Thursday, September 27, 2007

Day Night Day Night DVD

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Harrowing Domestic Terrorism Drama Due on DVD

A teenager (Luisa Williams) traveling alone to New York for the first time, is careful not to draw any attention to herself. For this is not your typical tourist, but a suicide bomber on a mission to detonate herself in a crowded Times Square.
Instead of soaking in the sights and sounds of the city, the radical Muslim girl goes straight to her motel. Surrendering her will to Allah, she prays, “I only have one death, and I want my death to be for you.”
Eventually, several hooded confederates appear, who instruct her to not arouse the suspicion of anyone who might engage her in conversation en route to Midtown Manhattan. Then, she’s supplied with a 50 lb. backpack containing plastic explosives, before the other members of her terrorist cell slip back into the night.
While awaiting her final marching orders, the religious zealot with the code name Leah starts contemplating her imminent demise. Evidencing doubt, she seeks a sign of approval, imploring Allah, “How can I know that I’m doing this for the right reason, that my motives are pure?”
This doomsday scenario is the surprisingly-convincing set-up postulated by Day Night Day Night, a taut psychological shrouded by a haunting pall which permeates the picture throughout. For the movie is more interested in examining the murky mindset of a maniacal Muslim with her finger on the trigger than with the plight of any of her potential victims.
As she perambulates Broadway towards her rendezvous with destiny, “Leah” continues to have second thoughts since she encounters nothing but good people everywhere she goes, from friendly faces to Good Samaritans to the persistent brother complimenting her with lame pickup lines, unaware that if he gets too close, she’ll blow his black ass to bits.
An Osama drama drenched in paranoia.

Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 94 minutes
Studio: IFC First Take DVD Extras: Director’s commentary and a theatrical trailer.

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