Kim’s Movie Picks

Director Nora Ephron and her sister Delia should have known better than to write and direct this bothersome piece of film.

Disappointment doesn’t cover my experience with this film and I am still wondering what came over one of the two main stars of this comedic film, Nicole Kidman – didn’t she learn from the Stepford Wives remake disaster?

This movie is okay through the first half, as the plot unfurls through a confusing premise of a witch, pretending to be a mortal, pretending to be a witch, on a remake of the 60s TV classic, Bewitched.  And if it wasn’t for the totally cloying innocence of the ‘new’ Samantha character, you could almost accept the whole premise. But the writers, directors and main stars decided to play along with an idiotic portrayal of a ‘modern’ witch – we are expected to believe that this incarnation of Samantha has never experienced one iota of so-called mortal life and would be entranced by simple household acts, such as opening a flip-top can of soda pop. Plus she is so head over heals in love with mere mortal, Jack, who plays Darren, who is, in turn, played by Will Farrell (have I lost you yet?) that she is given over to episodes of blissful sighing.  Former Bewitched star, the multi-talented Elizabeth Montgomery, has to be rolling in her early grave.

Will Farrell is his normal, slightly over the top, self, as he goofily portrays all the guilt, angst and lack of confidence that the career of acting embraces as its norm. Shirley McLaine is delightful as the mother character on the new sitcom, but we are expected to believe that neither Samantha, nor Michael Caine, who portrays her warlock dad, can recognize a ‘real’ witch when they encounter one. Again, an idiotic turn of the script, ‘which’ would have been much more fun if the three of them had combined their supernatural forces.

Skip this movie, unless you haven’t had your fill of bittersweet, sad, and underperforming TV remakes lately. Two out of four stars, only for the magnificent addition, but scant use, of Michael Caine, who , at his gallant best, plays a totally unrepentant warlock cad. Rated PG-13 for some language, including sex and drug references, and partial nudity (which, unfortunately, belongs mostly to Will Farrell).

War of the Worlds Will Blow You Away

Steven Spielberg has done it again, surprising all of us by going back to his thriller roots to bring forth an incredible remake of War of the Worlds, an action movie that will have you gripping the edge of your seat with both hands. For those of us who don’t ride roller coasters, this type intensity can be somewhat uncomfortable. But this movie dips and swoops in very wide loops, giving us at least two or three minutes to catch our collective breath… before the whole ride starts all over again.

This film stars Tom Cruise, and just in case you have been off this planet for the last three months, he is as excited to be in this film as he is to be in love with, yes, that young woman, Katie Holmes. Cruise is his Minority Report best in this film, playing longshoreman Ray Ferrier in full overload: scowling, scrunching his eyes, even crying in frustration and then running, running, running for his life. Dakota Fanning plays his 10 year old daughter, Rachel and Justin Chatwin plays his not-quite-old-enough-to-drive-legally, teenage son, Robbie.  The best part of this movie – outside of all the awesome special effects (and they are awesome) is the realistic relationship portrayed between this divorced dad and his weekend teen. Their angst, anger and disillusionment with each other is achingly real – as is the scene halfway through this movie where Cruise has to choose between which of his children he will help and which he will let take their own path. Okay, it’s not Sophie’s Choice, but at that point in the film, it is remarkable that there is time in the plot, and that it feels natural, for this disquieting interchange to take place; that this smaller, more delicate piece of emotion plays well in what is, essentially, a tumultuous and messy battlefield. Spielberg is a master director and he uses both a hammer and tweezers in this movie, with equal skill.

Morgan Freeman provides the voiceovers in this movie, and does so with an artistry that evokes the original War of the Worlds radio program narrator, Orson Welles. Tim Robbins adds dramatic spice in the supporting role of Ogilvy, a creepy survivor who offers Ferrier and his family sanctuary in his cellar. It is there that we first see a close up look of the attacking aliens and also get a close up look at what survival, in this fast-paced, relentless environment, truly means.

Three and a half out of four stars.  Rated PG-13 for frightening sequences of sci-fi violence and disturbing images.  Not recommended for children under 10 years of age, and even with older children, judge carefully. This movie is intense, frightening and relentless. But not gory and the plot leaves no time for sex or even sexual innuendo, plus there is nary a harsh word spoken. That being said, it is not a good movie for grandma. But for families with tweens and older, go buy tickets: This is one gigantic roller coaster ride you will not want to miss on the big screen.