The Exorcism of Emily Rose — 70%

DVD viewed June 16, 2006. I’m not a big fan of horror movies, in fact, I really don’t like them at all. I had heard, though, that this movie was really a courtroom drama, not a horror film. Well, yeah, it has courtroom drama, but it has a dose of horror too (more than I expected, at least). It doesn’t seem to have been warmly received by “critics,” if you believe Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, but I’d say it’s probably worth seeing, as it raises some interesting points for discussion regarding the nature of faith, belief, and the supernatural.

North Country — 60%

DVD viewed Jun 13, 2006. Difficult to watch in parts, but it’s difficult material. I would have scored it higher but some of the dialogue, particularly in the climactic courtroom scene, just didn’t ring true. (It’s probably due to the compression of actual events.) Also, the wigs were so awful, and—my familiar complaint—the accents were spotty. Mostly this is just nit picking, but I do think the movie would have been better if they’d spent more time on the dialogue. The pro-life messages in the last act were unexpected and interesting. Anyone else like to see a movie that focuses on whatever went on in the lives of Kyle and Glory?

To End All Wars — 85%

DVD viewed June 11, 2006. Powerful. Well made. See it.

This is a movie I’ve heard a lot about, and honestly I can’t believe I’m just now seeing it. I’d like to watch To End All Wars and Saints and Soldiers back-to-back to compare and contrast.

Glory Road — 55%

DVD viewed June 11, 2006. Haven’t I seen this movie before? I know it’s based on a true story, but I kinda wish that someone other than D*sn*y was behind it so that it wasn’t told in such a formulaic way. Particularly with a true story, there’s got to be a fresh angle the filmmakers could take. Anyway, if you do rent it, be sure to watch the extra features, which contain interviews with some of the actual people involved in the real story. (The extra features earned Glory Road an additional 10 points.)

The Big White — 40%

DVD Viewed June 9, 2006. Never heard of it? You’re not alone. IMDB doesn’t have a poster image, Ebert didn’t review it. Black comedy, good cast (Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Giovanni Ribisi, Tim Blake Nelson) and a few funny setups/scenes/lines. But it’s kind of like they made the movie based on an early draft of the script. Best part of the whole thing is Holly Hunter’s character, who shouts obscenities almost non-stop in an apparent effort to fake Tourette’s.

Two for the Money — 40%

DVD viewed June 3, 2006. First off, I don’t know how this movie got into my renal Q. I assume it was a suggestion based on other movies I’ve rented, and I took the bait. What could I have rented that made those bozos (or that bozo computer) think I’d like this?

Anyway, while the movie is entertaining in parts, overall it’s like watching a series of related but somewhat random scenes. There’s just something missing. I assume the rest of the story is on the cutting room floor. (They had to get it down to 122 minutes somehow, right?) Of course, I’m not a big fan of sports, betting, sports-betting, or seeing McConaughey without a shirt, so I may not be in the target demographic for this one.

Good Night and Good Luck — 80%

DVD viewed June 2, 2006. I liked it. It may have been a little overly political, particularly when the director went of on a bit of a rant at an awards ceremony. At least the movie acknowledges the fact that we are all hypocrites.

I had to take points off for the guy who played McCarthy, though. A completely incompetent actor. Really, an absolute void of ability.