BARBER'S BEST BETS: Gibson returns in 'Edge of Darkness'

By JOE BARBER

For the News & Messenger

MOVIES:

Opening Feb. 5: "From Paris, With Love" is a mix of spy thriller and comedy, starring John Travolta as a nearly out-of-control operative teamed with a bookish assistant (Jonathan Rhys Myers of "The Tudors" television series and Woody Allen's "Match Point") on a life- and-death case. The film is from the director of the 2009 hit, "Taken."

"Dear John" is a romantic drama, based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, the author of "The Notebook." The story revolves around the relationship between an Army enlistee on leave (Channing Tatum of "G.I. Joe") and a conservative college student (Amanda Seyfried from "Mama Mia!") The movie examines questions of love, loyalty duty and loss.

In Theaters Now:

Mel Gibson returns to working in front of the camera with his starring role in the new thriller, "Edge of Darkness." Building from a steady boil to a shoot 'em up ending, Gibson gives one of his most understated-and effective-performances in this film, adapted from a BBC-TV mini-series.

Gibson plays veteran Boston police detective Thomas Craven. A widower, he has a fractured relationship with his only child, his daughter Emma. While on a visit home, Emma seems to have something she wants to tell her father. Before she can, she becomes seriously ill. While attempting to get Emma to the hospital, father and daughter are fired upon in a drive-by shooting and Emma is killed.

Though his colleagues suspect the shooter is someone seeking revenge on Tom, Craven is convinced the shooting involves his daughter and her job at a company that used to make weapons for the government. Though the company says its mission is peaceful and in the public interests, Tom Craven's dogged tugging at loose threads leads to threats, confrontations and questions about national security and personal betrayal.

Director Martin Campbell ("Goldeneye") does a fine job of building tension throughout Dark-ness while uncovering bits and pieces of the plot. The script keeps us guessing as well as to the scope of what's happening.

Gibson keeps his manic on-screen persona, so often seen in the "Lethal Weapon" films, under wraps. Instead he builds a carefully measured performance, creating a man whose only outlet for his grief is to do his job, even though the case hits so close to home.

Gibson even gets the small things like a credible Boston accent, down to a tee.

The problem here is that the screenplay seems to run out of gas, or, more accurately, ideas, before the final credits, turning the film's last two reels into a bloodbath while failing to tie up some small, shaky plot points. Even the presence of the always reliable Ray Winstone ("The Departed") as a shadowy middleman who trades barbs and info with Gibson, can't get the film over the misfires in the final act.

That said, "Edge of Darkness" does have a certain quality that makes it watchable and largely involving. He may have a long way to go to restore his public persona, but "Edge of Dark-ness" shows Mel Gibson still has his on-screen chops. MPAA Rating:R for profanity and drug content. Joe's Rating: Three (***) Stars.

On DVD:

This year's Oscar nominations have just been announced and, for the first time in many decades, there are 10 nominees for the top prize, Best Picture. If you find yourself in need of playing catch-up before dipping your cash into the office Oscar pool, check out the shelves of your favorite video store. Four of the Big 10 are available on DVD: "The Hurt Locker," "Up," "Inglourious Basterds" and "District 9." The rest are in theaters or, in the case of the Coen Brother's "A Serious Man," are likely to return to your nearby multiplex.

THEATER:

The Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre is in the midst of six-day run at the Kennedy Center. The groundbreaking dance trope is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the naming of star dancer Judith Jamison as the company's Artistic Director. Always a huge hit at the Center, check with the box office to find out if the remaining performances are sold out. Their run ends Feb. 7.

The "original High School Musical," "Grease," returns to the area for a limited run this week. Starring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as "Teen Angel," Grease opens at Washington's National Theatre on the 9th and continues through the 21st.

Studio Theatre in the District has just announced it is extending the World Premiere run of "In the Red & Brown Water." This compelling drama about the personal and professional challenges facing a world-class female track star will now run through Feb. 21.

Finally, closing this weekend are the comedy "Stick Fly," at Arena Stage's Crystal City stage and Mike Daisey's mesmerizing one-man show, "The Last Cargo Cult," at Woolly Mammoth Theatre on "D" Street, N.W. in the District. Both shows end on the 7th.

CLUBS & CONCERTS:

The Barns at Wolf Trap welcomes international jazz star Hiromi on Feb. 5 and rising Broadway talent Jeri Sager on the 6th. Early February is a busy time at the Birchmere Music Hall, with blues legend Bobby "Blue" Bland performing on the 4th, singer/songwriter Sonny Landreth taking the stage on Feb. 5 and vocalist Walter Beasley headlining on the 6th. The Neville Brothers play on the 9th and Dr. John and his latest band, The Lower 911, are featured on Feb. 11.

Rising jazz star Corey Harris spends three nights at Blues Alley in Georgetown, from Feb. 4 to 6. The 9:30 Club welcomes the band Galactic, with Cyril Neville of the Neville Brothers, on Feb. 6.

The Warner Theatre hosts Jimmy Fallon, one of late night television's few survivors-for-now on Feb, 5, while the band Yes takes the stage on the 6th.

The Music Center at Strathmore Hall celebrates its fifth anniversary with an evening of Broadway classics called "Luck Be a Lady." Tony Award winner Emily Skinner is just one of the show's stand out performers, It takes place on Feb. 5.

Enjoy!

Joe Barber covers entertainment in the DC area for the news & Messenger and can be heard regularly on WTOP-FM Radio.