frank whaley Tagged Articles at Cinematical

The press booklet for Vacancy describes the main antagonist as a "criminal mastermind," which is not quite the label I'd assign him. A Norman Bates clone played by a decidedly middle-aged Frank Whaley -- trapped in Target with Jennifer Connelly was a long, long time ago -- his master plan seems to be running the front desk of his ramshackle motel while operating a high-risk side business producing VHS torture-porn. With the garage mechanic next door in cahoots, unlucky travelers think they are making a momentary pit stop but end up with mysterious car trouble that leaves them no alternative but to check into a room at the fleapit Hilton. Once inside, it quickly becomes obvious that the room is in fact a makeshift film studio, with cameras jutting out of every corner and a small library of videotapes cluttered around the television, so that the occupants are free to see what's coming next. According to the tapes, what's coming next is forced room invasion, followed by topless wailing, rape on the floor, garroting, knifing and lots of screaming.

Here's why I say its high-risk for the criminals: You've probably assumed, without being told, that once inside the room the victims are locked in, but quite the opposite. They are not only free to enter and leave the room, but the would-be torturers actually take the time to do an extended riff on the 'knock on the door and run away' game before they commit to busting in and getting down to business. This is the part of Vacancy that I found odd to the point of distraction. Let's say that it's you in that motel, instead of Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale, and instead of free HBO on the television, you see camcorder guttings that were clearly filmed in the room you're standing in at that moment. What would possibly compel you to not run for your life, even if down a deserted nighttime road? Eventually, you gotta believe some victim of this long-running scheme is gonna come charging out of that room like an NFL running back, outflank his captors, and jog to freedom.

Is this the recipe for a half-decent horror flick? Luke Wilson: OK, sure. Kate Beckinsale: Yes, absolutely. Frank Whaley as a psycho? Definitely. English-language debut from the guy who directed Kontroll? I'm down. A deserted motel that houses a horrific band of snuff film-makers who lock their guests in and film all the terror? Yes, sign me up right now.

Vacancy was hardly on my radar at all before I enjoyed this brand-new theatrical trailer, and now it most certainly is. (It looks a bit like Identity, which is fine because that's a very cool movie.) Written by first-timer Mark Smith and directed by second-timer Nimrod Antal, Vacancy kinda looks like it could be a sleeper hit -- with the horror fans, anyway. Vacancy also looks like it'll have to take on a lot of competition when it opens on April 20; that's the day we're scheduled to receive Hot Fuzz, Pathfinder, Rogue, Severance, The Tripper, Kickin' It Old Skool, In the Land of Women and The Nanny Diaries.

Looks like the words 'snuff film' weren't that appealing to Sarah Jessica Parker, as she pulled out of the film Vacancy due to "personal reasons." Kate Beckinsale will replace Parker (who I thought looked a bit strange in this role to begin with) as one-half of a couple who check into a motel and find videocams in their room, only to discover they are being taped for a snuff film.

Luke Wilson co-stars as Beckinsale's boo in the flick, while Frank Whaley has signed on to play the film's anti-hero. Directed by Nimród Antal (off a script by Mark L. Smith), pic marks an interesting role for Wilson, as the actor tends to star in light, breezy comedies and not dark, sadistic thrillers. I often find it difficult to watch a primarily comedic actor take a huge genre jump like this. However, Robin Williams certainly convinced me when he played a twisted lost soul in One Hour Photo and Insomnia. Here's hoping Wilson pulls it off without forcing a chuckle or two out of my mouth.

There's no good reason for it whatsoever, but I'm sort of perpetually annoyed at Frank Whaley. I've actually seen a lot of his movies, but I think he somehow bears the brunt of my desperate hatred for Swimming with Sharks, in which he had the great misfortune to play personal assistant to Kevin Spacey's absurdly sadistic (like, so sadistic that it just gets stupid) boss. I'm sorry, Frank, because I really like your gooey early movies (particularly Field of Dreams and Swing Kids), but I just don't think I can get over Swimming with Sharks.

For the Whaley fans among you, however, your man is getting ready to direct his third film, New York City Serenade.* The movie, which The Hollywood Reporter describes in such detail that I suspect they're on someone's payroll, is based on a period in the actor/director's own life, and tells the story of "two close friends who realize that sometimes to keep a friend you have to grow up and grow apart." (And here we go again with the summary that spells the movie's moral out for us before it's even made. Super.) The plot becomes pretty complicated, but basically the friends are an aspiring filmmaker (Owen, to be played by Freddie Prinze Jr.) and "a drummer, ex-husband and father who plays the dive bar circuit" (Ray, played by Chris Klein); they have a falling-out which, like all good falling-outs, revolves around Wallace Shawn. Also in the cast is Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who plays Owen's finaceé.

*For the musically-inclined among you, the movie takes its title from a Bruce Springsteen song. And, in further news, Ed Harcourt will both "[oversee] the original songs and score" and record a cover of Springsteen song for the soundtrack.