Alexander (175 minutes)
My alternative title would be: Shoot Me With an Arrow

SUPER MOVIE FAN'S RECOMMENDATION: 1, FOGGEDDABOUTIT

Who is in it?:
COLIN FARRELL, ANTHONY HOPKINS, ANGELINA JOLIE, VAL KILMER, ROSARIO DAWSON, JARED LETO

What is it about?
OLIVER STONE creates this large movie about a larger historical figure, Alexander the Great. In the 300s BC, Alexander (COLIN FARRELL) conquers parts of the world in ways no one ever had. He was on his way toward a world empire but he died at age 33. During his conquests he was unmerciful. This story tells of his loves and his conquests. As a bisexual, much of the love interest is related to his interests in his life-long friend Hephaistion (JARED LETO).

When and Where does this movie take place?
Throughout the world (300 BC) as Alexander conquers and then reflects on his youth and then conquers some more—from Greece to Persia to India.

Why see it? When you have the great ANTHONY HOPKINS start with narration, you are excited to see what is going to happen. Then, HOPKINS keeps coming back to narrate and to weave together a story that is disjointed and unengaging. The writers change history unnecessarily. Alexander is confusing, long, brutal and uninteresting. And did I say LONG, Wayne. The battle scenes are well staged, but they lack a sense of the strategy that enabled Alexander to take over much of the known world. FARELL is the same age as his mother (ANGELINA JOLIE) and that casting is goofy. This is an expensive waste of time, Wayne. So disappointing.

How about the kids?
Rated "R" for violence and nudity. EXTREME bloodiness. NOT FOR CHILDREN.

Video Pick of the Week
Spiderman 2
Peter Parker (TOBY MAGGUIRE) is a photographer and pizza delivery boy who leads a double-life protecting his fellow citizens of New York. This time a very agile octopus bad guy (ALFRED MOLINA) is the main villain. KIRSTEN DUNST is the love interest. Parker is still working out his guilt for the death of his uncle and is supportive of his aunt. His friend is looking for revenge on Spiderman for his father's death. And with self-doubt, Parker's spidey powers are waning. This one doesn't' disappoint. A great comic book movie on screen. Fun, exciting and good acting. For harmless entertainment, it doesn't get better than this.

Next week, we'll review, JUDE LAW and new mom JULIA ROBERTS in Closer, an adult story of couples who co-mingle. A different kind of role for ROBERTS.

John Fischetti can be heard Friday's on the Wayne Perkey show on Oldies 103, WRKA and can be reached at fischettij@uncw.edu



Back