Roll over, HitchcockMeanwhile, Disturbia succeeds to a certain extent because director D.J. Caruso keeps things simple and stupid.The issue at hand is identical to Perfect Stranger's: Is the guy toward whom all evidence points truly a killer? Casting practically answers that question: David Morse is a dependable portrayer of guilt. We catch his character in the act and see through his alibis, yet Disturbia maintains tension that Foley's movie never achieves.Morse plays Mr. Turner, the intimidating next-door neighbor to Kale (Shia LaBeouf) and his widowed mother (Carrie-Anne Moss). Kale is serving six months of house arrest; an electronic sensor is attached to his ankle to ensure he stays put. Boredom leaves Kale watching trash TV and snooping on his neighborhood with a battery of spy gadgets.One surveillance leads Kale to think Mr. Turner may be the suspect in the cases of several missing women. Gathering proof is easier than convincing anyone over 18.LaBeouf does a decent job of keeping Kale credible through his rising suspicion, his lust for his new neighbor (Sarah Rohmer) and his scramble to be his mom's savior. His buddy Ronnie (Aaron Yoo) adds comic relief, lulling viewers into a tense sequence with Blair Witch Project undertones and a surprising kicker.Before anyone wails about Disturbia being a Rear Window rip-off, be assured that it is, and makes no bones about it. Caruso massages Alfred Hitchcock's voyeurism theme into something modern, if not airtight. Hitch wouldn't resort to the final reel's violent chase mechanics, but he might appreciate the effort expended getting there.DisturbiaGrade: B-Director: D.J. CarusoCast: Shia LaBeouf, Sarah Roemer, David Morse, Carrie-Anne Moss, Aaron Yoo, Jose Pablo CantrilloScreenplay: Christopher B. Landon, Carl EllsworthRating: PG-13; violence, terror, sensuality, profanityRunning time: 105 min.Perfect StrangerGrade: DDirector: James FoleyCast: Halle Berry, Bruce Willis, Giovanni Ribisi, Gary Dourdan, Richard PortnowScreenplay: Todd KomarnickiRating: R; sexual situations, profanity, corpse nudity, brief violenceRunning time: 108 min./>
Movie Review: "Disturbia" & "Perfect Stranger"
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