and depth. (Rated PG-13, 93 minutes)