Christian Slater stars as Edward Carnby and Tara Reid stars as Aline Cedrac in the film "Alone in the Dark." (Gannett News Service, Chris Helcermanas-Benge/Lions Gate) Alone in the Dark Starring: Christian Slater, Tara Reid, Stephen Dorff. Director: Uwe Boll. Rated R: Violence, profanity. Running time: 96 minutes. view the trailer | official website There is a world most of us never see--or never want to see. As a child, Edward Carnby was given irrefutable proof of that world. Now, twenty years later, Edward is a paranormal investigator. The greatest mystery of Edward's past is about to become the most dangerous case he has ever faced. Nineteen people have disappeared, and they have only one thing in common--each one grew up in the same orphanage as Edward. Amidst mounting danger, he turns to Aline Cedrac, a brilliant anthropologist who's also his ex-flame. In a world of ancient evils, lost civilizations, shadowy government conspiracies, and deadly paranormal threats, Edward and Aline come together to confront a supernatural enemy unlike anything they've ever seen before--one whose very existence could threaten all humankind.

Jan 27, 12:43 PM

It's lights out for 'Alone in the Dark'

BY JACK GARNER
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Only four weeks into the new year and we've already found the first candidate for worst films of 2005.

Based on a video game, which has to be more fun than this idiotic mess, "Alone in the Dark" tells how a renegade paranormal investigator (Christian Slater) fights monsters that have come through a portal from another dimension, thanks to an ancient, now-extinct tribe.

You know you're in trouble when the film needs an opening scroll that's about three times as long as any that starts a "Star Wars" movie. (It's probably the instruction book that comes with the "Alone in the Dark" game.) There's also a lot of voiceover, with more explanations and that was probably added as an afterthought when it was clear the movie made no sense.

Video games, of course, are short on character and lack subtlety in storytelling, and it shows here. Each scene is obviously a level of the game and involves lots of shooting at monsters, like targets in an arcade. Even these scenes lack emotion, since they're edited by Cuisinart.

The acting is absolutely awful and amateurish, especially from unknown supporting players and from Tara Reid. Slater and Stephen Dorff are a bit more capable, probably because they've done it a few more times before.

Good title, though. This film is best left "Alone in the Dark."