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by Carol Lane Patterson
Ice Machine METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW: Slapstick still rules in visual comedy; tight dialogue and strong interaction combine for good, long belly laughs—all of this and strong statements about wasteful predators, food chain dynamics and admirable behavior exploring honor amongst ‘mixed’ races/species. METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW: Gay issues for our species are still a deeply debated or wholly avoided subject—seldom will the idea of lesbianism be explored more sensitively and elegantly, or provoke more positive post-viewing interactions than with this exquisite rendering of people, gay and straight, living through an encounter by two unlikely lovers. METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW the message is urgent and the reward great for the one listening. A woman has made transition and her bereaving husband is sufficiently receptive to her persistent communication to follow her clues to his future. METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW the past has lessons and the present moment is clearly when choices determine one’s future. The future can be a reflection of the past or the choices can be—to begin anew.
A Metaphysical, Spiritual, Holistic Publication | In Light Times | April, 2002 |
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Twentieth Century Fox takes the viewer back twenty-thousand years into the frigid end of our planet’s most recent glacial activity to explore modern social issues in the guise of animated caricatures. Peter Ackerman and Michael Berg IV expertly assisted Michael J. Wilson adapt his story to this cinematic extravaganza where his Manfred the wooly mammoth, Sid, the sloth and Diego, the saber-toothed tiger come vividly and vigorously to life. Team ethics, creating family regardless of bloodlines and doing the ‘right thing’ places this movie squarely on the well-worn path to high morality and honor. Wild accolades for this movie abound and the reason why is, it’s a tremendously satisfying film, animation or no. And the now famous Scrat, the saber-toothed squirrel mascot of the story, has no lines and still makes big scampering splashes from beginning to end, in this welcome addition to our 2002 spring thaw.
By far the most brilliant example of dialogue driven screenwriting, this script, written by the two lead actresses, Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen, is superlative in its timing, compassion, and wit. Writing about an admittedly touchy subject is always a challenge; bringing the viewer to an awareness, and ultimately, a connection to and understanding of the issues elevates a piece to brilliance. The writers then enact their own material with style, giving the characters a richness and love-ability surpassing cinematic satisfaction and leaving everyone smiling and talking about a subject generally left alone or—to bleed off tension, relegated to the jokesters.
Linda Hunt, at her usual stellar best, joins Kevin Costner as the most spiritually aware person in this poignant treasure hunt. Seeking the meaning to symbols and clues, Costner’s character is certain his deceased wife is communicating through other people, pictures and paranormal events—causing others in his life to believe him somewhere between delusional and deeply shattered by the tragic death of his wife—resulting in a classic twist ending not even the best ‘guessers’ anticipate. A Universal, Spyglass, Shady Acres, NDE and Gran Via collaboration.
H.G. Wells once again hits the big screen in this newest version of the time travel classic. Truly expert graphical artistry weaves the entire film into a visually lovely work, with the Eloi village on the river gorge of the future as a special treat. Warner Brothers and Dreamworks made this update possible.
