Alejandro Amenábar directed Nicole Kidman to one of her best performances in THE OTHERS, a horror film that was both haunting and clever. The full review of that fine film is here, and I recommend watching that instead of REGRESSION, a film that is equally atmospheric, but diffused in its mounting terror, rather than sharply… Read More »
EAGLE EYE
EAGLE EYE exploits paranoia about the invasion of personal privacy by technology with an entertaining action fantasy that pushes all the right buttons. It’s not when the hero, Jerry Shaw (Shia LeBeouf) is presented with his driver’s license, past-due bills, or even video of himself outplaying his pals at poker in the back room of the… Read More »
DEEP BLUE SEA
THE DEEP BLUE SEA is Renny Harlins latest attempt to revive a career that withered and should have died a long, long time ago. Harlin, perpetrated, I mean, directed CUTTHROAT ISLAND, which ended his marriage to Geena Davis, but oddly enough, it did not stop studios from giving him big bucks to repeat his mistakes. His latest… Read More »
I AM NUMBER FOUR
For a film focused on teenage angst and invaders from other planets, I AM NUMBER FOUR shows a curious tameness. Based on the book by Pittacus Lore, directed by D.J Caruso, who made EAGLE EYE and DISTURBIA so much fun, co-scripted by Marti Noxon of Buffy fame, co-produced by Michael Bey of blowing things up… Read More »
BATTLE LOS ANGELES
BATTLE LOS ANGELES is a rousing and rip-roaring action flick expertly crafted by people who know what they are doing. And by that, is meant that rather than actively fighting the clichés inherent in this genre, they have consciously, even joyously, embraced them. By doing so, they revisit why the clichés have persisted, and by… Read More »
SOURCE CODE
THE SOURCE CODE is an action thriller in which the action is strictly incidental, there to ratchet up the level of tension that superbly pervades the film. It advances the point of the story, rather than being the point of same. As for the point, its a divinely complex consideration of right and wrong, justice… Read More »
TRANSFORMERS — DARK OF THE MOON
The first giveaway that TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON will be a film with serious problems comes early on. In an attempt to inject President Kennedy into the film, a sub-par digital image is used. Kennedy has the unglossed appearance of a student cartoon, the eyes distinctly off, the face itself curiously ill-formed. As rotoscoping,… Read More »
SAFE
SAFE is not a bad film, nor is it a particularly good one. It is, however, a Jason Statham film, which means that while the story is predictable and the direction is competent but unremarkable, it has a star who can almost, but not quite, toss the flick on his brawny shoulders and carry it… Read More »
BATTLESHIP
Its big. Its loud. Its got just enough plot and a few fine quips to tie up all the special effects. BATTLESHIP is what a summertime popcorn movie is all about. Based on the Hasbro game, and co-produced by that manufacturer, the film adds space invaders to the traditional maritime conflict, yet never forgets its humble… Read More »
THE EXPENDABLES 3
To say that THE EXPENDABLES 3 is the best installment of the franchise is sort of like saying that having hayfever is better than contracting bubonic plague. Theyre both unpleasant, but one is infinitely preferable, not to mention survivable, than the other. Theres also the fact that the former is caused by posies (as well… Read More »