On DVD: The Gift ( 2000)

Cate Blanchett stars as a small town poor girl that makes a living reading Tarot cards. Her talents are put to the test when she is asked to help locate the body and killer of young girl from the towns high society crowd. The movie also stars Hilary Swank and Keanu Reeves, that's right Keanu Reeves.
For those of you still reading "The Gift" is a slow paced appalachian drama that speeds up half way through and turns out to be a pretty intense and interesting movie. It was written by Billy Bob Thornton and has the pacing and dialogue of his classic " A Simple Plan". Simple Plan Director Sam Raimi also directs " The Gift". Raimi and Thornton have the small town atmosphere and interactions down pat in the film as they did in the aforementioned simple plan. J.K. Simmons ( Oz) shows up and shows off as the Sheriff and steals each scene he's in, as usual. While it's hard to believe that the same guy that directed Spider Man directed this movie but with "The Gift" Raimi must feel right at home. He eases us in to the awkward Camelot and invites us to enjoy the sinister undercurrent that lies within. Not a gem but "The Gift" will do on a cold winter night.

Note: Check out "A Simple Plan" if you haven't already done so, one of Raimi's best. ( besides Spiderman of course)