More Mel

This week's radio/podcast review is Edge of Darkness.

In short it's a mess. Cramming the plot from the original BBC miniseries (right) into a 2hour flick just doesn't work.

The big question of course is just how Mel would do, returning acting after an 8 year absence.

I have to say the results are disappointing. The new Mel just seems angier. It's Mel against the world, nothing new.

If you're looking for a little more context on the return of Mel, let me suggest two links.

This is an interview with Mel done by a local entertainment reporter who had the temerity to bring up the whole racist drunk driver episode. The results are uncomfortable and I'd suggest illustrative.

The Shadow in his smile, is an excellent article by Geoff Boucher of the LA Times. He actually got to spend some time with the man and gets a sense of how he's struggling to put the past behind him.

As for reasons to watch Edge of Darkness? Danny Huston plays a great piece of corporate scum. Ray Winstone is fine, but really why wouldn't you just rent Sexy Beast instead?

THE SECRET OF THE TOOTH FAIRY

The secret of The Tooth Fairy is that it doesn't suck.

Here's 3 reasons why.

1) Dwayne Johnson remains a likable cross of Guy Smiley and Godzilla. Also he has the whitest teeth on Earth. Like a thousand suns. My God Man, drink some coffee, smoke a cigar, turn those things down.

2) Billy Crystal wanders on for a 5 minute cameo as the tooth fairy stock room guy, and he's actually funny. It's fun, fast and even a little naughty. Makes me wistful for when Billy Crystal movies were worth watching.

3) Stephen Merchant. If you don't know him, he's the tall skinny guy from the British The Office. He plays Tracy, a fairy administrator with "wing envy." Stephen can actually stand up to the former wrestler, he isn't easily intimidated and has a great time sniping the big buffoon.

Great stuff, too bad he's almost invisible in the trailer. But trust me, if you end up taking the kids to this one, Stephen is the one who makes it worth sitting through.

Also in other news I liked Creation and The Last Station. Check out my podcast for more info. And if some reason you'd like to actually see me, there's now a video version on the CBC site. Keep an eye on my twitter feed for links.

See ya in the dark!