Eagle Eye (2008)

8/10

Eagle Eye is a fast paced Big Brother meets 2001: space odyssee kinda film. We have seen this film before many times over; some cloaked figure is using the good guys as human lab rats, putting them through all kinds of near death moments, never revealing the real reason. But our brave protagonist has more than meets the eye and searches for the meaning of it all trying to save their skin and that of their new found loved ones before it is too late...blah,blah,blah! Actually I am a fan of these kinds of films, they do their job, they entertain the hell out of me!
Eagle Eye has just a little bit more though; Firstly they have Shia Labeouf heading up the main role as the anti-hero, this kid has more screen presence than just about anyone in his demographic. Second they take a stance against something real that we are all effected by at this crazy time in the world: The Patriot Act. I tend to find that most big budget action films throw hints at being topical, but Eagle Eye, is almost completely topical!

The Plot:

Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) returns home after the mysterious death of his successful twin brother. He and a single mother, Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan), find out that they have been framed as terrorists, and they are threatened into becoming members of a cell tasked to assassinate a politician.

Cast:

	Shia LaBeouf	...	Jerry Shaw
	Michelle Monaghan	...	Rachel Holloman
	Rosario Dawson	...	Zoe Perez
	Michael Chiklis	...	Defense Secretary
	Anthony Mackie	...	Major William Bowman
	Ethan Embry	...	Agent Toby Grant
	Billy Bob Thornton	...	Agent Thomas Morgan
	Anthony Azizi	...	Ranim Khalid
	Cameron Boyce	...	Sam Holloman
	Lynn Cohen	...	Mrs. Wierzbowski
	Bill Smitrovich	...	Admiral Thompson
	Charles Carroll	...	Mr. Miller
	William Sadler	...	William Shaw
	Deborah Strang	...	Jerry's Mom
	Dariush Kashani	...	Sgt. Rourke (Translator)

Trailer:



The Movie:

Death Sentence (2007)

7.5/10

Now here is an action film with some flair the likes of which I haven’t seen in a while.
I really liked the film, though it was difficult to watch in many parts. The opening sequence was done so well, allowing you to see the family grow through home videos and bringing you into their lives, very nice touch! The films violence seems very justified while at the same time giving a very strong warning against the possible outcomes of vigilante justice and retribution killings.

Kevin Bacon was well cast in his role, sliding through each of his characters personality changes with seeming ease.

Garrett Hedlund was also very convincing in his portrayal of Billy Darley the leader of a street gang bent on revenge and bloodshed.

This film has a very distinct “Taxi Driver” feel to it, I was almost waiting for someone to ask..”Are you talking to me?”

The Plot:

Nick Hume is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.

Cast:

Kevin Bacon...Nick Hume

Garrett Hedlund...Billy Darley

Kelly Preston...Helen Hume

Jordan Garrett...Lucas Hume

Stuart Lafferty...Brendan Hume

Aisha Tyler...Det. Jessica Wallis

John Goodman...Bones Darley

Matt O'Leary...Joe Darley

Edi Gathegi...Bodie

Hector Atreyu Ruiz...Heco

Kanin J. Howell...Baggy (as Kanin Howell)

Dennis Keiffer...Jamie

Freddy Bouciegues...Tommy

Leigh Whannell...Spink

Casey Pieretti...Dog

Trailer



The Movie:

The Number 23 (2007)

7/10

I love movies based on obsession, but to be frank when I thought of watching Jim Carey in one i was more than a little thrown off on the idea.

The number 23, is the story of a man Walter Sparrow, he lives a normal life, beautiful wife, happy marriage and a son that loves him. Until one day a series of events, perpetuated by a simple choice lead him to find a book. The book is title “The number 23”.
The book is the story of obsession, murder and suicide all based around the number 23, as walter reads the novel he begins finding similarities to his own life and that of the narrator. What starts as a simple series of co-incidences quickly turn into obsession as Walter begins to find that there is more to the number 23 than meets the eye...

Jim Carey is fantastic in his role of Walter Sparrow, but with that said i think that this would have been a role better served by a less type cast actor. This is a role that would have been much more suited to the likes of Tim Robbins or Johnny Depp, as Carey’s comedic status and iconic face, draw away from the intensity of the film. This is by no means a slight on Carey’s acting ability, but as with one of the films main themes, we are dictated not by fate but the choices we make, and Jim you chose to be the funny man in films, you should stick to that.

I was also impressed with the films use of both contemporary film style and the infusion of noir. I felt that this created enough balance between the light and dark to leave the viewer feeling not too overwhelmed by the blackness of the story line.

I would totally recommend “the number 23” to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller, with a bunch of twists and turns thrown in


Jim Carrey...Walter Sparrow / Fingerling

Virginia Madsen...Agatha Sparrow / Fabrizia

Logan Lerman...Robin Sparrow

Danny Huston...Isaac French / Dr. Miles Phoenix

Lynn Collins...Suicide Blonde / Mrs. Dobkins / Young Fingerling's Mother

Rhona Mitra...Laura Tollins

Michelle Arthur...Sybil

Mark Pellegrino...Kyle Flinch

Paul Butcher...Young Fingerling / Young Walter

David Stifel...Hotel Clerk

Corey Stoll...Sergeant Burns

Ed Lauter...Father Sebastian

Troy Kotsur...Barnaby

Walter Soo Hoo...Chinese Restaurant Owner

Patricia Belcher...Dr. Alice Mortimer


On a personal note, I am by no means a superstitious guy, but I watched this film while in transit at Taipei airport, it was 1 am and the place was deserted. When the film ended i looked up at the sign above me and saw something that gave me a moments hesitation and added to the effect of the film.



7+10+6= 23

I thought on it for a moment or two before deciding, it’s just a co-incidence...

Trailer