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War of the Worlds (2005)
A good screen version of H.G. Wells classic
Having heard the radio play I knew the outcome, but those I've talked to haven't, so this movie would be even more exciting/intense for them. It's certainly NOT FOR KIDS though - I don't know how it only has a PG-13 rating. Tom Cruise covers his daughters eyes and does what he can to protect her from the slaughter - both literally and viewing it. Parents in the real world should heed the caution that accompanies the rating.
ILM does their usual great job with effects, and there's nothing wrong with the acting, but I confess I'm getting tired of seeing the same actors (Cruise in this example) on screen over and over in so many movies. It takes away from the intrigue when you know the character is going to survive the whole movie. That's probably one of the aspects that made the first "Lord of the Rings", the first "Star Wars", the first "Matrix", and Spielbergs own "E.T." such great movies. "War of the Worlds" feels a bit like "Minority Report", although upon seeing the aliens it seemed more like an "Independence Day" sequel.
Closer (2004)
Vulgar dialogue doesn't make a good film
Having only seen a TV ad for this movie, and based on the poster, I was expecting a romantic comedy or love story - some sort of "chick flick" - wrong. Being a fan of Natalie Portman, it expected that her presence would make the film worthwhile, and I like Julie Roberts too. After enduring the movie I had to wonder why Julie, and more so Natalie, would chose to be a part of something this (verbally) graphic and vulgar. I can only assume she wanted to "demonstrate her versatility" or some such thing. It's a safe bet George Lucas would not be pleased to see Queen Amidala spreading her legs wide - I joked at the time that "now we know what drives Anakin Skywalker to become Darth Vader".
All four actors do their job well enough, and the cinematography likewise gets a passing grade, although it's - appropriately enough - dark. Aside from the somewhat jarring presence of porn dialogue in a love story, this film's main failing is that you don't care that these characters are destroying their own relationships. Natalie's character is the most sympathetic, but all four suffer from their own bad choices. One of them even says "you made the choice" to cheat - it doesn't "just happen" as is so often the excuse.
There are probably real people whom are as weak - even pathetic - as the four in "Closer", but I don't want to watch them, and worse pay to do so.
Iron Eagle (1986)
A good second to Top Gun, with cleaner language
Maybe I'm biased because the F-16 is my favorite fighter aircraft - although the F-14 is probably second or third - but I liked this movie. The sequels (Iron Eagle II and III) don't measure up acting and plot wise, but the first one - along with Top Gun - have excellent flying and music, along with reasonable plots and acting. II and III clearly have much less of a "flight budget", but their main drawback is plot and acting. I suspect the relative fame and popularity of Iron Eagle compared to Top Gun is almost entirely a reflection of the fame and popularity of Jason Gedrick compared to Tom Cruise. Another plus (for me) is an all too brief appearance by Shawnee Smith. 7/10
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
A film that must be seen.
"It is deeply moving, powerful, and disturbing. A film that must be seen."
I've never found myself disagreeing with Dr. James Dobson, and I can't describe Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' any better. I've never been moved to tears as much as when I saw it. Knowing the Biblical account well, I was actually moved the most by a scene not recorded in the gospels, though it could easily have occurred - Mary wanting to help her Son when he fell, as in the flashback memory from a little less than three decades before.
"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:3-5, NIV)
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