EYE OF THE STORM

Perhaps if my hearing were better (I missed most of the very soft, almost whispered dialogue), and if there were not so many flashbacks, I might have appreciated this dismal film a bit more.  But, probably not much, because the plot revolves around a wealthy elderly woman (played by Charlotte Rampling) and her son (played by Geoffrey Rush) and daughter (Judy Davis) who reluctantly come to visit when she is literally on her death bed.  She has full time nursing care, though one of the nurses SPOILER ALERT: is throwing out Mama's  medication, one pill per day, instead of giving it to her. Of course all the acting is marvelous.  The criminal nurse is well played by Alexandra Schepisi ( probably the daughter of the director, Fred Schepisi,)   

Incendies

This film is the opposite of "escape to the movies."   It portrays misery, suffering, violence, religious fanatic slaughtering for 130 minutes.  I wanted to walk out, but was curious enough to stay to learn the final outcome of the searches by these twins (brother and sister) whose mother's will had left them each with an envelope to deliver. His, to be delivered to his brother (his existence up to then unknown) and hers, to her father (previously assumed to be dead.) With confusing flashbacks throughout, and taking place in an unknown country, with both French and some Arabic type of language spoken  -- even subtitles didn't make it possible to know for sure what was going on.  Oh, and they are trying to track their mother's past, and that's another snake pit -- including prison and torture.  Definitely not a fun film.  Unless you are a masochist (or a film "Critic" by profession, since many of them praised it!) I suggest you avoid this French Canadian movie.  Acting was good (they certainly could portray misery!) and photography was good.   ONE STAR