(2013)
Dean Koontz’s series of Odd Thomas novels now numbers six. I stopped reading after book four because an initially good concept had grown patently awful, succumbing to the law of diminishing returns. By contrast, Stephen Sommers’ film adaptation, a would-be franchise-starter itself, never gets the chance to devolve into tedium; it is that from the start.
Brought to mild-mannered life by Anton Yelchin (Star Trek Into Darkness), Odd is a fry cook whose gifts extend beyond slinging hash: He sees dead people.
“But then, by God,” he tells viewers via narration, “I do something about it.” That something is communicating with ghosts of the departed to catch their killers. Odd also knows who’s doomed for this world; he can see the wispy “bodachs” surrounding the soon-to-be-dead.
Thus begins a supernatural, potential career-killer for Sommers, who may wish he hadn’t abandoned those Mummy and G.I. Joe tentpoles he staked. Tonally, Odd Thomas is a janitorial mess for which there isn’t a strongenough mop, and it’s tough to root for Odd and his girlfriend (Addison Timlin, Stand Up Guys) when their relationship is built upon YA-ready dialogue that nauseates the audience. Unlike rival Stephen King, Koontz just can’t win at the movies. — Rod Lott
Speaking of...
-
With Understudies, there’s the feeling that somewhere along the way, IndianGiver members vocalized a collective love of Grizzly Bear and a desire to begin a journey toward the same folk-rock-meets-baroque-pop mold.
Apr 22, 2014 -
Grouplovin’ it
Apr 22, 2014 -
Em and the MotherSuperiors — Churches into Theaters
Mar 25, 2014 - More »
More by OKG Archives
-
Sorcerer
Apr 22, 2014 -
Broadchurch: The Complete First Season
Apr 22, 2014 -
LIFE FOOD & DRINK
Apr 15, 2014 - More »
Latest in Metro
-
Born to be Blue
May 18, 2022 -
Down the block
May 18, 2022 -
“Do the Work and Deescalate”
Dec 22, 2021 - More »
Follow Gazette!
Teen Night @ Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
