Saw this last Sunday, and I wrote a lengthy review for another site, but I'll just give you the short version here:

Having never read the books, I approached this film not really knowing what to expect, but after all the ridiculous HYPE we've been fed by the media during the build up to this film (they basically marketed this film to be the next Lord of the Rings), I'm sure I can be forgiven for having at least [i]some[/i] expectations when I walked into the theatre.

I couldn't have been more disappointed.

The four child actors, with the possible exception of the one playing Lucy, were so flat and one-dimensional that never for one moment did I believe that they had any sort of emotional investment in the world, let alone the motivation to put their lives on the line for the big climactic battle. (Ok it's a kid's film, suspension of disbelief and all that - but that's still no excuse for shoddy acting). The children's sudden and inexplicable aquisition of awesome combat skills is a bit of a stretch to say the least.

Whilst the film seems slow in places, events often move quickly and jarringly, as if the film suffered a lot in the cutting room in order to squeeze it into 140 minutes. This hurried approach never allowed me a chance to give a shit about any of the supporting characters they introduced, leaving me going "meh" when they kick the bucket a couple of scenes later.

Visual effects-wise, the film is mostly excellent, highlights being the CG creature animation, in particular that of Aslan's. Some CG effects were a bit hit-and-miss, with some of the background compositing being very weak.

The rather predictable big battle at the end is the only entertaining sequence in my opinion, but it is still a fairly obvious and unimaginative attempt to duplicate a LOTR-style clash of armies. Much more build-up than actual battle, the build-up is good even though it does rip off Peter Jackson's imagery practically shot-for-shot. Once the swords clash though, it quickly fizzles out into a fairly directionless melee that's over before you've really had a chance to appreciate it.

I'll try and end on a high note by mentioning what did work. Tilda Swinton as the White Witch was pretty good (hers and Lucy's being the only noteworthy acting performances in the film really). The beavers were well voiced, other creatures not so (Liam Neeson was a poor choice for Aslan, and what's the deal with the American lead wolf?) Other than the battle, the film managed to distance itself visually from LOTR far more than I expected really, which is definately to director Adamson's credit. 

the female lead was naomi watts, who like I said in my ring two blabber is watchable in just about anything. 

the female lead was naomi watts, who like I said in my ring two blabber is watchable in just about anything.


That scene of Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive near the end of the movie. You know the one I'm talking about! 

Naomi Watts was good in that movie. Many others thought so too since she's landed so many good roles after that.

Don't degrade. 

Not Naomi Watts, you. 

big, dumb and silly with a poor climax, but lots of fun. Does exactly what it sets out to do and is very enjoyable in that regard.

And angelina is smoking. 

Yes, was fun and a bit disappointing at the same time. I wish it had taken them longer to work out what was going on and start to outright kill each other. The action sequences were just boring. 

but what about brad? 

was he in the movie :) 

King Kong is a rather long movie, so if you like long movies don't miss this one!

Also: Worms. 

This french psychological melodrama has to have one of the most unsympathetic and unlikable characters to ever grace the screen. I just wanted to smash his head in.

The actor that played this character didnt help either, putting in a very phony and mannered performance. The direction was poor as well, relying on cheap cliches.

The one saving grace was Emanuelle Beart, who seemed to be chanelling Brigitte Bardot. 

Fantastic Four - what a non event of a film. There is nothing worth watching here. Nothing.

Forget the acting, script etc, the actual special effects are some of the most badly integrated in recent years. Everything looks so fake except for The Thing's costume, the one thing that wasnt CG. Even Hulk and Daredevil, bad as they were, had some aspects worth watching.


The Professionals - I'm not usually a big fan of westerns but this is a very good one. Great casting and excellent dialogue. Conrad J Hall's cinematography is also great. 

The Professionals got me in the mood for some more Western action and I tried out Sam Peckinpah's acclaimed film.

This is very very good, one of those few films that can pull you into their world and make you feel as if you're there. There is a rawness to it all, and also a sense of very refined filmmaking.

If anything, the plot's a bit too meandering, but apart from that, this is great. 

A Bittersweet Life - korean gangster flick/noir by the same director who did A Tale of Two Sisters.

And like a Tale of Two Sisters, this is a very stylish film. Some very good cinematography and nice action sequences. It's a very predictable, pulpy film though, going through every crime/noir cliche in existence.

In the end, like A Tale of Two sisters, it turns out to be above average fare. 

And anyone else.

I don't know whether it is socially acceptable to like Minority Report, but I certainly did. Was on Xmas TV the other night and I'm glad I watched it. Smart, pretty stylish, good blend of action and plot, and an entertaining progression that kept me interested. On the downside there were some silly moments, some triteness, and the integration of hi-technology was unconvincing, but overall a cut about most sci-fi thrillers I felt. 

I didnt mind minority report myself, I thought the first half hour was pretty good. I just thought the twist at the end was kind of unnecessary. It may have been better if they stopped it at the point where tom cruise's character was arrested and shown going down the elevator into captivity. 

I haven't sat through a movie in ages, but I just saw 'War of the Worlds' with Tom Cruise.

The special FX were awesome and the movie started out decently enough. The problem is that the tension and suspense that come when the invasion first begins never stops through out the movie!

I kept waiting for a break or some plot development or character development or something -- but none to be had. It was just one tense "escape from the alien" scene after another.

The ending was totally unbelievable and abrupt. I thought Tom Cruise was good, but I would have liked to have seen some more acting besides the little girl screaming and Tom Cruise flipping out.

2 out 5 stars 

was glad that this was all there was :

"It was just one tense "escape from the alien" scene after another."


That is much better than most blockbusters that try to include a b grade story. The film didnt pretend to be anything more than what it was and that is ok in my book.

And I can see people having issues with the ending, but a similar number of people would have complained if it was changed fromt he book's ending. 

The Bone Collector - reasonable performances by the two leads but as usual with most serial killer films, the script is extremely clunky.


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - It takes a while to get used to johnny depp, the backstory to wonka seems a bit out of place, the songs are awful, the oompa loompas are a bit disappointing.

But this is one very entertaining film with glorious production design and visual detail. Nice to see Burton back in business after the PotA remake and the ho hum overly sentimental Big Fish. 

The Thomas Crown Affair (original version) - I thought this was only slightly better than the remake which isnt saying much. This version comes across as quite dated and corny despite having the presence of both mcqueen and dunaway.


Don't Look Now - Great stuff. Part thriller, part drama, part gothic horror, this is a knockout film from Nicholas Roeg. I thought the ending was a little predictable but everything else is of extremely high quality. Brilliant stuff. 

It's a political/military thriller with Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman and Sean Young. Was on tv when I surfed channels and accidentally hit it.

It is interesting how dated it seemed, the picture was kinda bad and the voices were often clipped. Kevin Costner was a bit of a stoneface at times, not much portraying the extreme feelings he would go through here. But the supporting performance by Will Patton as political aide Pritchard is what helps make this movie good, along with the interesting and exciting plot. There are quite a lot of small supporting actors that all have interesting characters by themselves and that adds a lot to the film. Sean Young ain't bad either.

I think as a whole the film works and is good to watch. It sets average goals and prettymuch succeeds in getting to them. 

Its cool. Some amazing action scenes. Looks pretty and stylish (ok, you could say its a ripoff of u know what and what)
And wtf with ppl starting to get annoyed when there is actually some not brain-dead plot in a blockbuster-action (nevermind the obvious cheesy ending)?
If you compare Island to say another Bay's movie Armageddon - the plot of the later is much much worse. Prolly everyone was expecting same from the Island and was dissapointed to see some attempt at proper sci-fi in the first part of the movie. well, too bad 

Just go watch it! It`s a gem in the pile of popcorn and pretentious crap.
Genius dialogues, great story (if quite unrealistic) with some dramatic twists. And characters that make you care! - that`s something I haven`t seen for a while (and I despise the usual cheesy hollywood methods of making the viewer feel something).
To put it in one line: there is no black and no white. Thats what this movie is about (in both meanings).

of course check IMDB for better reviews http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/ 

have u read the original "war of the worlds" book?

movie is very good btw, except some ending cheese (family reunion? wtf)
I dont like Tom, but he was really good in it.
And Tim Robbins was awesome.

Also, wtching it at home is meh, unless you have big-ass tv/projector and really good sound with THE bass 

yes, I've read the book. The ending (not the reunion) is fairly true to it.

and I watched it at home, yes we have the big ass tv and sound system, and lets just say I had to rearrange quite a few things afterwards. The DVD has one of the best soundtracks in quite a while.