By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com
‘After.Life’
Directed by Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo
Rated R, 104 minutes
“After.Life” tries to be “The Sixth Sense,” and during the first 30 to 40 minutes it had a chance. But, ultimately, it ends up being a whole lot of symbolism and foreshadowing that never pays off. Anna (Christina Ricci) storms off after an argument with her boyfriend (Justin Long) and wakes up in a mortuary. The funeral director (Liam Neeson) informs Anna she is dead, and he is preparing her for burial. But Anna disagrees, and that’s where “After.Life” goes off the rail. The tension of is she or isn’t she dead slowly builds but is completely ruined by the despised horror movie cliché — the creepy little kid. The film’s one saving grace is Ricci’s near constant nude state. Good god, she shows more skin than a lotion commercial. Is she dead, or is the funeral director a crazed killer? If that question piques your interest, check out “After.Life.” Otherwise, leave this stiff in the ground. CV
‘Prozac Nation’
Directed by Erik Skjoldbjaerg
2001, Rated R, 95 minutes
“Prozac Nation,” based on Elizabeth Wurtzel’s best-selling book, was supposed to be released in 2001 but was shelved and finally debuted on Starz in 2005. Christina Ricci is great in odd, dark roles (her best include “Buffalo 66” and “The Opposite of Sex”), and “Prozac Nation” is no exception. Ricci shines as Wurtzel, a girl lost in a sea of depression. She receives a journalism scholarship to Harvard University and discovers a new world, instantly bonding with her roommate Ruby (Michelle Williams). But soon her life becomes a downward spiral of sex and drugs. Add depression to that cocktail, and she ends up hurting the people who care, including her mom (Jessica Lange). But after a lengthy treatment, she readjusts to life in the real world. Sure, “Prozac Nation” is a dark and dreary film, but so is the subject matter. Besides, the ’80s-influenced soundtrack will bring anyone out of a funk. CV
