"Nightcrawler" is an odd name for a thriller about a freelance broadcast news TV journalist.

Apparently, "Pathological Videographer" was already taken.

And "Pathological Videographer" just doesn't have the same ring to it as does "Nightcrawler."

"Nightcrawler" is an apt description of Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) as the pathological videographer.

Louis is stringer, or freelancer, for a Los Angeles television station. He only comes out at night, turns on the police scanner and is first on the scene to record the gruesome aftermath of car crashes, shootings and fires.

After selling footage to L.A. news show producer Nina (Rene Russo), Louis hires Rick (Riz Ahmed) as a go-fer and to assist him with camera work.

Louis negotiates ever-higher fees for his footage. He upgrades his video camera equipment and transportation, the latter a hot red Dodge Challenger SRT8 6.1 that looks like it zoomed right out of the "Fast and Furious."

Louis goes behind the police "Do Not Cross" yellow tape to get the most lurid visuals he can. He will stop at nothing to get his story.

Louis videotapes the crime scene of a home invasion where three persons were killed. Louis shows up before the police get there. A whole new set of ethics, personal responsibilities and moral judgments are brought into question.

Television news reporters, or any journalists, for that matter, are not supposed to cross the line and become part of the story, or, worse, contribute to or create the story.

Louis does this and more.

Writer-director Dan Gilroy (screenwriter, "The Bourne Legacy," 2012), in his big-screen directorial debut, not only seems to have the broadcast news TV studio lingo down, he has crafted a suspense thriller from an unlikely and, admittedly, fascinating subject.

The story is told mostly from the point of view of Louis. It is as if we are looking through the viewfinder of his camera. We see the results in the TV station's news show editing room, on the set with the anchor persons and on our television screens. We become the ultimate voyeur.

Louis is selling tragedy as a product. We, the TV viewers, are the consumers. TV news packages misery to boost ratings and sell more expensive air time and commercials.

"Nightcrawler" is the logical extension of the movies, "Network" (1976) and "Broadcast News" (1987). You only need to listen to Don Henley's 1982 pop hit, "Dirty Laundry," to get the gist of this film.

"Nightcrawler," which sometimes has the feel of "Blow Out" (1981), "Pulp Fiction" (1994) and "Mulholland Drive" (2001), captures the sense of Los Angeles, of a city where anything can and usually does happen while most are safe at home. For our viewing pleasure, we can see the mayhem on our TV, tablet or phone.

Gyllenhaal (supporting actor Oscar nominee, "Brokeback Mountain," 2005) gives a memorable performance as a gaunt, intense, nerd-like videographer. He speaks with a dry, clipped, almost emotionless speech pattern. He walks with strange, short, fast steps. His eyes are big as saucers. He has a wishy-washy grin that belies his obsessiveness.

Gyllenhaal's performance, for which he could get an Oscar acting nomination, is what raises "Nightcrawler" above the routine crime thriller.

The casting is good.

Rene Russo has a nice intensity as Nina, the TV station news producer. Riz Ahmed gives a sympathetic portrayal as Rick, Luke's assistant. Bill Paxton has a supporting role as a competing TV news journalist.

"Nightcrawler" should provide you with an entertaining time at the movies. After you see it, you may not view a TV newscast in quite the same way.

"Nightcrawler," MPAA rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.) for violence including graphic images, and for language; Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller; Run time: 2 hr., 57 min.; Distributed by Bold Films.

Credit Readers Anonymous: "Nightcrawler" was filmed in Los Angeles, with many landmarks as backdrops or scene-setters, including Mulholland Drive, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Capitol Records building and Griffith Park Observatory, to name a few.

Box Office, Nov 7: "Big Hero 6" opened big, No. 1, with $56.2 million, holding off "Interstellar," No. 2, $50 million, weekend, $52.1 million since Nov. 5 opening;

3. "Gone Girl" moved up one notch, $6.1 million, $145.4 million, six weeks; 4. "Ouija" dropped from its No. 1 tie, $6 million, $43.4 million, three weeks, 5. "St. Vincent" moved up two spots, $5.7 million, $27.3 million, five weeks; 6. "Nightcrawler" dropped from its No. 1 tie, $5.5 million, $19.7 million, two weeks; 7."Fury," $5.5 million, $69.2 million, four weeks; 8. "John Wick," $4 million, $34.7 million, three weeks; 9. "Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," $3.4 million, $59.2 million, five weeks; 10. "The Book Of Life," $2.8 million, $45.2 million, four weeks

Unreel: Nov. 14:

"Dumb And Dumber To," PG-13: It's 20 years later and Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) haven't gotten any smarter. Peter and Bobby Farrelly are back to direct the comedy.

"Foxcatcher," R: Steve Carell stars as John du Pont who takes an interest in Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum). The movie is based on a true story that took place in the Philadelphia area. Look for Oscar nominations for Carell and Tatun.

"Beyond The Lights," PG-13: A young musician is on the brink of stardom. Gugu Prince-Bythewood, Minnie Driver, Aisha Hinds and Nate Parker star in the drama.

Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times-News web site, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 - 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, and wdiy.org, where they're archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline.com. You can follow Paul Willistein on Twitter and friend Paul Willistein on facebook.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes