It would seem that serial killers, and serial killer movies, never go out of style, especially in places like New York City. Exploiting or exploring this unfortunate fact of life is "The Bone Collector," the most recent in the new film genre.
San Francisco had Sigourney Weaver in "Copycat," followed by Brad Pitt in New York City's "Seven," and now it's New York once again. Denzel Washington plays brilliant but disabled forensics detective, Lincoln Rhymes, and Angelina Jolie plays feisty policewoman Amelia Donaghy.
The killer is on the loose, and it's up to these two find him "before he strikes again." (Now, where have I heard that before?)
Rhymes is paralyzed from an accident on the job, and Donaghy must be his eyes and ears. They set up a base of operations in Rhymes' city loft where he directs traffic from his bed, aided not only by Donaghy, but by rapper Queen Latifah, in the unlikely role of his nurse, Thelma.
This set up is reminiscent of a novel set about 100 years ago in the same city and on the same theme. Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" has a similar loft, and similar quest. New York City has changed, but people seem to stay the same. The current movie is said to explore "fabulous turn-of-the-century ruins underneath the city." In the book, these "ruins" were just being built.
Anyhow, back to "The Bone Collector." All three actors have received praise — it's to imagine Washington going wrong — but some reviewers have wished he had a better script. However, for any suspense thriller groupie, this adaptation of Jeffery Deaver's bestseller, should be in your repertoire.
The film is directed by Phillip Noyce, who directed Tom Clancy's "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger."
It is rated R for "strong, violent content including grisly images, and for language."
It is playing at Market Square East.
