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When I saw the preview of this film, I thought, "Another dumb Sci Fi Channel movie. They're rejecting the new DOCTOR WHO series for this?" But then I read a review of it in today's paper that made me decide to watch it anyway and I'm glad I did. The CGI effects were well done (Unlike, say, the Pendragon WAR OF THE WORLDS) and the dialog was hilarious. But the thing that I enjoyed the most were the "Tuckerisms" (Named after Wilson "Bob" Tucker, the famous Science Fiction author and long time fan who liked to use the names of other writers for his characters), with most of the characters named after SF writers> The hero is named Professor Lovecraft and the heroine's last name is "Heinlein" (though it should be pointed out that Robert Heinlein was in the Navy, not the Army) and the troops had the names Zelazny, Clarke, Serling, Yolan, among others. If you get a chance to see this, do so. But don't expect another JURASSIC PARK.

When I recently got TAMPOPO on DVD, I, of course, thought of IRON CHEF, that Japanese series involving contests between major chefs. What I saw was one of the funniest films I ever saw about cooking that makes you forget about chairman Kaga and his team of master chefs. The main story involving a cowboy type who helps a young widow perfect her technique of making noodle dishes that will create long lines at her resturant was funny enough. But we also have several viginettes all involving food in some way or form. I especally loved the scene in the grocery store with the old woman who insists on feeling every food item. I highly recommend this film to everyone who has a love for Japanese cooking…or for Japanese cinema (Or both!)

I liked the acting and the directing in this film, but, alas, the script left a lot to be desired. First of all, do you really think that Neal would have as much clout, considering the subject matter of his photographs? I have my doubts that they would end up in all those prestigous galleries, if they did, I'm sure that feminists would picket them or they might be shut down by the authorities for indecency (Can you imagine if he tried to show in Cincinatti, for example?). I would say that if Rogan got fired for telling off Neal that he could take his ex-boss to court and press charges against both of them. After all, I'm sure that even New Jersey must have laws against this type of "art." As it is, the acting, photography and the directing was quite well done, especially considering this being a low budget film, but the script left my suspension of disbelief hanging there.