Ice Cube Shot ‘War of the Worlds’ Without Co-Stars or a Director

Ice Cube shot his War of the Worlds scenes in just 15 days, without a director or co-star.

The 56-year-old rapper and actor appears in a remake alongside Eva Longoria and others, but due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020, filming was done in a way that prevented him from actually working with his co-stars.

In an interview, Kai Cenat described making the movie *War of the Worlds* in 2020 during the pandemic. They filmed it very quickly – in just 15 days – and had to do things differently because of COVID-19. The director and actors weren’t physically present on set; that was the only way they could safely make the film.

That’s why it’s limited to just what you see on the screen. But honestly, if things really got bad, that’s all anyone would have to rely on.

He said the movie’s release was delayed because Universal originally filmed it, then sold it to Amazon, and it took time for Amazon to gather and process all the footage.

He explained that the film originated with Universal, but was then sold to Amazon Prime. Completing it took some time because of the unique way it was filmed – all the footage came from actual surveillance cameras worldwide. This meant they had to create everything from scratch to make it work.

In the movie, Ice Cube plays William Radford, a computer security expert who finds himself caught in a worldwide crisis when aliens attack Earth.

The Best 2000s Movies (2000-2009)

20. Up (2009)

Most people are familiar with the incredibly moving opening sequence of *Up*, which quickly shows the joys and hardships of a couple’s lifelong marriage. But the rest of the movie is just as special! It follows Carl Fredricksen, an elderly widower, as he fulfills a promise to his late wife by flying his house to South America. Along the way, he becomes friends with a quirky bird, a talking dog named Dug, and a young scout named Russell who secretly joins the adventure. The film is filled with delightful humor, heartfelt moments, and a touch of magic. And a challenge: try to watch the opening credits without crying when Michael Giacchino’s beautiful music begins!

19. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

The Golden Army is a significant improvement over the first Hellboy film. It ditches the uninteresting characters from the original (even making a joke about one being sent to Antarctica!) and features much more compelling villains – villains who, with their belief that humanity is flawed, are almost sympathetic. The special effects are noticeably better, the creature designs are more distinctly Guillermo del Toro’s style, and every character has more at stake. Even Abe Sapien gets a meaningful storyline and a romantic interest! Many feel del Toro deserved an Oscar for this film, rather than for The Shape of Water.

18. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

There’s so much to love about Wes Anderson’s *Fantastic Mr. Fox*. What really stands out is its unique personality – the small details that make it different from typical animated films, even other stop-motion movies. It’s hard to say *why* the extreme close-ups of Kylie with those swirling black and white eyes are hilarious every single time, but they just are. It’s almost a guaranteed joke: swirling eyes on an opossum equals comedy. And that sums up the magic of *Fantastic Mr. Fox* perfectly.

17. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Judd Apatow’s signature comedic style – a mix of spontaneous humor, adult jokes, and heartfelt moments – truly shines in *Forgetting Sarah Marshall*. Jason Segel, who wrote and stars in the film, plays Peter, a TV composer trying to get over a breakup in Hawaii. Unfortunately, his ex-girlfriend (Kristen Bell) and her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) are also there, making things even harder. The movie boasts an amazing supporting cast – including Mila Kunis, Jack McBrayer, Bill Hader, and many others – and is consistently hilarious (don’t miss the vampire puppet musical!). But what really stands out is Segel’s willingness to be completely vulnerable and expose his insecurities – and he doesn’t hold back.

16. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Without the pressure of establishing Spider-Man’s backstory and a new plot in one film, Sam Raimi crafted a compelling story in *Spider-Man 2* focusing on Peter Parker’s complex relationship with a gifted scientist (Alfred Molina) whose ambition spirals out of control, aided by menacing robotic arms. The special effects still hold up remarkably well-the train sequence is a standout moment in Spider-Man cinema-and the relentless challenges thrown at Peter Parker make the film’s ultimately happy, though poignant, conclusion all the more rewarding.

15. Death Proof (2007)

Quentin Tarantino has said *Death Proof* was his least favorite film, but I respectfully disagree. All of his movies are a celebration of cinema, and *Death Proof* is perhaps his most heartfelt homage to a lost era of filmmaking – specifically, the way movies were made and projected in the past. It originally came out as part of a double feature with Robert Rodriguez’s *Planet Terror*, under the title *Grindhouse*.

