i just came back from war of the worlds and loved it to bits. i
wouldnt say this was speilberg's best film, but it felt like a
culmination of everything he's done so far. its almost like a collage
of everything we know and love him for, but a stand-alone story at the
same time. there were bits which reminded me of Saving Private Ryan,
bits that reminded me of E.T, bits that reminded me of A.I., bits that
reminded me of Jurassic Park... the list goes on. its like a collage,
but sill a story in it's own right.

and what i loved most about it was that it felt like a completion of
his story as a director. in all the ones i can remember, he gives us a
hopeful ending despite the tragedy. but the tragedy is still there,
and no matter how hopeful we are, we just cannot forget the tragedy.
we cannot forget the pointless sacrifices, we cannot forget the
shattered dreams, we cannot forget the waste. but War of The Worlds
was different. it's not tragic, it's triumphant. it's the whole idea
that whatever happens, nothing is ever in vain. that we're all here as
part of a greater purpose, and that nobody has lived or died in vain.
that tragic as it is, this was an episode, and it's over, and nobody
has lived or died in vain.

it was like reading dante, and seeing so many wrong things in inferno,
and so many wrong things in purgatory, and then reading paradiso and
getting resolution and feeling at peace. i wept so hard at the ending.
the last two minutes just rocked me to the core.

~dark

ps: Miranda Otto has a trademark smile. i dont think i can ever see
her in any role and not see her as Eowyn when she flashes that
trademark smile...

--
Jika kau bercinta lagi, cintalah sepenuhnya,
Jika kau bercinta lagi, jagalah kau hatinya...

I took my good clothes, and a change of clothes for the road, and some
dancing-costumes. My money and my jewels were in my belt-wallet; there
too, in case of mischance, I put my hand-mirror and combs, and my
eye-paint with it's brushes. I never used carmine. No one should, who
has the true Persian looks. It is vulgar to colour ivory.
~from The Persian Boy, by Mary Renault