Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Everybody Gotta Have A Dream

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HUSTLE & FLOW
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by Shawn Snead / July 26th, 2005

Every once in a while, an actor comes along and reminds you how truly incredible an actor can be. He's given an oppurtunity and does more than make the best of it. He jumps into the spotlight, steals it, and owns it.

This year, Terrence Howard has epitomized what it means to be an actor. Words cannot describe Howard's performance in "Hustle & Flow." Just as last year was Jamie Foxx's, this year is Terrence Howard's.

"Hustle & Flow" tells the story of an aging pimp, DJay. An aging pimp who dreams of becoming a rapper. Sounds formulaic? It is, it is. To a point. The depth that newcomer Craig Brewer provides transcends the clichéd plot. He brings raw emotion, and intensity into the picture. Of course, none of it would work as well as it does without the performance of Howard. This is Howard's picture.

Anthony Anderson and DJ Qualls are the main supporting players. I was particularly impressed with Anderson, who is coming into his own as an actor with this and his stint on "The Shield." Of course, none of it would work as well as it does without the performance of Howard.

You see DJay struggling, as a pimp and as an aspiring rapper. The whole film devolves into a fateful encounter with Skinny Black (rapper/actor Ludacris), a former local underground rapper who's living the dream as a big-time rapper. DJay just needs to get Skinny to listen to his tape, and he knows he'll be in.

"Hustle & Flow" is a rough, dark film. The way it's shot and presented illustrates that. It's grainy, it's raw, it's real. The film takes an unexpected turn in the last thirty minutes of the film. I won't give anything away, but it gets darker, it gets rougher. It really adds a lot to the entire film. Without the ending, I wouldn't be giving the picture my highest rating. Without the ending, the story itself would be too obvious. This review would talk about the amazing performance of Howard in an above average rags-to-riches story. It would be underwhelming.

After the film, you recognize that maybe DJay was a little too fortunate. Lady Luck was certainly on his side. However, the power of the film and Howard's performance easily makes "Hustle & Flow" one of the best films of the year.

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Paramount Classics / MTV Films
Running Time: 1 Hour, 54 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R for sex and drug content, pervasive language and some violence.
Release Date: Friday, July 22nd, 2005
Viewed: Monday, July 25th, 2005

Starring Terrence Howard (DJay), Anthony Anderson (Key), Taryn Manning (Nola), Taraji P. Henson (Shug), Paula Jai Parker (Lexus), Elise Neal (Yevette), DJ Qualls (Shelby), Ludacris (Skinny Black)

Produced By John Singleton, Stephanie Allain
Written By Craig Brewer
Directed By Craig Brewer

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/27/2005 04:33:00 AM 0 comments

Monday, July 25, 2005

Not Exactly Paradise, But It Works

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THE ISLAND
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by Shawn Snead / July 24th, 2005

Explosions, high speed chases, people dangling from buildings, and gaping plot holes ... must be a Michael Bay film.

Set in the middle of the 21st century, Lincoln Six-Echo (Ewan McGregor) is a resident of a seemingly utopian, but contained nameless facility. Like all inhabitants of this carefully controlled enviroment, Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to "the island," reportedly the last uncontaminated place on the planet. However, Lincoln soon discovers the truth, the secret about the island and this whole operation.

Now, if you see any trailer or television spot, or see anything about the film at all, the plot twist has already been spoiled for you. However, just in case, I will not go into detail about the secrets of "The Island."

After Lincoln finds out what's going on, with a beautiful fellow resident, Jordan Two-Delta (Scarlett Johansson), Lincoln makes a daring escape. Relentlessly pursued by the corrupt forces of the institute that the two formerly called home, Lincoln and Jordan engage in a race for their lives, a race towards something that will hold the answers they are looking for.

Critics have always disliked Bay, but audiences seem to enjoy his work. The film tries to succeed where "Minority Report" did. The first half of the film is an subtle, suspensful sci-fi film, I really enjoyed the first half. However, Bay puts it into auto-pilot during the second half as we are introduced to action scene after action scene during the big chase. The pieces work seperately, but together it does feel like two different films. There's no real resolution, it doesn't really come full circle. It just is.

I would have preferred a more suspensful atmosphere, more of a sci-fi film. The film lines up all the rights pieces to be really great, but somehow it gets dumbed down into car chases and popcorn fare. I enjoyed that, but it really could have been something a lot more. A lot more.

