Review: Eagle Eye (2008)

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on September 29, 2008.

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Eagle Eye preposterous, yet fun

It's that time of the year again. With the glow of summer blockbusters fading away, and fall Oscar contenders yet to be released, movie-goers are stuck with a batch of movies that didn't quite make the cut into either category. Amongst the teen sex comedies and indie dramas though, "Eagle Eye" aims to attract action fans with a fast-paced story and a who-dun-it mystery. Is it good? Not really, but you'll probably be having too much fun to care.

The plot follows Jerry Shaw (Shia Labeouf), a broke copy store employee who returns home one evening to find his apartment filled with explosives and forged documents. To avoid being caught by the FBI, he's forced to obey the instructions of a mysterious woman who has the ability to manipulate technology to track his every move. Along the way he's joined by a young woman (Michelle Monaghan), who is coerced into helping him after her son's life is threatened. Rosario Dawson and Billy Bob Thornton play government agents trying to avert what may or may not be a terrorist plot. Cue bullets, explosions and political intrigue.

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonBilly Bob Thornton, D.J. Caruso, Eagle Eye, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Shia LabeoufComment
Review: Bangkok Dangerous (2008)

Note: This review was originally published in Technician on September 9, 2008.

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Bangkok Dangerous light on danger, disappointing

Just when you thought we were free from the summer explosion of sequels and remakes, Hollywood throws out one more for good measure This weekend saw the release of Bangkok Dangerous, a remake of the Thai film of the same name. Directed by the Pang Brothers, who also helmed the original, the film is hardly the worst as remakes go, but it certainly isn't one of the best.

Nicolas Cage stars as Joe, a hitman who's nearly past his prime. Realizing that it's probably time for him to retire, Joe decides to pull one last job in Thailand - four hits. The opening voice-over informs that he's one of the best in the business because he has four rules he never breaks. These four rules can basically be summed up in a single phrase: don't get involved. Predictably, most of the story hinges on him breaking all of his usual rules and the conflicts that follow.

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonBangkok Dangerous, Nicolas Cage, Pang Brothers, hitmanComment
Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on August 26, 2008.

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Clone Wars continues downward trend of franchise

Star Wars fans have had a rough ride the past few years.

Considering the cultural impact and quality of the original Star Wars trilogy, most people contend that the latest batch of films was tolerable at best, and the cinematic equivalent of a colonoscopy at worst. The last decade has seen the release of a plethora of Star Wars-themed television shows and video games, many of them poorly received. It's as if George Lucas himself has forgotten what made the classic trilogy so great, and is now merely using its name to line his pockets with even more money.

Enter Clone Wars, an animated feature film set between Episodes II and III. Except, it's not really a feature film. Instead it consists of the first four episodes of the television show with the same name set to premiere on Cartoon Network this fall. Could this be what makes Star Wars relevant again, or is it just another low point in the history of a franchise long diluted?

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonAhsoka, Anakin Skywalker, Christopher Lee, George Lucas, Jabba the Hutt, Samuel L. Jackson, Star Wars, The Clone WarsComment
Feature: Sean Astin campaigns for Hillary Clinton

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on April 23, 2008.

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'Samwise the Brave' visits campus

Sean Astin visited campus Tuesday in order to campaign for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The actor, perhaps best known as his role as Sam in the Lord of the Rings films, made N.C. State only one of his stops on a three-day trip across the state that also included presentations at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Astin opened his speech by addressing the negative image many people have of celebrities who are politically active and explaining how politics has played a role in his personal life.

"Celebrities' opinions are no more important than anybody else's opinions, but I also say they're no less important," Astin said. "I've always been very passionate about politics. I really love government. ... I'm a citizen first."

He also acknowledged that, although he supports Clinton, he has the utmost respect for John McCain and Barack Obama. He pointed out how Obama has inspired younger people and brought many new voters to the Democratic Party, and said he has committed to supporting his campaign should he end up getting the nomination.

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FeaturesAndrew JohnsonElection 2008, Hillary Clinton, Lord of the Rings, Obama, Sean AstinComment
Feature: Filmmaker screens controversial doc at NCSU

Note: The following article was originally published in Technician on April 10, 2008.

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Film screening brings award-winning director to campus

The Film Studies program sponsored a screening last Monday night of the award-winning documentary film For The Bible Tells Me So. The screening was held in cooperation with the Full Frame film festival, which concluded in Durham over the weekend.

