| The Video Vault: Left Behind |
6/25/2007 |
by Chris
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Cameron puts on his reporting hat and tries to not be "Left Behind"
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Chris here filling in for Tom (He's back in rehab, be sure to pick up his 2005 memoirs Vanilla Extract and 'Drines: a Toxic Cocktail for a cautionary tale. And for a counterpoint read Tom's recent follow-up essay "Vanilla Extract and 'Drines: I Can Stop Anytime I Want.")
This week it’s another video vault classic: 2000's Kirk Cameron vehicle, Left Behind. Based on the novel of the same (though tragically misspelled) name, Left Behund [sic], this near-thriller’s plot revolve around intrepid report Buck Williams (Cameron) uncovering an international real estate scam involving Jews and Romans. Can Williams get in on the deal and make his fortune before the bids close? Read the back of the DVD case to find out!
How did LB1 not receive a wide theatrical release? It has all the elements of a great film: people, places, things, etc. The answer lies in its few major flaws. First, the infamous farting scene is way too long. Even the most rabid Growing Pains fan will be hard pressed to sit through the entire 7 minutes without fast forwarding. It seems to have no bearing on the plot (maybe it has relevance in a sequel?) and was likely added to pad out the running time to 90 minutes. Secondly, the amount of nudity was offensive: there was almost none.
Directed by Canada's Vic Sarin (no relation to the gas) this film ebbs and flows with the pace of retarded child on a skateboard. When asked about his decision to helm this controversial feature, Sarin stated, "I like to work."
I give this film 5 ¼ thumbs.
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