Radio Lady Reviews: "Déjà Vu" (Opens Wednesday, November 22, 2006)

[Radio_Lady]

Déjà vu…what is it? Some may say that seeing Denzel Washington in the role of a police investigator in the guise of a government ATF agent is déjà vu. While Denzel has exhibited a capability for excelling in a wide range of roles, we might tend to think that this kind of persona is his favorite. I won’t count the films he has done where his character is of this ilk. Nevertheless, Denzel’s performances are always top-drawer and he is excellent in this role as Doug Carlin, ATF agent, in the new film “Déjà Vu”. By the way, Denzel being cast in this role is not the reason for the name…but you probably already know that.

I have a number of other general comments I’d like to offer before we get into the specifics of this outing. Internet’s IMDb.com lists the following genres for this movie: Action / Adventure / Romance / Sci-Fi / Thriller…something for everyone, except the very young kiddies. Too bad, so sad. Take the little buggers to see the penguin movie! More to the point, because it fits into so many genres, this flick must be one for many teens through adults. I really liked the film, but some of you may not be able to buy into some of the science fiction aspects. I won’t say more about this because that would spoil it for those who choose to see the film.

Finally, in my lengthy preamble here, I would like to say that the test of whether you should take a chance on seeing “Déjà Vu” can best be summed up this way…it’s the kind of film you really enjoy if you can allow yourself to accept certain premises. That’s not a lot different from any kind of story telling. The film starts out as a pretty straightforward thriller but, once the movie gets going, those sci-fi premises are revealed.

The story revolves around the investigation of a murder and a horrendous terrorist bomb attack on a New Orleans ferry carrying hundreds of Navy personnel and their families to a Mardi Gras celebration. As ATF agent Carlin, Denzel manages to bring some new and appropriate nuances to the role. Paula Patton turns in splendid performance as the unfortunate murder victim. The main cast is filled out with Val Kilmer playing Agent Pryzwarra, James Caviezel as villain Carroll Oerstadt, Bruce Greenwood as Jack McCready, and many other excellent actors in supporting roles.

I found “Déjà Vu” to be fast moving, suspenseful, and ultimately romantic. Accepting all of its premises, I rate it a B+ on Ellen's Entertainment Report Card. I might add that my husband thought it deserved an A!

As a postscript, this was the first movie to be filmed in New Orleans after the Katrina disaster, and the film actors and crew are reported to have infused $100 million dollars into the economy with their presence. Some brief moments are shown in the film of the hurricane catastrophic effects. They serve to remind us of the enormity of that natural disaster, as well as the on-going difficulties the people of New Orleans continue to face.

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, disturbing images and some sensuality
WRITTEN BY: Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio
DIRECTED BY: Tony Scott
RELEASE DATE: Theatrical: November 22, 2006
RUNNING TIME: 128 minutes, Color
ORIGIN: USA

[some guy]

1. Thanks!

I like Denzel Washington in pretty much every role I've seen him in; except Training Day.

Then I realized how good he was in that film by the fact that I disliked him so much in it. :silly:

[Radio_Lady]

2. My husband and I discussed the movie "Training Day" while driving home last night.

He really was a very evil character in that film!

Thanks for posting, Some Guy! Nice to meet you on the DU.

Wishing you the very best in the coming holiday season...

Radio_Lady Ellen (film reviewer in Oregon)

[wildhorses]

3. i wish i had your job

*sigh*

do you get to eat popcorn, too :popcorn:

that would be heaven to me :hi:

[Radio_Lady]

5. Well, I've been doing this thing off and on for several decades.

Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's awful -- when you have to sit through the stupid, boring, angry, frustrating work of some idiots who wrote, directed, and distributed some real piece of cinematic junk -- but mostly, it's kind of fun, especially in retirement. The good news is that we don't have to cover EVERY ONE that opens here.

