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Quint reviews WAR OF THE WORLDS!!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here, back in my hotel room after a whirlwind night in New York City. I've put up my spiffy clothes (including the first shirt I ever paid more than $20 for) and am ready to write up my opinion of Steven Spielberg's WAR OF THE WORLDS. I got to attend the NY premiere this very night and am here to tell you about the flick. I'm not going to delve very deeply into spoilers, but there may be some stuff below that you don't want to know if you want to keep spoiler-free for the film.
I had been worried about WAR OF THE WORLDS. Nothing I saw onset gave me a hint at which way the movie was going. I had friends who were on the inside that told me David Koepp's script was fantastic and I have a ton of faith in Spielberg, so I was hoping for the best. Then the reviews started coming in saying that the movie was great up until you meet Tim Robbin's character, then it just runs out of steam and loses its focus. Not all the reviews said that, but more than one felt that was a problem.
So, I was hoping they were wrong going into the screening, but also thinking that it was a possibility. Spielberg's done uneven stuff before. So, what's the verdict?
In short, Spielberg knocked it out of the park.
I'm so glad he kept the key imagery out of the marketing. It was so nice to see a big summer event film on the big screen and not feel like I'm just waiting for the bits in-between the sequences from the trailer and other marketing.
I was worried a little about Tom Cruise in the film. Not because of all this bullshit that has been going on in the last couple of months, but the worry was that Cruise playing the lead would make his character an action hero, not an average person. However, Cruise's character is very real and he plays it very real. Flawed, even. Matter of fact, Ray is kind of an asshole. He doesn't know how to be a father, so when he takes his two kids (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) from his ex and her husband for the weekend it comes off very uncomfortable.
His ex doesn't trust him, his kids treat him like a stranger and every move he makes to share some quality time is forced. All this is shown in about 10 minutes of the film. It's not long before the shit goes down and once it starts it doesn't stop.
I'm going to say right here and now that the sequence where the first tripod is revealed is one of the best directed, paced, shot and performed sequences ever put to film. Pretty high praise, I know, but it's it true. From the moment Tom Cruise arrives at the spot where all the lightning was striking to the moment he walks back through his door... classic scene. The tripods are massive, hardcore and vicious. Everything we wanted them to be.
Spielberg shot them throughout the whole movie with a sense of mystery and awe. There's a running theme of mirrors and reflections in the film that is used to great effect. Don't get me wrong... there is still a ton of spectacle and some epic shots, but there's a freshness to the film that I haven't felt from Spielberg in a long time. I loved CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and THE TERMINAL mostly for the character work done by the actors (Hanks in both and Walken in CATCH ME) however I didn't get a sense of them as Spielberg movies.
WAR OF THE WORLDS is a Steven Spielberg movie. You feel it in every shot, every performance and every sound. Even before the invasion starts, the camerawork is sharp and creative, keeping an energy to the film, a momentum that builds to the arrival of the aliens. One of the reasons I love JAWS is his creativity with the editing, the camera work and the angles he chose. His recent films haven't looked dull, but this is the first time since SAVING PRIVATE RYAN that I could almost see Spielberg's face on the screen, he's put that much of himself into the film.
The film is rated PG-13 and it's a hard PG-13. Some swearing at the beginning... no big deal... But when the Tripods start blasting people... when you see how they create the red weed... Good God, it was awesome. And that's not taking into account the intensity. During the scene I was talking about earlier, the reveal of the first Tripod... I was wondering why the audience was so quiet until I looked down my row and literally every single person in my row (middle aged men, teenage girls, etc) was staring at the screen, mouths hanging open. They were awed. I haven't seen a film do that in a while.
Without ruining the surprise, I will say that Spielberg came up with a great way to show the Tripods taking out dozens upon dozens of people... a great visual that signals it has happened even if we don't see it (and we do see a lot of people get taken out, so don't think they use this as a way to not deliver the goods).
The effects are stunning, of course. ILM can be iffy these days, depending on the project, but whenever they're working under Spielberg they always seem to be at the top of their game and WAR OF THE WORLDS is no exception. The Tripods are massive and awesome, the aliens (yes, you do get to see the aliens) are creepy and oddly built. They move unlike most aliens I've seen put to screen, although there is a bit that reminded me of ET in their big scene, but, again, I'll let you discover the details of that your own self.
And yes, they are aliens, not some alternate dimensional ogres or whatever the hell people thought they were going to be. They managed not to lie in their advertising ("They're already here"), but still kept them aliens from another planet. I will say no more.
When I was onset, Spielberg told me he was keeping the film almost solely from the perspective of the family we're following and he wasn't lying. You stick with Ray Ferrier and his kids through it all. As their story weaves in and out of the line of fire we see glimpses of how the rest of the world is affected and we learn a little about the aliens in their encounters with other survivors. The military is seen only briefly, only as Ray and his family come into contact with them, so you don't have big scenes of jets shooting at Tripods until Ray and his family are there. This decision is a brilliant way to exclude any similarity between Spielberg's alien invasion film and Emmerich's. WAR OF THE WORLDS is unique, but still thrilling which is why I anticipate this to be a big hit. The draw will be Spielberg and Cruise, but what'll keep people coming back is how they made the flick.
The acting is top notch all across the board. Cruise hits every beat just right and I'm hoping all this tabloid bullshit that's been surrounding him lately will be forgotten about once the film begins. I know it all slipped my mind and Cruise and Holmes were in the theater with me, supposedly. I never saw them once, but I'm told they were there.
Dakota Fanning proves again that she is deserving of my shocked terror every time I see her on screen or off. She's extremely good in the film, too good. She's like a midget or a realistic android... She's just not right. Her talent, her maturity... all belong to someone much older than she. People keep comparing her to Jodie Foster and I don't disagree.
Tim Robbins is cool in the movie, playing a kookie guy that helps Cruise and his family out at an opportune moment. He has a terrific scene with Cruise, played mostly silent with facial expressions and hand gestures... another highlight moment of the film.
I didn't feel the movie lose focus or become something it shouldn't have been from this point, like I was worried I was. I think it's a bit of a shock to some people because this is the first time the movie lets you take a breath, the first time it slows down at all. I think it's a much needed moment, especially when you see what happens just previous to it. But the breather doesn't last very long...
Justin Chatwin plays Cruise's son. Like his dad, he's a bit of an asshole at first, but the compassion he has for his sister (Fanning) goes a long way to making him sympathetic for the audience. Chatwin does a solid job with the character. He's comfortable in front of the camera and it's a good thing, too, because this is probably the least likable character in the film and if Chatwin hadn't been up to snuff he could have really made the character a bore. I hear he's great in CHUMSCRUBBER. He's definitely one to keep an eye on.
Morgan Freeman's opening and closing narration is perfect. Freeman doing Welles reading Wells. Freeman's the man.
John Williams' score is nice, but non-intrusive. Lots of horns and drums... a little James Horner-y. I would have loved an instantly recognizable theme for the titles, but I can't complain. His music fit the film like a glove, but wasn't too showy.
I don't know if I have anything else to say... I know the ending (**SLIGHT SPOILERS HERE**) has been worried about, but I thought it was a nice cap to the film. The cynics will no doubt be bitching about it being too happy and I thought I was going to feel that way, too, but when the ending came it didn't feel out of place or unearned.(**END SLIGHT SPOILERS**)
So, rejoice! This summer is still running strong. We have a great BATMAN movie in theaters already, a sweet Romero zombie movie opening this weekend and a great Spielberg sci-fi blockbuster opening next week. If Spielberg can bring this level of effortless creativity to INDIANA JONES 4, then I say bring on INDIANA JONES 4!
I'm tired... it's been a helluva long day... I saw a movie in the same room as Hulk Hogan, Bruce Willis, Bill O'Reilly (believe it or not), Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon (how that couple could have been in the same room as O'Reilly and not start a fist-fight is a minor miracle), Paul Schrader, Peter Bogdanovich, Howard Stern, Ice T and John Singleton and the main cast and crew of WOTW to name a few... that's so weird... and I got to tell Tim Robbins that I loved him in HOWARD THE DUCK (no lie) and Kate Capshaw that I am one of the few people that can honestly and with total sincerity tell her that I love TEMPLE OF DOOM. I also got to geek out in front of Dennis Murren for a few minutes. As you can see, it's been a wild ride and I'm happy to share it with you folks.
I have a day of enjoying the city in front of me tomorrow... so I better get to bed before I sleep the whole day away. I've got some cool shit on the horizon, squirts, including a set visit to a sci-fi/horror flick called ALTERED, my time up north on the set of MASTERS OF HORROR as well as those KONG reports to finish up, not to mention Comic-Con happening in about 3 weeks. Busy busy busy. 'Til then, this is Quint bidding you all a fond farewell and adieu.
-Quint
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One of the best things about the trailers were that they showed different things each time, but never showed too much of the movie. Can't wait to get to the theatre for this.
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the son dies. The "aliens" are humans from the future who've colonized Mars because Earth is an ecological shithole. John C. Reilly was fucking pissed they chose Tim Robbins over him, let me tell you.
