The Bay

Director Barry Levinson has made excellent films—Diner, The Natural, Rain Man—but this ecological horror movie certainly isn't among them. The Bay's story is told via the tired “found footage” formula, constructed as a report cobbled together by TV reporter Donna Thompson (Kether Donohue) and then posted on the Internet, revealing a disaster that befell a small Maryland community during a Fourth of July celebration. Droppings from a chicken-processing plant contaminated the town's drinking water, causing a fatal outbreak of violent diarrhea and skin lesions. Even worse, the pollution produced flesh-eating slug-like creatures, which attacked and killed revelers. And, of course, the government covered it all up. While a tense, thoughtful thriller could have been concocted from this premise, The Bay proves to be a dreary combination of lame dialogue, amateurish acting, clumsy editing, and repulsive effects. Levinson made the film because he wants to warn people about the potentially lethal effects of environmental contamination of the waters off the Maryland coast, but many viewers will find this more disgusting than enlightening. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include an audio commentary by Levinson, and an interview with the director. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a cinematic misfire.] (F. Swietek)