Tom Hanks in "Charlie Wilson's War"
courtesy of Universal Home Entertainment
“Tom Hanks’ Bomb”

In years gone by Tom Hanks made movies that were hits with the audiences and also had artistic merit. In his latest movie, “Charlie Wilson’s War,” he misses the mark on both accounts. It isn’t that it is terrible, it is just that it isn’t Tom Hanks good.

The film is one of those movies based on true events that would not be believable were it not true. Congressman Charlie Wilson's story is so over the top and unseemly you have to keep reminding yourself it actually happened. Tom Hanks captures Wilson's roguish charm perfectly while Julia Roberts is ultra sophisticated as his business and bed partner. But it is Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the third member of this triumvirate who steals the show.

In the 1980's Wilson was a Congressman from the great state of Texas. He was a wheeler-dealer as well as a womanizer, and possible drug and alcohol abuser. One of his biggest supporters was Texas socialite Joanne Herring (Roberts). She supplied him with money and affection.

One of Joanne's pet projects was the war in Afghanistan, She was horrified at the way the country was being manhandled by the invading Russian troops. She called on Charlie to do something to help - covertly. She understood the United States could not be seen doing anything overt.

After a trip to Afghanistan Charlie became a convert to their plight. He enlisted the help of former CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman) and began his campaign to supply the rebels and force the Russians out. 

All of this is told through the wry eye of uber-writer Aaron Sorkin. His script is full of caustic one liners and most of them go to Hoffman who tosses them off with perfect comic timing. Still the overall plot of the movie drags things down and makes it less a success than this talent deserves. A lot of the blame for this has to go to Director Mike Nichols. His timing and pacing are just a bit off and the development of the lead roles is not satisfying.

Hanks is okay as Wilson though he does not appear to capture the charm and magnetism this man possessed. The same is true for Roberts. Her performance is all gloss but no substance. It is Hoffman who saves the day with his pithy comments and acerbic delivery. What a role and what an actor!

The combined talents of Nichols, Hanks, Roberts and Hoffman should have guaranteed a better movie than this result. It is a nice entertainment treat but not one with the punch it should have had. You might want to watch the DVD just for the star power but don’t expect any great entertainment value. “Charlie Wilson’s War” is Tom Hanks’ bomb.

Then there is “Cloverfield,” a horror movie for those with ADD. I mean this film is so jumpy and shaky that most people will be made nauseous. It is a gimmicky monster movie that wouldn't have drawn any attention were it not for the fact that JJ Abrams ("Lost") is the producer. His name plus a smart trailer that told you nothing are the reasons this movie made a fair amount of money in theaters during its theatrical run. Now it is available on DVD.

The reason for the film’s success certainly isn't the film itself which is a no stars, no frills, monster movie captured through the stomach churning motion of a hand held camera. The point of the movie is to make everything seem amateurish and real. It certainly succeeds in the amateurish realm.

The film starts at a surprise going away party for Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David). It is being held in an apartment in New York City. His brother Jason (Mike Vogel) and Jason's girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas) are the hosts. Rob's friend Hud (T J Miller) is capturing everything on a hand held camera.

One of the attendees at the party is Beth (Odette Yustman) who was once involved with Rob. He broke it off however when he learned he was being sent by his employer to Japan. Now he regrets this breakup.

During the party an explosion rocks the city. Shortly thereafter there are what appear to be fireworks but several nearby buildings are bursting into flames. The partygoers go down to the street where they are almost smashed by the head of the Statue of Liberty falling to the ground. It is obvious that something bad is happening and it turns out that one or more dinosaur looking monsters are on a rampage through the city.

People begin to flee but Rob and a small crew decide to go look for Beth. The rest of the film concerns that rescue. And through it all Hud and his hand held camera record the events. This doesn't really make sense as even when the gang is running for its collective lives Hud and the camera are still recording.

The actions of this gang of misfits are so bumbling and silly that all you need is the dog to have this become a Scooby Doo monster cartoon. The dialogue sounds improvised and the tone of the film is more comic and silly than serious and scary.

The audience never forms a bond with any of the characters. Ideally the love story between Rob and Beth would be strong and the audience could cheer for them to be reunited. Doesn't happen. Get Beth, don't get Beth - who cares!

The gimmicky hand held camera thing is nausea inducing. Plus didn't "The Blair Witch Project" get there first and do it better? This is copycat moviemaking and JJ Abrams knows better.

Take away the Abrams name and you have a silly monster movie that breaks no new ground. It is interesting for the first fifteen or so minutes but goes downhill fast after that.

If you like documentaries you are going to love “Sharkwater.” This film by Rob Stewart gives you a new look at an old enemy – sharks. With stunning underwater photography and a message he truly believes, Stewart shows how sharks are being killed in massive numbers and how they are fighting for survival.

The photography in this film is amazing and it will hold you glued to your TV set. This is a movie to be watched over and over. It is titled “Sharkwater.”

John C Reilly is one of my favorite actors. I thought he was brilliant in “Chicago” and side-splittingly funny in “Talledega Nights.” His performance as Dewy Cox in the raunchy parody “Walk Hard” however left me cold.

Some parodies are believable and some are farcical, this one was neither. You seem to have a combination of too many icons in the mix. It all just came out a mess and not funny either. Reilly does an okay job but maybe he is better in a supporting role than a leading one.

“Impulse” is the first film in which I have seen Willa Ford. I did see her when she was a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars.” Now she is in a sizzling tale of sexual passion and she has a great leading man in Angus MacFadyen. He was Keira Knightley’s leading man in “Pride and Prejudice” and they scorched the screen.

If you like sexy, romantic thrillers then “Impulse” is the movie for you. Get this DVD and take it home now.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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