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I feel like Chuck Heston at the end of Planet of the Apes. This movie blows. Check out the Sydney Morning Herald "Men are From Mars". Spoilers Inc. so beware but fear not there is nothing to fear but another load in the toilet.
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Jun 24, 2005 5:12:02 AM CDT
Sounds good - also agree about DOOM its highly superior to the b
by spacesheik
Bring on INDY 4!
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Jun 24, 2005 5:33:52 AM CDT
I really hope the film is better than the impression this review
by shan
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Don't worry. That reviewer came off as an asshole. Any review that dedicates more time to ripping into Cruise as off-screen Scientologist than it does discussing his film character has no more credibility than the average AICN talkbacker.
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"His recent films haven't looked dull, but this is the first time since SAVING PRIVATE RYAN that I could almost see Spielberg's face on the screen"
that sounds like angel -
Jun 24, 2005 6:02:02 AM CDT
I don't know... I still think this movie will be a stinker
by spider-ham
So far everything about this movie points to sucking. In fact this early reviw is the only one that has said anything positive about this film. Short of rave reviews and 100% turn around, I doubt I'll see this.
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Jun 24, 2005 6:59:40 AM CDT
Re: In fact this early reviw is the only one that has said anyt
by jollysleeve
Huh? So far of the 5 or 6 early reviews I've read (including the few on this site), they have ALL been very positive. The only negative one I've seen so far has been from the link Shan just posted above.
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Believe me, I want this to be good. Please be good, please be good ...
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Hey I was watching Vanilla Sky tonight, and I just got through the prelude where Cameron Crowe says this film is filled with signs and such well I'm not yet four minutes into it and I noticed that Katie Holmes is in Vanilla Sky at 3m:40s on the PAL dvd.
There's a big fat still frame close up of a magazine cover shouting "The Primal Katie".
Weird huh?
Does anyone else think this is weird?
It's weird right? -
I don't give two spits & half a fart about Cruise's religon, girlfriend or height. What a load of kark. Just bring on dem tripods. And the red weed. Flash-fry some extras. Bring some shit down, Speilberg style.
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So Quint- What was up in the Central Park area on NYC? I'm going to be in the area tomorrow with a few hours to kill, so if something interesting's going on I could always slide by the camera...
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(Quint) .... lol
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This sounds to me more like a piracy thing then anything else. DVD and Piracy are killing the movie industry.
Despite, all the movie piracy is stealing ads you see in the cinema, people are still doing it.
For harry potter last year Warners invested heavily in night vision equipment to stop anyone from filming the movie. I wouldnt and wont do it. I still enjoy going to the cinema and will more than likely see this film at some stage.
A little bit of historcal facts regarding the Internet and movie studios. 4 years ago fox made it its mission to go after unofficial buffy sites which gave spoilers to upcoming episodes, fox laywers intervened and most of these sites were shut down.
Paramount used make Star Trke untill they Messed up that franchise spectacularly as we all know. Sites used to leak information about the trek franchise all the time and sure that that incensed paramount particularly.
So now paramount and fox are now clamping down on all journalists be they magazine or net or whatever and next stage of the studios campaign, fully supported by the MPaa, will be the targeting downloadable movie sites.
even though this is supposedly a war on terror it feels more like a war on democracy.
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Hope this movie is good... I wonder If I would like it more if I could see it with famous people...
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Jun 24, 2005 9:26:06 AM CDT
so... a guy calling himself "Quint" likes a Speilberg movie, huh
by hypeendshere
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Jun 24, 2005 9:31:31 AM CDT
If I had nenver spent more than $20 on a shirt, I wouldn't t
by barry egan
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First off, WOW was based on an H.G. Wells novel. Second, SIGNS was a rip off of the Twilight Zone episode "The Invaders", about a woman on a farm trying to singlehandedly hold off an alien invasion. Except for the moronic concept that a race of aliens who are vulnerable to water (and, apparently, closet doors), would invade a planet that's 90% water. That's all Night.
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Smuggling candy and popcorn and soda into theaters is putting Corn farmers out of business. Boo patrons Boo!
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Jun 24, 2005 10:03:31 AM CDT
Quint, you lost it with your Temple of Doom comment
by miserableraingod
Hey Quint, I think a helluva lot of people can say, and with complete sincerity, that they love Temple of Doom. I'm one of 'em. I love Raiders and Crusade, too. Welcome to New York, buddy - but you lost your mind there for a minute. And by the way - congrats on being promoted at AICN. You deserved a stronger role at the site, and for the past few days there have been a lot of updates! We all know that Harry and Drew are tired and very busy, so we appreciate you giving us some cool news.
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CRUSADE gets better as I get older, mainly I think because of hte father/son arc. And Ford and Connery do work well together. But the action scenes are still labored (except for the near brillant finale where Indy has to solve the puzzles) and the effects are half ass, especially the flying scenes (surprisingly for a Spielberg film). The whole venture had the air of a bunch of people who were still hung over from the backlash to the darkness of DOOM and probably didn't really care. And DOOM, despite its flaws being more evident (Kate Capshaw, the potrayal fo the Indian culture), still has some of the most energetic, intense, and beautifully choreographed action scenes of its era, all set to one of John W.'s best scores.
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Quint gets tired after seeing a movie. Tough life you got!
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Jun 24, 2005 10:29:11 AM CDT
Did you ask Hulk Hogan if he is going to be in the sequel? And
by heywood jablowme
You knew that was coming. Sounds like a cool ride. Can't wait to see it. By the way, Tom Cruise is a complete fucking nut-job. I witnessed it on the Today Show. What happened Mav?
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Probably the best review I've read from Quint in awhile. He's got me even more excited to see this film. I've got high expectations but I have a feeling Spielberg will meet them.
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Chud.com also loves this flick. They've only posted a mini-review from the NT premiere so far, (they're under embargo until opening day for their full review), but here's an excerpt...
"Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, an updating of the classic HG Wells novel, is the blockbuster to beat this summer. My review is embargoed until release, but I don't think that Paramount is going to mind too much if I tell you that this is a damn good movie. Nothing I had seen had led me to believe that the film would be as good as it is. War of the Worlds is scary, smart and just plain well made." -
Jun 24, 2005 10:54:29 AM CDT
Tom Cruise's act is enough to keep me away from this movie
by alwaysthere
The guy has seriously lost his marbles and there's honestly no way I can go see that movie at 12:01 AM Wednesday without thinking about the ludicrous stuff he's been talking about.
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Yeah... I meant to say "NY premiere". So shoot me.
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Jun 24, 2005 11:08:14 AM CDT
Wow, CHUD is following the rules but this review shows why I sti
by lost skeleton
A maverick review...thanks Quint. The buzz is good on this flick and I can't fucking wait. I am glad it is not ID42 but something new.
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Blame it all on Mimi Rogers.
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Jun 24, 2005 11:29:57 AM CDT
"I will marry M. Night because his last four films are better th
by maguasynfield
Tell me, what color is the sky in your world? No, really. Since you posted this at 10:00am, more or less, there's just no way you could be that drunk already, unless you're Norma Desmond.
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"It was really good. The ending kinda sucked, but by that point you don't even care."
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Wow Quint like a Spielberg film, color me shocked and amazed. Oh and if you want a review to seem somewhat credible, you might not want to admit that you liked Catch Me If You Can or The Terminal....what a tool.
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I would sooner wipe my ass with broken glass and rinse with gaoline than believe any review from chud.com, talk about a bunch of bootlickers.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVING STICK FROM ASS:
1. Grab Stick.
2. Pull Hard.
3. Enjoy Refreshing Fudgesicle while bowing to Spielberg's brilliance. -
And this will be the best film of this one.
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Because Spielberg is incapable of doing 'bad' endings... it's the only thing I've been uneasy about since this was announced. Well, that and the movie not being scary and fucked up enough. God it sucks having to wait till Wednesday!
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Jun 24, 2005 1:03:42 PM CDT
For the umpteen time: TEMPLE OF DOOM ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by charley varrick
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I shoulda cast her inna my Kong. You know what-a scene i'm a-talkin' about!
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"You alien meatballs better take off now, DUDE!!! Or you'll have to go up against the 24 inch pythons and the millions of Hulkamaniacs getting my back!! Plus the training, the prayers, the vitamins, RAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! So whatcha gonna do,when Hulkamania destroys you, BROTHER!!!!"
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The fact that they haven't showed any real footage perrtaining to the story really whets my appetite. I wish they kept a lock like this on the story for ROTS, even though I still loved it.
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I think im gonna stop takin paxil cause Dr. Cruise told me so. THen im gonna crush his skull against a curb and say thanks for settin me straight.
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Jun 24, 2005 2:02:58 PM CDT
Spielberg's films are like massage parlors...the best ones g
by heywood jablowme
Sorry, but that also had to be said. And Charley Varrick and others, Temple of Doom was the worst of the 3. Kate Capshaw and casting that incorporates a kid as "cute comedic sidekick" That's all that needs said.
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Mimi Rogers wakes up and walks to the bathroom,,,Toms taking a shower.
Tom, I had this horrible dream that we got divorced and you married this amazon and you made serious man love to L Ron Hubbard, then you dated a wanna be actress who could pass as your daughter, then you died when the planet blew up from an alien attack.
It was just a dream dear, go back to sleep. -
hey buddy, i know what a big fan u are of the 1 and only QUINT...so do urself a favor, n while ur in NY go out east to Montauk and meet the real mako man himself, Frank Mundus...he is 1 salty dawg!!!!!
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I bet that whenever a human being is killed a red weed grows from the residue, etc. So we get to see the extent of the numbers of people killed by the amount of red weeds--perhaps there are fields and fields of them. That's what I would do if I was making the film.
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Of germs like in the Pal movie? Because if they do, it's going to be as lame as "Signs."
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Jun 24, 2005 3:27:26 PM CDT
"SOYLENT RED WEEDS ARE MADE FROM PEOPLE!!!......FROM PEOPLE!!
by rolling_stone
Thus Charlton Heston says.
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There's a happy ending because the aliens start dying off and they leave. Thus, a happy ending. AND, "Temple of Doom" was a lot of fun. It wasn't nearly as good as the other two, but it was still Indiana fucking Jones!
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tell me exactly why they do. All I usually hear on this site is Spielberg bashing from talkbackers. I would seriously, SERIOUSLY love to hear someone's comments as to why both MINORITY REPORT and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN sucked ass, two of the best reviewed movies of their year and I would like to know exactly what people had against them. It's fine to think a movie sucks, I get that, but nobody seems to back it up with anything other than the ending was too happy. What kind of fuckin' people are you to think that a good movie, let alone great movie, has to have a down ending to be great. I can understand if it doesn't fit, as with AI, that ending just didn't fit and came off as totally forced. But seriously, a shot of Cruise's wife pregnant ruins a total movie? I can't stand it when shitheads shit on a film for being too likeable and fun like CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and THE TERMINAL. Give the guy a fuckin' break, he isn't Kubrick. So what if he wants to make happy films, grow the fuck up people and get out of your non-gettin' laid miserable lives and learn to enjoy a good film when it's given to you.
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You just got a gold star from me, my friend.
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Jun 24, 2005 6:05:39 PM CDT
Temple of Doom had one of the best climaxes in movie history...4
by bigdickmcgee
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THE LAST CRUSADE was ABOOT AND COSTELLO MEET THE KEYSTONE COPS - a boat chase, a motorcycle chase, a a bi-plane sequence, unmemorable villain, weak premise (holy grail), innefective action scenes (rat infested sewers in venice etc) - only the River Phoenix prologue was RAIDER's like - it was lazy filmmakking at best. A.I. was Kubrick with the worst elements of Spielberg thrown in (the teddy bear, the circus of robots sequence qith voices by robin williams, chris rock etc. AMISTAD was tedious, bland and anticlimactic. MINORITY REPORT was very dissapointing, even the washed up cinematography was a major turn off, film lacked a strong dramatic narrative - Richard Shickel must have been on crack when he stated that MINORITY was Spielberg's most entertaining film since RAIDERS. I still think Spielberg's best recent work are SCHINDLERS LIST and PRIVATE RYAN - I enjoyed the caper CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - it was a lightweight drama, nice 60s atmosphere, good performances, no more no less. I aint gonna criticize LOST WORLD like most fanboys cause I thought it was superior to JURASSIC, but then again I like my Spielberg films dark and violent. I like Spielberg when he pulls no punches and gets down and gritty and throws in the horror elements - I hope WAR OF THE WORLDS delivers.
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Jun 24, 2005 6:16:02 PM CDT
And yes if I was Spielber now I'd be really fucking pissed a
by spacesheik
WAR OF THE WORLDS could ahve been the biggest movie of the summer -- 300 million easy but Tom Cruise's DAILY antics are hurting the potential grosses of the film badly, I think lots of people out there now are pissed off at Cruise and all that "scientology-psychology-is-bad-i love katie" talk.
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Jun 24, 2005 6:53:15 PM CDT
DOOM Rocked. How spielberg got a PG rating while ripping out pe
by harry coin
CRUSADES blew donkey balls.
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ringberer9: that's odd, because Spielberg hosted fundraisers for John Kerry at his Hamptons home. And Koepp has gone on record in Entertainmetn Weekly as anti-Bush.
Spacesheik: Personally, I was waiting for someone to pimp slap that smug smirk off Matt Lauer's face ( a smirk learned no doubt while golfing with his bro' Boy Bush). But I agree, Spielberg, Dreamworks, and Paramount must be praying Cruise gets hit with laryngitis for the next two weeks. That confrontation was truly the Clash of Two Mental Midgets.
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Jun 24, 2005 8:25:15 PM CDT
"I got to tell Tim Robbins that I loved him in HOWARD THE DUCK (
by 3 bag enema
So, in other words, you made a complete ass of yourself.
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Jun 24, 2005 8:26:23 PM CDT
"Tripods taking out dozens upon dozens of people" -- with 6.5 bi
by frankdrebin
like, I dunno, bombs?!
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I dunno if i want to see this movie.. . I'm a huge defender of "judge the art, not the artist" but Tom Cruise is REALLY starting to bug me... Shouldn't he be promoting his movie and keeping his cultish beliefs to himself... It's getting really hard to ignore, it's in every newspaper, on every channel. The guy just won't shut up... And I was really looking forward to the movie... I just hope the aliens don't turn out to be Thetans, or Xenu or whatever the fuck he believes in.
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Jun 24, 2005 10:12:40 PM CDT
Spielberg is a Jew..blah, blah.blah...he supports Israel blah bl
by bigdickmcgee
arab terrorist are getting a bad wrap blah blah blah....Edgar Bronfmanwolfowiztsteingoldfarbfishbein bought Scientology, the UN and the island of Guam so Israel could benefit blah blah.......Jewy McJewestein controls the planet earth from his secret base on saturn blah blah blah....
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I agree with you on that. I've had more than enough of Tom Cruise. I've seen enough Tom Cruise already to last 25 lifetimes. The only problem is you can't seem to escape this guy no matter how hard you try. He's on T.V. everyday. He does 20 million interviews that are broadcast over and over and over. He's on the cover of every single magazine incluidng Details magazine with the words "Tom Cruise wants to save your soul". I can't walk 3 feet and turn a corner without seeing Tom Cruise in some form or another. I even go to check the Drudge Report for some news and boom, there he is again arguing with Matt Lauer over Scientology vs. Psychology. I am on Tom Cruise overload. I GET it. I KNOW what he looks like. I KNOW he is the star of WOTW. I know he claims to be insanely happy with Katie Holmes (even though this 3rd marriage will fail like all the other Hollywood marriages.)Enough already. Sheesh.
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Spielberg is Pro War? Kinda like they tried to destroy Mel Gibson's Passion about a year before it came out? Do you think they are baiting Cruise so he will end up doing a Howard Dean Scream live on TV?
I'm getting that Ideer that this tom baiting by the media is a setup for this flicks failure, because if it is true and there is an underlying Pro War Theme to this flick then it would make sense.
Me I won't see this Flick because I just can't part with the cash to watch the Midget grin at the screen and do his usual one man running down the street bit he does in every movie. I'll wait to get a boot. -
I'll see it because of A) Spielberg and B) Robbins. Robbins is awesome.
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Nah...The media just loves to see a movie star meltdown. The media is more pro-war than any conglomerate right now, except for Haliburton and whomever got that missing 8 billion. The media's complicity in accepting the whole WMD bullshit is probably one big reason why we're in Vietnam, the sequel.
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The media dropping the ball on the news story yesterday that the Pentagon has been compiling information on EVERY high school/college grad from 16 to 25 (that includes many of you TBers), an illegal act BTW, is another piece of evidence that, well, the media loves a good war to sell their papers and to get their ratings.
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...are fucking dipshits watch too much TV and or read too many tabloids. When I refer to tabloids I mean any magazine that has a celebrity on the cover and the healine is something about said star's personal life. I have no problems with Crusie, in fact the last time I saw him since The Last Samurai was when I willfully watched the WOTW trailers. You act like he comes knocking at your door, and interrupting your dinner by bragging about his religeon and his personal life. No you bunch of fiends, you tune into show's like The Insider, ET and various talkshows who's purpose just happens to be for celebrities to come on and promote what their currently doing. You perpetuate it, then you act all disgusted with it when the only person who sucks in the situation are the people who live for the gossip involving the lives of celebrities. I just don't get how some people can get so angry about what's on TV when you can simply turn the channel, or better yet do something far more entertaining with your time. You should never spend enough time on a show or a celebrity to the point where hate is even an option, because you're the one stupid enough to watch something that you don't like long enough to develop such an opinion. An on the subject of Cruise himself. We live in a world where motherfuckers have the right to live however they want for the most part. Cruise can be a Satan-loving evangelist who fucks both of the Olsen Twins and brags about it on live TV for all I care. The reality is the only time I give to the lives of celebrities is when they're doing what they're meant to do which is entertain me. If Crusie isn't acting, he's not doing his job, therefore I don't require his services, in turn channels are changed to something that does suffice my immediate needs for entertainment. War of the Worlds has been a film long-awaited for me well before Spielberg announced his version and I'm pretty sure it's going to be fucking grand. Talk all the shit you want about the political backstories involving the release of a film, or how the Cruise and Holmes relationship is affecting profits for Batman Begins. That's all bullshit and you know it. Pointless irrelevant excuses for why your team isn't winning, when in reality you're not really on anyone's team, you're just a sideliner. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bagging on Batman, I'm a huge fan, but I won't blame the relationship of two celebrities for the reason it's had fairly modest box offices takes. And if it ever comes to a point where such relationships actually do have an effect on a film then you only have yourselves to blame because you're spending too much time on crap that really isn't important in all reality. And yeah, I've never liked "Crusade" as much as "Doom". I guess when I was a kid I liked "Crusade" more because it was the "Last" film, implying a conclusion to the trilogy. But as I grew older I realized that "Crusade" is just a very mundane way to end such a great series of films, which is perhaps the reason for why we've all been waiting for that last big "closing the book" Jones film that "Crusade" wasn't. It's not that "Crusade" is a bad film, I just think it's placement in the series places demands on the film that such film wasn't necessary conjured to accomidate from it's fans. Plus "Doom" is a fucking piece of art man. The second Jones film was wonderfully violent, exciting with Lucas, Spielberg, Ford and Williams all at the top of their game. It was a film that took chances and avoided any safe routes it could have taken. That was an inspired film that I'm glad to see is appreciated more in hindsight that it was at it's inception. Anyone that says "Actually Az, Temple of Doom wasn't the second Jones film, it actually took place..." blah blah fuck you! Remind yourself of your shallow sense of superiority and by correcting some comic book store patrons on the pronounciation of the name "Dooku" and stop reminding us of things we knew 15 years ago. Do you ever wonder why people lack the skills to be analytical of themselves? You are you're own best reference for understanding the nature of the human condition, take advantage of it, it'll do you a favor in the long run. - Az
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Jun 25, 2005 2:16:50 AM CDT
Naw man the High school records stuff is a setup for the Draft
by justice41
The media has been pushing for a draft for years now so....like they say beware what you ask for. I just hope all their little darlings get a chance to get their asses blown off in some back waters middle eastern hellhole. It would only be fair and just for the higher ups in the media and hollyweird to have their youts sent off to get blown up fight a war they hate. Yup! A draft is on the way. ThankfullyI'm over 40, so I'm exempt, but a lot of you poor slobs under 36 are eligible. Hope Canada has room for the cowards who will run. Yup a Draft is on it's way boys and girls.
Buy lottsa stock in kevlar and nomex. -
But I completely agree with what you're saying. So kudos nonetheless. AND TO ALL YOU OTHER PILES OF WANK: WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE MOVIE BEFORE YOU PASS JUDGEMENT. You should all be destroyed.
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You're over 40, but you talk like a 16 year old who plays too much Grand Theft Auto and pretends to have perspective on political ideals. Who are you to judge who deserves to have their kids asses blown off in war? I think we're losing a bit of ground in our arguments when eggagerations about the punishments for failure for those who work in the entertainment industry involve having their kids sent off to imminent death. The manner in which some people argue their opinion does them no favors, then they wonder why won't anyone rush to back them up. Hell who am I but I know-nuthin' knowbody 26 year old? I'm still wet behind the ears and the spring in my step endures due to my having no idea what real life is about. You are a true American Justice41, for you fullfilled your patriotic duty by not only being a fucking redneck who resorts to violence in a situations that don't require such solutions, but you've also used fear as a tool to try to scare a bunch of forum-trolling kids. If you're over 40 and all you have to contribute here is chiming in everytime someone mentions war or the goverment, then maybe it's time you thought about joining the NRA's forums. Maybe I'll see you over there since I troll them and wait for Star Wars references so I can "own" a bunch of old dudes in Star Wars trivia. And if you're being sarcastic then you're still an ass because you have yet to learn that sarcasm can not be fully conveyed in type and for that you deserve to have your ass shot off. Just kidding I was being sarcastic right there. Meh...-Az
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Word around the campfire is the painter was a fan of my sort. I wonder how he'd portray me? Though I hope he would go another route and put white on black as to convey contrast between myself and my kin. I may retort your words due to my nature, yet I admire you're skills of perception your wrecklessness and lack of discrimination in placing punishment upon the weaker masses. It warms my heart to know that I am not alone out there. Do allow me the knowledge of your residence though. For next time I choose to masacre a planet for no apparent reason save for my own amusement I'll allow you to accompany me in my floating citadel where together we can sip wine and chuckle at the unfortunate fate of those who were not as foresightful enough to master alchemy or science so that they could escape their impending demise. - Az
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Agree with all those above about 'Temple of Doom'; it beats the crap out of 'Crusade'. Spielberg/Lucas rightly recognised that they would never be able to reproduce the perfection of 'Raiders', so they second guess the audience and go balls out for a crazy, violent, offensive (to some), over-the-top experience with no pretentions. Now they look back on it with a certain embarassment and apologise for its religious crudity / heart rippings / child whippings etc! Thrown into the mix, it is these things that distinguish it from 'Raiders' instead of being an inferior carbon copy like 'Crusade'. It speeds along to a great soundtrack that blasts out the Indy theme at every chance, and never misses an opportunity to capture the-man-in-the-hat in an iconic pose, torn shirt and ready to kick ass. Sure it slows down for 20 minutes in the middle but only to set up a final madcap 40. 'Crusade' on the other hand is Speilberg/Lucas at their A.I/Prequels lamest, premeditated and insulting. The father/son gimmick doesn't work, the rip-off plot takes itself too seriously and 'Raiders' characters once with gravitas (Marcus and Salha) are simply relegated to slapstick foils. What's more, that crap at the beginning with River Phoenix smacks of Lucas's obsession with bringing characters full circle and should have alerted everyone to the Star Wars mess that was to follow. And to round it off, next to no Indy theme! Looking back, 'Crusade' takes away from 'Raiders' whilst 'Temple of Doom' compliments it. As a fan I sincerely hope Indy IV doesn't happen 'cause regardless how good Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds' is, I just know Lucas will fuck this one up again in his deluded belief that he can write popular not populist movies. He can't.
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... and for that, I will hear no ill spoken about it!
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Jun 25, 2005 4:23:12 AM CDT
sym69 you almost had an invite to the floating citadel...
by azlam orlandu
...but then you started to bash Star Wars. Sorry man, we can have a drink at the bar and play tennis on Tuesdays, but I can't have the kind of friendship with you that merits an invite to my daughters wedding anymore. Oh well, there's always hope you'll change you're mind. I hope you do, because you really seem to be of a decent sort. And as for me changing my mind about the prequels...sorry man. If I were to change my convictions about the Prequels, temples would fall, crystals would shatter, cats would live with dogs and in the distance a small child could be heard weeping. Though it would be funny if this whole 5 year battle I've been waging against the prequel haters was in fact an elaborately concocted scheme to cause disarray and war in the ranks of Aint it Cool. Sri Lanka sucks! J/k -Az
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Jun 25, 2005 5:10:10 AM CDT
"The Shankara stones will be found Dr Jones. YOU WONT! hahahaaha
by spacesheik
classic classic. that film just gets better with age - DOOM was bold, from its opening Busby Berkeley number and the chaos and violence that ensues in the "Club Obi Wan" to the Temple violence to the climactic bridge fall - i loved it - sure i had trouble with the raft falling from the plane and hitting the mountain and then falling into the river and i thought the dinner sequence was a tad racist, and Kate Capshaw was a major irritant, but overall it was a slambang violent, dark, brave sequel. . Unlike CRUSADES which seem tired, devoid of mysticism or darkness, just seemed like a Bond globetrotting film with the father-son soap opera thrown in. Look at the action scenes in the film: a tired boat chase in venice, a rat infested sewer, indy and father tied up in a burning room, and action scene featuring ONE tank in the end (did they run out of money?) and a climax featuring some old Templar sitting in a chair offering a cup -- gimme a fucking break.
