  Quit your bitching. Wait until you see The Terminal. Then you'll realize everything else has been a cakewalk. Sometimes when you hear of an actor and director combo like Spielberg-Hanks, you may, like me, think "This is going to be an amazing film!". The words "cute" and "ho-hum" don't usually come to mind. After seeing The Terminal, those were the exact two words that came to mind. Definite rental. Maybe theatre. But only a matinee. Definitely not with a date. The food: the traditional kid pack which consists of a small amount of popcorn, my choice of mini-m&ms or nerd rope and a small Sprite. I picked the M&Ms (goes well with salty popcorn), but wished I had chosen the Nerd rope because I needed something sour to cut the sweetness of the movie at times.
The Terminal is a cute, ho-hum movie about Victor Navorsky (played convincingly by Tom Hanks) who flies into Airport X in NYC from his beloved Soviet break-away republic of Krakhosia (if you look on a globe, it borders Kreplakistan, eh hem). While he is en-route (traveling to NYC for quite an endearing reason), there is a coup in his country.
A civil war erupts and his country ceases to exist. Therefore, upon entry into US Customs, he is informed that "America is closed" by Stanly Tucci, a high-up in the immigration/homeland security department (convincing as a typical federal by-the-rules employee). With his very limited English ability, he figures out that he is stuck in the airport until further notice. One would think "Hmmm, you'd think other people would be stuck with him, on that flight from Krakhosia". You would think wrong and I would ask "Are you smoking Krak?". The plot is sweet and charming. Victor makes a nice life for himself in the airport (Gate 67 to be exact). I read that Spielberg had an entire terminal replicated on a sound stage. It was exact down to the latest Stephen King paper back on display at the airport Borders. There also happened to be a Dean and Deluca.
It was quite impressive. Anyway... The most intriguing part of the story is that it is based on the true life story of an Iranian man who lives in the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris (I did not see him last time I flew into De Gaulle, but next time I'll be on the look out). Victor was only stuck in the airport for about 9 or 10 months. I think the Iranian in Paris has been there for 25 years.
A perk, besides Tom Hanks (who does a great accent - reminded me of the crazy Mafioso at the Uzbek embassy - the "big trouble and pain" guy) was the totally hot Diego Luna (from Y Tu Mama Tambien). He and Victor develop a symbiotic relationship. Diego drives the food cart. He gives Victor food for favors (again people - mind out of the gutter!). I can't tell you what the favors are, but it is also cute and endearing. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Amelia, Victor's love interest.
And while you may think "I know where this is going", you don't!!! There is no Hollywood ending! So spend your six dollars on a Sunday afternoon for a different movie going experience. The movie made me think of what airport in which I would take up residence if needed. Of the all the airports (European, developing world and US considered), I would have to say Midway Airport in Chicago would be the best place to reside. Hands down. It's clean. There are a variety of restaurants and a cool toy store. There were also an abnormal amount of hot guys (less overweight, ignorant tourists than most airports).
And Midwesterners are so darn friendly. Chicago is the friendliest big city in the US. I'm excited about the next movie I'm setting out to review. It will be a surprise to behold... I'll give you a hint. In order to prepare, I'll have lunch at a certain fast food restaurant. I'm sure that all but gave it away... www.au-senegal.com www.u2.com www.csmonitor.com www.megwood.com 
