It’s almost become sad to see what has happened to the once great Nicolas Cage. Laugh if you will, but there was a time when not only was he one of the best actors and movie stars working in film, he was also the most interesting. Like the great Marlon Brando, Cage was once known for his interesting and sometimes odd acting choices in now classic films like “Raising Arizona,” “Peggy Sue Got Married,” “Wild At Heart” and “Adaptation.” But it seems like the actor has been on a downward spiral ever since he won his Academy Award for his brave performance in “Leaving Las Vegas.” In fact, with the exception of “Adaptation” and the underrated Scorsese film “Bringing Out The Dead,” most of the “great” performances of his career came prior to winning his Oscar. Since then Cage has transformed himself from an actor to a movie star with great success. Certainly his collaborations with super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer on movies such as “The Rock,” “Con-Air” and the “National Treasure” films, have made for some decent popcorn-films but nothing on the level of his earlier work. It’s as if, once he had Oscar in hand Cage just said, “Fuck it, I want to be an action star now!”

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Actually, there is nothing wrong with that and I would have no problem with that decision if he would pick half way decent action movies to star in. The list of mediocre films that Cage has made over the last ten years is almost mind-boggling. “Windtalkers,” “The Wicker Man,” “Ghost Rider,” “Bangkok Dangerous,” “Next,” “Knowing,” “Astro Boy,” “Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” really the list just goes on and on. Plus, I only mentioned films that he made in this century … don’t even get me started on the ’90s. In some ways its like Cage has become the new Wesley Snipes, and I’m not just saying that because they both have similar legal troubles. Much like Snipes five years ago, it seems that Cage will now do any film that he is offered for a price. With the actor currently working on a sequel to “Ghost Rider,” we can only pray that a sequel to “Con-Air” or “Face/Off” is only a step behind. In fact, Cage is so willing to work on any project that I’m actually surprised we haven’t seen the actor in a direct-to-DVD film yet. For his sake, perhaps the closest he will come is with his new film “Season Of The Witch,” a movie that seems like it wasn’t quite ready for a theatrical release. That being said, it is much better than many of the recent Nic Cage films, of course we all know that that is not saying much.

The film begins by introducing us to Behman (Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman), two famous soldiers who have been fighting in the Crusades for decades. After Behman is involved in an unfortunate accident, he argues with the church about the purpose of the wars, which results in the two men leaving the battlefield and heading back to their European homeland. Upon returning they find that the Black Plague has devastated their home and Behmen is called on to meet with the King (Christopher Lee). The king has been stricken with the disease and asks for the legendary warrior’s help to save the kingdom. A girl, played by newcomer Claire Foy, has been accused of being a witch. The king believes that if she is taken to a far away monastery, the monks can use an ancient book to sacrifice the girl and reverse the curse. The two warriors agree and are joined on their journey by a member of the church (Stephen Campbell Moore), another soldier (Robert Sheehan), a young soldier (Ulrich Thomas) and a thief (Stephen Graham). Along the way the girl continues to plead her innocence but Behman begins to have his doubts and believes the girl is keeping some secrets of her own. Eventually they reach their destination and the girl’s true intentions are revealed, but will it be too late to stop the plague that is ravished the land?

Unfortunately there is nothing really special or particularly interesting about “Season Of The Witch” but at the same time it is somewhat entertaining. The plot is predictable and the special effects are borderline terrible, while the acting is at times laughable. But the movie does keep your attention throughout. The problem with the film is that it’s not anything we haven’t seen before. But it doesn’t take itself very seriously so there is a sense of fun that runs through the picture. The action and effects are cheesy but in a good way, like in the original “Clash Of The Titans.” Again, the movie feels more like a made-for-TV-movie than a theatrical release, which I’m sure was not attended. But I didn’t hate watching it; I just think in the long run the film will not be all that memorable. On the other hand, I have a theory that almost every movie is more enjoyable when you are on your couch, at home watching it on DVD or Blu-ray. So maybe this is one worth waiting to rent or order on Netflix. Director Dominic Sena does a decent job of trying to pull the film together but it is cursed by its lack of a good script. Editor Dan Zimmerman (“Predators”) does his best to breath life into the film with some original and interesting editing cuts.

As far as Mr. Cage’s career goes, it still seems to be a riddle inside a paradox. The actor gives the appearance of having a lot fun in these strange and unusual films yet it doesn’t look like there is any filter to his choices. You have to kind of admire the fact that he is willing to take such big chances. What other actor would make an off-the-wall film like “Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans,” then follow it up with an original performance in “Kick-Ass,” a mediocre performance in “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and then a dark and odd movie like this? Only Nic Cage would, and really isn’t that why we all love him? You could argue that the actor should just slow down and begin to become more selective with his choices but the guy likes to work … and who can really blame him. In the end, is “Season Of The Witch” worthy of having an Oscar winning actor in the lead? Well not really, but it is worthy having Nicolas Cage and the actor makes the movie enjoyable despite its lack of plot and strong visual effects. I wouldn’t rush out to the movie theater to see it this weekend, but if you like “sword and sorcery” movies, then you may want to give this film a look when it is available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Season of the Witch is out January 7, 2011.