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You will receive your invitation by mail within the next 8-10 millenium or before the next intergalactic purge of the planet Earth, whichever comes first. Fuck yeah, dudes getting torn limb from limb by aligators and eaten whole. Indiana Jones cuts a fucking bridge in half. Tell me you've seen anyone with bigger balls in a movie than Indy when he cuts that damn bridge. "Hold on lady, we go for ride." "...Oh my god! Oh my god, oh my god..." Yeah, no shit oh my God. This talkback has made me realize how much I loved that movie. I've always argued with people about how much better it was than Crusade, but now that I really think about it, I almost like it better than Raiders. I said "almost" people, sit the fuck down. -Az
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...for your kind words, to be honest though I'm not really down on the Star Wars prequels I just think they are endemic of the larger picture. I can't pretend for a moment that the Hollywood system is anything more than a mildly entertaining divertion, but I do recognise Spielberg/Lucas's superior contribution to it. I mean, they haven't split the atom or anything, but they are certainly responsible for some of the better examples. That's why I think it's a shame that they seem to be imitating the style and pacing of films which in turn were influenced by them in the first place. It's a shame they feel that their films must keep up-to-date with current blockbuster mentality when they more or less wrote the book. The prequels aspire to a broad, blockbuster literate, audience that the original trilogy never cowed down to. Likewise, most of Spielberg's post 'Temple of Doom' work is far too demographically conscious. Sure, you make films for an audience, but you must respect that audience by demonstrating an intelligence of the craft rather than cynically attempting to out-do the last big 'hit' as if that is the audience's only point of reference. Good blockbusters have a life well beyond the opening weekend, as Jurasic Park vs. Last Action Hero showed. If it's true that Spielberg has deliberatly avoided the bombast of ID4 for 'War of the Worlds', then that can only be good news. After all, why be a slave to your own homunculus?
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Now has a whole island after him. Not just the people who live on it (who will now take time off from fighting with each other)who will all come after him but also the island itself. Without warning, he'll be walking down the street and *wham* - an island will land right on him.
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... or the island of Sri Lanka might just knock him on the head, steal all his money and run off. There's a lot of that going around I hear ... On a totally unrelated note, some almost relatives of mine (my uncle's cousin and her husband) are two of the biggest film directors in Sri Lanka (yes, small small pond in the film world ...) and when Spielberg was in town for Doom, they could have met him like most of the people who work for him - but apparently they were doing something else. Yes, I know that I have absolutely no way of proving that statement. Mind you, a claim of knowing someone who could have met Spielberg but didn't is so mundane as to more than likely be true, don't you think?
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I've always been anti-Tom-Cruise. My anti-Tom-Cruise-ness has waxed and waned - highest during his Top Gun and Magnolia periods, lowest at about the time of Rain Man. I never "hated" him, per se, enough to not see a movie he's in, the way I "hate" [for example] Julia Roberts. But I never much liked the idea of Tom Cruise. And of course all the scientology stuff is absolutely insane, and of course I don't believe his marriage to Nicole Kidman was anything but a sham, and of course I don't believe in any of his subsequent beards, either. But after finally seeing the tape of him lighting into Matt Lauer, I may be forced to start to like him. Don't you people realize that we actually got treated to the spectacle of someone digressing from their Hollywood BS promotional script to actually tell an interviewer WHAT THEY THOUGHT? Maybe his opinion on this particular issue is crazy and mean, but what's important is THAT HE EXPRESSED IT. How many of the fucking robots out there on the entertainment promotion circuit will say one sincere thing this year? Not many. Even the arty or deep-political types that turn up on Charlie Rose are completely, utterly full of shit - you can be sure that at any moment, even when demonstrating apparent sincerity, each of them is diligently working at conveying the image they've consciously chosen to convey, and even the "outsider" opinions are delivered with the calculation that goes into the writing of a McDonald's jingle. And then out of nowhere you have Tom Cruise - Tom Cruise, the ultimate prepackaged happy meal of a person - suddenly saying Fuck It and telling Matt Lauer what he actually thinks, in front of millions of people. I'm impressed.
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Jesus I take a few hours off to play WoW and everything turns 180 on me. First off I was just kidding about Sri Lanka, if I were serious I wouldn't have added it in there as a snide little rebuke to your praise at the end of my statement. Though I'm pretty sure Shan already knows this. I just want to make sure I don't have to walk around looking up all the time. Sym69, you are a reasonable person and I won't dare try to rob you of your opinion, but if I may have the forum for a minute I have one thing for you to consider about the Star Wars Prequels. You said "I can't pretend for a moment that the Hollywood system is anything more than a mildly entertaining divertion, but I do recognise Spielberg/Lucas's superior contribution to it. I mean, they haven't split the atom or anything, but they are certainly responsible for some of the better examples. That's why I think it's a shame that they seem to be imitating the style and pacing of films which in turn were influenced by them in the first place. It's a shame they feel that their films must keep up-to-date with current blockbuster mentality when they more or less wrote the book. The prequels aspire to a broad, blockbuster literate, audience that the original trilogy never cowed down to." I have to disagree with you on this for two reasons. 1 - Star Wars = George Lucas' version of Flash Gordon. Just because the originals happened to succeed on multiple levels in reguards to what people could get out of the films doesn't mean that his intention was any different. 2 - I think the reason the Prequels are not as universaly appreciated is not due to them trying to appeal to the masses, but quite the opposite. If the prequels were out there for anyone other than Star Wars fans then they would be completely different. Nobody can argue that any of the characters try to be cool or hip or modern in regards to today's opinions of such. There's no techno soundtrack, black sunglass wearing buff guys with one liners. And I also disagree that Lucas and Spielberg are immitating anyone, especially themselves. Spielberg has gone on to make a wide variety of films that span over quite a few genres. And Lucas, well in spite of critical rankings I don't think any of you can say that there's ever been any films quite like the Star Wars Prequels before. For better for worse some might say, but new ground is being covered by these guys even today. Just my 2 cents on that man. My opinion, nothing more. And I would like to see Curise punch out somebody on TV sometime in the near future. He's taken a lot of crap lately for no reason. What, every gets a turn no matter what they do? Is the general public always just out for someone to hate and when your time is up your screwed. Fuck that. Tom has worked hard for years, he doesn't have to answer to anyone about anything. Tom should have lit Lauer's ass on fire. I mean here's Tom Cruise a man who's been in a lot of movies, and who has a lot on his resume vs. Matt Lauer a man who's spent a lot of time interviewing a lot of people like Tom Cruise. If Lauer wants to be a bitch and bite the hand that feeds well he's sure doing it. If he thinks his show is successful because people tune in to him yack about how nice his tie looks instead of his guests he's mistaken. Cruise has my $10 at the theater this week. -Az
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Jun 25, 2005 9:52:38 AM CDT
I am gonna take some Xoloft, Effexor, Xanax, Paxil and Lithium b
by mentallymariah
I cannot watch War of the Worlds and look at Tom Cruise and not think of his crazy ass behavior in the past few weeks! He is the new Michael Jackson! He makes Mariah Carey's Meltdown look like the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants! Someone needs to slip a Xanax in his Jim Jones Kool Aid, He really bugs me big time! I look at him and think ANNE HECHE!
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Yes, I knew you were joking, I too was joking and yet again, I curse the inability to definitively convey sarcasm, irony, humourous overtones etc with definitive certainty. I figured the suggestion of an actual island beating you up in the parking lot might have been a clue - P.S I called the hit off ...
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Just noticed that only just then ... j/k ... must = just kidding. I am *so* *quick* of the mark. Yes, I suck, I know ...
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Impotent haters think of any reason to bash Spielberg. He is a leftist. If you WATCHED his movies (not simply look at them) you'd understand this.
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It's all good man. Uncle Az digs your style. No need to explain. And is it me or when did the world turn all bitter towards wacko celebrities. I love the fact that Cruise is going all "beginning of Jerry Maguire" nutso finally. Right on man! Say what you think. I don't give a fuck if I don't agree, at least one person out there is speaking their mind in this false reality TV throws at us. You are my personal hero as of late. -Az
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sym69; First of all, I'm not going into an argument re: the prequels, which I obviously hold in higher regard than you, esp. since I think they ARE NOT catering to the Hollywood mentality. I mean, the easy cash cow would have been for Lucas to simply make "Three Movies Where Darth Vader Kills People". That's what a studio mentality would've done. But by going back into the original story that he wrote (this IS the original story: I went back and looked at the original novelization. Its all in there), he took a risk most people with the Hollywood mentality would never have touched with a ten foot light meter. But that's another argument. As for Spielberg, well, he's done stuff that's off the Hollywood radar since DOOM, my friend. EMPIRE OF THE SUN, SCHINDLERS LIST, and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN to name 3. Sure, he's done his share of clunkers (AMISTAD, THE TERMINAL), but for a filmmaker to make 3 arguably great "big" movies in a 15 year span is quite an achievement. If he has any problem is he's become too prolific and hasn't taken the time to develop his stories like he once did; either that, or the demands of the family and the mogul has sapped him of his direction somewhat. And getting back to the point re: INDY 4. I don't want to see this not becuase I think Lucas will "fuck" it up, but because Harrison Ford is a sad shadow of what he once was and I'm not sure I want to see a geriatric Indy, unless, of course, its worked into the narrative.
As for Spielberg's prowar, politcal stance, let me just state some facts: He supported the war in Iraq (said so in an interview), then reversed himself when - surprise!!!- no WMDs were found and the pack of lies came tumbling down. NO crime there. He also held many fundraisers for Kerry and the Clintons, so I think he's a Democrat. As a matter of fact, the accounting office that discloses political contributions (sorry, forget the name right now) released their report last summer and Spielberg was disclosed to have contributed to the campaigns of Gephardt and Kerry, I believe. I do think though, that he's been careful not to be too public about his political beliefs, ever the savvy businessman.
