The Black Dahlia

What a horrid, horrid film. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone. I'm a fan of the film noir and when it is done right, and when it is done well, it is one of the most timeless genres to hit the big screen. The detective narration, the femme fatale, and the twist and turns. But Black Dahlia fails where L.A. Confidential succeeded. This film is tired, uninspired, and lacking.

Brian de Palma is like my 7-year-old son going potty, it's a hit and miss. You've got Scarface, the Untouchables, and Snake Eyes are the classics. Then you've got Mission to Mars, Mission Impossible, and Femme Fatale. I think his directing days are up and it's throw in the towel.

The focus of the film, the murder of Elizabeth Short, was like some obscure backdrop to throw in 5 sub plots. I didn't care for either of the main male actors and felt no sympathy for either of them. Not because I didn't like their characters. Their characters were well written, is was because they are horrible actors. Every movie that Aaron Eckart touches turns to crap: Suspect Zero, Paycheck, the Core, The Pledge, Nurse Betty, etc. The list goes on and on. But for some reason, directors keep letting him be in their films. Must be a recognizable face on a cheap budget. When you can't get Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Cruise, or Spacey, get Eckart.

Rating: 1 out of 10