LIMITLESS

Finally!  A movie that didn't have me checking my watch every fifteen minutes!  I loved this movie.  

Eddie Morra is a "writer" always on the verge of a book deal.  He lives in a dumpy little apartment in NYC, and has no real job.  He never has any money, which is why his girlfriend is breaking up with him.  He was married for a minute or two about ten years ago.  Nothing is going right for Eddie.  

Then he happens to run into his ex-wife's brother on the streets, and he offers Eddie the chance of a lifetime:  Take a pill which will unlock the full capacity of his brain.  OK. . .   Why not?  He's got nothing to lose. . .right?

The problem here is that this "drug" wears off and must be re-taken to maintain its effect, therefore making it as addictive a heroin.  So he takes the drug, and his life takes an immediate u-turn.  Suddenly, he can do things like speak any language fluently after just hearing it spoken. . .  He can play the piano as if he has been studying it for years.  . . .  He know everything about everything.   And he is in demand for his expertise in the corporate world.  He's reconnecting with his girlfriend.  Now everything is going great for Eddie.  Nobody knows his secret.  Or do they?  People around him know something is up, and Eddie has to keep up his facade, keep popping the pills, and make sure his supply never runs out.

I can't really say anything more about the film without giving it away, so I won't.    This movie has everything -- Action, suspense, intrigue, and the perfect balance of humor to keep it moving at a rapid pace.  Never boring and lots of surprises and "ah ha" moments.  Not to mention the eye candy.

So refreshing to see a movie like this after all the duds that have been out lately.

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES

Well this one could have been called BATTLE: FRESNO. There is absolutely nothing about Los Angeles in it except an obvious matte shot of the LA skyline ablaze far away in the distance. No Capitol Records building being demolished. . . . No Tar Pits bubbling with poisonous gas. . . . No crumbling US Bank tower. . . . Nothing. And I will admit, that's probably the only reason I went to see this film. This is the kind of movie I usually avoid.

Every decade or so, Angelenos flock to theaters to delight in seeing the on-screen demise of our beloved city. We had EARTHQUAKE in the 70's, THE TERMINATOR and MIRACLE MILE in the 80's, VOLCANO in the 90's, and now this.

That being said, as the saying goes, "it is what it is." If you're expecting profound drama -- forget it. If you're looking for non-stop blasts -- this is the one for you.

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES is about a sudden alien invasion all over the world, mainly in big cities along the coast. In fact, BATTLE: SANTA MONICA would be a more apt title, since the whole movie takes place there. Well, the aliens (and, yes, you do get to see what they look like) are taking over the cities so quickly that the only defense against them is to evacuate the cities of civilians, and bomb the S out of the area, taking out all the aliens.

Here's where that oh-so-familiar band of rag-tag marines come into play (including the ever-present bad-ass latina). Isn't her name Santos in every one of these?

So their mission is to evacuate everyone from the area in two hours - bomb drop time. And I'm sure you can figure out the rest on your own. Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure if I had a thirteen-year-old kid, he's love it.

It is what it is.