The Aviator

I just went to another advanced screening, this time to Scorsese's new film The Aviator.

It's about the oil man, film director, famous aviator, and Texan billionare, Howard Hughes, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. I love Scorsese's work and this film was as meticulous and beautifully shot as his other classics and a lot lighter than Raging Bull and with less blood. However, there is a rather bloody scene, just wanted to warn you.

At times the film reminded me of Citizen Kane. Both films feature brilliant creative men who go crazy while building their empires. Instead of whispering "rosebud," Aviator ends with a close up of the lead actor repeatedly muttering "the way of the future," with an eerie similarity.

The flight scenes are very beautiful but there are lots of them. Pilots and old Hollywood film buffs should really enjoy this film since it pays tribute to both.

Leo does such a good job as Hughes that it was painful watching the once lively playboy gradually dissent into madness and become a recluse with twitches and OCD.

I wanted to see this film as soon as I had heard about it, because I'm a huge Katharine Hepburn fan and have read about her relationship with Howard Hughes in her biography. It was interesting seeing Cate Blanchett playing Ms. Hepburn. She had the voice and laugh down pat, but her first scene on camera takes place on a golf course and it seemed like Blanchett was all over the place and just doing an impression of Kate and not really being her. However, as the film progressed so did Cate's portrayal of the Hollywood legend.

Despite what the film shows, Kate did not meet Spencer right after being with Hughes, but a few years later in 1942 when filming Woman of the Year. It would have helped if they but more dates and locations at the bottom. They started doing this at first but stopped midway, so it was hard to tell how long they were together and when exactly World War II started in the film.

I was surprised they didn't include that even after they broke up, Hughes still gave Hepburn the script The Philadelphia Story Especially since the 1940 movie helped re-launch Hepburn's career and let her escape the label "box office poison," which Hepburn in the film declares she is being called. It would have provided more closure.

Gwen Stefani in her brief appearance looked amazingly like Jean Harlow. Although, I wasn't really impressed by Kate Beckinsale playing Eva Garder, for me she was just there. Meanwhile, Jude Law appears in the film too (seriously how many movies did this guy do this year? he's everywhere) he plays the swashbuckling playboy Errol Flynn. Alan Alda and Alec Baldwin also stars.

Scorsese, the film, Cate Blanchett and DiCaprio have already been nominated for Golden Globes.

The picture releases in NYC and LA on Dec. 17 and Christmas weekend through out the country. Beware, buy food and pee first, because the film is almost 3 hours long but definitely a must see. Check out the official website HERE. Also check out the New York Post review, which gave the new film 3 stars.