Review of “The Host” & “Reign Over Me”

Not being an aficionado of Asian monster films, nor of any monster films for that matter, I could make a really big mistake when hyperbolizing about “The Host.” I know that as soon as I open my big yap, some geeks, maybe the true believers over at Wild & Wooly Video, will be on my case.

So my review of “The Host” comes with a caveat. The last monster flick I saw was the heinous remake of “Godzilla.” It’s been almost a decade now since that was the Dud o’ The Summer. Sure, when I was a kid, there was “King Kong,” “Mothra,” the usual faves that dazzle ten year-old boys. As an adult, I’ve moved on.

Perhaps you have too. Well, forget all that. “The Host” is one of the most enjoyable film going experiences I’ve had in awhile. I’d call it the “Citizen Kane” of monster movies, but I just don’t think my email box is big enough for all the barbs that would come my way, if I went that far.

It’s set in Seoul, South Korea, where it was filmed. Seems there’s this lizardish monster that’s germinated in the Han River and comes to terrorize the city.

While the origin of the monster is only peripheral to this story of family and revenge and rebirth, the issue says a lot about the strong undercurrent at play here. The movie starts with a couple of scientists in a lab. One, an American, is the boss, his underling, a native Korean. The Ugly American orders this minion to wash hundreds of bottles of toxic formaldehyde down the sink, which empties eventually into the Han.

It’s based on an actual incident that occurred around 2000. In real life, the American scientist was charged criminally in absentia for his acts.

The point is that there are some universal truths about society and government at play here. The filmmakers are most pointed at how bureaucrats spread lies when fighting the monster, how their policies play on the people’s fears.

Anyhow it was apparently the formaldehyde that turned a normal river amphibian into a flesh eating beast.

And that’s just part of what’s going on.

This is really about family, a disparate family — I guess dysfunctional is the de rigeur term — that comes together when faced with loss. A young girl — daughter, niece, granddaughter — is kidnapped by the monster. Finding her and bringing her back becomes the family’s focus. Sounds trite, but as it plays out, it isn’t.

“The Host” is also funny. Warm funny. And wacky funny, like in a “Brazil” kind of way. There are times when the subtitled dialog is simply off the charts. So much that the the audience at my showing seemed reluctant to laugh, as if they weren’t sure. Don’t let it happen to you. Laugh. This is a funny flick.

Okay, this isn’t award quality stuff. But it is enjoyable cinema, that works at different levels, a legit surprise. And how often does that happen these days?

* * * * *

If there’s anything important to remember about “Reign Over Me,” it’s that it isn’t an Adam Sandler flick. At least in the “Happy Gilmore”/ Chanukah Song kind of way.

The film’s center is Don Cheadle, who, as usual, steals the deal when others are the “stars.” Cheadle is a successful New York dentist, married, with two kids and Jada Pinkett Smith in the kitchen, making din din. His life isn’t boring, but is less than satisfactory.

He hooks up with Sandler, an old dental school roommate, who has been severely traumatized by the death of his entire family, dog included, in one of the 9/11 plane crashes.

Together the two find ballast. The denouement may be somewhat manipulative. And foreseeable as most American dramas are. But getting there makes it tolerable. This is foremost a film about two male friends. Not a buddy movie, mind you, but the evolution of two adult males finding a legitimate, interesting and empowering connection.

There are perhaps too many side stories in the film written and directed by Mike Binder, but nothing that totally detracts from the central theme. Saffron Burrows plays a wacked divorcee stalking Cheadle. But it’s nice to have her in the film, if only for her cheekbones. Liv Tyler plays a shrink, and, yes, one character is correct, when he observes she’s way too young. But, both, frankly, add somewhat to the charm.

So too Paula Newsome, who portrays Cheadle’s cheeky receptionist.

Sandler is a rather one-dimensional actor. Duh. To his credit, however, he pushes the boundaries of that dimension about as far as they can go in this role. He’s still the lovable nebbish. He still prevails in the end — we think — but it works.

Don Cheadle is simply one of the great actors of the day. Here his portrayal is nuanced and complex. If for nothing else in “Reign Over Me,” it is worth a look only for Cheadle. Fortunately that’s not all there is.

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