The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: Out & About

'THE HITCHER'

One of this week's few wide releases is director Dave Meyer's thriller, "The Hitcher." This film features a college-age couple pursued by the mysterious hitchhiker John Ryder, known as the "Hitcher." After setting out for spring break vacation in their 1970 Oldsmobile, the couple becomes the prey of the title character. They encounter the Hitcher frequently throughout the film and are able to fight off his initial ambushes. However, he later frames them for a horrific slaying and continues to follow them. What began as an innocent road trip soon becomes a nightmare as the couple tries to avoid both Ryder and the New Mexico State Police. Caught between the villain and the law, the couple must fight to stay alive.
"The Hitcher" stars Sean Bean ("Lord of the Rings," "National Treasure"), Sophia Bush ("John Tucker Must Die") and Zachary Knighton ("The Prince & Me").

'THE DEAD GIRL'

Karen Moncrieff's "The Dead Girl" stars Brittany Murphy ("Uptown Girls"), Toni Collette ("About a Boy") and Giovanni Ribisi ("Saving Private Ryan"). In this thriller, the murdered body of a young woman is uncovered by a woman living with her irritable mother. The body eventually ends up with Leah, a forensics grad student who is still suffering from the loss of her sister who went missing when they were children. Also involved in this seemingly convoluted plot is Ruth, who believes she has found a connection between her husband and the dead girl. Finally, Melora is the mother searching for an explanation for her dead daughter's troubled life.

'ALONE WITH HER'

In limited release this week is "Alone with Her," yet another thriller. Directed by Eric Nicholas ("River Rats"), "Alone" stars Colin Hanks ("Orange County") as a young man obsessed with a beautiful woman played by Ana Claudia Talancon ("Fast Food Nation"). He installs hidden cameras and microphones in her home to learn her most private secrets. With this information, he is able to manipulate her into a relationship. "Alone with Her" is shot completely with hidden cameras, including a body
camera worn by Hanks, allowing the audience to fall prey to the fear of being watched.

- Kathryn Durfee

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