The Invasion (2007)

"The Invasion" is a 2007 science fiction film starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, based on the 1955 novel by Jack Finney titled "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". This film is actually the fourth movie based on the novel, other versions appearing in 1956, 1978 and 1993. The basic premise is an alien microbe infects humans and takes over their consciousness while they sleep, resulting in a person without feeling or emotions. Though many critics disliked this version of the story, I enjoyed it for the fast pace, nail biting action sequences, quality of the two lead actors, and more modern scientific interpretation (DNA wasn't known in 1955). To me the most significant aspect of the story is the loss of identity and the fact people you deal with may not in fact be the people you think they are. This theme is similar to two of my favorite films "The Thing" (the 1982 and 2011 versions; not the version from the 1950's which deviates completely from the point of the story). You can read more about this film at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invasion_(film)

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Gone Baby Gone (2007)

"Gone Baby Gone" is a 2007 film directed by Ben Affleck. Besides the stars shown in the picture (Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris), I recognized Titus Welliver who stars in the Bosch detective series. The film centers around a kidnapped 4-year-old girl in the Dorchester section of Boston. Private investigator Casey Affleck and his girlfriend partner Michelle Monaghan are hired by the missing child's aunt to augment the police investigation. The language is rough and this is a tough area of town. The mother of the missing girl is a drug addict and there is more to the kidnapping than first appears. Without giving away the plot, the ending of the film poses the question to the viewer as to whether the right choice was made. The cast is very strong and the film well acted.

British TV series "Injustice"

"Injustice" is 2011 five part British TV series about a criminal defense attorney (barrister) who struggles with legal justice versus true justice. The story moves between London and Ipswich and combines a current murder investigation with ramifications of a prior one. James Purefoy plays the barrister William Travers, who suffered a nervous breakdown after successfully defending a car bomb suspect he later learns was actually guilty. He returns to practice to defend a college chum of his accused of murdering a secretary in a hotel room. He makes a point of saying he needs to believe in his client's innocence to defend them. There's a pretty rotten and crooked police inspector involved as well. The show was well done and held my interest. You can see it on Amazon or for free on Vudu (with commercials). You can read more about it at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injustice_(TV_series)

Hell or High Water (2016)

"Hell or High Water" is a 2016 western crime thriller starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster and Chris Pine. It reminded me a great deal of the movie "No Country For Old Men". Bridges is a Texas Ranger who, along with his partner, is in pursuit of a pair of brothers who are robbing banks in Texas to save the family ranch. Again, this is not the typical good guy always wins western movie. There are some surprises. And the ending is open ended for the viewer to imagine what happens next. The film was nominated for a number of academy awards, including "Best Picture." It's worth viewing if you like this kind of film. The acting is top notch. You can read more here: Wikipedia Article

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