4/17/2005

Movies: Saw previews for coming summer movies. This year's bad guys are not Islamic terrorists, Republicans, our own government, nor creatures from the depths of the Left. We await breathlessly for a ton of horror movies with unseen ghosts, serial killers, and evil forces that look scary as hell. I must admit that "Amityville" looks great in trailer form, as does "House of Wax." The Nicole Kidman Sean Penn movie, "The Interpreter," looks like a phony, and "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy," a terrific book from the 60's or 70's seems like zero. The movie that all insiders think is THE blockbuster for summer, "War of the Worlds," looks boring as hell in trailer form. The Hollywood idea of spirituality contines to be murdering ghosts, the Devil, and a picture about Crusaders called "Kingdom of Heaven" a Ridley Scott picture and therefore a must see for me. The preview makes the movie look ordinary as hell; if it wasn't Ridley Scott there is no way I'd want to see it. From all reports, 45 minutes has suddenly been cut from the movie and everything has been done to make the Muslims look as good as possible. And Orlando Bloom as the strong lead???? Is there a masculine young actor in the world? I'm betting the bad guys are the Christians. Late add from emailer R. M.:...... a close friend of mine works for a test screening company and he tested Kingdom. says it's awful. Ridley Scott attempting to remake Gladiator with a limp-wristed girly boy in the lead. total shit.