McGregor stands out in the film, giving a very convincing performance. Johansson and the supporting players that include Michael Clarke Duncan, Steve Buscemi, and Sean Bean, are fine. Doing the best they can with the material. Djimon Hounsou also has a role in the film as some sort of operative chasing down Lincoln and Jordan. He stands out, but for a different reason. Completely wasted here.

"The Island" is full of plot holes, and imperfections. However, it manages to hold your attention and it does work as a fun little summer film. I've always admired Bay for making the films that he wants to, I've always liked his work. "The Island" certainly isn't Bay's best, but it's enjoyable with all it's flaws.

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Dreamworks / Warner Bros.
Running Time: 2 Hours, 16 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexuality and language.
Release Date: Friday, July 22nd, 2005
Viewed: Friday, July 22nd, 2005

Starring Ewan McGregor (Lincoln Six-Echo), Scarlett Johansson (Jordan Two-Delta), Djimon Hounsou (Albert Laurent), Sean Bean (Merrick), Steve Buscemi (McCord), Michael Clarke Duncan (Starkweather), Ethan Phillips (Jones Three-Echo), Brian Stepanek (Gandu Three-Alpha)

Produced By Michael Bay, Ian Bryce, Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes
Written By Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci
Directed By Michael Bay

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/25/2005 01:46:00 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 22, 2005

The Frat Pack Returneth -- With Their Best Film

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WEDDING CRASHERS

by Shawn Snead / July 21, 2005

The "frat pack." Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, and Luke Wilson. They have brought us such recent comedy classics as "Dodgeball," "Anchorman," and of course, "Old School." However, "Wedding Crashers" just might be better than them all.

Hollywood producers take note, you CAN have an raunchy R-rated comedy hit. A watered-down PG-13 version of the film would have taken all the zest out of it. A film like this needs it's comic sexuality and it's F-bombs... and S-bombs, and C-bombs. It's a very welcomed change of pace to see a film like this, I can only hope that there are more films like "Wedding Crashers" in the future.

Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn play John and Jeremy, two party-hardy womanizers whos joy in life is crashing weddings. Taking advantage of the romance in the air, the two men sneak into different weddings to score, drink, and score again.

Vaughn and Owen are the perfect match here, great chemistry. Vaughn, who has really come into his own in the comedy genre, continues to grow as an actor, and I can't wait to see more from him. Wilson brings charm to the film and is very funny at times, however, he just doesn't have the "leading man" feel about him. But, it really matter here. The two actors hold each other up and play off each other.

Then, of course, there's the girl. While crashing a wedding, John falls for Claire Clearly (the stunning Rachel McAdams; you'll fall for her, too.) That throws a monkey wrench into Jeremy's plans, especially when he gets stuck with Claire's crazy sister, Gloria (Isla Fisher), a "stage five clinger."

The film falls victim to some expected plot devices; the creepy brother, the villianous fiance, and the seductive mother. However, it's handled well, for the most part. Claire's fiance is over-villianized, though. I know he's drawn that way so that we'll hate him, but wouldn't Claire, too? Jane Seymour plays the horny, seductive mother with a new pair of knockers that she wants to test out with John. That scene is one of the more memorable moments in the film.

"Wedding Crashers" is a very sweet film. Being the film it is, it has to have that third act romance arc, but it doesn't cornball it up like most films in the genre. The film succeeds because it's real. It doesn't put up a PG-13 front, it doesn't hold back at all. It's hilarious, it's sweet, it's one of my favorite films of the summer, and the funniest film this year. Go see it. I may, once again.

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New Line Cinema
Running Time: 1 Hour, 59 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content/nudity and language.
Release Date: Friday, July 15th, 2005
Viewed: Tuesday, July 19th, 2005

Starring Owen Wilson (John Beckwith), Vince Vaughn (Jeremy Grey), Christopher Walken (Secretary Cleary), Rachel McAdams (Claire Cleary), Isla Fisher (Gloria Cleary), Jane Seymour (Kathleen Cleary), Ellen Albertini Dow (Grandma Mary Cleary), Keir O'Donnell (Todd Cleary), Bradley Cooper (Sack Lodge), Ron Canada (Randolph)

Produced By Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy, Andrew Panay
Written By Steve Faber, Bob Fisher
Directed By David Dobkin

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/22/2005 03:27:00 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

A darker, quirkier, visually delicious 'Chocolate'

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CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
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by Shawn Snead / July 19th, 2005

Based on the Roald Dahl book, and the 1971 film of a slighty different title, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is a film full of director Tim Burton's vivid imagination, quirky oompa-loompas, and a chocolate filled center of childhood wonderment. Then there's Willy Wonka. A strange fellow, but maybe he's just misunderstood. Like Michael Jackson.

