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Review by Vives Anunciacion Inquirer June 29, 2005 War of the Worlds Directed by Steven Spielberg Written by Josh Friedman David Koepp Based on the classic novel by H.G. Wells Starring Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning PG 13/ 116 minutes Paramount Pictures/ DreamWorks Pictures “Is it the terrorists?” asks the horrified Rachel as the family speeds away from the destruction behind them. Her father, Ray can barely answer back in shock. “They’re something else,” Ray says. War of the Worlds is really, something else. Based on the 1898 seminal classic novel by HG Wells, War of the Worlds begins one ordinary afternoon in an ordinary town in New Jersey. Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) has just returned home from work in the pier docks. His ex-wife Mary-Ann (Miranda Otto, Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings) is dropping off their children Robbie (Justin Chatwin) and Rachel (played by the acting ingénue Dakota Fanning) for a weekend visit. Ray isn’t exactly happy about the setup; he’s rather adjusted to the relaxe...

Review by Vives Anunciacion Mr. and Mrs. Smith Directed by Doug Liman Written by Simon Kinberg Starring Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Vince Vaughn PG 13/ 115 minutes Twentieth Century Fox Pity there isn’t a marriage between Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston anymore. As I have imagined several times, I wonder how it would have been to have dinner with the Pitts. Now it’s my belief the Brangelina thing is only a publicity stunt, and the rumors should stop where this movie begins. Really. Quit the chismis. So what does a couple do when their marriage is falling apart? The best way is to get counseling. That’s what John and Jane Smith do when they realize their bogus marriage is going to the pits. The Smiths are a shy, quiet couple living supposedly normal suburban lives, except that both happen to secretly live very dangerous lives. John and Jane are lethal assassins for hire, each working for a different organization. When each of them gets an assignment that reveals more than just a common ta...

Review by Vives Anunciacion Inquirer Libre June 27 2005 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Directed by Garth Jennings Based on the book by Douglas Adams Written by Karey Kirkpatrick, Douglas Adams Starring Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, Mos Def G/ 110minutes Buena Vista International At last a movie with almost no references to sex, barely any violence, and incomprehensibly irreverent it’s just few meters outside hilarious and miles away from boring. I’d say there is a God, but then we all know it. Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman, from Love Actually and the original The Office) wakes up one day to find out his quaint English home is about to be demolished by Public Works to give way to a freeway. His recent friend Ford Perfect (Mos Def) appears in time, not to help save Arthur’s lonely home, but to rescue the Englishman from the impending obliteration of earth by interstellar bureaucrats called Vogons. The worthless planet earth was to be zapped to give way to hyperspace express, much lik...

Review by Vives Anunciacion Inquirer Libre June 13 2005 Batman Begins Directed by Christopher Nolan Written by David S. Goyer, based on the characters by Bob Kane Starring Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine PG13/ 141miniutes Warner Brothers/ DC Comics Amazingly, Batman Begins is the least comical of all the Batman movies. It’s also the best Batman movie yet. Director Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia) creates a visceral adaptation of the Caped Crusader with a pronounced focus on Bruce Wayne’s human side rather than the usual effects-laden blockbuster movie so common nowadays. Exactly as the title implies, Batman Begins explores the origins and birth of the Dark Knight. Christian Bale (Equilibrium, American Psycho, Empire of the Sun) stars as billionaire bachelor Bruce Wayne, who transforms himself into a dark symbol of hope and justice for the corrupted citizens of Gotham City. Growing up as a disturbed orphan, Bruce faults himself for the murder of his parents. He leaves t...

Review by Vives Anunciacion Inquirer Libre May 31, 2005 Madagascar Directed by Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath Written by Marc Burton, Billy Frolick, Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath Featuring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer GP/ 80 minutes PDI/ DreamWorks Animation SKG Now shipping Talking animals have been a hit for moviegoers since Mickey was introduced in Steamboat Willie in 1928. We’ve been seeing a lot of talking animals in animations lately and Madagascar is no different. Really, it’s your usual funny animation. Operative word: usual. There’s the crazy gang of dysfunctional animals as main characters, and then there’s the impossibly cute and insane support cast. Madagascar hits gold with the support cast and is lukewarm with the major cast. The good thing is that it’s really funny. The bad thing is that it’s only funny sometimes. Four animal friends from the New York Central Park Zoo are having a grand time as celebrities. Born and bred in the zoo, A...