Ordinary People (R) 6.5

Ordinary People (1980): The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father, and the guilt-ridden younger son. (7.9)

Director: Robert Redford
Writers: Judith Guest (novel), Alvin Sargent (screenplay), Nancy Dowd
Stars: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch

I guess, I'm one of those few people who didn't much care for this movie. In my opinion, the story started at the wrong place. It should have started at the boating accident to make us empathize more with the younger boy. At the time it was made, I suppose, a mellow sensitive father and a tough no-nonsense mother would have been a revolutionary idea, but to me the characters come across as trying too hard and arrogant. Sorry, for me, all the pieces didn't fit together while I perfectly understand that there is a strong story to be told here. Contrary to the title, this is anything but about ordinary people. Yes, the acting is superb, but the bottom line for me is that the storytelling has to be strong. My Rating: 6.5

Identity (R) 7.5

Identity (2003): Stranded at a desolate Nevada motel during a nasty rain-storm, ten strangers become acquainted with each other when they realize that they're being killed off one by one. (7.3)

Director: James Mangold
Writer: Michael Cooney
Stars: John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet

A brilliant story and excellent storytelling.  Nothing in it is what it seems like on the surface. My only quibble is that they killed off Rebecca DeMornay's character quite early, so we didn't get to see her that much. We get to suspect pretty much everyone at one point or the other. Then the end throws quite a few twists. This is one of those movies where you have to think about what just happened after you are done watching the whole thing. John Cusack is quite good in playing a dramatic role. My Rating: 7.5

Monster (R) 7.5

Monster (2003): A dark tale based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, one of America's first female serial killers. Wuornos had a difficult and cruel childhood plagued by abuse and drug use in Michigan. (7.3)

Director: Patty Jenkins
Writer: Patty Jenkins
Stars: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern

Charlieze Theron is unrecognizable from her usual gorgeous self. She lives and breathes the character and it is quite an amazing transformation. No wonder she won the Oscar for this role. It is quite clear that the woman in the story had turned a corner and gone away from being human and towards being a monster. Yet, the screenplay makes you empathize with her plight. That, in my view, is why this is not a documentary, but a telling of the good true story. A good use of the important points of the tale to tell the audience her side of the story. My Rating: 7.5