State of Play (2009)

When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the congressman, his old college friend.

Solid direction and good cast don't quite make this more than a standard conspiracy thriller; the twist ending disappointingly disavaows any political implications made before.

Maltin**1/2: "Engrossing, well-cast thriller is also a paean to the dying newspaper business - but drops the ball at the finale, which simply isn't satisfying."

Horrible Bosses (2011)

Three friends conspire to murder their awful bosses when they realize they are standing in the way of their happiness.

A nice premise for an offbeat comedy, but this one is disappointedly haphazard, at times vulgar and quite unfunny.

Maltin**1/2: "Sporadicaaly funny comedy has some solid laughs as well as the kind of raunchiness we've come to expect in the post-HANGOVER era."