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... what we really need to know is: did you bum those Spamalot tickets afterall?
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I think his anti-happy/apathy pills is great. Every lazy ass "educator" that says Ritalin is for your kid. Every dumb ass doctor that recommends the laundry list of mind-altering, high-profit, barely-tested crap that is showing up in the tissues of sea mammals. I love what Jim Carrey said about anti-depressants in that(was it Barbara Walters) interview. He should chime in with Cruise. The drug companies own the Senate with Senator/Doctor Frist as their #1 backer and money recipient. Look at who the big advertisers are on network news...drug companies. Those corporate hacks won't say shit about drug companies when the drug seller are paying their bills. My opinion of Cruise has improved for his principled opposition to the drugged-out brave new world of the pharmaceutical industry (BS prescription drugs are a large part of why health care costs are skyrocking). Matt Lauer's smirking bullshit attitude while Cruise is sincere in his concern was quite a contrast. I wish it would have gone "live" with Cruise doing a Russell Crowe on Lauer's punk ass smirking face(I'm off my Ritalin).
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Yes, I have the inside scoop! You will see this week, as EBERT gives the movie a thumbs down, while Roeper has his thumb in the middle. You will se how they say, "we know a films in trouble when there is voice narration tacked on to the end to try to explain things". Apparently, looks like Tom Cruise Scientology being foreced down Spielberg's throat?
You read it here first! -
Jun 25, 2005 2:27:59 PM CDT
Tom Cruise talks the talk but cant walk the walk - hed rather pl
by spacesheik
his ego is too immense - you think cruise would do an uncommercial adult film like Michael Mann's THE INSIDER? I doubt that
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Jun 25, 2005 2:47:04 PM CDT
Sorry...This movie may be a great as this review says it is, bu
by cryptosporex
Do you expect this site, which is all about getting Harry and his flunkies onset visits and presents, to post a bad review of a Spielburg movie and piss him off? A bad review would dry up the freebies. And from a reviewer that names himself after a character in a Spielburg movie. I would not be suprised if paramount waived the no review rule for Quint since they knew it would be sure thing. This site is merley a tool for the studios now. I will wait for the reviews from critics that refuse to accept preferential treatment.
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Especially in a film based on such a classic great novel by H.g. Wells.
He's an action film excuse for an actor. This film might have some good special effects and scenes but Cruise affects any artistic credibility this film might have otherwise had.
It's a summer popcorn flick instead of the masterpiece it could have been. -
the only good performance Cruise ever gives is when he's off screen.
He should stick to films like Mission impossible or Top gun where he doesn't have to act. -
Jun 25, 2005 4:59:37 PM CDT
300 million dollars for Tom Cruise. His paycheck is just not big
by psalmolive
Tom Cruise gets paid 300 million dollars for acting. He's not even a professional actor. Not even a professional actor should be paid that much. A doctor can save your life, if you were to have a heart attack right now, they could spring into action and increase your chances of survival. Well Tom Cruise is supposed to be a "professional" actor. If I walked up to Tom Cruise on the street and asked him to entertain me for exactly 1 minute, I bet you he couldn't. But yet the movie studios pay him obscene amounts of cash. Fuck Tom Cruise, and fuck all of you sheep who watch this movie. You people deserve to get transported to a third world country to get dyssentery and cholera.
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Now that's comedy!
Come on, Cruise! You wouldn't get pissed at Soupey Sales, would ya? Like a pie in the face! -
...you want a toe,I can get you a toe.
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Jun 25, 2005 7:06:55 PM CDT
Temple of Doom rules, Last Crusade sucks, end of story.
by pops freshemeyer
Last Crusade has the same lame shit going on as the Star Wars prequels. In the prequels, Anakin does everything Luke did, only when he was eight or nine or whatever, and did it better (on accident). In Last Crusade, Indy's dad does everything Indy has done, only he does it better (on accident). In Raiders Marcus Brody is a pretty serious character (and Indy's mentor), then in Last Crusade he's a fucking clown. What's that all about?
And you sure it was Bill O'Reilly there? It might had been John Ramsey. Maybe he was looking for SOME PUERTO RICAN at the screening, trying to find Jon-Benet's real killers, ya know... -
Consider this, guys - the script may be depicting an 'invasion' from the Iraqi/Afghani P.O.V., as if the Americans have arrived in the tripods - just something to consider...
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You're only saying that because you haven't studied the history of acting like Tom Cruise did. You don't know anything about acting. Tom Cruise knows acting. Tom Cruise's acting can make people happy and cure depression, and give kids focus. Ritalin, Prozac, and voodoo can't do that. Tom Cruise deserves all that money, because unlike doctors who have spent their time studying fake remedies to sell to the American public, he's been learning the true history of everything and defending the world from aliens, in film and in real life. If it wasn't for Tom Cruise, you know the Earth would've been destroyed by now because all the nuclear missiles the aliens have planted inside volcanoes would have exploded by now. It's true, it's true! Oh yeah, Tom Cruise also knows the real history of dyssentery and cholera, while you know nothing. Huzzah for Tom Cruise! Huzzah! Huzzah!
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300 million dollars for turning a great novel into a Cruise ego trip piece of crap. great!
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Jun 25, 2005 9:34:44 PM CDT
Proof of Tom Cruise's 300 million dollar PLUS salary for War
by psalmolive
Link: http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2004-09-07
Cruise Could Make $360 Million from 'War of the Worlds'
Movie superstar Tom Cruise has become the highest earning actor in Hollywood history after signing a deal that could earn him a staggering $360 million for his role in War Of The Worlds. Rather than agree a set fee for his part in the Steven Spielberg-directed epic, Cruise will earn 10 per cent of the film's box office takings plus a share of profits from DVDs, video games and toys. Experts predict the film - based on HG Wells' classic novel about a Martian attack - could make $1.8 billion at the cinema alone, of which Cruise's share would be an incredible $180 million. And, if he stars in the two planned sequels, Cruise's earnings will double at least. A Hollywood source says, "No expense will be spared. Spielberg wants to make it the film of the decade - the one that everyone talks about and rushes to see."
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... because I ALWAYS prescribe generic brands. As for doctors saving lives ... well sometimes we do but it's probably just as well that you don't know everything that's going on that you don't see. By the way ... I'm doing a week's worth of ER ... I've never seen the TV show (who wants to watch people pretending to your job after a day of doing your job - and they are getting paid a few years of your salary for a week or two's work) but it's rarely that exciting. Finally, did you know that before George Clooney appeared on ER playing a doctor, he appeared on E/R playing a doctor ...
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I've been reading a lot of pro and con Spielberg feelings. I must admit, I like Steve. He's given me a lot of genuine "thrills", and some WTF moments. He has the luxury of being able to do only the movies he cares about. That means HIS opinions about things will creep in. That's OK! Every director out there puts his "stamp" on his work. Sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant! Spielberg is an important director in our times. He doesn't always "hit a home run", but he's doing his craft! Some of the great directors of the past (Hawks, Capra, Altman, Chaplin, et al.) were not always thought of as "Gods" in their time! They made some "bad" movies! Hell, Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" was a BOMB when it came out!! NOW, it's a classic Christmas movie. Spielberg's body of work is gonna' stand up to the "test of time"!!! 50, or, 100 years from now he'll be in the pantheon of "classic" directors!! My favorite Spielberg "mistake" (1941, seen it over 100 times) may even make the cut!! HEE HEE! Let the man make his movies! Love 'em, hate 'em, whatever. Everyone, even in this overly-critical age, has got to admit, "This fucker's got some SKILLS!!!" By the way, his initials are S.S. (Just thought I'd throw that in for you clowns who are analyzing his movies WAY too much!!)
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Check it out. Cruise is doing the right thing. Drug companies are nothing but Wall Street PUSHERS. It takes a 300 million payday to be able to stand up to the drug companies that have many drugged out and apathetic. Bush got "us" a "prescription drug benefit"...I wonder the f why? Cruise is a Cruiseader doing WHAT IS RIGHT AND COURAGEOUS. Do I covet the sweet ta-ta's of the righteous babe Holmes? OF COURSE! Yet I will no longer question/doubt his manhood. Standing up to cocksuckers who have chemically lobotimized a couple of my friends should rate some respect. Have you ever tried to really engage someone on anti-depressants? It is truly f'in scary.
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Jun 26, 2005 10:15:57 AM CDT
R.C.'s opinion: Wow, Moviemack won't go see War of the
by r.c. the "wise"
Keep up the great work Spielberg!
