September (Web-only) 2000

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Violence ruled the crop of new films, despite the wide variety of genres: comedy (Nurse Betty), suspense (The Watcher), science fiction (Highlander: Endgame) and film noir (The Way of the Gun). Even among the decapitations, scalpings, and torture, though, Christian critics were able to find a few redeemable nuggets.

The Watcher: mediocre stalker film or incisive social commentary? Christian critics supported both theories, balking at the "predictable twists and contrived dialogue" ( U.S. Catholic Conference) but looking closer at what the film says "about how relationships work in our society" (Carole McDonnell at Christian Spotlight). The movie has a serial killer (Keanu Reeves) torment a burned-out detective (James Spader) with tantalizing clues—including photos of his intended targets—to create a cat-and-mouse game between them. McDonnell says the film is indicative of changing social patterns: "The serial killer is aware of his victim's schedule and life. More so than the victim's parents and friends. … It makes one wonder: what makes for attachment in a world where families are strangers and strangers, like therapists, are family? And, is a negative bond better than no bond at all?" Doug Phillips, whose review is also at Christian Spotlight, likewise gives a sociological perspective, calling "the idea of the media broadcasting a photo all day, and no one recognizing the picture and calling the police in time to save [the victim], is meant as some kind of social commentary about us being too busy and not being connected to our neighbors." As a film, though, The Watcher drew less praise. Preview's Paul Bicking says "viewers may find the cat-and-mouse game overly long," and "while gore is kept to a minimum, ...