Ghost Rider

I saw Ghost Rider at the Grandview yesterday. I was a little disappointed that it's not playing at the Highland, but what's showing there this week is a disturbing vision of torture and human moral squalor. Pan's Labyrinth is playing there, too.

I will not say that Ghost Rider is a good movie. However, I will say that it is an awesome movie. There is a difference. It's about a guy with a flaming skull who rides a big ol' devil-motorcycle up the sides of buildings. The plot doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and the CGI is a little cheezy, but like Johnny Carson used to say, if you buy the premise, you buy the bit.

Peter Fonda is an inspired choice to play Mephistopheles, and Sam Elliott is awesome as Sam Elliott, but Nic Cage takes his role and just goes bughouse. He channels Elvis, he listens to the Carpenters, he guzzles jelly beans from a martini glass. It's "Marlon Brando with a bucket on his head" territory, but dammit if Cage doesn't make it work. Eva Mendes does a fine job of looking concerned while a guy with a flaming skull rides a big ol' devil-motorcycle up the sides of buildings.

I won't tell you to pay more than matinee price to see it, but Ghost Rider will definitely provide you with your recommended allowance of awesome.