Source Code [from the director of Moon]

[modage]

When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he's ever known, he learns he's part of a government experiment called the "Source Code," a program that enables him to cross over into another man's identity in the last 8 minutes of his life. With a second, much larger target threatening to kill millions in downtown Chicago, Colter re-lives the incident over and over again, gathering clues each time, until he can solve the mystery of who is behind the bombs and prevent the next attack. Filled with mind-boggling twists and heart-pounding suspense, Source Code is a smart action-thriller directed by Duncan Jones (Moon) also starring Michelle Monaghan ("Eagle Eye," "Due Date"), Vera Farmiga ("Up in the Air," "The Departed"), and Jeffrey Wright ("Quantum of Solace," "Syriana").

The film is due for release on April 15th through Summit Entertainment.

Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/summit/sourcecode/

[Neil]

Now that is a plot synopsis.

[Pubrick]

jeffrey wright should have quit after basquiat.

he's just the worst actor in everything he's ever been (since).

also haters gon' hate, this premise sounds good.

[polkablues]

I liked this better when it was Not Jake Gyllenhall in the lead. I don't remember who it was going to be, but at least it wasn't Jake Gyllenhall.

Also, if they knew Jeffrey Wright was going to be doing the Keith David voice the whole time, they probably would have just gotten Keith David.

[modage]

from my blog:

The sophomore film from "Moon" director (and David Bowie's son), Duncan Jones, "Source Code" is a hybrid kind of sci-fi romantic thriller (presumably so there's something for everyone?) The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man on a commuter train 8 minutes before it blows up. He's part of a military operation to help find the bomber and is sent back repeatedly until he completes his mission. While on the train he meets a love interest played by "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"s Michelle Monaghan and things become more complicated the more he discovers about his mission. Instantly the film strikes a unique tone with the score, which sounds like an homage to Hitchcock composer Bernard Herrmann.

Jones brings great style to the film that set it apart from a run-of-the-mill high concept thriller but also some saccharine moments late in the game that don't entirely work. The whole thing just feels a bit slight, like a genre exercise instead of a film with a bit more substance, like Jones debut "Moon." But unlike "Moon," Jones didn't write the script for this film, it was written instead by relative newcomer Ben Ripley, whose only previous credits are 2 straight-to-video "Species" sequels and a made-for-TV horror film. I didn't know this going in, but after reflecting on the film afterwards (and hearing Jones speak), one gets the impression that Jones was a hired gun (brought on by Gyllenhaal). He did everything he could to make the best possible version of this film but it wasn't his passion project and I think that shows.

[tpfkabi]

This has a very high RT score - I think 90% - so that has me curious. Something with that high of a critical approval seems like it would have more buzz. The trailer made it look like a come-and-go decent movie, so the 90% has taken me offguard.

[socketlevel]

It's kind of like a great episode of outer limits or amazing stories with a slightly higher budget. I liked it, it's decent but ultimately forgettable.

the 90% probably reflects the current climate for films.

jeffrey wright should have quit after basquiat.

he's just the worst actor in everything he's ever been (since).

also haters gon' hate, this premise sounds good.

He's the best part of the film. And he's amazing in the remake of Manchurian Candidate (which is a fantastic film). Not saying he's always good, but I really like him.

[Mr. Merrill Lehrl]

I liked it enough, but then I like Cube, for example.

[SiliasRuby]

This is worth the rental but nothing outstanding. Exciting and riveting. I yearned for more and not catching it. Predictable ending though.

[IchLiebeTisch]

I think it's a fairly good step for Duncan Jones into mainstream or blockbuster films.

[polkablues]

I never really understood Pubrick's hatred of Jeffrey Wright until I watched this movie. He really is shockingly bad in it.

Good flick, though.

[Jeremy Blackman]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0942482/board/nest/175308300

[polkablues]

The black Daniel Day-Lewis, huh? Maybe the black Eric Roberts.

[Ravi]

Daniel Day-Lewis is the black Daniel Day-Lewis. That's how good Daniel Day-Lewis is.

[polkablues]

Ha, I just saw that Scott Bakula played the voice of the dad on the phone.  Cute.