Journey to the Center of the Earth
by Eddie Applefeld
Are you old enough to remember 3D? Do you remember how generally bad it was? Did you hope that we had seen the last of it? I know that's a lot of questions, but stay with me. Forget about not seeing it again. New Line Cinema has just released Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D. (Though not all theatres showing the film are in 3D). I did not see the film in this format so I can't comment on the result. This is the remake of the popular 1959 film.
This one stars Brendan Fraser, who is likeable on screen, though not a tremendous actor. He is the only name you'll recognize in the film. He will also be seen in the soon to be released The Mummy.
The story revolves around Trevor (Fraser), his nephew Sean and a mountain guide in Iceland. They are searching for Trevor's lost brother. It seems as if some clues to his whereabouts were found in a copy of a book (the Jules Verne book from which the film got its name). The search delivers all three of them into the center of the earth; then the real adventure begins. Up to that point the film dragged a bit.
The adventure includes being attacked by flying piranha, flesh eating plants and a dinosaur. Those scenes and a few others were exciting in a very cartoonish kind of way. We all know that all these creatures are computer generated so how frightening can it be. You want real frights, go to Blockbuster and get an Alfred Hitchcock film.
One more comment about 3D. I don't need gimmicks to enjoy a film or to get me into a theatre. The younger set will no doubt like this one. The rating is PG.
Wanted
by Eddie Applefeld
If you're looking for a little action this summer, perhaps the best place to go is to see the film Wanted. To say the least, this is a hot action film that some reviewers have said will give you a definite adrenalin rush. It's based on a comic book miniseries and no doubt we'll see another one if this does well.
The primary lead is James McAvoy (Atonement). He plays a mild mannered account's biller who everyone walks all over. That changes one fateful day when he meets Fox (Angelina Jolie) who totally changes his life by bringing him into a secret 1,000 year old fraternity of assassins.
He is told his father was recently killed and right away he vows revenge. As I said there is plenty of action. I liked the car chase of all things, like I haven't seen enough of them. There was also a cool sequence on top of a Chicago El train. No question the story is utterly unbelievable but that really doesn't matter, like Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones are believable!
This is the perfect summer film. Also in the cast is 4 time oscar nominated (with one win) Morgan Freeman. McAvoy is Scottish but he does a great Amreican accent. The rating is R.
Get Smart
by Eddie Applefeld
Would you believe the movie just isn't that funny? Would you believe I can't recommend it? The film is Get Smart, based on the TV series that starred Don Adams and Barbara Feldon and developed by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. The series did enjoy many years of success and it does appear as if this film will make money for Warner Brothers. But honestly, it isn't that funny.
To tell you the truth, I am getting a little tired of sitting through films advertised as comedies that just aren't that funny. The last one was that Adam Sandler film, which, by the way, is less funny than this one. Making a comedy that is actually funny is not easy. Only a handful of writers and directors can pull it off. I'll mention a few - Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Neil Simon.
The film features Agent 86, played by Steve Carell, from The Office and Agent 99, that's Anne Hathaway. Both are agents for Control, fighting the evil forces of Kaos. All that really isn't important, the main idea is in watching the bungling Carell go through the motions of being a secret agent. And yes, at times, there was a laugh, but at times there are also laughs in drama.
Also in the cast are Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock and oscar winner Alan Arkin, who's good playing any part. There are even a few cameos and I'm going to tell you who they are, Bill Murray and James Caan.
So here's a plea to the next comedy, please be funny. Get Smart is rated PG-13.
