Shia LeBeouf and Michelle Monaghan ion "Eagle Eye
courtesy of Paramount Home Entertainment
“The ‘Eagle’ Has Landed”

Some movies you pick the plot apart with a fine toothed comb, while others you just sit back and have fun no matter where it takes you. With the latter it is all in the chase and the outcome. Such is the case with the new to DVD movie “Eagle Eye.” It is all about the fun, and when the finale comes it is another tribute from actor Shia LaBeouf and director D J Caruso (“Disturbia”) to Alfred Hitchcock. 

The whole film takes on a Hitchcock like attitude as every day person Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) is jarred out of his humdrum life into a mad world where he receives instructions via his cell phone and other mechanical instruments. He is framed by an unknown voice as a terrorist and finds himself in the hands of the FBI, namely Special Agent Thomas Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton).

After he escapes from the FBI he is paired with Rachel Holliman (Michelle Monaghan). She too is being coerced by this “voice” into doing several acts she would never do in her ordinary life. Shaw and Holliman are on a mission to put into play an act that could throw the country into chaos.

As they race towards their destination there are car chases and car wrecks galore. The audience barely gets a chance to catch its collected breath before another terrifying event is under way. The actors don’t have to act, they just have to react and react they do to one threat after another and to simultaneous close calls.

Director Caruso knows how to keep the adrenaline pumping and the thrills coming. He might have tried a little harder to give his actors a chance to shine but mainly he keeps them running and jumping. 

LaBeouf and Monaghan are totally effective in their roles because they do look like ordinary people. They interact well with each other and there is no time out for romance. This is not that kind of film. They are too busy staying alive, so any mutual attraction takes a back burner.

Thornton is underutilized as Morgan while Rosario Dawson makes a better impression as an OSI Agent. Ethan Embry has a cameo as one of Thornton’s assistants, and Michael Chiklis is seen briefly as the Secretary of Defense.

The focus of the film is on LaBeouf and Monaghan as they race from one point to the next. Their plight might not make much sense but it sure is fun to watch. By the time they arrive at that “The Man Who Knew Too Much” moment the audience is completely worn out – but in a good way.

So turn on the DVD, buckle yourself into your sofa and prepare for takeoff. “Eagle Eye” is a race against the clock that will keep you entertained and out of breath.

Now here’s a cast for you – Steve Zissis, Ross Partridge, Elise Muller and Greta Gerwig. Never heard of them? Neither did I. But they star in the DVD “Baghead.” It is a movie about four friends/actors who go up to a mountain cabin to write a movie about a mysterious terrorist of sorts who goes after a group of people wearing a bag over his head. But then the story actually starts to happen.

The movie is a spoof but it was too similar to “The Strangers” for it not to be a little creepy. It does score points for originality but if I were any of these actors I wouldn’t give up my day job.

“10 Items Or Less: The Complete First and Second Seasons” is a DVD of the TV show “10 Items Or Less.” This series that airs on TBS is completely improvised as far as dialogue is concerned. That makes the show always a little more spontaneous than any other on TV.

Jennifer Elise Cox, who is one of the funniest people in the world, co-stars with John Lehr, Roberta Valderamma, Robert Clendennin and others. They play workers in a family owned grocery store and their interaction is the core of the show.

Take a chance and watch this show. It really is funny. Plus there are blooper extras on the two disc DVD.

Two new DVD’s, “Power Rangers – Jungle Fury: Way of the Master” and “Power Rangers –Jungle Fury: Into the Jungle” are available for your family’s entertainment. Kids love the Power Rangers and these two DVD’s are full of Power Rangers fun.

There is action aplenty waiting for you as the good guys battle the bad. It takes teamwork to a high level and that makes the Power Rangers a formidable opponent.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!