FILM REVIEW: D.J. Caruso’s “Eagle Eye”

Oh no, the computer’s wires crossed again! Thought this movie reminded you of anything? Maybe it was HAL from Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) or could it have been Joshua from John Badham’s “War Games” (1983)? Who knows? What I do know is “Eagle Eye” may have been a déjà vu for some, but the plot and acting was so much fun to watch. A thriller, mystery and conspiracy theory jammed packed into one movie.

Teeth clenched, knuckles white, sitting on the edge of the seat, and eyes glued to Shia LaBeouf, I mean really, this movie was hot (in more ways than one). Shia as a twin doubled the hotness factor. Call me bias, I love the former “Even Stevens” star turned action hero. He was totally convincing in his role as Jerry Shaw. The sarcasm, the laid-back dude with no real aspirations, I get it and it worked. He even managed to sneak in some comedic lines (nice break from all the fast paced, blood pumping scenes). The audience (female, anyway) also couldn’t help feeling bad for Jerry Shaw. He just didn’t seem to be getting the love he deserved, and he was constantly fighting to get out of his brother’s looming shadow.

Shia’s co-star, Michelle Monaghan was praiseworthy as well. Forgettable at times, but she pulled her own weight. I felt her character was a little too dependent on Jerry Shaw, and she could have been just a bit more heroic for the sake of her son. Like hello, your son’s train could be derailed, grow some chest hair and save him. And we can’t forget the lovely Rosario Dawson or Angelina’s ex-beau. Though I must say, Dawson did not get enough air time to show off her action skills. But the little she did get, she made the most of it. No worries, I won’t spoil anything.

And did I mention, the creepy kid from “Mirrors” was in this movie. Yeah, little Cameron Boyce played the son of Monaghan’s character. Much different from his role as the boy talking to his reflection, this time around he had a more cheery disposition and stayed away from creepers.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone in the mood to be entertained. You can see this movie with anyone. So, get up and go see it already.

Rating: 5 Gasps out of 5

FILM REVIEW: D.J. Caruso’s “Eagle Eye”

FILM REVIEW: Mathieu Kassovitz’s “Babylon A.D.”

Think the “Fifth Element” (1997) and “Children of Men” (2006) on steroids. It is set in the future, all of life lay in the hands of a random woman and we need a man "angry at the world" with a hot bod to save us. Woooo for clichés, are there no original screenplays out there?

“Babylon A.D.” is a sci-fi flick mixed with some action offering up numerous awkward moments between Vin Diesel and his co-star Mélanie Thierry. I am not saying the movie is not worth your money. What I am saying is do not expect too much from it. I went to the midnight showing thinking the theater would be packed, and lo and behold, it was not. Sorry Vin, I guess the trailer was not convincing enough. We will have to wait until Sunday to see how much money the movie will make.

Besides all the negativity, “Babylon A.D.” has its good points, the action mainly. Diesel and Michelle Yeoh (and sometimes even Thierry) are amazing. Diesel brings the muscle “kick your ass” fighting style and Yeoh is more graceful with her martial arts. There are some explosions, gun shots (actually quite a few) and everything else you can expect from an action flick.

The one thing I am surprised about is the lack of sex in the movie. I mean hello. Vin is hot and Frenchie Theirry is gorgeous, it seems inevitable. However, we do get a taste of some passion. But, that is all it is, a taste. More like a tease if you will.

Overall, a cool flick to see during the Labor Day weekend before going back to school or work.

Rating: 3 Punches out of 5

FILM REVIEW: Mathieu Kassovitz’s “Babylon A.D.”

FILM REVIEW: Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder”

Thank You! Ben Stiller for this piss-in-my-pants comedy. This is what I am taking about when I beg for a good summer comedy. The cast, the plot, the script, the chemistry … the stars must have been aligned during production. It’s been seven years since Ben Stiller last sat in a director’s chair (“Zoolander”) and by all means if he needed that recess time to find this Holy Grail, then kudos to him.

First, let me point out the “fake” movie trailers featuring the characters from “Tropic Thunder.” The trailers played right after the coming attractions and right before the movie (“Death Proof” and “Planet Terror” flashback, anyone?). It was like an appetizer, and it gave a good pre-taste of what the audience was in for. Especially Robert Downey Jr.’s (as Kirk Lazarus) “Brokeback Mountain” meets Friar Tuck trailer, haha too funny.

Next, the acting … the acting, the acting, the acting … am I stressing it enough? The spoofs, the innuendos, the stereotyping and the self-defacing jokes just made a complete package. I won’t talk too much about it, simply because I don’t want to ruin any of the jokes by retelling them wrong or hyping it up only for it not to deliver in the movies for you. So with that, let me just applaud, no, give a standing ovation for Stiller, Downey Jr., Black, Baruchel and Jackson.

Oh, and might I add, Baruchel is a hottie-in-the-making, especially if you are attracted to the whole nerd thing (think Henry from "Ugly Betty"). However, Downey Jr. was way hotter in "Iron Man" with his divine physique, sex appeal and oooo the facial hair.

Just know, you will leave the theater quoting this movie and reliving every moment of it.
Great movie experience, I suggest go with some friends or your family (no one younger than 16 though or you might find yourself having to explain certain jokes … talk about awkward).

Rating: 5 Fall-on-the-Floor Laughs out of 5

FILM REVIEW: Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder”

FILM REVIEW: Alexandre Aja’s “Mirrors”

A decent summer flick, however, the ending put me in the dark. I mean, can anyone tell me what it was about? I honestly thought I had a good understanding of the movie until the end. I don’t want to spoil the ending or anything, so I won’t push the topic any further.

Oh well, moving on.

The ending was a hit-and-miss with me; point established … the acting was pretty believable. For a moment during the movie, I thought Kiefer Sutherland’s character Ben Carson was a reincarnation of Amityville’s demon possessed dad. Luckily it wasn’t or this movie would have taken a turn for the worse.

Praise to Cameron Boyce’s performance. This kid was chills-down-my-spine disturbing with the potential to give you nightmares. Those big dark eyes and spattered freckles … his cuteness lured you in by making you feel safe and then WHAM, fear me.

As for Paula Patton, I am still up in the air about her. In the beginning of the movie, her acting was weak. She did way better in “Déjà Vu” and “Idle Wild.” Nevertheless, toward the end of the movie once the jumping and the screaming began, I saw more life and credibility in her acting. Maybe she is falling into the Halle Berry category of being “too pretty” to convince the audience that she is afraid or in pain. Let’s cross our fingers and hope she isn’t.

Rating: 2 ½ Screams out of 5

FILM REVIEW: Alexandre Aja’s “Mirrors”