Reviews

This was never released but went straight to DVD and I can't figure out why. The movie could be classified as a "Date" movie, one part romance novel, one part drama. I was really drawn to this movie by Jessica Alba, if nothing else she's jut fine to look at and it's fun to see her grow as an actress. Yes, grow, she's improving with each film she's in. It was a huge bonus that the movie itself is very good. I was very surprised at the fine actors aboard. Bob Hoskins, Emily Moritmer and Brenda Blethyn let alone the native tribesmen. The movie has a first class look to it, well I expected this to be shot on a back lot but it was shot on location which you just don't see on a direct to DVD release. This is one of those movies that are a joy to discover. There's very few explosions, action scenes are not longer than 1 minute long, all that's left is a simple story about love that works for me. I would suggest another "gem" with Emily Morimer in it, 'Dear Frankie', it's a very good movie also.

Technically the movie is great, the special effects are just what you'd expect from a Spielberg movie. I had a ton of problems with the whole story line. *Spoiler Alert* The movie starts out with Tom Cruise starting his weekend with the kids while his wife goes with her new husband to Boston. Tom plays Ray a dad who is still a kid, playing with cars, eating from takeout. On TV there's a report of mysterious lightning in Russia, an EMP that darkens Russia then Cruises son leaves with his rebuilt Mustang. Cruise runs outside looking for his son when a storm arrives. It's an odd storm, the wind is blowing towards it. Then lightning hits the same place many times. Ray runs over to the spot and looks down the hole and checks out a smoking chunk of concrete only he says it's not hot it's freezing. What follows is a very good SFX shot of the first of the tripod machines breaking free destroying what had been a busy intersection. There is havoc as the tripod machine starts to shoot a death-ray and the killing begins. Much has been said of the man holding a working camcorder, being shot and the picture zooming into the viewer. The question arises if there's been an EMP and nothing electrical works then why does the camera work, I can't answer that. Nor can I answer why the death ray reduces everyone to dust but leaves the clothing alone. But the undergarments go the way of the bodies as well as do the shoes. Later in the movie Ray and others conclude that the machines were placed hundreds of thousands of years ago. One would think that if they were here to place the machines why didn't they just stay and conquer the planet then? I was disappointed. Then the end, the whole world is devastated but the wife's home in Boston is untouched. Happy Ending. Rent the 1953 version, it's better.

The "In" place to go during the '80s was Club Med. If you were good looking, had some money and the time it was the best place to find a willing partner to share the beach blanket with. Jack Scalia looks good without his shirt on, Linda Hamilton fills hers out well. Patrick Macnee adds whatever British charm he has left from the Avengers. Gloria Estefan and the "Miami Sound Machine" play the house band and improve the show with their music. Sinbad plays Sinbad. It's not rocket science but a formula and this one works. When it pops up on cable I'll watch it just to see the 80's again, before people worried about AIDS and terrorists, etc.

I read some of the reviews of this movie and was not planning to see it yet I had two hours of waiting time and it started when I arrived at the theater. I went in not expecting much and actually I had the whole place just to myself. Not unheard of for a 12:30pm show on a slow Wednesday after school started. I was surprised that it entertained me. True the performances were nothing special but they were more than adequate. But where some people thought the sets were under lit I wonder if they've been in a cave before? I've been in three and it's pretty dark in there(re:pitch black). The sets were spot on to what I saw in my three excursions. The plot had just enough twists to keep me guessing who was going to "get it" next. I really liked the twist at the end, they could have a sequel if the movie hadn't tanked so bad at the box office. All in all this year there's been a number of movies much worse.

The story, actors and the limited special effect use all combine to make a great movie. Anne Parillard was perfect in her role as the French Vampire, Anthony LaPaglia is a great foil for Parillard. Robert Loggia as the Mafia Don almost stole the whole movie but the best character honors went to Don Rickles who played Loggia's legal mouth piece. The cinematography is first rate, the blending of the score and action is very smooth. Setting the time of the movie during Chrismas adds to the mix. I watch An American Werewolf in London then Innocent Blood followed by An American Werewolf in Paris every Holloween Eve. Holloween day I watch Dawn of the Dead and Day of Trifids. What can I say, I love horror movies.

Keeneu shows more humanity in this than the three Matrix movies put together. The story is good, follows the comic well. I liked the dual role that Rachel played and thought her work was some of the best she's done. Tilda Swenton is very good as the Arch Angel Gabriel. I would definitely suggest you not shy away from seeing the movie or buying it when it comes out on DVD. The movie left me wanting to know more about the characters and how the story proceeds. Guess that's why I've heard talk of doing a sequel. The movie was shot a little dark for me, it was hard to see the characters some of the time, but I"m finding that in a number of movies lately. I don't know if it's a homage to Film Noir or what but I don't like it.

Yancy Butler was in a string of shows that had limited runs in the early 1990's. First she was in Mann & Machine then she was in this show, South Beach which was actually the better of the two shows. The characters were interesting, the actors and actress's were very good. The trouble with this show was not the people but the network. As I recall the show didn't air two consecitive weeks at the same time slot or even day. It did get some mention in TV Guide but for Patti D'Abenville and her tattoo's. Glover was a very good bad guy who you weren't really sure was all that bad. It's too bad shows like this one don't come up on A & E or out on DVD. One thing it made South Beach look much better than it was at the time.