meyergleich

Now, don't get me wrong. I thought Independence Day was an incredibly stupid, pointless movie, and also ridiculously patriotic, although this director is actually German, not American!! But my main problem with The Day after Tomorrow, is that, although the main premise of sudden climate changes due to the effects of global warming may be grossly exaggerated and therefore maybe not entirely true, at least this was a serious, existent subject. And Emmerich took this subject and turned it into Independence Day, damn him! When I think of all the interviews he gave before the movie premiered in Germany, stating his deep concern for our environment and especially the American attitude towards steps to protect it, like the Kyoto protocol, I really believed him! And there he was, on the DVD in an interview, stating he originally wasn't attracted to TDAT, "because I thought it was just like Independence Day. But then I thought, no, this story is different, because I never really believed in aliens attacking Earth." Duh! That must be the dumbest thing I've ever heard a director say, and it ruined this film for me completely. However, despite my issues with Roland Emmerich, I must say Jake Gyllenhaal did a really good job with his role, Dennis Quaid tried to rise above the cheesy dialogue (scriptwriting just isn't R.E.'s forte), and the CGI are fantastic! Both the tornado storms in LA as well as New York first drowning, then freezing over, were really well executed, and very impressive. So, I guess, if you are looking for a great visual to sudden climate change, this is your movie. If you're interested in the human development during major catastrophes, any other movie will deliver more credible stories.

Eye candy, that it what this movie is, for sure!! Although I must say I'm not a big fan of Renee Zellweggers' (please, Chicago was a hit, yes, but not only because of her and she did work hard to at least look credible while singing and dancing.), I immensely enjoyed this movie. Ewan MacGregor is quickly reaching the top of my favorite-actor-list, he's so versatile!! And so suave and sexy here, when I would have been the last to think him suave or sexy before. Renee Z. is miscast, sorry. She has great comedic talent and verve, but she doesn't look the part (Doris Day never looked like she worked out 5 hours a day). Anyway, enough griping, this movie is very funny, also thanks in large part to Sarah Paulson and David Hyde Pierce, and up-lifting, colourful and a heart-felt homage to Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall and the wonderful films of the late 50's and early 60's. Well done.

I first saw this show on German TV, translated fairly well but no terrific. After zapping into a few episodes here and there (mainly 3rd and 4th season) I decided not to bother, it was seemingly always about the same old themes: some sexual problems, mostly relationship problems. Then I decided to give it one last shot, I rented season 1 on DVD and watched it in its original English version. Wow! It was succint, funny, on-the-spot and so original. I have NEVER seen the like on any show. Ok, if you tend to be judgemental about people (and who isn't), at first the characters will seem to have loose morals, to say the least. But honestly, I must agree with other reviewers here that all 4 of the ladies have been in meaningful relationships (even Samantha!) by now, showing the true struggle and hard work that relationships can be. And the term "slut" seems so over-used these days. What does that mean? That they have indiscriminate sex? I can't remember many episodes where they didn't have at least a few dates with guys to determine whether they want to have sex with this person, except for Samantha and hey- if she were a man, noone would be putting her down. All in all, I think the actresses (all of them) have done a fine job showing that life for women who didn't find the love of their life immediately, or even in their 20s, can be difficult, but also immensely appealing and independent. And yes, I think they are role models to many, because even if you don't share their sexual exploits, you CAN share their sense of style (on any pocketbook), their love of their friends, and their independence and professional success. What a relief to see that you may start out as a FRIEND, but imagine if you could become a woman in SEX and THE CITY? Life could be swell.