If you're asking yourself what to see when you're in the mood for a thriller and a comedy, then you might just want to get to rent DISTURBIA. It's by no means spectacular filmmaking, but it is a movie that has everything you want in an enjoyable night plopped in front of your TV. In an age of You Tube, cell phone cameras, and reality television, DISTURBIA’s REAR WINDOW-esque storyline is properly adapted for the techno-savvy.
Shia LaBeouf stars as Kale, an angst-ridden troublemaker who lands himself on house arrest for the summer. After his mother (Carrie-Anne Moss) strips him of all his creature comforts, Kale discovers "true reality television" while watching his neighbors through a handful of well-placed binoculars--the two most fascinating being the pretty girl next door, Ashley (newcomer Sarah Roemer), and the mysterious Mr. Turner (the ultra-creepy David Morse). After a series of freaky coincidences, Kale is convinced that Mr. Turner is a serial killer. With the help of Ashley, his best friend Ronnie (Aaron Yoo), and a host of cameras, cell phones, and the always-needed Internet, Kale tries to uncover what's going on behind closed doors.
As is true of most teen thrillers, the script isn't what grabs you. It's the performances. A few critics have compared Shia LaBeouf to Tom Cruise, but I'd rather not insult the guy. I'm going to compare him to John Cusack circa 1989. LaBeouf's got the good looks, great onscreen charm, and above all, acting chops just like Cusack did (and still does). I loved him in HOLES, and he was just as fun to watch in DISTURBIA. LaBeouf plays the troubled teen equally as well as the empowered young man. He makes Kale into a likable character that garners cheers from the audience every step of the way.
Tonight’s episode of TOP CHEF was my kind of show. Ice cream and hangover snacks, now that’s what I call food!
This week’s Quickfire Challenge had the contestants creating creamy ice cream and decadent toppings. Of course, everything looked delicious. In fact, I’m surprised there was any left over for quest judge, Chef Govind Armstrong, to taste. As if that culinary delight wasn’t enough, the elimination-round involved quintessential snacks for hangovers. This is the kind of stuff that separates the amateur cook from the top chef, so to speak. I mean come on, you have to know your basics, before you can be considered one of the best, and you don’t get more basic than food that can quell the alcohol induced munchies … right?
I know this kind of challenge makes a lot of the contestants moan and groan, I think they feel it’s beneath them. Remember Harold’s reaction when he – and the other contestants from season one – where given the challenge of turning vending machine crap into edible delicacies? But, this is TV folks, and watching these people – who, in many cases, are highly trained in the culinary arts – being forced to work with ingredients they wouldn’t serve to their cats, is just pure entertainment. Even better, is the fact that they are so good that some of them actually manage to turn this everyday food into works of art. The level of talent and creativity on this show never fails to amaze me.