Yay War of the Worlds!

[Kinoko]

I'm in the middle of watching War of the Worlds, so this will be short post as I need to get back to it, but I needed to declare how impressed I am with this movie.

I was skeptical at first because I'm a big fan of the radio drama/book, and normally I hate remakes, particularly ones set in a different time that change the story around so much, but I have nothing but admiration so far for the way they've made this movie.

The story is good, they've kept the odd reference from the original but understood the movie has to be different in most ways to work they way they've chosen to do it. Lighting is great, sound is extremely impressive...

Also, I'm thoroughly impressed with Tom Cruise, who I usually am not a fan of. Best acting I've ever seen him do, to be honest. He hardly ever plays a different character to his stock standard, "Cool, hit the ladies hero" type.

EDIT: Well, it wasn't without it's flaws of course. Namelessly the shameless advertisement of the armed forced @_@ No wonder there were no Fed Ex od Coke ads in the whole thing, the army had bought up all the advertising rights!

Also, well, you have to be at least a little disappointed with the miracle, white bread, untouched-family-at-the-door ending.

Still, very much a fun movie. I say, "Yay" ^_^

Now, onto the second movie my family sent me for christmas; The Polar Express!

. . .

Actually, I might go watch some TV.

[ManicMatt]

Sent you for christmas? You've opened your presents already??

I liked War of the worlds, it had a great atmosphere with great sound effects when in surround sound.

The ending was too abrupt though.

[Mr Jake]

It was a surprisingly enjoyable film.

But the ending is supposed to be abrupt. And it needed more "ULLA"s.

[Kinoko]

Yeah, I did miss the ULLAs. The horn sound the tripods made in the film wasn't anywhere near as creepy.

And yeah, this was kind of a care package/christmas present package from my parents so it's all opened. I wont actually be in town for xmas, will be in a hotel in Tokyo, so I didnt see the point in waiting.

[Nacho]

Tom Cruise is allways Top Gun... No matter if he is in the XIXth century in Japan, or in Vietnam, or fighting against the aliens or trying to scape of the future cops of Minority Report... Allways Top Gun.

It's not like Kevin Spacey. A really hard mental effort must be made to realise that the same guy in the usual suspects than in 7, or American Beauty... That's an actor... Tom is... Top Gun.

[Kinoko]

I thought he played a shitty, dead beat dad really well.

Kevin spacey is highly over-rated. Usual Suspects was good but I got tired of him very quickly after that.

[Nikolas]

I think, Kinoko, that you have something against actors in generall.

Kevin Spacey has played in a lot of good films, his acting is always above averege and the diversity of the characters he plays are amazing. IMO. And I respect your opinion and I back your right to say what you think because this is a free community and a free forum where everybody can speak their mind. blah blah blah.

BTW, who do you think is a good acotr/actrees in your opinion?

[Mr Jake]

as least Tom isn't as bad as Ace V.. I mean, Jim Carry.

[Nacho]

But you must recognise that the scene with the crane, at the harbour...

Spoiler

"We can't lift that crates! Only our best man can do this! Where is him?" And then he comes with his Porsche, does the job, and leaves 5 minutes after... "I can't hear your complains, chief... I must go to pick my sons, if you are annoyed by this, fire me, but I know you won't because I am the best man you have...!"

[close]

Is a very "Maverick" scene... It totally spoiled the overall feeling of the film to me. Ã, 

EDIT: Hotspot... he is close...

[Barbarian]

Heh... this thread reminded me of a couple of "Tom Cruise" movie "reviews" (Top Gun and The Last Samurai) as given by the (in)famous Maddox 
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=five_shitty_movies

[Ashen]

Also, well, you have to be at least a little disappointed with the miracle, white bread, untouched-family-at-the-door ending.

I think the grandparents were Ann Robinson (not the 'Weakest Link' one) and Gene Barry - the leads from the '53 film version - which was a semi-nice touch.
EDIT: Checked IMDb, and it was them (I knew they were in there somewhere, just wasn't sure where). But yes, it was far too 'nice' an ending. I think the destruction even seemed to stop pretty much at their doorstep, but I could be mis-remembering that bit.

I too was very impressed when I saw this (even if the sound in the cinema was far too loud at some points), and I liked the little hints to the original that were thrown in. Although I'm not sure how 'Richard Burton punching Phil Lynott' becomes 'beating Tim Robins to death while a creepy little girl sings Dick Van Dyke songs'.

Maybe the 'ULLA's will be in the Director's Cut?

[Kinoko]

Nik: I do, I just hate actors. Generally, they just get my goat, you know? Prancing around with all their money... acting. Bunch of bastards, the lot of 'em.

Ashen: If so, that is a nice touch but I still felt it was a little too happy an ending. How on EARTH was the son still alive? Why did the grandparents look like they'd just gotten back from skiing in Aspen? I would have preferred Tom and daughter made it out, perhaps found the mother holed up with new hubby in their grandparents house... heck, just seing the grandparents a little disshevelled and not wearing all their pearls would have been a tad more realistic.

But yeah, I loved the movie Wish I'd seen it at the cinema.

[Scummbuddy]

Also, well, you have to be at least a little disappointed with the miracle, white bread, untouched-family-at-the-door ending.

I think that was the general sentiment of the whole audience I was with at the theaters.  I was like "LAME!"    I went with a "cheesy hollywood ending" or a "disney ending" description but your description of it is perfect.

[passer-by]

Prancing around with all their money... acting.

Acting? They' d wish!   :
(A large number among them, at least).

But I don't think it's right to criticise their talent based on their character (or lack of it) when there are so many useless professionals on different jobs out there behaving the same way and some times they don't even do the minimum amount of work an actor has to do.

[Kinoko]

cp: I assure you, my comment to Nik was all sarcasm ^_^

[LGM]

I thoroughly enjoy the cinemtography in Speilberg's latest films. Both Minority Report and WotW share that washed-out, glow-y color grade and hold the scope of giant machines and landscapes easily. Speilberg has a wonderful grasp on films these days it's scary.