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Yep,little Katie went to see Cruise about a role in MI:3 and wasn't heard from again, until she reappeard 16 days later as Tom's new girlfriend. Wherein she immediately fired her manager and agent, then promptly shit canned her best friend.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,160192,00.html -
The film makers might claim it's an anti-war movie but with all the subtle [ and maybe not so subtle] war on terror references, I bet everyone it's the other way around.
sounds like war on terror propaganda to me. -
if you get some of this smoke the shit out of it - this shit will knock it out of the park. send me an e-mail too I pay $50 a nickel for the fucking red weed
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and you will be seeing aliens and dinosaurs and nazis and all that shit that Speilberg sees with the red weed
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Jun 26, 2005 1:29:04 PM CDT
Strangely Enough, I Feel No Desire to See This Movie Whatsoever
by zombiesolutions
after ROTS, LOTD, and to a lesser extent, BB, my summer film wonderment has been satiated. i suppose i'll have to see WOTW for the visuals, but, meh. who really cares? although, i'm sure the hamfisted "patriotic" / jingoist / pro-facist post911 subtext will be unintentionally hilarious. let me guess, the aliens "hate us for our freedom" right? lol.
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1) Loved the book and excited to see what Steven can do with it.
2) Alien beating up the planet is always interesting. Every alien race has their own way of doing it.
3) Great supporting cast. Love Tim Robbins. Any man that has Sarandon is okay with me.
I am not a big Cruise fan. All I know is that I picture him screaming and hollaring about Katie or his cult instead of taking his family to safety. I will give it a try.
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Sorry, but when a german reviewer calls a film "wretchedly happy" you should probably expect "bittersweet".
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Show Paramount how to do HG Wells novel PROPERLY!
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And pile on the bad puns, but "Doom" is always going to be better than "Crusade", and your taste in films forever suspect. ...Lameass twat.
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Jun 26, 2005 6:20:55 PM CDT
Eh. Why stand in lines at the the cineplex when all you need t
by johnnytremaine
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Jun 26, 2005 8:27:52 PM CDT
JohnnyTremaine - im afraid teenagers opening nite watching WOTW
by spacesheik
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I enjoyed them in this descending order: Raiders, Doom, Crusade. Maybe if I had seen them out of sequence, I would have a different opinion. Maybe if I'd seen them all at once instead of when they first came out, I'd have a different opinion. A thing that bugged me slightly was the repetition of using *SPOILERS* a room full of creepy critters in every movie. Raiders: Snakes. Doom: Bugs. Crusade: Rats.
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Seriously, I haven't walked up to a ticket counter and had to wait behind anyone since Pulp Fiction came out. Movie theatres are like ghost towns.
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Bitterness = Sad and lonely. Call Dr. Phil or buy someone who cares about your rant. Go to hell.
-Az -
I'll be in contact. You should receive an invite in the immediate future. Your post is by far the best I've seen here so far.-Az
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Spielberg is hackalicious because there might be underlying commentary in WotW, but Romero is a cinematic genius because the Dead movies have underlying commentary. I don't understand. Oh, wait. I see. A filmmaker is judged on how well his worldview matches your own. Makes sense.
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I haven't been going to the movies as often as I used to, but when I did go the week before with a couple of buddies to catch Batman Begins (thought it was good, but weak third act), the cineplex was free of crowds. Since I hadn't been in a while, I ducked my head into a couple of different theaters to catch a glimpse of this movie or that, and most auditoriums were sparsely attended. And this was on an early Saturday evening. Batman had a nice sized crowd, but I was expecting a line around the theater, like the way it was for the '89 Batman, but nope. Just sailed right in. The concession stand prices though, youch! You'd think the kid behind the counter picked the corn from the field himself for the popcorn.
I just think it's a confluence of different factors coming together that Hollywood is late on picking up on, just like the music business: changing audience viewing habits ( Netflix, DVD's, pay per view, and high $$ home entertainment systems) and mediocre product. -
Waiting for your review! Don't go to bed, dude, just sit your ass down first and jot down your thoughts on WOTW (fuck the embargo)- just generally, thumbs way up, thumbs half down. I swear I haven't been this anxious to see a movie in a long loooooooong time. (Which is exactly why attendance is down)
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I can keep this up all night. I'm screaming from the cheap seats - you know, us CIVILIANS.
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Jun 27, 2005 12:02:26 AM CDT
If the "underlying commentary" doesn't fit what the story is
by monkey butler
WotW is about imperialism and its disastrous conseuences. Not jingoistic flag-waving or propaganda. Although to be fair, the only place I've seen that reported is in this TB, so I'll go and see the movie on Thursday and make up my own mind.
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Jun 27, 2005 12:17:24 AM CDT
Summer movies are becoming boring and predictable...hence the sl
by bong
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Well Most of my friends and I had to wait in line for Sin City both times we saw it at the alamo drafthouse. There was also a line for the Kill Bill movies. There was no need to wait in line for Star Wars anymore because it was plastered on 9 million screens 24/7. There were lines for the Lord of the Rings movies and Passion of the Christ as well. Spiderman was initially expected to fail but once word spread the next day that it was really good then the lines suddenly formed for that. And I expect there will also be long lines for King Kong. Thats pretty much about it. Its not like the good old days when Hollywood made better movies most of the time and lines were a lot more common.
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Yeah they are trying like hell to blame it on bootlegging, but that simply isn't the case. People still aren't gonna pay cheaper bootleg prices for shit. And most movies they are churning out is textbook formula shit. Then of course factor in the shakedown sky high ticket prices they are charging. The refreshment stand prices are just as bad if not worse, and then of course you have to repeat your order like 3 times before the kid with his mouth hanging open finally comprehends what your saying. Then walking into the auditorium you have to endure all the pre-teen gerbils aiming laser pointers at the screens or typical pre-teen gerbil cell phone banter. Then of course odds are pretty good that what will be on the silver screen will suck anyway. So yeah, these days with wide screen plasma televions, and netflix with no late fees, most people will just rent the shit and get the almost big screen experience at home for just 1.50 and 3 bucks worth of refreshments vs. getting shaken down at the theater for 50+ dollar for a shitty movie and shitty movie experience. On the other hand there are movies that are worth the big screen experience because it ads to it. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Batman Begins, Sin City, ect. ect. These movies ar worth paying for the big screen experience. Movies like Bewitched and so many others like it simply aren't worth the money anymore, so people just stay home and queue it up on Netflix. And if your on a date it also saves a two way drive and when the credits roll the both of you can get right into the sofa action (assuming the date goes well). That way they are only out 5 bucks, and a gas tank with more gas in it.
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... anybody else scream at the screen during these "commercials" while they're in the theaters? Of all the places where these spots might be appropriate, in the theater, where everyone there has paid the ticketprice, is insulting. The funniest random comment after the spot? "What? We can DOWNLOAD this? What the fuck am I wasting my money and time HERE for?"
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Must see this!
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Jun 27, 2005 2:58:05 PM CDT
I've always wanted to tell Tim Robbins that I loved him in H
by billy goat
just to see how he'd react. So... how did he react? (Yes, I love the movie.)
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And I thought Quint was the only one around here who likened Spielberg to a god and revered the shit he spat out as ambrosia. My mistake. If War of the Worlds is great then I'm happy for all of you. I imagine you will all go out to your little commune and eat beenie weenies and dance around the campfire. If its crap then I imagine it will be mass suicide time at camp Speilberg...no wait don't do that its just a movie after all, anyway if a mass suicide was in order everytime Speilberg didn't "hit one out of the park" wouldn't be many of you guys left would there? Oh and to neary no amount of "stick-pulling" will change the fact that The Terminal was a piece of shit.
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....personal attacks about my mother, wow I'm crushed. Hope it didn't take you long to come up with that one. Oh and if she charged you more than 19.95, I'd ask for my money back. Personal attack aside...The Terminal still sucked.
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Saw the movie today. I can exclusively reveal the 9/11, War on Terror subtext dialogue that Spielberg pressured the writer to include:
***HUGE MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT!!!!***
Fanning: Is it the terrorists!?
Cruise: No.
***END SPOILER*** -
That old fuck face not only posted a negative review for an otherwise good film, but he did'nt have the god damn courtesy to put *SPOILER WARNINGS* either in front of the review, or placed throughout. AND, he gave the "longest yard" a positive fucking review. And I don't give a shit about the "ooh, i changed my mind" nonsense. Thanks ebert you motherfucker! Warning: DO NOT READ HIS REVIEW! IT GIVES AWAY A *HUGE* PLOT DEVICE! Besides, its nothing but ebert just babbling about "why do the aliens do this?" and "why don't the aliens do that?". Ugh, that drives me ape shit. At least harry has the decency to WARN our geek asses about spoilers.
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http://www.shinybluegrasshopper.com/nomovieads/
Just dont support theatres that show ads. Period. Check out the listing at the site I posted above and instead support a local theatre that shows MOVIES and only movies. -
Am I the ony one who thinks this is yet another Spielberg misfire? I'm afraid not.
I left the Dutch premiere feeling miserable and angry, as I always do when I think a great director has blown it. What a truly underwhelming experience this was! What a bleak and unnessecary piece of summer fare this has become. And we already h -
...online for a few days now...and harry is the last one to show it! It kicks ass btw.
