2012 (2009)

Tagline: We were warned
Cusack plays: Writer/Limo Driver Jackson Curtis (50 Cent's real name backwards!)

2012 - the year the world will end, some say, according to the Mayan calendar. Perfect disaster film fodder. And they really go for it in tearing the world to bits, although I remember the special effects looking a lot better on the cinema screen that watching at home. Its also the film where John Cusack gets to save (some of) humanity, as a failed writer working as a limo driver for a Russian billionaire and his beastly fat children. A chance encounter with crazy conspiracy theorist Woody Harrelson, means he realises whats going down and grabs the family and a plane to get the hell out of dodge.

There are good bits - the epic distruction! - and it functions pretty well as an action film. But there are also bad bits - distractions like a blonde bimbo and her dog and two old guys on a cruise ship. We also get the fabulous line from a pilot: "Come on baby, lift your pretty ass for Sasha!".



And becuase JC likes to revist roles, this is his second time playing a limo driver in a film with Amanda Peet (Identity) and at least his third time playing a writer. Obviously he gets soaking wet, what with the world as we know it ending.

Did you know? This film is appararently banned in North Korea as 2012 is the year designated by the Government for the nation to become a superpower.

Martian Child (2007)

Tagline: Some fathers and sons grow up together.
Cusack Plays: Science fiction writer David Gordon

Yet another dead wife scenario, as widower writer David decides to adopt a child. That child turns out to be Dennis, a weird little guy who sits in a box all day, claims to be from Mars and wears a belt of batteries to ensure he doesn't float away. Yes its a PG family film all about 'belonging' and 'finding your place'.

I wasn't really rushing to watch this one and had the dvd sitting out for a while. Its all very tame stuff, but putting my cynicism aside it made for an bearable Saturday afternoon watch while doing some ironing. The Cusack siblings team up again to play brother and sister, in a story based on a novel, itself based on a real experience. Although in real life it was a gay writer adopting a son - changing the character's sexuality apparantly caused a bit of bother.

The kid is ok, despite being one of the annoying ones from Must Love Dogs, and whispering all the time. In fact a lot of this film is softly spoken.

The Ice Harvest (2005)

Tagline: Thick Thieves. Thin Ice.
Cusack Plays: Mob Lawyer Charlie Arglist.

So After Must Love Dogs things can only get better. And they do, but only really marginally in this fairly mediocre black comedy. Charlie is a lawyer, who along with Billy Bob Thornton steals over $2 million from his mob clients on Christmas Eve. But things don't go so smoothly and soon hes scrambling around town without knowing who to trust.


The comedic elements work fairly well, with the icy weather preventing their quick escape and facilitating some falls, crashes and deaths, and the story does keep you guessing as to whats coming next. However, overall it just feels fairly thin and unsubstantial but if I watched it again, it would be mainly for Oliver Platt's drunken turn as Cusack's ex-wifes current husband. Apparently the book of the same name, set in 1979 is far superior.