I don’t treat myself often; but today I treated myself to the new War of the Worlds. :razz:
There’s lots I’d have to say about this movie. But I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
I’m giving it a shaky 4 out of 5. Shaky.
If this movie had been made by anyone else, I think it would be hailed as one of the year’s best. However, because it’s Spielberg, we have higher expectations, don’t we?
Although there were shades of 9/11 all through this film, it isn’t about aliens or invasions at all. It’s about the dissolution of family values in society today. But if you want aliens and WONDERFUL special effects, you’ll find them in the movie too. :uzi:
I will say that, if you’re looking for a typical Spielberg movie, you won’t find it here. Gone is the indomitable human spirit, or the search for truth, honor, fairness. There are very few instances of man helping man. It’s as if Spielberg is ready to relinquish his heart-warming optimism, his heroic journey. At one point the hero, Ray, watches in admiration as his teen-aged son helps a few people struggling for their lives.
But he makes no move to help, no effort to become involved.
:hushyourmouth:
The old Spielberg would’ve followed the course of Cruise’s son in the movie, the young man who wants to know everything that’s going on, wants to help people along the way, wants to fight back against the invaders.
Instead, we follow Cruise’s path, as a man determined to survive and to save his children–even at the cost of other people’s lives.
It’s almost as if the late-middle-aged Spielberg has decided he can’t save us all, so he’s grabbing his balls, looking out for his own, & good luck to the rest of ya. And that’s rather sad. 
However, it was good to see Gene Barry, star of the original film, in the last scene of this one!
Jordan’s pet peeve about the movie was dead-on; watching the crowd standing around, waiting for more and more devastation, rather than running for their lives as soon as the earth began to move. Yeah, I’m a curious person too, but–hey! 
And there was my own pet peeve: People Running With Children.
I’ve seen this so often in films it’s scary…but if the kid in the film is, say, 8-10 years old, don’t pick up the kid, hold it tight, and run with it!! I haven’t been attacked by aliens recently, but tell ya what—I’ve yet to meet a kid that age who couldn’t run a helluva lot faster than I could, especially with their added weight!
ADVICE: when being chased by ETs, stalkers, slashers, or postal workers–place the child firmly on their feet, grab a hand, and RUNNNN!!!!!!!! :shock:
On the other hand, the previews of Peter Jackson’s King Kong look positively poetic. :smokin:
Yesterday was a tough day.
No need to go into specifics. I’m not the type who freely tells all my personal business (not until the third date or seventh glass of booze, anyway). 
Let’s just say there are health issues, confidence problems, and everything seems to be going up except my paycheck (as opposed to Congress who recently voted THEMSELVES a hefty pay raise, and—silly person!—I thought they worked for ME).
So, after a tough day, I had to come home, plug in, and sit down to write a sexy, flirty, paranormal-kinda-thing with humorous overtones.
Yeah, right.
A fiction writer is a dreamer. No matter whether it’s horror, or inspirational, or chick-lit, or children’s books—whatever. Ya gotta dream it, feel it, somewhere inside before you can write it.
Which can be difficult to do in the harsh light of day, when stern reality is slapping a wooden ruler across your knuckles, demanding that you pay attention.
How do people do this? I’m thinking of people raising kids, people who have demanding spouses, people who have to worry about where their next meal is coming from—all of them, all of US, who have to set reality aside to create our own. And yes, it is a business—but if you can churn it out without any feeling behind it, are you giving your reader your best?
I know I’m still learning, but I haven’t got the gist of that yet. If I have a sucky day, I haven’t figured out how to set that aside so I can write about Susie’s palpitations as Bob tries to get in her pants. :???:
Any and all suggestions appreciated.
I’m off to put ice on my knuckles…
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