Oh come on, you knew that comparison was coming.

Nonetheless, Charlie Bucket is a child -- in all sense of the word. Full of innocence, love, and dreams. Charlie is also very poor -- in all sense of the word. He lives with his parents and all four of his grandparents in a broken down home, all four of Charlie's grandparents, I might add, who have to sleep in the same bed because they don't have any money. In fact, they barely have enough money to eat. Charlie dreams of Willy Wonka's chocolate which he loves so dearly, yet can rarely afford.

Luckily for Charlie, everything changes when Willy Wonka announces that five special golden tickets have been enclosed in chocolate bars sent all over the world. Five golden tickets that will allow five children to tour Wonka's chocolate factory and see the magic behind it all. To Charlie's -- and his family's amazement, Charlie finds a ticket and goes off to see the wonders of Wonka's factory with four other kids. Four other kids much naughtier than Charlie.

Obviously, the biggest difference between this film and the 1971 original is the spectacle. The imaginative visual style that Burton brings to the table with every film he does. The factory is bursting with bright colors and elaborate set decoration. The digital effects are there, they're noticable. To saturate colors and illustrate some of the magic of the factory, the effects are fine. The problem enters when Burton overdoes it at times, making it look a little too animated. Overall, Burton's direction is solid. The pacing is slightly choppy, but all of Burton's films usually have that problem. Not to excuse it, but it's not unexpected. It's not as noticable as in some of his other films, as he holds onto to the offbeat magic and wonder of the film and keeps our eyes on the screen instead of our watch.

Freddie Highmore, fresh off of his amazing work in "Finding Neverland," is the perfect Charlie Bucket. He really gives the film it's innocence and charm. Then, of course, there's Johnny. I wondered how he'd fare as the character that Gene Wilder owned. Most critics agree that Depp's Wonka doesn't touch Wilder's and that Depp played the role a little too awkwardly. I prefer, as do most, Wilder's Wonka. However, Depp's Wonka is not as awkward or distracting as some have suggested, his portrayal of the character is fresh -- it's darker and quirkier, sure, but so is the film. It fits. I applaud Depp for not trying to imitate Wilder, that would have been distracting.

After all of the strange, exciting adventures touring the factory, the film boils down to family. And candy, of course. The relationship with his father, a dentist, is the reason Wonka turned to candy and turned away from family, or parents, or adults altogether, really. Willy Wonka showed Charlie the magic of candy, and Charlie Bucket showed Wonka the magic of family.

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Warner Bros.
Running Time: 1 Hour, 46 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for quirky situations, action and mild language.
Release Date: Friday, July 15th, 2005
Viewed: Friday, July 15th, 2005

Starring Johnny Depp (Willy Wonka), Freddie Highmore (Charlie Bucket), David Kelly (Grandpa Joe), Helena Bonham Carter (Mrs. Bucket), Noah Taylor (Mr. Bucket), Missy Pyle (Mrs. Beauregarde), James Fox (Mr. Salt), Deep Roy (About 165 Oompa Loompas), Christopher Lee (Dr. Wonka), Adam Godley (Mr. Teavee), Franziska Troegner (Mrs. Gloop), Annasophia Robb (Violet Beauregarde), Julia Winter (Veruca Salt), Jordan Fry (Mike Teavee), Philip Wiegratz (Augustus Gloop)

Produced By Richard D. Zanuck, Brad Grey, Katterli Frauenfelder
Written By John August (Based on the book by Roald Dahl)
Directed By Tim Burton

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/20/2005 01:52:00 AM 0 comments

Monday, July 18, 2005

Not 'Fantastic'

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FANTASTIC FOUR
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by Shawn Snead / July 17th, 2005

The premise of the "Fantastic Four" comics never really appealed to me. A group of astronauts, biologically changed in a solar storm in space, return to Earth with strange superpowers and fight off the evil-doers of the world? Huh? Still, seeing previews for the film, I got excited about it. I raised my expectations.

I shouldn't have.

