Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 31, 2004 23:59:31 GMT -5
Finally saw this tonight when it aired on HBO and all I can say is, what the fuck??
First of all, I'm a big fan of Stephen King and have read almost everything he's written, but I couldn't get through this book and ended up only reading about half of it. So when I started watching this movie I really had no idea what the resolution would be.
The story is about four friends who as kids saved a retarded boy from a beating at the hands of some bullies. The friends are all grown up now and leading different lives but they get together at a cabin in the woods for a weekend of drinking and catching up with each other.
The thing is, these four guys now have psychic abilities thanks to a "gift" that the boy they saved, gave them.
Did I mention there's also an alien invasion? Nasty things that go the creature in ALIEN one better, by not bursting out of your chest, but by leaving an even bigger mess than a late nite binge at "Taco Bell". The creatures are nicknamed "shit weasels".
Cute, huh?
The other part of the story focuses on a special alien defense branch of the military lead by Morgan Freeman, who are busy trying to quarantine the town and figure out the alien's plans.
BTW, who told Morgan Freeman that he should borrow Martin Scorsese's eyebrows for this movie?? Did you see those things? I half expected them to peel themselves from his face and declare that they were the "true" leaders of the invasion.
The story is so convoluted and all over the place that I could only sit there and shake my head when it was over.
It's like King and director Lawrence Kasdan have decided to throw in and recycle as many references to other King books/movies as possible:
Psychic abilities? (DEAD ZONE, CARRIE) Check!
Young kids on a journey of self discovery? (STAND BY ME) Check!
Aliens? (THE TOMMYKNOCKERS) Check!
Adults who shared an adventure as kids? (IT) Check!
Multiple car accidents? (CHRISTINE) Check!
The gifted handicapped person? (THE GREEN MILE) Check!
It's all here, folks!
This is from the writer of THE STAND, IT, CARRIE, THE SHINING, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and the writer/director of THE BIG CHILL, SILVERADO, BODY HEAT & GRAND CANYON??
Yikes! What happened??
The performances are good and the effects are pretty impressive, but that's about it.
See it only if you have nothing better to do. Me, I'd rather watch MISERY again.
5/10
First of all, I'm a big fan of Stephen King and have read almost everything he's written, but I couldn't get through this book and ended up only reading about half of it. So when I started watching this movie I really had no idea what the resolution would be.
The story is about four friends who as kids saved a retarded boy from a beating at the hands of some bullies. The friends are all grown up now and leading different lives but they get together at a cabin in the woods for a weekend of drinking and catching up with each other.
The thing is, these four guys now have psychic abilities thanks to a "gift" that the boy they saved, gave them.
Did I mention there's also an alien invasion? Nasty things that go the creature in ALIEN one better, by not bursting out of your chest, but by leaving an even bigger mess than a late nite binge at "Taco Bell". The creatures are nicknamed "shit weasels".
Cute, huh?
The other part of the story focuses on a special alien defense branch of the military lead by Morgan Freeman, who are busy trying to quarantine the town and figure out the alien's plans.
BTW, who told Morgan Freeman that he should borrow Martin Scorsese's eyebrows for this movie?? Did you see those things? I half expected them to peel themselves from his face and declare that they were the "true" leaders of the invasion.
The story is so convoluted and all over the place that I could only sit there and shake my head when it was over.
It's like King and director Lawrence Kasdan have decided to throw in and recycle as many references to other King books/movies as possible:
Psychic abilities? (DEAD ZONE, CARRIE) Check!
Young kids on a journey of self discovery? (STAND BY ME) Check!
Aliens? (THE TOMMYKNOCKERS) Check!
Adults who shared an adventure as kids? (IT) Check!
Multiple car accidents? (CHRISTINE) Check!
The gifted handicapped person? (THE GREEN MILE) Check!
It's all here, folks!
This is from the writer of THE STAND, IT, CARRIE, THE SHINING, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and the writer/director of THE BIG CHILL, SILVERADO, BODY HEAT & GRAND CANYON??
Yikes! What happened??
The performances are good and the effects are pretty impressive, but that's about it.
See it only if you have nothing better to do. Me, I'd rather watch MISERY again.
5/10