*Death Proof* is also a tribute to practical effects and stunt work. Tarantino turns a classic stuntman, played by Kurt Russell, into a seemingly unstoppable villain, similar to characters like Michael Myers. The only one capable of stopping him is another stunt performer, Zoe Bell, who actually served as Uma Thurman’s stunt double in *Kill Bill*, and plays herself in the film. The title refers to Russell’s car, which is built to withstand any crash. But it also feels like Tarantino acknowledging a time when stunts and effects were done without modern technology – a time that’s largely gone, though the movies themselves remain timeless.

14. Almost Famous (2000)

Did the movie *Almost Famous* inspire a generation to become journalists around the year 2000? Considering the challenges facing the profession today, maybe we should jokingly blame Cameron Crowe. But let’s remember what a wonderful, funny, and bittersweet film he created, drawing from his experiences as a young reporter for *Rolling Stone* covering rock music in the 1970s. That era is gone, but Crowe’s movie beautifully captures it, and it’s a treasure to have that documented.

13. Finding Nemo (2003)

While not necessarily Pixar’s greatest film, *Finding Nemo* perfectly captures the studio’s spirit. It features the classic pairing of unlikely companions on a journey – an adventure made unique by taking place underwater. The movie is filled with memorable supporting characters – the dentist’s aquarium fish are so well-developed they could star in their own film! – and builds to a thrilling climax, all driven by the deeply emotional story of a father’s determination to rescue his son.

12. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Though it wasn’t a huge success when it came out, *Master and Commander* has become a truly cherished adventure film. It’s easy to see why: the movie delivers thrilling, realistic naval battles with powerful sights and sounds, and it immerses you in the gritty details of life at sea. Beyond the adventure, it offers a subtle reminder to always choose the better of two imperfect options.

11. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Despite losing the 2005 Best Picture Oscar to *Crash*, *Brokeback Mountain* has resonated more strongly over time. This is particularly meaningful considering how central the passage of time is to the film’s emotional impact. The film, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, tells the heartbreaking story of two cowboys navigating a hidden love affair across the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, forced to conceal their feelings from society and their wives due to the social norms of the era. Time and circumstance continually keep them separated. More than just a film about gay cowboys, *Brokeback Mountain* is a deeply relatable story about loss, longing, and the forces that drive people apart.

10. Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

My friend Rumsey Taylor summed it up perfectly: “The best movie review you will ever watch.” This three-hour film is a fascinating journey through the history of Los Angeles and how the city has been portrayed in movies since the beginning of cinema. It also explores how those on-screen depictions have shaped the city’s own self-image. Essentially a groundbreaking video essay – remarkably created *before* YouTube even existed – *Los Angeles Plays Itself* is both a smart, insightful piece of film criticism and a thoroughly enjoyable film in its own right.

9. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

I honestly think the cologne scene with Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy and Paul Rudd’s Brian Fantana is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in a movie. Seriously, every single line and almost every word just kills me. I’m hard-pressed to find even a couple of unfunny moments! It perfectly captures the movie’s humor – that quote, “60 percent of the time, it works every time,” really sums it up. And the whole movie, this brilliant satire from Adam McKay about the world of 1970s news anchors, is just consistently hilarious.

8. No Country For Old Men (2007)

The Coen brothers are known for their excellent films, and *No Country for Old Men* is often considered their best. It explores a theme they frequently revisit: how the relentless chase for wealth can be empty and ruinous. The story begins when a man (Josh Brolin) discovers the scene of a failed drug deal and steals a large sum of money. This act triggers a series of brutal and unnecessary deaths. Skillfully directed by the Coens, and based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy, *No Country* portrays a world that feels harsh, unpredictable, and unforgiving – a place where fate is as simple as a coin flip.

7. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

The classic video game *Donkey Kong* is a surprisingly accurate reflection of life’s challenges. It’s incredibly difficult, often unfair, and success often feels like a matter of luck. You might occasionally triumph, but just as easily, you’ll be unexpectedly knocked down – like being hit by a barrel thrown by a relentless gorilla who’s taken someone you care about. Even achieving great things doesn’t offer lasting fulfillment, as everything ultimately ends. There’s no true winning, only eventual loss. And sometimes, you even have to contend with unpredictable and scheming people.

