ENTERTAINMENT

THE AVIATOR (Miramax) Genre: Drama Released: December 17, 2004 Director: Martine Scorsese Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, John C. Reilly, Kate Beckinsale, Jude Law, Gwen Stefani, Alec Baldwin, Ian Holm, Alan Alda, Brent Spiner, Josie Maran, Willem Dafoe Official Movie Website Touchstone/Disney

Leonardo DiCaprio captures both the little boy lost and the brilliant genius of Howard Hughes in this epic film. Both the paranoid eccentric and the charming womanizer, obsessing one minute over the plans for a new airplane, the likes the world has never seen before, and the next over how many peas are on his dinner plate. The incredible sets make you feel like you are back in old Hollywood and one of the most incredible plane crash scenes in movie history will have you jumping out of your seat.

Scorsese gives you the chance to peek into the life of a genius, who seems on the verge of losing his mind again and again, then when he gets to the edge he always seems to find his way back which is what makes the film so interesting. Hughes was a pioneer in modern aeronautics, and dedicated filmmaker, yet beyond the handsome façade hides a scared, lonely and extremely paranoid little boy. The film is a little long and I occasionally found myself wondering when it was ever going to end so be prepared, but it is definitely worth seeing as long as you have the time.

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by JAYNE RAE