vidalia15

Minority Report is a high energy, suspenseful, visual tour-de-force. As with every film that Spielberg directs, this one is no different as far as offering wonderful entertainment and even more wonderful eye candy. Once again, Spielberg proves himself to be a visual stylist of epic proportions--reason enough to see the film.

The story, taken from a short story from Philip K. Dick, is a provocative vision of what crime fighting could be like in the not too distant future. The movie unravels at lightning speed, with plenty of twists, brilliantly directed action sequences and special effects that aren't overblown, but are technically dazzling and always appropriate to the plot.

While the entertainment level is high, one does have to suspend a considerable amount of disbelief to take the film seriously, yet as a pure sci-fi movie, it is credible and convincing.

No E.T. or Close Encounters, but a memorable film nonetheless.

I was sadly disappointed upon seeing George A. Romero's latest film, Bruiser. I bought it used on VHS with no doubt in my mind that it would at least be visually entertaining and a cut above the typical slasher film genre.

However, I found it to be a bore and totally disappointing. On the plus side, the movie does have quite a bit going for it. The theme of "identity" and having an alter ego of sorts that pretty much plays out subconscious actions, is intriguing. I found the first third of the movie to be creative and suspenseful, as it played quite heavily with the mixing of fantasy and reality in the mind of the disturbed main character. Yet, shortly after this brief "tease", the movie descended into a typically plodding tale of a serial killer bent on revenging those who wronged him.

I think many of us can relate somewhat to the main character of this movie: a person who has been stepped on his whole life, is fed up being taken advantage of and wants to do something about it. The movie would have involved us more if it dared to be different. Making us doubt the goings on in the main character's mind or blending the real with the unreal would have made for a more cerebral and provocative film.

I expect much more from Romero, who, in my book, is a virtual master of horror who gave us the always timely cult classic Night of the Living Dead, as well as a few other less prolific, but noteworthy horror movies. Yet there is no evidence of that Romero here.

The entire third act is set in a glitzy, highly cinematographic dance club with a blaze of color, lights and energy. Yet, Romero fails to take advantage of all this flash. He brings no visual excitement into these scenes, yet instead, cuts from scenes of performers to scenes of the killer and back again. This is from a man who has collaborated on films with Dario Argento and other horror masters. These final scenes would have been a great opportunity for Romero to show off some creative editing and faster pacing so that we could feel more of this energy and excitement.

I enjoy horror movies and will watch anything Romero comes out with in the future, despite the shortcomings of this film. Bruiser has a great premise, some wonderful dark humor and performances that transcend most others in this genre. The execution of the story and the action, however, seems to be missing much needed panache.

A Better Way to Die is a slick action picture directed by and starring Scott Wiper. The film has the look of a John Woo movie with well directed action scenes and a heightened sense of tension throughout.

However, the story lacks any credibility whatsoever and takes us from one unbelievable event to the next. Yet, somehow it still works on a visual and visceral level. The characters are well developed for this genre, sort of reminiscent of those out of a modern day spaghetti western.

A Better Way to Die winds up being an entertaining mixed bag of sorts--one that, if not taken too seriously, can take you for a nice ride.