Zodiac

David Fincher's first film since Panic Room, and it shouldn't be a surprise that it's good. This isn't Seven or Fight Club, though. Rather than a breakneck speed suspense/thriller, Zodiac is methodical. And Fincher's previous films tended to build up to a thrilling (sometimes twist) ending, but Zodiac, partly bound by historical accuracy, doesn't give you an "aha!" conclusion. It's more concerned with mood and character. But the story, based on the true story of a real-life obsession with the infamous San Francisco serial killer of the late 60's and early 70's, is interesting nonetheless.

Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards, Bryan Cox, Robert Downey Jr, Chloe Sevigny, Donal Logue, Elias Koteas, Adam Goldberg, Philip Baker Hall... there's a ton of talent involved here. Two performances were a little sub-par, though. Maybe I just don't get him, but Jake Gyllenhaal didn't impress me. And Dermot Mulroney was supposed to be playing the police captain or something, complete with what looked like a prosthetic beer belly. He just didn't seem at home in the part. But Robert Downey Jr. was excellent, and Mark Ruffalo really grew on me as the movie went along.

Throw in a good soundtrack (both the score and source music... Donavan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" is featured prominently) and interesting cinematography (it looked like maybe it was shot in all digital, but for the first time I'm not really sure), and the whole production was top notch. I doubt it'll go down as anyone's favorite movie, but it's definitely worth checking out.