Ladder 49 (115 minutes)
My alternative title would be: Smoke and Mirrors

SUPER MOVIE FAN'S RECOMMENDATION: 2, WAIT AND RENT

Who is in it?:
JOAQUIN PHOENIX, JOHN TRAVOLTA, JACINDA BARRETT

What is it about?
Jack (PHOENIX) is the newby at the station, being hazed as the rookie but brought into the fold fairly easily. The Captain is Mike (TRAVOLTA) who in spite of a small role has a key one. The story is told in flashbacks where Jack is in bad trouble in a bad fire, flashing back to his first days on the job. As the flashbacks evolve, we know that Mike is trying to mount a risky rescue but time is running out.

When and Where does this movie take place?
Baltimore, MD.

Why see it? Before September 11, 2001 I would have recommended this movie very strongly. Something happened to us then, Wayne, which makes it difficult for us to watch the amazing work of fire fighters and their very difficult jobs manipulated in a drama. While the acting is fine and the story is intense, I cannot watch a story like this without being incredibly sad for what took place and I feel emotionally "used" by melodrama when we know what happened to so many great people. I can't recommend it as a feature, but I will recommend it as a rental. PHOENIX is really good as the main character we see in flashback form. This movie isn't written as well as it could have been.

How about the kids?
Rated PG-13 for language and intense fire scenes.

Video Pick of the Week
Aladdin
is released this week on DVD, Wayne with bonus features. A great Disney movie that will greet a new generation who will like the whole new world. And rent Fahrenheit 911 before the election.

Next week, we'll review, Friday Night Lights, the story of high school football in 1988 in Texas. BILLY BOB THORNTON is the coach. Should be a good profile of an American institution—Texas high school football.

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



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