Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 1

5/11/04

Films Reviewed: Troy and Van Helsing

Commentary: Brad Pitt

Featurette: The animated prequel to Van Helsing

Regarding Troy:

Matt: There isn't a whole lot of mythology to this film, but it is a rousing adventure war film.  Brad Pitt does make a good Achilles, and Diane Kruger is a pretty Helen.  Three stars

Aron: It's a war film punctuated with human moments, kind of like The Matrix films.  However, all the performances are first rate and the film is pretty good looking.  Three stars.

Average Rating: *** (out of ****)

Regarding Van Helsing:

Aron: Park your brain at the door and enjoy Hugh Jackman fighting evil in Transylvania.  The monsters are all really impressive.  Another fun film from Stephen (The Mummy) Sommers.  Three stars.

Matt: This isn't Hugh Jackman playing the Van Helsing from Bram Stoker's imagination.  This is Hugh Jackman auditioning for the role of James Bond.  Which would have been okay if the movie weren't unbearably stupid and ruined the memories of Karloff, Lugosi and Chaney.  (Aron: "Gee, Matt, why don't you tell us how you really feel?")  One star

Average Rating: ** (out of ****)

Commentary: The works of Brad Pitt, from his days on "Another World" to his Oscar nod for 12 Monkeys.  We also looked at Se7en, Thelma and Louise, Fight Club and Seven Years in Tibet. 

Featurette: The animated prequel to Van Helsing on DVD.

*No copy of this show exists due to running time difficulties