Primal Fear: If not for the performance of Edward Norton, this would be a complete waste of time. In his first major film role, he immediately shows us why he's a talented actor playing the young man accused of killing a bishop in Chicago. The rest of the film, despite a decent cast, is mired in legal cliches that we've seen before, and done better, on most legal shows on TV. If you're a Norton fan, definitely give this a look. Rating: ***
Misery: While this also features an outstanding performance, the movie as a whole is much better than Primal Fear. It's a simple concept that is played effectively, thanks in large part to Kathy Bates' portrayal of Annie Wilkes. That 'hobbling' scene is one of the most gruesome things I've ever seen on film. I'd like to also praise Richard Farnsworth, who brings an added level of energy to the film as the small town sheriff. This is a great movie if you're looking for some thrills and scares without a lot of gore. Rating: ****
Falling Down: I really don't know what to make of this movie. I had a hard time figuring out how we were supposed to react to Michael Douglas' D-FENS, a guy who's out for vengeance against all of society's misdeeds. I think most can relate to some of the things that annoy him in the film, but he himself isn't a very likeable character. The film seems pretty exploitative until the very end when there's a really good scene between Douglas and Robert Duvall, playing a cop on his last day on the job. As good as it is, it's not enough to salvage the film. Rating: **
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