Hey folks, Harry here with more on UNIVERSAL'S huge THE MUMMY movie. I've received about 11 mini reviews (a line or two) that really seemed to like the film, and then the three reviews you'll see on the site. Plus Moriarty's review from a while back. But I went over to Dark Horizons and saw One extremely negative and one mixed review of the film. Now, I don't know what was going on with the first viewer, but he really seemed to be in a bad mood. I mean, we've all seen cinematography from this film and I don't think a single bad knock on it could come to mind. But hey whatever. He says early on in his review that he thinks they "studio" should have waited another month before testing this film, and perhaps it was that roughness that got him started. Like I said last time, this was an EXTREMELY rough test screening of the film that was longer than the print we'll see, with zero finished FX and temp tracked sound and non-color timed print. It won't get much more rough than this print. I imagine we won't hear about another screening for another month or so as they finish up more work on it. But as for now, we have these two very positive reviews.... So take the balance between the two sets of reviews here and at Dark Horizon and hang loose, this is a project that there's still alot to do. I can tell ya this though... I know for a fact that the stuff they are doing to the 'main' Mummy at ILM will be unlike anything we've seen before, and until that stuff is on screen... I'm holding my breath...

Howdy Harry "Mephibosheth" here, just thought I'd drop you a note concerning one of this summer's OTHER SFX extravaganzas, THE MUMMY. Isn't it amazing we get a new Star Wars movie AND and Indiana Jones type adventure and a Kubrick movie in the same summer. WOW can't wait.

I really enjoyed the hell out of this movie. Sure it wasn't perfect, and I would tell people not to go expecting Casablanca or Citizen Kane or Ben-Hur. Hell don't go expecting to see Indy because while it's that type of movie it's different too. More along the lines, I'd say of Temple of Doom then Raiders or Last Crusade simply because of the supernatural/horror elements rather then the supernatural/religious elements. Now has been pointed out earlier hardly any of ILM's usually suburb work was done(I say usually suburb because of JACK FROST*shudder*) In fact there were parts where you could still see the plastic on the Mummy's face where SFX would be inserted. Can't gauge on music as most of the music they used was from WILLOW(a guilty pleasure of mine...yes I'll admit that) Acting was alright, nothing to write home about....Brendan's been better(GOD'S AND MONSTERS)but he's been worse too(ENCINO MAN), he did what he was supposed to do though and that was create a likable hero who gets the girl, a more realistic hero then say Alan Quatermain. John Hannah was good as Jonathan. As for Rachel Weisz, well I can't compare her work in this to any of her other work because well frankly I haven't seen any of her other work. The only movie that rang a bell was CHAIN REACTION but I didn't see that so...

And the Mummy...well Arnold Vosloo's portrayal of Imhotep was dead on(pun intended). A different mummy then Boris Karloff's but soon to be a classical as well

The direction was good. I've enjoyed Stephen Sommers's work in the past and what he did for the monster B-movie in DEEP RISING(which I enjoyed) he did for the classic monster movie here, modernized it(and I don't mean setting it 1999) while keeping the classic feel to it. The writing could have been better but no one is comparing Sommers to David Mammet so I'll let it slide. Could have done without some of the one-liners though(especially notable was Brendan's line after he cuts off the Mummy's right arm and then the Mummy throws him with with his(the Mummy's)left arm Brendan quips "he must be left handed")

Overall a fun time in the ole cineplex, check it out especially if you get bored waiting in line for Ep 1 or need a break between multiple showings of Ep 1

On a side note I'd like to tell your readers about a bill recently introduced in the US Senate concerning filmmakers by Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado. The bill would allow National Parks to charge filmmakers to use the land; Sen. Campbell said, quote, "...it makes no sense to let the national parks be used for commercial purposed for free". I cannot think of a bigger mistake. Sure a big studio like WARNERS or Universal can absorb that kind of cost but what about the indie filmmaker or the documantarian who CANNOT absorb that kind of cost. The bill was introduced Tues and is S. 338, a complete look at the bill can be accessed by going to http://www.congress.gov/

"Mephibosheth"

And here is the second review....

I was among the lucky viewers to get a sneak peak at Universal's THE MUMMY remake last night outside LA. I had seen the commercial and heard the good buzz on this site, but it didn't prepare me for what was to come.

The film is a light-hearted play on RAIDERS, with tons of visual fx (most unfinished, but what were were pretty spectacular) and a rousing storm. Brendan Frasier is highly likable as the adventurer and his heroine sidekick (whose name escapes me) had this big, irresistible eyes. Anyway, the story kicks right off with action scenes and a face with a gaping mouth that forms in the sand tyring to swallow Frasier. From there, things just get better. Once the mummy comes to CGI-life (and it's no surprise Universal wants to keep him a secret til the flick opens - great stuff ILM!) all hell breaks loose, literally, as the 10 plagues are inflicting on Egypt. These include locusts, bugs, boils and fiery hail from the heavens.

The ending turns into a non-stop action sequence as Frasier fends off an attacking horde of reanimated mummies, all done CGI and in an obvious homage to Ray Harryhausen and the 7th Voyage of Sinbad that never feels cheap. ANyway, the movie's a lot of fun and should pull in some serious bucks before that Star Wars movie I keep hearing about (what's it called again?) comes out.

A faithful viewer -

The Gregor