Kill the Irishman (2011)

Did this movie escape your radar? If so, it is well worth the watch.  The long list of big names makes this story increasingly interesting as it unfolds.

Ray Stevenson is the constant in this equation.  The common thread, and a very good one. Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Christopher Walken, Finnula Flanagan, and many others play a mix of Cleveland organized crime figures in the late 1970s.

Tony Lo Bianco, Robert Davi, Steve Schirripa, and Paul Sorvino among others play their New York connected Italian competition.  All do a super job.  This is a great all-star cast.

With a great mix of archival news footage this story unfolds as it happens.

Watch this with anyone who has lived in or been to Cleveland.

The Rite (2011)

Because this story is based on people who are real, and still alive, and no doubt some input into the telling, it is more tame than the usual exorcism tale.  Far more so than something conjured from someone's tortured imagination.  To some tame may mean lame.  So be it.

In my opinion, only true believers will "get" the message of this movie.  Belief in one is totally dependent on belief and faith in the other.  No spoilers here.

Anthony Hopkins plays multiple roles here, again no spoilers, but he is his usual brilliant.  I loved his line spoofing the 1973 classic The Exorcist.

Colin O'Donoghue is gorgeous, but I'm unclear on his acting skills just yet.  Let's see another film or two?

And no, the motorcycle worked on by the old priest is working on in the movie is not the world's fastest Indian.

Watch this with someone who ponders the question or the reality of The Devil.