That’s why *The King of Kong* isn’t just a documentary about competitive *Donkey Kong*; it’s a film about the human experience.

6. Memento (2000)

Don’t dismiss *Memento* as just a clever trick. While it’s true the film has a complex, non-linear structure – arguably one of the most intricate ever created – it’s much more than that. The way the story jumps around in time isn’t just for effect; it deliberately disorients the viewer, putting them inside the mind of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), the film’s protagonist, who suffers from a rare form of amnesia that prevents him from forming new memories.

Leonard is driven to find his wife’s killer, and the film begins by seemingly showing his success, before rewinding to reveal the full, complicated truth. *Memento* quickly established Christopher Nolan as a promising director, but the film’s power comes from the tragic humanity of Leonard, a man desperate to find meaning in his life. While Nolan continued to experiment with storytelling and explore similar ideas in his later work, he largely left behind the dark humor present in *Memento* – like the confusing chase scene where it’s unclear who is chasing whom, or the ironic name of Leonard’s hotel, the “Discount Inn,” a nod to his habit of dismissing the story of a man with a similar condition.

5. The Prestige (2006)

Christopher Nolan’s *The Prestige* is where he truly perfected his signature style. The film combines complex timelines, surprising twists, and recurring themes like flawed characters and the pain of loss to create a powerfully moving experience. Set in Victorian London, it follows two competing magicians, played by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, whose rivalry leads them to both incredible breakthroughs and deadly consequences. *The Prestige* is a film built on layers of storytelling, examining the sacrifices artists make for their work and the complex balance between good and evil within us all. It remains incredibly rewarding to watch, even after learning its secrets, revealing new details with each viewing for those who pay close attention.

4. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Despite being a light and fun film, *Catch Me If You Can* is also a surprisingly moving story about loneliness and the importance of family. It features a fantastic cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio as the clever con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., Christopher Walken as his struggling father, Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams as his romantic interests, and Tom Hanks as the determined, serious FBI agent Carl Hanratty.

The entertaining chase between Hanratty and Frank is also tinged with sadness. Both characters are deeply lonely, and their pursuit of each other becomes the central focus of their lives – a connection symbolized by their yearly Christmas phone calls. In fact, *Catch Me If You Can* might be one of the most bittersweet Christmas movies ever made, right up there with *It’s a Wonderful Life*. If you don’t enjoy this film, I’m prepared to tell you a joke…

3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

2007 was a fantastic year for movies, but the one that truly resonated with me was *The Diving Bell & The Butterfly*. Julian Schnabel beautifully adapted Jean-Dominique Bauby’s memoir about living with locked-in syndrome, and it had a profound impact on my life. I left the theater inspired and immediately started planning to propose to my girlfriend – a decision I still feel great about after 15 years and two kids! Revisiting the film recently, I was reminded of just how powerful it remains.

2. Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher is known for his films about serial killers, but *Zodiac* is more than just a crime thriller. It’s a look at San Francisco over several decades, told through the perspectives of three men obsessed with solving the Zodiac Killer case. These include a police inspector-who inspired the film *Bullitt*-a crime reporter whose articles made him a target, and an amateur detective who can’t move on even after the murders cease.

What *Zodiac* does exceptionally well is show how all-consuming an obsession can be. Fincher immerses viewers in a complex web of clues and false leads using skillful camera work and editing. By the end of the film-which cleverly circles back to its opening moments after a tense 157 minutes-you’ll fully understand the detective’s relentless drive.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I can’t recall exactly where or when I first watched *Eternal Sunshine*, but it was around 20 years ago while I was living in New York City. The details of that initial viewing have faded with time, like so many memories do. Ironically, that makes me appreciate the film even more now. What’s so compelling about *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* is that it uses a science fiction idea – a couple erasing each other from their memories – to explore how natural memory loss affects us. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet create one of the most memorable couples in film history, largely because their relationship is destined to fail. Ultimately, all relationships end, and in a way, it’s like watching a beach house slowly fall into the ocean.

2025-09-15 17:00