War of Worlds: Anyone dissapointed it's modern?

{OF}MadD! · 06-27-2005, 11:52 PM

Is anyone else out there disappointed that War of the Worlds is set in modern times?
I've heard about the making of this movie since before September 11, and WAY before Spielberg and Cruise got on board. This movie's history had it flip-flopping from the novel's 1898 setting to a modern setting. Would have been FAR more interesting had it been faithful to the novel's setting. Instead of seeing ANOTHER disaster movie with multitudes running away from the tripods, we could have better experienced this fear through a simpler society ignorant of today's technology and knowledge of science. Besides, Independence Day, with its ending being an homage to War of the Worlds, has not faded from the public's mind yet. My only hope is that Spielberg will capture Wells' (author of novel) common theme in many of his writings: the danger of technology and that nature will always dominate technology.

But this story has always been done again and again as modern: The radio play by Orson W. that freaked people out, and the 50's movie version that strayed very far from the novel. And all the other attacking alien movies. None have taken place in a historical setting. Shame, that would have been unique and much more interesting and imaginative.

{OF}Malicious Assault · 06-28-2005, 07:25 AM

Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Hope there is more to the movie than just the trailers

I hate whaent hey put all the good parts in the trailer just to get you to the movie and the rest sucks

Soul · 06-28-2005, 07:32 AM

How about any one disappointed that Tom Cruise is in it?

/me Raises hand

MeTaL · 06-28-2005, 07:59 AM

Never read the book or saw the old movie. Used to watch the TV show

{OF}MadD! · 06-28-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul

How about any one disappointed that Tom Cruise is in it?

/me Raises hand

Seeing him on the Today show a few days ago convinced me more than ever that Cruise has gone over the deep end with this Scientology BS. He came off ridiculous in his interview with Matt Lauer, touting himself as an expert in the history of drugs and pyschology. Plus his defense of his bushwacking Brooke Shields was just as repulsive. I could see in my mind Spielberg cringing at everything coming out of his mouth.

However, I don't think the film is doomed. It will make quite a bit of coin, though I don't see it as being some huge record-breaker. I predict in the 250-260 million dollar range, perhaps slightly more.

MeTaL · 06-28-2005, 08:48 AM

Was the novel a good read? Have no read a book in a couple of years and woudlnt mind trying it again.

{OF}MadD! · 06-28-2005, 08:50 AM

It was a good read, I read it along time ago.

Soul · 06-28-2005, 09:21 AM

I didn't use to mind him all that much, never thought he was that great of an actor. You can watch his movies and you never forget that it is him, good actors make you forget who they are and make you believe they are the person you are watching, IMO.

With his recent dribble he has been spilling every where I am done with him.

ClydeFrog · 06-28-2005, 01:03 PM

I didn't realize it will be modern, bummer. I just finished reading the original (now reading The Island of Dr. Moreau

) and I agree that going back to 1898 would be MUCH cooler. I also agree that Cruise is turning into a full fledged freak. Exactly what training does he have to evaluate the validity of psychology? (evil inner voice: does brainwashing = training?) Too bad, I really enjoyed a lot of his earlier movies although that was as much (or more) good writing as good acting.

The Scientology thing always made me uneasy so last night I did a few hours read on the "church". A co-worker/friend of mine sent me to www.xenu.net for starters and it was freaky to say the least. I don't know that I believe it all but since the "church" won't say anything about their beliefs it's all I have to go by. The "church" has ripped his family up pretty bad. He gave me an idea of the financial burden vs. income the "church" demands and it was astonishing. (Over 50% of their after tax income) The couple makes ~$100k but lives in a squalid little apartment.

I will probably see the movie and I'm tempted to go to the theater. On the other hand I may just wait for it to be out on video.

{OF}G_Man · 06-28-2005, 02:11 PM

Cults do bad things to people...

Cruise is exibiting symptoms of cult influence.

Next thing he will be taking a dose of some lethal substance so he can rendevouz with the space ship that is cloaked behind the moon.

The wife and I looking forward to the movie, in spite of who is in it. We like Sci-fi whether it's good or bad. We even liked the one that John Travolta was so horrible in / Battelfield Earth?