War of the Worlds and War of the Words

Tom Cruise has been in two battles lately. One, The War of the Worlds with Steven Spielberg; the other, The War of the Words with Brooke Shields.

Let's start with the one that most people can get behind, The War of the Worlds. This update is a worthy successor to the classic 1953 film. And although I've never read the book by HG Wells, what I have read indicates that the film doesn't veer too far from Wells' basic ideas.

War of the Worlds is a movie that should be seen in a crowded theater. It's a big, explosive, exciting summer picture worthy of the Independance Day Weekend slot. Cruise does a fine job of being a jerk of a father who finds himself forced to be responsible for the lives of not only himself but also his two children.

Dakota Fanning is, as always, excellent. She is one of the finest actors working today. Tim Robbins shows up in a supporting role and pulls it off better than I would have expected since he's playing against the type of role we usually see him play. And of course, Stephen Spielberg rules. Any quibbles I would have with this film would truly be nitpiks and War of the Worlds was too much scary fun to do that. If you haven't seen War of the Worlds, you should. And before it comes out on dvd.

Now for Cruise's recent War of the Words with Brooke Shields and Matt Lauer. Tom's been acting strange lately. In fact, it's been the talk all over the internet and entertainment news shows. I've avoided discussing it here, since I figured that Tom was just in love and attributed his jumping on couches and screaming, to his infatuation to Katie Holmes and her apparent conversion to Scientology.

Yet, Tom's recent behavior has gone beyond what can be excused by the excitement of a new romance. When Cruise spoke out against psychiatry and the use of medicine, well, that's his opinion and he's entitled to it [as wrong as he may be].

But when he personally criticized Brooke Shields for her use of medication while dealing with depression and then argued with Matt Lauer while claiming that he [Cruise] knew the "history of psychiatry" when he so clearly doesn't have a clue... to me crosses the line.

I wonder what's up with Mr. Cruise. He used to be such a respectful, polite guy. Something has gotten a burr under his sadle.. .

Or maybe he just needs to take a "chill pill."

"War" of the Worlds rates a B+