Eagle Eye

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: September 16, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 27, 2008

Plot 411: Jerry receives instructions from a mysterious caller and must follow her instructions or face being arrested.

Review: Jerry (Shia LaBeouf) returns home to find his apartment filled with bomb-building materials. Thoroughly confused, Jerry receives a call from a woman (Julianne Moore) who informs him that the FBI are coming and he must escape. Instead, he hesitates and is caught by Agent Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton). The next time the woman calls, Jerry listens and soon he finds himself partnering up with Rachel (Michelle Monaghan). This is a good movie for those who like action and suspense. I enjoyed it a lot more than Transformers: Rise Of The Fallen, but then again, that's not saying much is it? I'm still not convinced that LaBeouf is a good actor. He keeps picking these action films, but I don't think he has the right look for them. I thought it was very odd that the two main characters, Jerry and Rachel, didn't end up as a couple. Isn't that how all of these things work? Wonder what that says about me (or how society has condition me to think)? Anyway, the other aspect of this film that was overtly obvious was that technology is becoming too advanced for humans to control, and this is a cautioning tale about the evils of science and technology. Not really new and not really carried out in a new way. Also in this film are Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Ethan Embry and Anthony Mackie.

Watch It: If you like conspiracy theories and governmental cover ups.

Skip It: Because it's a little heavy handed with its socio-political message.

Transformers: Rise Of The Fallen

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 24, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: The clash between Autobots and Decepticons reignites when Megatron's body is salvaged from the depths of the sea and he is revived.

Review: Judging by opening weekend ticket sales and lines at the theater, this film is definitely a summer blockbuster. However, personally, I didn't think it was all that great. This could have been due to the up-close view I had at the theater though. There was a lot of 'transforming' going on with the various good and bad guys changing from regular vehicles to their robot selves. After a while though, it just feels overly done. We get it. They're shape-shifters. For me, it was hard to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys in some scenes. Maybe I'm just not familiar enough with the players. The plot line wasn't anything ground breaking. Neither was the acting. I would've liked to see more of Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson, but the military took a backseat to Sam (now a college freshman) and his gf Mikaela. Shia LaBeouf did a pretty good job with all the stunts and high-intensity action. Megan Fox did as well as she could do, I suppose. They played up her looks and did slow-mo running shots. Apparently that's all you can ask of the girl. John Turturro was pretty funny in some scenes, but overall I don't think this is a must-see flick.

Watch It: If you grew up on the stuff and have been aching for more '80s flashbacks. Hang on to your seat because G.I. Joe is just around the corner.

Skip It: If you only feel lukewarm about this stuff.