drplw
Joined Apr 2001
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Reviews6
drplw's rating
Spielberg's version of WAR OF THE WORLDS is a rather dark vision and utterly terrifying at times. It does what it is supposed to do: scare the living daylights out of you. In an age of terrorism, the film shows us how totally horrifying terrorism is. One can interpret WAR OF THE WORLDS as analogous to our own times. Indiscriminate death, wholesale, delivered with fear tactics and absolutely scary.
The story of the protagonist father, played by Tom Cruise, is wholly predictable, yet in keeping with the tradition of a hometown hero who saves his children and himself from a horrifying fate. Cruise is great as is Dakota Fanning, both deserve awards for their performance.
However, I believe there exists a major flaw in the film that truly bothers me: The demise of the aliens is not dramatically realized. It just happens and is explained to us by the narrator, Morgan Freeman.
Destruction and annihilation are considerably realistic, thus absolutely terrifying. The aliens and their technology are very foreign and exceptionally well done, yet I was on the edge of my seat throughout. Gorgeously edited, John Williams' unique score at times frightened me to death, or should I say, to attention.
This is not entertainment, it's really serious stuff and might agitate some viewers. Not recommended for small children or sensitive types.
The story of the protagonist father, played by Tom Cruise, is wholly predictable, yet in keeping with the tradition of a hometown hero who saves his children and himself from a horrifying fate. Cruise is great as is Dakota Fanning, both deserve awards for their performance.
However, I believe there exists a major flaw in the film that truly bothers me: The demise of the aliens is not dramatically realized. It just happens and is explained to us by the narrator, Morgan Freeman.
Destruction and annihilation are considerably realistic, thus absolutely terrifying. The aliens and their technology are very foreign and exceptionally well done, yet I was on the edge of my seat throughout. Gorgeously edited, John Williams' unique score at times frightened me to death, or should I say, to attention.
This is not entertainment, it's really serious stuff and might agitate some viewers. Not recommended for small children or sensitive types.
There really is nothing like it. Totally original film-making, it's awe-inspiring, gripping from beginning to end. As a film lover, I hesitate to use masterwork unless the film is absolutely a miracle of achievement. BATMAN BEGINS is such a masterwork.
Sure, it portrays violence throughout the film yet for those who abhor such violence, this film is the rare exception because underneath, we are witness to the process that makes a human being ethical who is dedicated to justice.
This is not your typical superhero epic about good and evil, though good and evil are both inherent to the story line. After all, the film is based upon the good old American (World) values of good triumphing over evil.
The film shows us in graphic detail how the Batman legend came into existence. Though the scenes are fantastical, the story is believable. Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman is as heroic as you'll ever see. The message is about facing one's greatest fears and pushing through them, no matter what.
Hans Zimmer's musical film score is among the best I've ever heard and is equal to the awesome image making. The film is many steps ahead of the earlier Batman films and stands out sharply against the background of its Superman and Spiderman competitors.
As skilled an editing job as you'll ever see. Breakthrough cinema, an experience I'll never forget.
Sure, it portrays violence throughout the film yet for those who abhor such violence, this film is the rare exception because underneath, we are witness to the process that makes a human being ethical who is dedicated to justice.
This is not your typical superhero epic about good and evil, though good and evil are both inherent to the story line. After all, the film is based upon the good old American (World) values of good triumphing over evil.
The film shows us in graphic detail how the Batman legend came into existence. Though the scenes are fantastical, the story is believable. Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman is as heroic as you'll ever see. The message is about facing one's greatest fears and pushing through them, no matter what.
Hans Zimmer's musical film score is among the best I've ever heard and is equal to the awesome image making. The film is many steps ahead of the earlier Batman films and stands out sharply against the background of its Superman and Spiderman competitors.
As skilled an editing job as you'll ever see. Breakthrough cinema, an experience I'll never forget.
There is no doubt that THE AVIATOR is the masterpiece of both director Martin Scorsese and actor, Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio becomes Howard Hughes. The actor is so profoundly absorbed in the role that the DiCaprio we know from other films cannot be found in this film. It is a bravura performance of great depth and magnitude. DiCaprio richly deserves his first Academy Award.
I have never know much about Howard Hughes. This film opened my eyes to him as a personality, a businessman, aviator and his lavish lifestyle. DiCaprio no longer is the "pretty boy" from other films. The expressions he takes on are not handsome, the deeply furrowed brow, one could actually watch him, as Hughes' character, think his way through challenging situations, the mark of a highly gifted actor. Watching DiCaprio evolve into the paranoid schizophrenic Hughes in the latter part of the film is a stunning example of pure acting. Leo deserves recognition for recreating a most difficult personality.
Though the film is long, it never slows down nor gets boring and it commanded my attention from start to finish. It is masterpiece cinema for these two men and for other actors too. Cate Blanchette must be commended for her role as Katherine Hepburn. Every role was played by first rate actors.
If you want to understand a piece of American history from the 30s through the 1940s, this film will illumine you. It may not be the greatest film ever made but it sure is cinema to the max and worth seeing, without a second thought.
I have never know much about Howard Hughes. This film opened my eyes to him as a personality, a businessman, aviator and his lavish lifestyle. DiCaprio no longer is the "pretty boy" from other films. The expressions he takes on are not handsome, the deeply furrowed brow, one could actually watch him, as Hughes' character, think his way through challenging situations, the mark of a highly gifted actor. Watching DiCaprio evolve into the paranoid schizophrenic Hughes in the latter part of the film is a stunning example of pure acting. Leo deserves recognition for recreating a most difficult personality.
Though the film is long, it never slows down nor gets boring and it commanded my attention from start to finish. It is masterpiece cinema for these two men and for other actors too. Cate Blanchette must be commended for her role as Katherine Hepburn. Every role was played by first rate actors.
If you want to understand a piece of American history from the 30s through the 1940s, this film will illumine you. It may not be the greatest film ever made but it sure is cinema to the max and worth seeing, without a second thought.