Eagle Eye

Location: Hoyts Melbourne Central

Last month or so, we were treated with a superbly cool trailer that was “Eagle Eye”. The trailer was thrilling, full with action sequences but most of all, it left the viewers with one question “what the hell is goin on?!”

So anyways, Eagle Eye just got it’s worldwide premiere yesterday, and coz it’s been a while for us hitting the cinemas we thought we might give it a go. Hey, it’s executively produced by Steven Spielberg anyways, so it can’t be that bad right?

Jerry couldn't let go of his new Blackberry

Eagle Eye stars Shia LaBeouf (Transformers, Indiana Jones 4) and Michelle Monaghan (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Mission Impossible 3). It also has a lot of other known faces such as Billy Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson, and Michael Chiklis among others. So yeah if you’re a fan of Shia (probably the most prominent up and coming young actor) you’re in for a treat.

It’s best if you come into the movie having no idea nor expectation on what the movie is gonna be about. The film banks on the whole action-mystery-thriller genre that hasn’t been around for quite a while now. That being said, there’s not much stuff I can say about the plot that could probably spoil (or even ruin) the whole movie.

Just to make things simple to you first time viewers out there – basically Jerry Shaw (Shia) and Rachel Holloman (Monaghan) have both been contacted by an enigmatic caller known only to give them specific directions on what to do next. Both of them are on the run from the FBI and government agents and it seems that the “caller” can see them wherever they go.

"Run Shia, Run!"

Part of they joy on watching this film is to slowly learn what’s really going on. In between that you are treated with one of the most ridiculously entertaining car chase scenes that could be on par with Die Hard 3 or Bad Boys 2. Also, the movie is downright INTENSE – it is basically non-stop from start to finish. The action scenes are frenetic – expect a lot of running, chasing, jumping and ‘shit’ happening.

However, this movie has a lot of downers that made it less enjoyable. For one, was the plot – once you know what’s going on you’d either be dully satisfied or utterly disappointed. Some of the scenes were quite implausible and over the top it could probably turn you off because of the ‘serious’ nature of the film. Also, not to spoil the show or anything, but I thought the ending should have (and could have) ended on a better note. It sounds truly vague now, but when you watch it you’d know exactly what I mean.

Overall I thought the movie wasn’t all that bad. It was pretty enjoyable especially at the start. It has a lot of action scenes and drama to keep you entertained. And based solely on that I’m gonna have to recommend this. Just bear in mind this movie has its flaws and ridiculous moments – but I do believe the good slightly outweighs the bad here. So check it out in the cinemas soon, there isn’t much choice this month anyways :P

Stars: In between 3 and 3.5/5

Watch this if you liked: Enemy of the State, Phone Booth

You Don't Mess With The Zohan

Location - KLCC

Food- Just some drinks i think

Mezeltov movie fans! Guess here’s the mandatory one movie a year Adam Sandler experience. Though I’m sure most of us won’t admit to being an Adam Sandler fan, he has thrilled us over the years with his repertoire of zany comedy and toilet humour. Will this latest Adam Sandler character thrill us to bits or strikeout at first base?

Riding on cars with Israelis

Movie revolves around Zohan Dvir (Adam Sandler) who is a Black Ops Israeli counter-terrorist who yearns for something more than what he is currently doing. Zohan has for years been thwarting every single attempt a terrorist has made in on his country with fantastic counter terrorist skills and a slice of Disco Disco. He then decides to give all the killing up and pursue his one true passion in the Hair and Beauty Industry; namely to be a hair stylist. He subsequently fakes his own death at the hands of one of the notorious terrorist (The Phantom) and journeys off to the land of the free. In America, Zohan finds that Israelis and Palestinians can freely co-exist with one another. He thinks nothing of it at first until he slowly starts develop feelings for his boss Dalia (Emmanuelle Chriqui) who is a Palestinian woman.

Park stalking was always popular during the summer of 95

The movie is a lighter view of the current political instability in the Middle East. It also pokes fun at various cultural differences between the two countries. There are numerous gags such as the fizzy cola Zohan drinks, as well as the number of times he uses homous on everything he eats. Either way, the movie is almost a throwback to old style slapstick comedy and is possibly very different to other Adam Sandler movies. Having said that, there are quite a few scenes which should definitely draw laughs from most moviegoers in the cinema. The magic formula of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” tends to come to my mind for most of the jokes. It is still a tried and tested formula that most moviegoers would fall over laughing over the same slipping over a banana peel skin gag. I don’t want to be over critical over a movie which shows the main character doing splits and professing his love for Mariah Carey (touch ma body), but we’ve had better from him and after a while it just doesn’t seem like he cared how this movie finished.

All and all You Don’t Mess With The Zohan is still good fun to watch and should entertain most Adam Sandler fans. However, the possibility of it being a classic is far from none and you’re probably better off checking out his older stuffs like Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore, which is one of my favourites.

Ratings – 2.8/5