Source Code

Director Duncan Jones (David Bowie’s son) shakes loose a bunch of questions regarding the time-space continuum in this brainy, vibrant movie. When we first meet Army helicopter pilot Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal), he’s on a Chicago-bound commuter train, disoriented and confused. Moments later an explosion tears through the train, killing everyone on board. Suddenly Colter is alone in a capsule, being quizzed via monitor. He’s told, Find the bomb and you will find the bomber who will strike again. Suddenly, he’s back on the train, replaying the scene we just saw with slight variations -- like a more ominous version of Groundhog Day. Jones builds suspense as he replays Colter’s predicament time and time again, turning Source Code into a pretty good action thriller. It’s also a stylish film. But good luck trying to wrap your brain around the concept driving it. Basically, Colter can enter someone else’s brainwaves for eight minutes at a time to alter things … or something like that. Whatever. As someone instructs Colter at one point, Don’t think. It’s good advice.