1. BODY OF LIES:

Leo DiCaprio is outstanding here as a CIA operative who speaks Arabic, which helps when you’re assigned to the Middle East, and who gets beat up more than Jim Rockford in this tale of spy vs spy, counterspy vs counterspy, and … well, you know – you just can’t trust anyone. Russell Crowe is his spy boss – a heavier, not-so-nice Russell Crowe. Violent, but it makes some good points about the current situation in Afghanistan and Iraq. Rated 18A.

2. CHANGELING:

Angelina Jolie has a best actress nomination for her role here as a mom whose son is kidnapped in 1920s Los Angeles.  Clint Eastwood directed this based-on-fact story about what happened to her son, and other young boys at the hands of a sadistic kidnapper … but the LAPD, looking for good press, find a boy they say is her son – he is not, but they don’t listen to her protests.  Excellent story! Rated 14A.

3. FLASH OF GENIUS:

Greg Kinnear is believable and credible as the real-life Robert Kearns, the inventor who came up with intermittent windshield wipers, and then alleged that Ford and Chrysler stole his idea without compensation.  He devotes the rest of his life to righting that wrong.  Well-acted, and didn’t get the credit it deserved!! Rated PG.

4. CHANGELING: