Ellipsis Movie Of The Week... War Of The Worlds (2005)

 "That's so weird... the wind is blowing toward the storm."

~Ray Ferrer ( Tom Cruise )

War Of The Worlds

Based on the book by, H.G. Wells

One thing is certainly true about Tom Cruise, he makes big screen movies. I didn't get a chance to see this movie in a theater during it's original run, only on the big screen TV almost 10 years after it's release, but I am sure it was spectacular to see, because even on my 32 inch tv, it was amazing! This is one of my favorite Steven Spielberg films, but I should also say, this might just be my favorite Tom Cruise movie. The trouble with that last statement is that I keep going back and forth about just which Tom Cruise film is my actual favorite! The man has made some excellent career choices when it comes to his films. Although, two of his best films are barely mentioned in passing, at least as far as I can tell, Magnolia, and Collateral. Anyway this version of the, War Of The Worlds, differs from the original 1952 version, as you might imagine, because of, well, special effects, obviously, but otherwise it is much more disturbing. Tim Robbins as Harlin Ogilvy, is noting short of nightmarish! He is a man who has broken from reality, but in his shoes, I am pretty sure I wouldn't have fared much better, and that's the haunting reality!  Want a little bit of Halloween chills early? This movie is a pretty good start! 

Are we ready to absorb the movies message yet? Probably not. 

Ellipsis Movie Of The Week... Arlington Road

 

You can't ask government to be infallible, but you can ask it to be accountable."

~Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges)

Arlington Road

1999

How much do you know about your neighbors? Do you ever wonder if you know a genuine domestic terrorist? Is there one live among them? Do you think it's possible for you to know a domestic terrorist when you see one? Honestly, I do scan my own neighborhood, but not so much for what my neighbors are up to, I do it because of the biggest, and scariest domestic terrorists of all... our own country! This movie was made in 1999, and more than likely was inspired by the likes of Timothy McVeigh and the Unabomber, and the movie definitely parallels life in the late 90's but strays only in who the big bad is, back when we still counted on government to keep us safe. In today's life, I feel like I am on my own, and if I ever see ICE or some other government agency harming my neighbor, I will be there as soon as possible, filming every single moment of it! After the murders of Renee Good, and Alex Pretti, and the character assassination doled out by Kristi Noem, characterizing them as Domestic Terrorists, I say count me in! If that makes me one as well, so be it, and now, I guess, if you are reading this post, congratulations, you now know a domestic terrorist!

Watch The Movie.

It's a top notch thriller! It's available right now on Prime.