Doug Van Pelt

V For Vendetta

I beared with an hour-long wait in line for this one, only to find out that I'd have to turn in my cell phone once inside, as "anything with a camera or recording device would have to be checked." That was freaky. Paranoia at its best, it worked as a good psycho/PR move, as the "big brother" mentality of British government control in the movie was experienced by half the crowd on their way in. It was fun to see a blockbuster a couple of days before it hit theaters, but the best part was that it was just a cool movie. Natalie Portman does a good job of the innocent victim turned enabler to the villainous V character. Many political parallels are drawn, with more than a few jabs at the US and British government -- conveniently set in the future, 2020. There's action, but more adventure and intrigue than anything else. The Wachowski Brothers have done it again. I bet they enjoy making people think...