The film adapts the same outline, they're astronaunts/scientists/daredevils -- whatever, they're bodies are genetically changed (I'd say so), and they fight off an evil scientist named Doctor Doom, who was also altered that fateful day. Instead of providing it's 'superheroes' some depth, the film is incredibly inconsistent with their characters, and their story.

I try compiling my thoughts on the story, or it's characters, ... but if the film doesn't even care enough to devulge into it's story or characters, why should I? Who needs story? Not when your characters are paper thin, you have atrocious dialogue, cheap special effects, and Flameboy. The whole thing feels like an amateur film come up with in two weeks. What is the meaning behind the film? "Fantastic Four" was always intended more for families or kids than other comic franchises like 'X-Men,' was it supposed to be a fun family 'X-Men'-type of film? It's not fun, families might enjoy the bells and whistles, but it's not even close to being in the same league as a film like "X-Men." You can't even turn your intelligent button off, because the dialouge is so bad, the effects are so bad, it's distracting.

The actors don't even look like they're enjoying it. Alba appears as if she's just picking up a paycheck, Evans is just enjoying the spotlight, and Gruffudd and McMahon look like they want to leave the film as soon as possible. Chiklis turns in a fun performance as Ben Grimm AKA The Thing, but the film doesn't care enough about him or his story's potential to turn it into something.

After the film ended, I felt as if I was watching a two-hour commercial for MTV. There was no humanity, no anchor to the story. You don't sympathize with any of the characters, except Grimm. In fact, many of the characters end up being unlikable, due to their apparent inability to show human emotion, -- or they're just ridiculously stupid. It has its funny moments, but there's no connection with the film. It doesn't stay with you like a 'Batman Begins' or a 'Spider-Man 2.' It just is. It flops onto the screen and dies there. Unfortunately.

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20th Century Fox
Running Time: 1 Hour, 46 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some suggestive content.
Release Date: Friday, July 8th, 2005
Viewed: Tuesday, July 12th, 2005

Starring Ioan Gruffudd (Reed Richards), Jessica Alba (Sue Storm), Chris Evans (Johnny Storm), Michael Chiklis (Ben Grimm), Julian McMahon (Victor Von Doom), Hamish Linklater (Leonard), Kerry Washington (Alicia Masters), Laurie Holden (Debbie McIlanve), David Parker (Ernie), Kevin McNulty (Jimmy O'Hoolihan), Maria Menounos (Sexy Nurse)

Produced By Avi Arad, Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Ralph Winter, Bernd Eichinger
Written By Michael France & Mark Frost (Based on the comic books by Jack Kirby & Stan Lee)
Directed By Tim Story

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/18/2005 02:07:00 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 15, 2005

An Oscar-worthy 'Castle'

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HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
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by Shawn Snead / July 14th, 2005

From the imagination of Hayao Miyazaki, comes "Howl's Moving Castle" a beautiful, moving love story centered around a young woman named Sophie, and a powerful wizard, Howl. Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and transformed into an old, old woman. Unable to continue her job as a hatmaker, or face her mother, or her friends, she leaves for the hills where Howl's moving castle roams, in search of help and guidance.

Upon arriving at his ambulatory fortress, Sophie is introduced to Calcifer, a fire demon who powers Howl's castle, and is bound to him by contract. Calcifer can help Sophie, however, she must help him first. If she can free Calcifer, Calcifer can free Sophie, making her young again.

Like Calcifer, Howl can see through Sophie's spell. He sees her as a charming young woman, and he falls in love with her. Sophie brings a breath of fresh air to the castle as she agrees to stay there until their problems are solved. To help Howl faces his demons, to help free Calcifer, and to help break Sophie's curse. What transpires is a story of beauty, compassion, and love. A story for the ages, for all ages.

"Howl's Moving Castle," from the anime legend Hayao Miyazaki, is a wonderful film. The story is simple, the landscape is simple, but the emotions, and the beauty are elaborate, intricately laced within the film. The magic at the film's core is something that a lot of films lack today. "Howl's" is full of it. It soaks the film in it, and engulfs the viewer in an endearing ocean of emotion, wonder, and spectacle.

