War Of The Worlds

[Redlum]

spoilers.


There was some kind of power cut in the screen I was in as Tom Cruise and the kids were fleeing down the motorway. The film recommmenced about 2 minutes later and I instantly forgot about the screw up. Thats how captivating and gripping this film is. At least the first two acts.

The scenes at the start with the just the dad and his kids were really well done and for a brief moment I felt the same sense of wonder I got from watching a real family in Close Encounters. But alas, it didnt last long enough.

I still enjoyed the last segment of the film but just wished it were more about the three people we cared about in the film. Standout parts of the film for me are Ray letting his son go and doing his best with a beach boys lullaby for his daughter. If only we could have seen a little deeper than a parental reconcilliation through devastating circumstances. Thats a tall, tall order, though. I just think the bookends betray the intimate nature of the rest of the film.

[Ghostboy]

The spinning around the mini-van shot?  Fuck You! That was incredible!

Definitely. Best special effects in the film.

I'd really like to see how they did it. The only thing I can come up with was that it was just a steering wheel and some seats on a blue screen.

Actually, fuck that. I really love not knowing how they did it. I love that I can still be amazed by a special effect.

[Tryskadekafobia]

The part I really appreciated was the Martian Death Ray.  It harkens back to the old 1950s martian invasion movies where the humans get hit but just disappear into nothing.  But what I dug out of it was how it turned each human into dust the second they get hit.  I knew it was coming, but just went "WTF?", especially during that shot where Ray runs inside the store and runs pass some bystander and they get zapped and gets blasted with their dust.

To me, it's what makes these aliens a whole lot more threatening than those in ID4.  Some big blast of fire from some laser and people are running.  Sure.  If you're a fan of digital imaging, that's pretty much porn for you.  But it's a whole lot threatening to me with the tripods are picking people off one by one and snatching the occasional straggler.  A close second goes to the long van shot.  That was just amazing.

[mutinyco]

Or this: http://www.moviecitynews.com/reviews/war_ofthe_worlds_stuart.html

[cowboykurtis]

Or this: http://www.moviecitynews.com/reviews/war_ofthe_worlds_stuart.html

I haven't seen it yet so I can't confirm or deny your thoughts --

however, i'd be curious to hear further about your negative opinion about vertigo - for I disagree with them -- if interested let's take it to the hitchcock thread...

[w/o horse]

Or this: http://www.moviecitynews.com/reviews/war_ofthe_worlds_stuart.html

I retracted a prior statement because I realized I've already negatively reviewed something you've posted, but I saw your reply (that's what that was, right?), and I'll narrow my opinion to this, while adding some positives:

You have passion, and passion is always a good thing.  There's room for many different ideological camps in the film community.  Personally, a future in which Fight Club, Elephant, and War of the Worlds are regarded as classics and Vertigo and Citizen Kane are no longer is boring to me, I'm bored.  Not at all because of the new overcoming the old, I've stated before that I'm more a fan of contemporary cinema, but those just wouldn't be my picks.  But hey, you keep going strong, keep the passion.

[mutinyco]

I appreciate the sentiment.

I'm not suggesting that Citizen Kane or Vertigo won't be classics -- so much as I think their positions need to be reevaluated. And that happens with each generation. L'Avventura used to be at the top, but now it's disappeared much like its main character. It took 20 years for Kane to build momentum as the generation it influenced got into a position to make the case. And I can assure you Vertigo's cult made sure it hit the top 10 -- Paul Schrader talks openly of conspiring with Andrew Sarris. Right now it appears some Ozu fans are pushing Tokyo Story. And so on.

I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of Magnolia or Fight Club. But there are a lot of people who are. And I see a trend where 20 years from now they will carry considerable weight.

[Myxo]

I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of Magnolia or Fight Club.

[w/o horse]

I appreciate the sentiment.

I'm not suggesting that Citizen Kane or Vertigo won't be classics -- so much as I think their positions need to be reevaluated. And that happens with each generation. L'Avventura used to be at the top, but now it's disappeared much like its main character. It took 20 years for Kane to build momentum as the generation it influenced got into a position to make the case. And I can assure you Vertigo's cult made sure it hit the top 10 -- Paul Schrader talks openly of conspiring with Andrew Sarris. Right now it appears some Ozu fans are pushing Tokyo Story. And so on.

I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of Magnolia or Fight Club. But there are a lot of people who are. And I see a trend where 20 years from now they will carry considerable weight.

Well now I'm glad I didn't I approached our conversation differently, because this is a level headed and smart reply.  I originally miscalculated the tone of your War of the Worlds review, and I apologize.

I shudder the day, however, that Fight Club is on any top 20 film list.  And I even like the film.

[ono]

I shudder the day, however, that Fight Club is on any top 20 film list.  And I even like the film.

http://www.xixax.com/viewtopic.php?p=107667#107667

[w/o horse]

Haha, that's unfortunate.

I say that list should be redone.  I imagine a Xixax board full of more vinegar and less perspective voted on that list.

I doubt Pulp Fiction would be number three still, either.

[RegularKarate]

I also appreciate the passion, but I think maybe it's a little blinded because of your over-love for Speilbergo.

I can understand really liking this film.  There's some definite mastery involved and I'm sure you'll find a way to excuse the shitty Speilberg ending just like with AI and Minority Report (you can use the whole "that ending didn't really happen excuse only so many times).

It's just that you wrote it like an angry letter to the editor.  I could almost hear you shouting and see the spit coming out of your mouth as you did so.

I'm not dissing your review... like I said, I appreciate the passion.  I'm just telling you why I, as a reader feel that it's hard to take as seriously.

[w/o horse]

It's just that you wrote it like an angry letter to the editor.  I could almost hear you shouting and see the spit coming out of your mouth as you did so.

This is what I was trying to say in my first post, it just came out "a warcry to fifteen year olds."  But yeah, that was what the buffer between me agreeing with you and not.  When you said it in this thread it was much more level headed, as I said, and that allowed me to approach what you were saying.

[NEON MERCURY]

Speilberg's worst movie.

I agree.

This was one of the most ruthless, astonishing displays of filmmaking prowess I've ever seen. Period.

hahahahaha!!! i hope you are not serious.  the only rational reasoning i can come up with to justify this statement is:

1. you have only seen 4 films in your life

2. those four films were directed by spielbergh



seriously, as far as story acting and evertyhting except special effects/cinematography this film is whack.....the tim robbinbs chaarcter was so fucking stupid and a waste of money.  why hire an oscar winner for such a stupid role.  this film only proves that a.i. and monority report deserve the masterpiece status......this shit is awful.  i can see if you are into kitschy sci-fi then you could find some amusement.  all i enjoyed were th eeffects.  .........this shit was as ghey as a roland emmerich film..

lastly, for those of you who are going to put this film into their top twen lists, please dig up the old ones to make sure that armageddon, deep impact, volcano, the day after tomorrow,twister, and independence day are in your top ten also..........same shit but those aren't followed by "a steven speilbergh film"

[mutinyco]

Dude, you're in serious need of a spell check. Take a course in English, then maybe we'll talk.