“Shattered (2007)”

Pierce Brosnan
Maria Bello
Claudette Mink
Callum Keith Rennie
Peter Kelghn
Nicholas Lea

R           95min           2007

Neil and Abby Warner have the perfect life and a perfect marriage. With their beautiful young daughter, Sophie, they are living the American dream… until today. When Sophie is suddenly kidnapped, they have no choice but to comply with the abductors demands. The kidnapper – Ryan (Pierce Brosnan), a cold and calculating sociopath takes over their lives with the brutal efficiency of someone who has nothing to lose. In the blink of an eye, Neil and Abby’s safe and secure existence is turned upside down. Over the next twenty-four hours, they are at the mercy of a man who wants only one thing: that they do his bidding. – from imdb

“Shattered (2007)” is an amazing film that keeps up on the edge of your seat. The actors are amazing in their respective parts. The writing is amazing in this film.

“Shattered (2007)” is a film that I do not remember being in the theaters but it should have been. This is an amazing character piece. The writing, the actors, and the way its filmed makes it a remember able film. The sum of this film is greater than its parts.

The actors are what make this film so convincing. I think Pierce Brosnan was a good Bond but he was also wasting away in the role of Bond. He really flexes his acting muscle in this film. Maria Bello plays victim as the convincingly as any actress and has that ability to change her acting on the dime. See Gerard Butler act like a victim after seeing play King Leonaides in 300 is a little throwing until about 10 minutes into the film.

“Shattered (2007)” is a film that shows why the writers strike. The film threads a thin creative line without betraying the outcome of the film. The ending is so shocking that it worth the price of admission. From this film fifty percent of the population should learn a valuable lesson.

“Shattered (2007)” contains nothing ‘special’ in features. There are two featurettes “Breaking Apart the Wheel” and “Hero to Villian”. It has an audio commentary by the writer/director. Then the standard deleted and extended scenes. “3:10 to Yuma”, “Good Luck Chuck”, “Saw IV”, “WAR” and “Crank” and “The Cooler” are the movie previews.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

“American Pie Presents Beta House”

John White
Steve Talley
Christopher McDonald
Eugene Levy
Meghan Heffern
Jake Segel
Nic Nac
Jonathan Keltz
Bradford Anderson

Unrated           99min           2007

Erik, Ryan, and Cooze start college and pledge the Beta House fraternity, presided over by none other than legendary Dwight Stifler. But chaos ensues when a fraternity of geeks threatens to stop the debauchery and the Betas have to make a stand for their right to party. – from imdb

“American Pie Presents: Beta House” is the sixth slice of pie and one of the funniest yet. It takes male debauchery to another level. It raises the bar set in the “Naked Mile”. It breaks all kinds of rules against nature to the glimmer of a laugh.

The humor leans towards male. Most older adults will finds this humor tasteless and outrageously gross. Tip: Do not watch with your parents. Do even let them know you are watching If they have never had a slice of American Pie this is not the slice to start them off with.

For those christened to the pie, enjoy another slice. Laugh until it hurts and hope for another helping; because at this rate you can never have enough pie. “American Pie Presents: Beta House” definitely deliver the humor, that the audience has come to enjoy.

The slice is loaded with special features. There is an commentary, outtakes, deleted storylines and scenes. There are featurettes with Eugene Levy as Mr. Levenstein. There are several other featurettes and behind the scene games. There are two music videos by God Made Me Funky. It has movie previews for Bring It On: In It To Win It”, “Balls of Fury”, and “White Noise 2”

I give it 4/5 Gs.