4 out of 5

Tonight we watched Walk the Line, the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. I've been a fan of Reese Witherspoon for a decade and half, and the film's music was of course enjoyable. It's a familiar story. I couldn't help but think of Ray. I give it 4 out of 5.

Last Wednesday I finished watching this documentary. From the film's page on HBO's web site:

Daniel Pearl and Omar Sheikh were both highly educated individuals from privileged backgrounds who saw the world very differently. Pearl was a humanist who became an accomplished journalist and spent most of his career reporting from the Muslim world as part of a quest to promote cross-cultural understanding. Sheikh was radicalized by events that he regarded as the global persecution of Muslims, and became an Islamic militant who chose a deeply violent method to achieve what he believed in. After 9/11, their paths crossed in Pakistan, with tragic consequences.

I remember hearing about Daniel Pearl at the time of his kidnapping and murder. I didn't realize that he was purchased from his original kidnappers by another group that filmed his murder and left his body for the original kidnappers to dispose of. Of course, this is a very sad story. I give the film 4 out of 5.

Today I finished watching The Yes Men (2003,R). From Reel.com:

A filmcrew follows a small group of activists who gains world-wide notoriety for impersonating World Trade Organization members on television and at business conferences.

I enjoyed this one. You've got to admire this guys by getting there point across and having fun doing it via impersonation and pranks. I remember when they pulled their Bhopal prank on Dow Chemical. 4 out of 5.

Today I finished watching Cradle Will Rock (1999,R) (Screen It! Review). From Wikipedia:

Cradle Will Rock chronicles the process and events that surrounded the production of the original 1937 musical by Marc Blitzstein. Tim Robbins, in his third film as director, adapts history to create this fictionalized account of the original production, bringing in other stories of the time to produce this commentary on the role of art and power in the 1930's. In telling the story of The Cradle Will Rock, a leftist labor musical that was sponsored by the Federal Theater Project (FTP), only to be banned from going on after the Works Progress Administration (WPA) cut the project and diverted its funds elsewhere, Robbins is able to tie in issues labor unrest, the repression of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, as well as questions the role and value of art in such a tumultuous time.

I give it 4 out of 5.

Today I watched This is My Father (1999,R) (Screen It! Review). From Reel.com:

Starring: Aidan Quinn, Moya Farrelly
Director: Paul Quinn
Synopsis: The discovery of old photos leads a Chicago teacher to suspect his father may have been a different man than he was lead to believe while growing up. He travels to an Irish village with his nephew to investigate.

I enjoyed this one. 4 out of 5.