good

Rating: 8/10 (29 June 2009)

This was a good movie in the Rear Window theme. I certainly didn't regret seeing it, and I guarantee you won't either. I enjoyed it. Shia LeBeouf plays a teenager whose father is killed in a car accident in a well-played-out opening scene. In the next scene, Shia pops his Spanish teacher when the teacher makes a comment about what the father would think of it and, because he is still a minor, Shia winds up under three months house arrest. One of the police officers is the teacher's cousin and enjoys torturing him with this. There are news stories about a serial killer, and when David Morse moves next door, Shia begins to suspect that this might be him. A gorgeous teenaged girl also moves in to the other house next door, and they start spying on him along with Shia's best friend, and they also frustrate Shia's mother and spy on neighbors as well and receive torture from the pesky kids, including the "flaming poop bag" trick. Boy, do they get revenge. I enjoyed watching this movie. It was very suspenseful. You will like it too. The suspense never lets up. Morse portrays his character very creepy and very effectively, and everyone is very good. Shia is also good in the lead. I liked it.
*** out of ****