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Walt Disney Pictures
Running Time: 1 Hour, 59 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for frightening images and brief mild language.
Release Date: Friday, June 10th, 2005 (NY/LA)
Viewed: Thursday, July 8th, 2005

Starring Jean Simmons (Old Sophie), Christian Bale (Howl), Emily Mortimer (Young Sophie), Lauren Bacall (Witch of the Waste), Billy Crystal (Calcifer), Blythe Danner (Madam Suliman), Jena Malone (Lettie)

Produced By Rick Dempsey, Ned Lott, Toshio Suzuki
Written By Hayao Miyazaki, Cindy Davis Hewitt, Donald H. Hewitt(Based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones)
Directed By Hayao Miyazaki

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/15/2005 01:15:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, July 10, 2005

'Water' Runs Deep

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DARK WATER
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by Shawn Snead / July 9th, 2005


And, the japanese horror remakes just keep coming. I say 'horror' lightly, because "Dark Water" is billed as a "Grudge" like horror film, instead what we get is a very intriguing drama. It will surely disappoint teen kids looking for a scare and some critics for it's "Ring"-ish plot twist, and because of that, "Dark Water" is sure to become one of the more underrated films of the year.

In the middle of a nasty divorce, Dahlia (Jennifer Connelly) is looking for a new place and a new start for her and her daughter, Ceci (Ariel Gade). They check out an apartment -- an apartment in desperate need of an extreme makeover. It's small, it's rundown, and it has a mysterious leak in the ceiling. However, it's two blocks from one of the best schools around and Ceci takes a mysterious liking to the apartment building. Thinking of what's best for her daughter, and independence, she takes it. ... She shouldn't have.

The leak grows and her apartment -- and sanity -- are falling apart. The painful stress of her divorce, her landlord, her apartment, her neighbors, and her daughter's struggles are too heavy for her to carry. It doesn't help that Dahlia suffers from migraines and nightmares of a painful relationship with her mother that haunts her.

Then there is the mystery. What is this water? Who is it in the apartment above? And who is this mysterious little girl that her daughter speaks of, but has never seen?

'Dark Water' is very strong as a claustrophobic, compelling drama. Jennifer Connelly is extraordinary here and provides one of the best performances by an actress all year. Her steady mental decline is raw and captivating John C. Reilly gives a fine supporting performance as the conniving landlord, and Tim Roth is exceptional as Dahlia's lawyer.

Howver, the film is somewhat marred by a very disappointing plot twist towards the end. I'll keep the secret, but you've seen it before. 'Dark Water' could have been more, but director Walter Salles' obligations to the japanese original hold the film back. You're not even sure how you get there, or why, but the film isn't about the ending, and does not hang itself on the twist. Instead, the film faces the mystery and horror of the human psyche. It's about Dahlia. It's not about a ghost, or a plot twist, or even dark water -- and because of that, 'Dark Water' is effective.

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Touchstone Pictures

Running Time: 1 Hour, 45 Minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, frightening sequences, disturbing images and brief language.

Release Date: Friday, July 8th, 2005

Viewed: Friday, July 8th, 2005

Starring Jennifer Connelly (Dahlia), Ariel Gade (Ceci), John C. Reilly (Mr. Murray), Tim Roth (Jeff Platzer), Dougray Scott (Kyle), Pete Postlethwaite (Veeck), Camryn Manheim (Teacher), Perla Haney-Jardine (Natasha/Young Dahlia)

Produced By Doug Davison, Roy Lee, Bill Mechanic

Written By Rafael Yglesias (Based on the novel by Koji Suzuki, and film by Hideo Nakata & Takashige Ichise)

Directed By Walter Salles

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/10/2005 12:04:00 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Zombies, man... They creep me out

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LAND OF THE DEAD
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by Shawn Snead / July 7th, 2005

The master of the zombie genre, George A. Romero, returns with his fourth film in the "Dead" series, "Land of the Dead." While it's not quite the masterpiece that they are promoting, it's a very fun film, and is sure to please any Romero follower.

In a world where the dead have taken over, the last of the living have barricaded themselves in a city (Pittsburgh), trying to survive. However, as an army of the dead rise outside of the city walls and anarchy rises on the inside, a group of mercenaries are sent to fight, to protect the living from the dead.

Now, these aren't your father's zombies. They aren't some idiots mumbling, bumbling, and stumbling around. No, these zombies think, they drawing up plans -- albeit it very slow, and cloudy. They are evolving. They are rising up. Still, they are people. Flesh-eating people, sure, but people. Romero is the only man who can make you sympathize with a zombie. The end of the film is grand and sort of poetic.

