udippel
Joined Apr 2006
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udippel's rating
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udippel's rating
One of the worst movies I've seen and made it through to the end.
"War of the worlds" is an intelligent topic, in principle. Here it is a brainless citation of "Wild Wild West", with a pinch of "The Exorcist", "Titanic" and any mediocre alien.
Some 3-legged spiders rise from the grounds, where they had been deposited for millions of years. They have tentacles, with eyes made from a camera, and some off-the-shelf humanoid creatures living inside.
The larger part of this movie sees the hero and his two kids fleeing from the slaughter that the invaders produce. A bit like Dr. Kimble: running, running and hiding.
That's the best I could think of for this time-waster. No fun, no gags, hardly any surprise, no miracle. Just running away from the aliens.
"War of the worlds" is an intelligent topic, in principle. Here it is a brainless citation of "Wild Wild West", with a pinch of "The Exorcist", "Titanic" and any mediocre alien.
Some 3-legged spiders rise from the grounds, where they had been deposited for millions of years. They have tentacles, with eyes made from a camera, and some off-the-shelf humanoid creatures living inside.
The larger part of this movie sees the hero and his two kids fleeing from the slaughter that the invaders produce. A bit like Dr. Kimble: running, running and hiding.
That's the best I could think of for this time-waster. No fun, no gags, hardly any surprise, no miracle. Just running away from the aliens.
Now, what did I rate? A '10' for the music, no doubt. A clear '9' for the dark scenery. (Though I was tempted to brighten it up with the video controls.)
Some citations: Hitchcock's Birds, of course. With Sala's music, and his ability to frighten the audience just by images that have nothing frightful in them.
Lynch is likewise able to do that. Actually, no problem at all for him, otherwise this movie could have been a tad shorter (and thereby a tad better).
Okay, for the first summary: If you wanted to see some of Lynch's quality, this is a good movie, because it has good music and a real bunch of scary scenes.
Funny enough, I immediately was reminded of that Zeta-Jones/George Clooney movie from about the same time (a tad earlier, I think), starting with a director coming home unexpectedly and finding his wife in bed with the pool man.
From here on, alas, the rest moves distinctly into the direction of meritocracy. Not being the sharpest at understanding of hidden meanings and confusing content, here the last 10 minutes or so cleared up everything to me. And, yes, two-and-half-hours could have been strengthened by taking out a lot of the 'just threatening' stuff without any difference in the plot as such? And to those, who couldn't grasp this plot, the last scene wouldn't help, but render it just more pathetic.
Some parts are well viewable, up to funny. Like the 'cowboy'. Others dull and irrelevant, like that chap in the beginning who talks about a dream of his, and his scare of that man on the yard of the fast food joint.
Fittingly, the more than perfect audition of the love scene between daughter and friend of her father. The clairvoyant lady also added a nice pinch of spice to the whole lot.
In order to name a few reasons, why Lynch actually does belong to the top, well, maybe 100. For higher-up placement, however, he ought to have been able to develop a better sense of density instead of seemingly endlessly playing out his ability to scare audiences.
Oh yeah, and in case anybody reads this, and feels inclined and most of all competent, please, indicate to the me the answer to the only question that I have not been able to evaluate positively yet: What is this story about swapping houses between no. 12 and no. 17? Why is it needed; respectively how does it advance the plot? Thanks a bunch, in advance in case you can help me out!
Lynch is likewise able to do that. Actually, no problem at all for him, otherwise this movie could have been a tad shorter (and thereby a tad better).
Okay, for the first summary: If you wanted to see some of Lynch's quality, this is a good movie, because it has good music and a real bunch of scary scenes.
Funny enough, I immediately was reminded of that Zeta-Jones/George Clooney movie from about the same time (a tad earlier, I think), starting with a director coming home unexpectedly and finding his wife in bed with the pool man.
From here on, alas, the rest moves distinctly into the direction of meritocracy. Not being the sharpest at understanding of hidden meanings and confusing content, here the last 10 minutes or so cleared up everything to me. And, yes, two-and-half-hours could have been strengthened by taking out a lot of the 'just threatening' stuff without any difference in the plot as such? And to those, who couldn't grasp this plot, the last scene wouldn't help, but render it just more pathetic.
Some parts are well viewable, up to funny. Like the 'cowboy'. Others dull and irrelevant, like that chap in the beginning who talks about a dream of his, and his scare of that man on the yard of the fast food joint.
Fittingly, the more than perfect audition of the love scene between daughter and friend of her father. The clairvoyant lady also added a nice pinch of spice to the whole lot.
In order to name a few reasons, why Lynch actually does belong to the top, well, maybe 100. For higher-up placement, however, he ought to have been able to develop a better sense of density instead of seemingly endlessly playing out his ability to scare audiences.
Oh yeah, and in case anybody reads this, and feels inclined and most of all competent, please, indicate to the me the answer to the only question that I have not been able to evaluate positively yet: What is this story about swapping houses between no. 12 and no. 17? Why is it needed; respectively how does it advance the plot? Thanks a bunch, in advance in case you can help me out!
Though I am not a fan of hers, I love her in this movie.
It could have been better with reasonable cuts; like in the beginning. When I watched the start, I was tempted to call it quits after some 10 minutes. Minutes of a world-famous actress, followed by a rather boring, narrated introduction into Notting Hill that serves no purpose for the movie.
Julia Roberts plays her role like a life-cast here. That's a rare occurrence in the history of movies. And she's splendidly clothed and made-up for it, since from the very first moment we can see the two faces of her: the global star, and the humble, thoughtful woman in search of the real life; the 'normal' compatriote.
The actress who looks like having been forced into the business, and pursues it without too much conviction.
In Germany the Best Friend's Marriage is more prominent and well-known, though. To me without any cause, since it doesn't contain the same depth and conviction. Maybe the Germans just turned off respectively left the cinema during the dreadful beginning of this one? With around 2 hours, there actually hasn't been any reason to keep that part.
It could have been better with reasonable cuts; like in the beginning. When I watched the start, I was tempted to call it quits after some 10 minutes. Minutes of a world-famous actress, followed by a rather boring, narrated introduction into Notting Hill that serves no purpose for the movie.
Julia Roberts plays her role like a life-cast here. That's a rare occurrence in the history of movies. And she's splendidly clothed and made-up for it, since from the very first moment we can see the two faces of her: the global star, and the humble, thoughtful woman in search of the real life; the 'normal' compatriote.
The actress who looks like having been forced into the business, and pursues it without too much conviction.
In Germany the Best Friend's Marriage is more prominent and well-known, though. To me without any cause, since it doesn't contain the same depth and conviction. Maybe the Germans just turned off respectively left the cinema during the dreadful beginning of this one? With around 2 hours, there actually hasn't been any reason to keep that part.