The film follows five Christian families and how each responds to the realization that one of their children is gay. It also contains interviews with several prominent religious figures about different interpretations of biblical passages commonly used to condemn homosexuality. Director Daniel Karslake was present at the screening and described the film's examination of faith and sexuality as something he personally related to in his own spiritual life.

"It was actually my faith, ironically, that brought me out of the closet and made me really acknowledge who I was," Karslake said. "Most of the time it's the faith background of gay and lesbian kids that drives them toward suicide and suppressing it."

The audience at the screening consisted of about 70 people, some of whom were students. Afterward, the writer-director participated in a brief Q&A with the crowd.

"I think it was very well received," Karslake said. "Very few people left for the Q&A, and that's always a good sign.  Unless someone says, 'OK, last question,' people could stay forever and talk about this."

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FeaturesAndrew JohnsonBible, Christianity, Daniel Karslake, For The Bible Tells Me So, Full Frame, homosexuality, religionComment
Review: Jumper (2008)

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on February 21, 2008.

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Jumper mediocre at best

Let me start off by saying this: Jumper is a bad film. There is no denying that fact.

That said, it does have a few positive elements, and you'll be hard-pressed to find more creative action sequences.

The film's plot is fairly straightforward: David (Hayden Christensen) discovers he has the power to teleport. Unfortunately, this makes him an unwilling participant in a war between "Jumpers" (people who can teleport) and "Paladins" (people trying to kill them). He'll have to team up with another Jumper named Griffin (Jamie Bell) to take down Roland (Samuel L. Jackson), a powerful Paladin who wants nothing more than to exterminate all those who can teleport. Not to mention David's also trying to win back his high-school sweetheart, Millie (Rachel Bilson).

The biggest problem with Jumper is that it introduces many really interesting ideas, but never does anything with them.

Apparently, Paladins and Jumpers have been at war since the Middle Ages, but the details of how and why this war is playing out is left unsaid. What is Roland's connection to the government? Where did he get all these high-tech weapons? What separates him from the other Paladins?

Also, if this war is so massive and important, why is it that, over the course of the movie, we're only shown half a dozen Paladins and a grand total of three (that's right, three) Jumpers?

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonDoug Liman, Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Jumper, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. JacksonComment
Review: Over Her Dead Body (2008)

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on January 31, 2008.

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Watch this over your dead body

Let's face it: Most movies these days are all the same. The vast majority of films are recycled formulas with a few tweaks here and there attempting to look "fresh." Thankfully, every once in a while, a film comes along that is different from the rest. A film that doesn't just entertain, but changes how you look at the world. Such gems are often described as "inspiring" or "thought-provoking" or "masterpieces."

I have witnessed the first film of 2008 that has changed how I view the world: Over Her Dead Body.

However, unlike movies that fall under the label of "masterpiece," I feel this one deserves its own special category: the anti-film. Not only does this romantic comedy fail to be either romantic or funny, it's also a perfect example of how not to make a film in almost every aspect. I did leave the theater with a renewed sense of fulfillment and appreciation for the world around me, but that's only because I couldn't believe I had managed to get through the past two hours without taking my own life.

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonEva Longoria Parker, Jason Biggs, Lake Bell, Over Her Dead Body, Paul RuddComment
Feature: Reflections on Heath Ledger's death

Note: This article was originally published in Technician on January 23, 2008.

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Reflect on life, not on death

"I hope they finished filming The Dark Knight."

That was the first thought that entered my head last night when I heard the news that actor Heath Ledger had been found dead his in his New York apartment. I know, I know, I'm a jerk -- a guy dies and the first thing I think of is how it will affect the movie. But I'm not the only one who thought that, it seems. In fact, it seems like people everywhere care more about the circumstances and the effects of his death, rather than the simple fact that he died.

A few recent articles even have headlines like, "Ledger's autopsy inconclusive; details will take 10 days" -- as if to say, "In two weeks, we'll be back with the latest gossip and speculation!"

I guess that's to be expected in a culture where the cult of celebrity is growing larger every day. Americans are obsessed with celebrities, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because they represent success, and wealth -- you know, the American dream. Maybe it's just because we're jealous. Whatever the reason, you've got to wonder why people can tell you the name of Tom and Katie's kid but don't know who won the last political primary.

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ReviewsAndrew JohnsonHeath Ledger, The Dark Knight, death, obituaryComment