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We talked about blind loyalty a few days ago. Please, with all that red carpet treatment, is quint gonna say anything other than, "nah, the end didn't suck. None of it sucked. It was all great, really. Wow. I loved this movie." The aliens could have apologized for all the destruction at the end and he would have loved it still.
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BEST movie he's done in years. As good as JAWS, as good as CLOSE ENCOUNTERS. Simply fabulous, and I do not say this about alot of movies. Best film of the year so far, best action/sci fi/horror film since ALIENS. You'll be in awe. For me, 5/5 stars
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It was said somewhere already, but when that first tripod shows up ... seriously, one of the most jaw-dropping moments I can remember in a theatre.
The only thing I could really compare it to is being 13 years old, seeing Jurassic Park in the theatre for the first time; being in awe and almost terrified of a projection onto a movie screen - only now, I'm 25.
The 9/11 thing? Gimme a fuckin break. Dakota asks daddy Tom "Is it terrorists?!" With a frantic, teary-eyed fear that will rouse some parental instict in even the most coldhearted motherfuckers out there. Aside from some Stars-and-Stripes on a few front porches, there is no "God Bless America", "You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us" ... none of that shit. -
...It jumps the shark...It gets illogical and stupid for the sake of saving folks for that Spielburgain happy ending...
But yeah, great effects. Batman Begins is still the best of the summer so far. -
Seems that a lot of the people in the audience with me were disappointed in the ending... Well, mostly from the whole last 30 minutes or so. The movie DOES seriously slow down once they meet up with Tim's character, and it seems to me that that whole sectionof the film should have been done a bit differently. Oh SPOILER ( his son SHOULD HAVE DIED! He just magically reappears at the end of the movie despite the fact that EVERYONE around him was flat blown up! ) Aside from that the effects are incredible, the first 2/3rds of the movie is near masterpiece... but the ending which is much like the book and first movie, just sort of ends... very anticlimatic.
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Has no one noticed the briefest of cameos at the end by Gene Barry and Ann Robinson as Ray's former in-laws? Thought it was a rather elegant and nice touch on Mr. Spielberg's part.
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Jun 30, 2005 1:06:35 PM CDT
The ENDING IS THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL BOOK, PEOPLE. IT IS NOT A
by uberman
Also, the last 3rd of the film is GREAT. it is exactly as it should be-not a false step, a mis-step. Nothing. Nada. It is one of the BEST parts of the film.
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..was from HG Wells ending. NOT the slapdash way it was executed in this film....People are really referring to the reuniting scene & the stunning bouts implausibilty ....strange how a certain parts of lil america was unscathed (so many tripods walking around surely these must be effected??!)..that ironically its where his exwife is staying...where his son that somehow survived the massive explosion UNSCATHED (also by some means got there before theye did). Where did the logic go? The amount of times Tom n family got lucky (lucky that this car works...lucky that I found these grenades)produced groans from the theatre! Tim robbins goes back to howard the duck route. Personally I feel Spielberg should of went with it being set in victorian times...Y'see the elements (the rush to the ferry..the total inability to defeat the aliens...the fact that mankind is saved by a natural cause) works better in that timeframe. Yes the beginning is brilliant. But spielberg yet again insults his audience by not committing through and falls back on the usual cliches. Big mistake showing the aliens btw..ruined the intensity of a unseen foe....especially as they had cute lil faces! Look.... The beginning is great (this is mostly due to the secrecy surrounding the film pre release..nice move)and was really intense...but I cant see it holding up to multiple viewings...especially as you know whats coming now...well thats my opin. Dare I say it...Signs was a better alien invasion movie...and THAT had the most lamest of endings too.
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Ok guys, since when does any creature, even a creature from outer space, suck up food through its anus? If you have to label it, it would be a mouth, an orifice taking in food, not an anus, an orifice releasing food. Think about it.
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Jul 01, 2005 12:12:00 PM CDT
Every review from this site was completely the opposite of the t
by rajium32
In truth the move sucks. The only good things were the bookends(Mr. Freeman is doing well this year), and the scene where everyone is trying to get into the car. Thematically the movie was confused between a refugee film or a film about the power of Nature. The direction was contrived, rehashed and ill-conceived. Everything had been done before. Zemeckis shots, ID4 aliens, Starship trooper anus.
I hated the fact we see the aliens, I hated the fact we see the ships so much and in the first 10 minutes!! Speilberg even babbled about restraint!! I personeally am waging a bet that with only several thousand dollars I would make a better film!!!!!!!! -
sorry, there was just something missing from this film. It was something fundamental but i cant place my finger on it. I did however walk out of the theatre feeling most displeased.
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Starfish have only one orifice through which they both eat and get rid of their waste. And they also have the same groovy pentamerally symmetrical body plans as us humans, so they're not that bizarre. I just saw this movie today, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe that's because I wasn't expecting too much. The whole movie worked for me, with the exception of the very abrupt ending. But that's how the book was too, and I appreciate that SS didn't take too many liberties and try to make the story too much his own. There was tension a'plenty, the tripods were really well done, and the characters were well-played. I take back my questioning why Dakota Fanning seems to have cornered the market on the "preadolescent female" role. And I only thought twice about Tom Cruise outside of the context of the film...one was during the previews, when they showed one for a truly terrible-looking up and comer called 'Stealth', when I thought about Top Gun. The other was, strangely enough, when he was being sucked up by the tripod's multi-purpose orifice, and I wondered to myself if this was actually a fantasy of his.
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I think some critics watch these movies and dream up what they're gonna write in their review. As they watch a scene. Wow, look at the pacing, wow i wanna be swept away by this, let me force myself to like it, because I want it to be the classic, that it's obviously not! This movie was pretty boring and they know it, but you know what keeps AICN running. These type of reviews. That build up these summer movies to be something magical, which they obviously are not!
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This movie fucking ruled. I'm thinking that maybe George Lucas should've let go of his own cock and balls long enough to hit Speilberg up to direct the entire prequel trilogy so that we might have something to ENJOY rather than DICUSS!!
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uh, discuss
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Jul 05, 2005 12:57:09 AM CDT
I'd take that wager rajium32, along with all the other so ca
by kongmonkey
Here is one of the most recognized and thought provoking directors in cinema history making an awesome film, and there you sit behind your computer screen wearing your huge ass coke bottles saying YOU could make a better movie. I laugh at your arrogance. Its pathetic to hear all this bitching from a bunch of high schoolers with nothing better to do over their brief summer breaks but take other peoples hard earned work and shit on it with the foulest of bowel movements. Speaking of shit, let me clarify this for most of you people. All this talk I'm hearing about anus's and the "eating of things through them", never happened in the film. If you referring to the grenade scene with the tripod, thats not an anus dipshits. Its a fucking war machine, not a living martian. And that was their form of what we call a "Hatch." If you paid attention, you would have noticed the martians down in the basement, and seen one of them lapping up water from a busted drain through its mouth. The bike scene was an ode to the book. If you've read it as much as I have, you might remember when he describes the martians near the end while trapped in the house, as not having any knowledge of wheels. How nothing they had was operated with any kind of wheel design. So the martian spinning the bike wheel was sort of an ode to that, as if the gray nasty was saying "What the fuck is this thing?" The problem with most fuckshits on this site, including the head honchos that run it sometimes(Moriarty), is that they literally demand perfection from these filmmakers. Nowadays if the film ain't oscar worthy or some shit, it sucks. Or they sit and nickpick at every tiny little mistake or detail that they didn't like. Just because it had a happy ending or the director made the film his way, it sucks. Heres the thing. Like Mr rajim or whatever said, if you think you can do better, by all means give it a shot. BUT I GUARANTEE: Even if you manage to pitch a good idea let alone a decent script and story design, you will be spending AT THE VERY LEAST a year of grueling hard work and labor, only to have that work laughed upon and ridiculed by everyone else when it is shit forth onto the movie screen. So go ahead, get you thousand bucks, make a WOTW movie, and blow me away. If you can somehow beat the best director in modern cinema, I will be more than a little shocked. But I highly doubt it will ever happen. So shut your traps, enjoy the movies, or find something else to surround your lives with. Cause this shit I'm reading is getting on my nerves. I didn't expect this to be by all technical terms "Old school Speilberg." I wasn't one of the psychotic fan boys who solely wanted to see this film cause it was "directed by Steven Speilberg." I wanted to see it cause its FUCKING WAR of the Worlds! It could have been Speilberg, Cameron, Stone, De Palma, any of these guys and I still would have gone and seen it. To me, its the story and film that counts. Not who made it or whose in it. If you judge a picture strictly by those terms, then literally every film in hollywood will suck to your standards. Fuck this its been done before shit. So what? Would you rahter go home and watch the same damn movie like ID4 20,000 times to get the basic plot? NO. You want a new twist on it, a new vision of the idea. Especially when its basically based on the first real story to depict the invasion of extraterrestrials and is being done by a director that knows what he's doing. Everybody else would have done it a different way. But Speilberg did it HIS WAY, and based on the fact that he's practically a household name, I'd say that his way WORKS!
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