Hackers (1995) and War Games (1983) and Q&A with John Badham

Seeing WarGames again after about 25 years was great fun! It's  impossible to watch it today without reflecting on how far technology has come, and how rare it is to see pay phones! The movie is a time capsule of that era, a little bit of nostalgia for all who attended last night's screening at the Egyptian Theater. I had forgotten so much about the film that it was like watching it for the first time. Just LOVED that video arcade scene in the beginning - brought back SO many memories!!!

Regardless of the technology, it's a great story. And has a great cast of characters. I think my favorite part was when Matthew Broderick asks his computer geek friends for help. That's a great part, and the audience loved it. A number of recognizable actors appear in very brief scenes, including Maurey Chaykin (one of the geeks), Michael Madsen and James Tolkan.

It would have been a very different film in the hands of another director, according to John Badham (73) was in attendance and talked about the film, and how he got involved with the project. There were a number of good questions from audience members, including one from my friend who asked him what he thought about the previous-released direct-to-video film WarGames 2 and the proposed "remake". Badham said he had "no comment".... He wasn't involved in "Part 2" (I didn't even know there was one) and isn't involved with the remake. Someone else asked him if any politicians contacted him about the film, and he said there was a special dinner and screening in California back in '83 with some Senators;  that was about it. 

Someone in the audience was a huge fan of Badham's film American Flyers, which was filmed in LA; it's a movie I've never seen but is in my queue. 

After the Q&A, the second film in the double feature was Hackers (with Angelina Jolie) which has numerous references to WarGames and is also sort of a time capsule (no one uses cell phones, floppy disks still being used, etc)  The less said about that one the better. Let's just say I fell asleep during it. 

The Tourist (2010) with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie

Sometimes I like to check out a new movie without knowing much about it. Such was the case with me and The Tourist. I only knew the basics: that it was a spy film and that it had Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, and Italy - where I've always wanted to visit.

Photo: Destination360.com

From the reviews I've read so far, they are not calling this a classic, but I am. Some don't like the story (despite it being written by the Oscar winning writer of The Usual Suspects) and some have likened it to old romantic thrillers films from decades past. Roger Ebert in his review said the movie had a few clichés. I don't fault it for that; it's still fun to watch. The old-fashioned spy romance feel was what I loved about it. Others have criticized Depp's character as a bit of a timid traveler. Well, he may be at first but he redeems himself eventually. He just playing another slightly odd and misunderstood character that he's famous for, so don't think of Cary Grant in North by Northwest. And the scenery of Venice is really beautiful. I recommend this film if you love to travel or love watching movies about traveling, or if you are fan of either Depp's or Angelina's. I don't think you will be disappointed.

There's a couple of violent parts but they come from the baddies who you're not supposed to like anyway. The fella that plays one of the main gangsters looked really familiar. When I looked him up I realized it was Steven Berkoff who was in alot of 80s movies like Rambo II and Beverly Hills Cop and Octopussy. Speaking of Bond, Timothy Dalton is in it too. It's a light film, comical at times, and there's some good chase scenes in it. It's not like Salt if you've seen that one. I liked this one better (though I loved Salt too) So if you are looking to escape the winter blues, I recommend The Tourist at your local cinema.

Here's a review from The Movie Goddess who also loved the film!!

Peter has written a good review of this movie at Armchair Audience.