I'm not getting paid for this work any more, as I did in my youth in Boston and Miami. So, I like to tell people I do it for the entertainment value (freebie tickets, etc.).

No, I'd be as big as a house if I ate the popcorn at every screening! We usually bring water and cut up apples or raisins or other snacks to the theater. Sometimes, for a 12 Noon screening, we have yogurts, or a salad, and a drink to eat just before we go in to the movie. For 7 PM screenings, we do a happy hour dinner between 4 PM and 6 PM at local restaurants in Portland. And sometimes... just infrequently, we buy the popcorn at $5.75 a tub (insanity!).

The only thing is -- I really should be walking or swimming rather than sitting on my a** at the movies. I have to factor in more exercise next year... really I do.

Thanks for your comments! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[SeattleGirl]

4. Thanks, Radio_Lady. I always enjoy your movie reviews.

Did you see the one I did of "Bobby", which I got to see in a pre-screening? Are you going to see it? If so, I'd love to read your review of it.

[Radio_Lady]

7. I did not see "Bobby" and judging from the reviews, we will probably pass that one.

Here's a mix of reviews, many of them not complimentary:

http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/bobby

We might see this on DVD or "On Demand" later. This is a pretty busy movie season and we are going to Chicago in a few weeks for a quick vacation before Christmas.

I remember the RFK assassination very well and how devastated I felt. I was pregnant with my daughter and wondered if it was right to bring a child into this difficult world after the various assassinations we had witnessed -- beginning with JFK, MLK Jr., Malcolm X and Bobby Kennedy. (I don't recall the exact order so pardon me if they are not organized by date.)

But she was born and she is now 38 years old, and her brother will be 37 in December. I still wonder about the world, but they have faced their futures with good attitudes, married and produced four grandchildren between them. I'm proud of them.

Have a happy Thanksgiving. It's already tomorrow and I really must retire to bed!

[pitohui]

6. nice people trying to help out the city

i think they are so kind in what they did, immediately adapting their screen play and coming here and filming anyway under incredibly shitty conditions

(as compared to some people -- cough cough donald trump -- who said they would come and build condos and blah blah but somehow didn't actually do anything)

the unfortunate thing about this movie is the trailer, watching it, they ask you what you would do if you could turn back time, jesus, fuckwits, i'm in new orleans (they also showed the trailer in the biloxi market, same thing, what the fuck do you think we would do if we could turn back time, christ, advertisers need to have some modicum of sensitivity)

anyhoo for the benefit of idiot teevee advertisers everywhere

if i could turn back time i would keep turning back time until the butterfly flapped its wings different and we didn't have a fucking storm if that isn't pretty patently obvious

but of course that is not the fault of the movie or of time travel folklore itself which always comes back to the fact that even if you can turn back time you can't turn back time

i will see the movie when i have stealed my nerve and they certainly deserve our patronage for their kindness and their willingness to deal with such a theme at such a time

[Radio_Lady]

8. Your comments show your heartfelt adoration for your beautiful city.

I wish I could turn back time for you and rebuild your wonderful location -- even stronger and better than before. Although we travel far and wide, I have only been to New Orleans for four days over a Labor Day weekend many years ago. It was not enough time to take in everything, but we did have a great time there. We've certainly NOT ruled out coming to New Orleans again!

I lived in south Florida for 28 years, and can only imagine what might have been if the tough hurricanes we did survive -- were comparable in strength to Katrina or Rita.

Please keep yourself well, Pitohui, and know that we are with you in spirit, even though we are far away. By the way, I've wondered... what is the meaning of your screen name?

[pitohui]

9. thanks

your thoughts and kindness are always most appreciated

[Radio_Lady]

10. As always, if you see this movie over the next week, please add your comment.

Thanks for being my audience!

[hfojvt]

11. I'm getting a strange feeling

like I have seen this thread before.
Not gonna see this movie for a while.
I have not bought a new movie for quite some time.

[Radio_Lady]

12. Funny! Thanks for posting.