these summer movies

**emjen** · July 7th, 2005, 12:12 PM

I saw War of the Worlds a few nights ago and was dissapointed.

The direction was pretty good (the action direction) and the special effects were top notch of course, but the story was just pretty boring. And I hated the way Dakota Fanning was being a whiny little brat all the film long. And the ending was really really lame (even though it follows the book).

I guess summer blockbusters really have lost it's appeal for me. All theyre supposed to do is entertain, but they cant even achieve that feeling for me.

On a brighter note, a movie that DID entertain me quite a lot was Kung Fu Hustle, latest Stephen Chow movie. It did everything right and with a feeling of self consciousness and didn't take itself too seriously.

Havent seen a lot of movies lately though. And I'm looking forward to the next Terry Gilliam picture, the Brothers Grimm.

And I've read some great things about 'The Descent', anyone seen that one?

[ July 07, 2005 09:17 AM: Message edited by: emjen ]

**Vlad the Impaler** · July 7th, 2005, 12:21 PM

I saw War of the Worlds last night and agree while the Direction and Special Effects were very good it did disappoint me a tad... I didn't realise that the ending is the same as the book though, as I thought that this must have been a Spielberg addition.

All in all I thought although it was entertaining I won't be buying it on DVD to watch again..

I was quite impressed with Williams' score. A change from his norm apart from the fanfare-esque brass when the actions reached its peak. Glad he didn't go for typical Williams at the end.

What did you think of the score?

**Lee M** · July 7th, 2005, 04:14 PM

Havent seen War of the Worlds yet and, to be honest, haveno fancy for it.I'm not sure if the Descent is out yet, but I'm reaaaaally looking forward to that. Its the same guy who made Dog Soldier (and Geordie Star Wars, if anyones seen that). I want to see Kung Fu Hustle too, as I enjoyed Shaolin Soccer a lot. And of course there's Land of the Dead - oh yes!

**emjen** · July 8th, 2005, 03:50 AM

Big Orchestras turn me off, they remind me too much of the fact that I'm watching a Hollywood movie. But I only noticed at the end so no real problem here I guess.

**Alter Ego Cinema** · July 8th, 2005, 07:31 AM

Kung Fu Hustle kicked some serious ass.

gotta see it

**twister!** · July 8th, 2005, 12:42 PM

*** SPOILERS ***

Originally posted by Vlad the Impaler:
I didn't realise that the ending is the same as the book

The last third of the film was absolute vomit inducing shit! The end is the same as the book only in the fact that the martians die from bacteria on earth. It is handled extremely poorly in the film - and far too rushed.

That stuff with Tom Cruise walking down the street carrying the girl was total Spielberg crap which totally destroys everything that had gone before and completely destroys the film (ALL the Cruise and his family stuff is made up for the film btw). AND then it gets worse - his son is still alive, that's just totally pathetic and unbelievable (and surprise surprise all of the rest of the family are all there happily smiling in the doorway too). Spielberg you just killed the whole movie dead in that one moment. Embarrassingly bad!

Nobody seen Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins - that's pretty good.

[ July 08, 2005 11:36 AM: Message edited by: Justin M. ]

**eddie123456789** · July 8th, 2005, 12:59 PM

strewth.....spoiler alert.....

**twister!** · July 8th, 2005, 01:32 PM

Sorry Eddie, I've edited in a spoiler heading. I thought people would have at least either read the book, heard Orson Welles radio version, seen the 1950s film version, or heard Jeff Wayne's 1970s musical version... [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]

To be honest - I don't think it would spoil your enjoyment of this version - the first 2/3 is pretty well done (superb visuals at least) but you will not hate the end any less for knowing what happens - at least you'll be prepared and can have a sick bag with you.

[ July 09, 2005 03:03 AM: Message edited by: Justin M. ]