Dennis Hopper is interesting as Kaufman, a slimy corporate god who runs the city with his power, and his wallet. The city is struggling and people are dying, but his skyscraper is up and running, and he's still wearing his nice suit. The film is a dead-on social commentary, or satire, if you will. The parallels between the film and what's going on in the world, day in, day out, are upfront and blunt.

In the beginning, "Land of the Dead" is just another zombie movie. However, under the ton of makeup and fake blood, it's got a brain -- and to some extent, a heart. It's also gruesome, it's raw, it's a lotta fun. It's something. Romero's genius at work once again. The horror legend has given a lot to film, and I'm grateful that the guy can come around and give us another great "Dead" film.

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Universal Pictures
Running Time: 1 Hour, 33 Minutes
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive strong violence and gore, language, brief sexuality and some drug use.
Release Date: Friday, June 24th, 2005
Viewed: Thursday, July 7th, 2005

Starring Simon Baker (Riley), John Lequizamo (Cholo), Dennis Hopper (Kaufman), Asia Argento (Slack), Robert Joy (Charlie), Eugene Clark (Big Daddy), Joanna Boland (Pretty Boy), Tony Nappo (Foxy), Jennifer Baxter (Number 9)

Produced By Mark Canton, Bernie Goldmann, Peter Grunwald
Written By George A. Romero
Directed By George A. Romero

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/07/2005 07:28:00 PM 0 comments

Stay Tuned

'Land of the Dead' review coming tonight. Also, expect reviews for 'Howl's Moving Castle,' 'Dark Water,' and 'Fantastic Four' to be up shortly.

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/07/2005 05:17:00 PM 0 comments

Sunday, July 03, 2005

It's the end of the world, as we know it

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WAR OF THE WORLDS
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By Shawn Snead / July 3rd, 2005

War of the Worlds, based on the classic H.G. Wells novel, tells the story of extraterrestrial war machines taking over the world, city-by-city. In the midst all of the destruction, and chaos is a family fighting for survival. Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), a blue collar worker, and a not-so-great father of his two kids Rachel (Dakota Fanning), and Robbie (Justin Chatwin) fights for his life, and the lives of his children in the middle of the greatest war in the history of mankind.

The legendary Steven Spielberg adapts the novel, the second adaptation on film, and creates a film on par with such classics as Jaws, and ET. He creates a jarring, powerful atmosphere of suspense and destruction that overwhelms the senses. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse for the Ferrier family, it does. Spielberg masterfully illustrates that with a wide range of emotion.

The story itself is basic, it would be unneccasary to complicate it. The aliens are here, they're hostile. How did they get here? Their tripods have been buried deep, deep underground for many years. Why are they hostile? That question isn't clearly answered. It can be assumed that they are just menacing, violent animals who feed off of humans. The tripods themselves are classic, and scary.

Cruise brings his 'A' game and provides a very intense performance with a good amount of depth. Fanning is remarkable, and emotional. Tim Robbins enters about two-thirds of the way into the film as a disturbed 'doomsday-fighter' character. He is okay in the limited role.

War of the Worlds is a darker, more intense Spielberg. There's a couple of very powerful, unnerving scenes; one includes the family driving through a sea of people looking for a way to get as far away as possible. The mob of people start breaking the windows, and try to pull the family out. The film is about war, in itself. How humans will do anything to save their own ass, even if includes pulling a ten year old girl out of a car. It shows us the mental effects of war, Robbins' character is the perfect example of that. It works it's way through the various emotions, and feelings of war, and life.

The film works as an amazing cinematic achievement, as well as solid blockbuster entertainment. That's magic. That's the magic of Mr. Spielberg.

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Paramount Pictures / Dreamworks Pictures
Running Time: 1 Hour, 56 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for for frightening sequences of sci-fi violence and disturbing images.
Release Date: Wednesday, June 29th, 2005
Viewed: Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

Starring Tom Cruise (Ray Ferrier), Dakota Fanning (Rachel Ferrier), Justin Chatwin (Robbie Ferrier), Tim Robbins (Ogilvy), Miranda Otto (Mary Ann), Rick Gonzalez (Vincent), Lenny Venito (Manny), and Morgan Freeman as The Narrator

Produced By Kathleen Kennedy, Paula Wagner, Colin Wilson
Written By Josh Friedman & David Koepp (Based on the H.G. Wells novel)
Directed By Steven Spielberg

posted by Shawn Snead @ 7/03/2005 02:58:00 AM 0 comments