When in doubt -- pick another one

I didn't get to see Fantastic Four because it isn't actually scheduled at the theater until 11:59 tonight. They forgot the AM or PM and I figured it was a preview showing before tomorrow. WRONG!

Oh, well. Onward and upward. I still saw Bewitched and it was fun. Shirley MacLaine looks like her face is pulled a little too tight from all the face lifts, but she does an interesting turn as Endora with a witchy turn that rings true. On a hot summer day Bewitched is a cute diversion -- even if it's only for the twist on an old story and a gander at all the Bewitched memorabilia Isabel receives when she signs on to be Samantha. Michael Caine turns up as Isabel's witch father and gets turned on his aging and lecherous head by the intriguing Iris who plays Endora. Not a great movie, but definitely fun and funny. Nicole Kidman is too cute with her soft musical voice the prancing that have become her trademark.

Since I didn't get to see FF, decided to take a look at War of the Worlds. I missed a few minutes of the beginning of the movie but came in when Tom Cruise had just told Dakota Fanning that lightning didn't strike in the same place twice. It strikes more like eleven times in the same place in front of them and 26x down the street where Robby was illegally driving his father's car when the lights and powered everything went on the blink. Cruise is predictably adequate in the role of Ray. Dakota Fanning is by turns irritating and frightened but it works. Spielberg's special effects do not outweigh the characters like a certain recent Lucas film I refuse to mention, but provide a good back drop for the acting, and there is good acting. Tim Robbins turns in a memorable performance as an ambulance driver determined to live to become the underground that will defeat the invading aliens. He certainly steals the show from Cruise and Fanning and the special effects, but he has had considerable practice. Jacob's Ladder comes to mind.

This is not the first time Cruise and Robbins have shared screen time, but this time Robbins comes away with center stage. The first time was with the classic Top Gun, one of the few movies I really enjoyed Cruise.

Guess that means I will be going to the movies this weekend or some time next week to see FF. I don't want to miss it. Then there's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Dark Water and... Well, you get the idea.

That is all. Go to a movie and get some of that chilly A/C. Disperse.