‘Spider-Man 2’ is the best movie ever

Evan Marmol

“Spider-Man 2” weaves a web that ensnares the senses and spellbinds

from the word go.

It has been hailed by critics as the best film of its ilk, and it

deserves this acclaim and more.

Never has a flick been more worth bearing the bedlam to buy

tickets, wait in endless lines and ignore the clamoring audience that

transforms a normal theater into a din that causes a sensory

overload. These factors would normally annoy and distract, but within

minutes patrons are totally rapt, and everything but the brilliance

on the screen vanishes.

“Spider-Man 2” follows up about two years after the first. Tobey

Maguire reprises his role, as do James Franco and Kirsten Dunst. In

this movie, Spidey finds himself riddled with deep angst. His entire

life is crumbling around him, including: failing out of school, a

stifled opportunity to express his love, animosity with his best

friend, and destitution. Add to this a nemesis with pernicious,

sentient metal appendages and we are talking about a seriously bad

time. How bad? Bad enough that he tosses his duds, superpowers and

his role as the savior of the city -- very reminiscent of the

Superman film when Christopher Reeve chooses love over power.

Predictably, Spider-Man accepts his responsibility and returns to

save a city being ravaged by the nefarious Doc Ock.

The true reason these “Spider-Man” films have been so astonishing

is because we can identify with the characters; they feel, they

suffer, and nothing comes easy for them. As a sequel, this film has

enhanced fight sequences, enriched substance for the narrative and

provided a seamless combination that succeeds at consuming its

audience. This film transcends the action aspect of its predecessor

as a more total movie addressing the full spectrum of emotions.

This is a great date, family or group-outing flick. It is a must

see if you loved anything about the first and if action films tickle

your fancy. Watch it, then watch it again, and then you might want to

order thirds.

‘Dynamite’ not explosive but hilarious

“Napoleon Dynamite” is a clever sleeper that might just creep past

audiences unnoticed this summer.

Beyond charming, mildly disturbing and uproariously hilarious, it

is a charismatic movie that bites at the Hollywood bone of banality

and surprises with wry wit and a refreshing novelty that has become

all too scarce.

“Napoleon Dynamite” is not only the title but the name of the key

character. Napoleon is an off-beat teenager living in a backwater

Idaho town with his grandmother and older brother in total

dysfunctional harmony. When his grandmother gets injured, he is left

in the care of his tyrannical, disenchanted cousin. Mr. Dynamite is

anything but what his name would suggest.

This absolute odd-ball lives vicariously through pathological lies

and convoluted half-truths. Napoleon makes a couple of friends at

school and starts living wacky misadventures.

With all of this information, it is still impossible to impart an

iota of what the narrative is, because it is really about nothing. If

anything, it is the most unique coming-of-age story about the pariahs

and the unpopular. It is disarming, honest and zany in the most

off-color manner imaginable.

The notable feature of this film is that nothing about it is truly

notable. The actors are all nearly neophytes. The plot is rife with

humor but is neither direct nor compelling. This is just a film that

appears to be self-sustaining. It does not need to be watched. It

will live on its own as an innovative project that requires no

admiration.

No advertisement is mentioning the myriad accolades or critical

acclaim. This is a movie that is wildly imaginative and a true

pleasure if you find the opportunity to give it a chance.

* EVAN MARMOL is Laguna Beach resident. He graduated from UC

Irvine with a degree in psychology and social behavior. He can be

reached at Evan_Marmol@hotmail.com.