Movie Habit

Pic of the Week

Spider-Man 1/2
Starring , Kirsten Dunst
Directed by Sam Raimi
Rated PG-13

Review by Matt Anderson

Spinning a web of cinematic magic, Spider-Man leaps off the pages of Marvel's comic books and comes to life on the big screen in a highly entertaining romp. The movie tells the story of a high school dork named Peter Parker. The love of his life is the girl next door, Mary Jane, but he might as well be the Invisible Man for all the attention she pays him. During a field trip to a high-tech lab, Peter is bitten by a new breed of spider – a red and blue radioactive one, no less. After going home feeling a little faint, he wakes up the next morning as a new man.

This incarnation of Spider-Man offers the best that this type of material has to offer. There's the far-fetched storyline, sure, but there's also the sweetly romantic side, the gee-whiz fun element, and the patriotic "good guys will win" theme. It's all wrapped up in the messages, "Don't be ashamed of who you are" and "With great power comes great responsibility." Part of the fun is in seeing the familiar origins of Spider-Man played out with a great cast and incredible special effects that (almost) seamlessly blend live action with computer-generated imagery.

Other recommendations

Scratch 1/2

Cold Mountain The much-hyped Cold Mountain is a Civil War epic that deserves a second look on DVD

Godzilla Everything you have heard about Godzilla is true

City of God Even in this day and age, City of God is shocking

Music of the Heart

Another Sky A treat to watch; a pity that it is not part of the general catalog of film classics

A Knight's Tale Medieval jousting, '70s arena rock, and charisma to spare

Breaking and Entering 1/2 One of the most overlooked films of the last year is finally out on DVD

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride 1/2 Tim Burton’s latest animated effort offers far too much to take in during one viewing.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence Spielberg honors Kubrick in with a serious spin on Pinocchio

The Ladykillers The supplements don't add much, but the movie is better the second time around

The Hills Have Eyes A good subtext can make a horror movie good

The Pledge 1/2 Sean Penn directs Jack Nicholson in an artistic blue-collar mystery

Trekkies 1/2 Trekkies gives rabid fans a forum to strut their stuff

3:10 to Yuma

American Fugitive: The Truth about Hassan The shock value of seeing a wanted assassin will draw you in to the history lesson

Saving Grace Maybe predictable, but a good British comedy about a prim British lady in a young, hip drug culture

Rush Hour

Spartan Spartan demands you participate. I hope I'm not the only person who finds that refreshing.

Invasion of Astro Monster The Big Guy himself and a conga line of gigantic opponents

Ghidorah The Big Guy himself and a conga line of gigantic opponents

Grizzly Man So much more than one man's bond with nature

The Saddest Music in the World

home