The Ides of March (2011)

An idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.

A biting, but not very original look at US election politics is mainly watchable for its first-rate cast and good direction.

Maltin**: "Purported inside look at backroom politics covers awfully familiar ground and offers no real surprises; with a cast of this caliber it's easy to take but still doesn't add up to much." 

Into the Forest (2015)

After a massive power outage, two sisters learn to survive on their own in their isolated woodland home.

Somber and intense doomsday drama eschews superficial effects and rather offers a good sense of solitude and abandonment and convincing performances by Page and Wood (although they're both well beyond the age of being the teenagers they are impersonating).

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood

The Life Before Her Eyes (2007)

 

 

A woman's survivor's guilt from a Columbine-like event twenty years ago causes her present-day idyllic life to fall apart.

 

Carefully told equally in past and present this slow but competent pschological thrillers scores with some good performances and a sad, but fascinating story.

 

 Maltin **1/2: "Compelling but elliptical drama, based on Laura Kasischke's novel, leads to an unsatisfying conclusion that poses more questions than answers...yet it can't completely negate the interesting drama that has unfolded."

The Wrestler (2008)

A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.

Superior character study with no surprises, but with a great central performance.

Down in the Valley (2005)

Set in the present-day San Fernando Valley the movie revolves around a delusional man who believes he's a cowboy and the relationship that he starts with a rebellious young woman.

Generally well made drama, but not particularly exciting. Ed Norton is convincing as the immature psycho cowboy.

Evan Rachel Wood