War of the Worlds

I don't think Steven Spielberg's heart is in it anymore. Each and every one of his films from recent memory has the same exact theme. All together now -- families don't communicate, get ripped apart by external forces, only to discover that what they wanted all along was each other. There are more plots in this world than that one! And it's particularly weird that he seems to be able to take any kind of film, sci-fi or otherwise, and ground it in the relationships among family members. I shouldn't diss this approach so heavily, but like I said, it gets old. For those unfamiliar with H.G. Wells' book, the original text has aliens from Mars attacking Earth and attempting to wipe out all of mankind. And this is the premise of the film, except that the aliens aren't necessarily from Mars and while they come from outer space to do their attacking, there's an important component of their attack hiding out beneath our feet. Creepy, you betcha. And absolutely, utterly and completely implausible. You mean to say that when we drilled for oil, built a tunnel for a subway line or, heck, mined for salt, we never ran across these things?! The ridiculousness of this grabs you from the get-go and never leaves you, giving the film a stoooopid taint that is unfortunate. Because the special effects rock -- those long-legged machines wiping out each and every human are exactly as terrifying as they should be. And the acting, for the most part, is excellent. Tom Cruise plays a deadbeat dad saddled with his two kids as the horror begins, and only mis-steps (mis-acts) a couple of times. There is also an interesting sub-theme running through the picture, that of the difficulty of allowing a child to go fight a war that seems to be a lost cause. Spielberg doesn't take this far, as it isn't the thrust of the film, but I think any comparisons you might draw with the war in Iraq are justified. I hated the voiceovers at the beginning and end (and I adore Morgan Freeman's voice). Totally unnecessary -- does he think we need an explanation for the terrors we're about to see? And the ending sucked eggs. So, I liked it and I dis-liked it. If I were to rent it, I'd fast forward to all the scenes of Cruise emoting and buildings being torn to shreds and ignore the rest of it.

year: 2005
length: 116 min.
rating: 2.5
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407304/combined

The Machinist

How, in God's name, do you lose that much weight? I mean, Christian Bale looks, quite literally, like an Auschwitz prisoner. I can't imagine the film working without his having lost one-third of his flesh, but if there ever was a film that teenage girls should go see to dissuade them from starving themselves for beauty, fashion, what have you, this is the one. According to one report I read, Bale lost 63 pounds by eating one can of tuna and one apple per day. I could harp on about this at length, and you'll understand why when you watch it. Strangely, while the film creeps you out (and not just from having to look at Bale with his shirt off in that state) and has some peek-through-your-fingers moments, it simultaneously tries to put you into a dreamy, sleepy state of mind. It's quite the unique mix. Bale plays Trevor Reznik, a factory worker who hasn't slept in a year, and seems to be hallucinating the existence of a co-worker. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays the heart-of-gold hooker (but she was cast for how well she gets angry, that's clear). The beauty of this film is that you're certain it will move in only one direction, based on some rather gruesome images sprinkled throughout, but it does a 180 at the end and you are treated to one of the most satisfying endings of the last few years. This comes from the mind of a director working in the same vein as Christopher Nolan and Alejandro González Iñárritu, and yet crafting something truly original. And here I thought all the good plots had been done.

year: 2004
length: 102 min.
rating: 3.5
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361862/combined

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Ah, a worthy heir. (Joke! Don't worry, you'll get it when you see the movie.) Johnny Depp steps smartly into Gene Wilder's shoes and pulls off one more portrayal of the distinctly nutty, bizarrely childlike, and decidedly eccentric Willy Wonka. For those of you who loved Wilder's version as a child, it may be difficult to fathom what good a remake can bring (as yet another of the endless stream of remakes), but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. This one may not have the googly-eyed man himself, but it has overabundant color! and surreal sets! and cute little musical numbers! and really funny lines! and trained squirrels! and to top it all off Depp!, who has his feet planted firmly as the cleverest actor of his generation. Here he's channeling Pee-Wee Herman, albeit a Pee-Wee with extra bite and wit. For those who've read the book, this film adds a bit of backstory to Wonka's childhood, but otherwise is completely faithful. Wonka's reminiscences of his childhood are a teeny bit distracting, as they drag you away from the main thrust of the film (that being the removal of every one of the naughty kids who gets to tour Wonka's chocolate factory except Charlie himself, of course). And yet I thought they made the ending all that more sweet and caring. I do hope Tim Burton gets to make The Great Glass Elevator, if only to see who he'd cast at the President of the U.S. (Jack Nicholson again?) and as the Vermicious Knids (Jack Nicholson again?). Probably a good thing I'm not a casting agent, but let's hear it for more from the Burton-Depp team!

year: 2005
length: 115 min.
rating: 4.0
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367594/combined