Passable talents slumming on a second-string feature...

Rating: 4/10 (1 September 2006)

Twisty, but overextended, exhausted plot about a string of deaths centered around a group of people at a motel who share an eerie connection. Talented director James Mangold is just biding his time with this lackluster material, which plays a bit like a stretched-thin episode of TV"s "The Twilight Zone". Once it's understood that the subplots and the editing flourishes are just gimmicks, the film's tricks become that of self-parody, with over-the-top murders. Not badly made but, aside from John Cusack, there isn't a hint of cleverness in the casting: Amanda Peet works very hard, but poor Ray Liotta looks burnt-out. Rebecca De Mornay is merely around to be laughed at--not a good way for an actress to make a comeback. Disappointing thriller has a few jolts, but too much outright silliness. ** from ****