Pride and Glory (2008)

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"If my guys were doing something, I would know about it, trust me."

When four police officers are killed in an ambush in a drug den in Washington Heights, a family of police officers is drawn into the drama.

It appears as though there is extensive corruption with the precinct run by Captain Francis "Franny" Tierney, Jr. (Noah Emmerich). His father, police brass, Francis Tierney, Sr. (Jon Voight) recruits his other son, Det. Ray Tierney (Edward Norton), to be part of the investigation team.

In hunting for the dirty cops, Ray Tierney realizes that his own brother-in-law, Jimmy Eagan (Colin Farrell), might well be involved.

Also appearing are Jennifer Ehle as Ray's estranged wife; Lake Bell as the daughter, sister and wife of the cops; John Ortiz, Frank Grillo, and Shea Whigham as cops in the troubled precinct.

Screenplay and directed by Gavin O'Connor.

Run time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language and brief drug content.

My personal rating: B-

September Dawn (2008)

"May the children of Satan go to hell."

Based on a true incident.

Pioneer wagons from Arkansas and Missouri arrive in Utah in September 1857 to be scrupulously eyed by Jacob Samuelson (Jon Voight), Mormon bishop, captain of the local militia, and mayor of the town. With 900 head of cattle, 200 fine Kentucky horses, and tired people, the caravan leader Capt. Fancher (Shaun Johnston) asked Samuelson for a place where they can rest and restore themselves and their stock. Samuelson grants them permission to encamp in Mountain Meadow.

Samuelson, suspicious of these Gentiles and angry that some were from Missouri where the Mormon leader Joseph Smith was murdered, claimed he received direction from the most powerful man in the American West, Mormon president Brigham Young (Terence Stamp), and visions of Joseph Smith (Dean Cain) and Hyrum Young (Ron Webber) to slaughter the pioneers.

By telling the Indians that the pioneers were a threat to both the Indian nation and the Mormons, Samuelson incided the natives to run rage upon the pioneers. After the attack, the Indians are angry that the pioneers had succeed in killing many of the Indians after Samuelson had assured them that God was on their side and none of their braves would die.

Samuelson then ordered the reluctant adopted son of Brigham Young, John D. Lee (Jon Gries), to murder the remaining pioneers.
In all, more than 120 men, women and children were lead to slaughter on that September dawn. The only survivors were the children too young to speak and remember. They were taken in by Mormon families in the area. Eventually, with the intercession of the American government, those children were returned to their families.

Interwoven through the factual information of the film, Samuelson's son Jonathan (Trent Ford) falls in love with Emily Hudson (Tamara Hope), daughter of the pioneer preacher (Daniel Libman).

Lolita Davidovich, Krisinda Cain, and Taylor Handley also appear.

Co-written and directed by Christopher Cain.

Run time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Rated R for violence.

My personal rating: B

Catch-22 (1970)

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Paddling to Norway

A pilot is trying desperately to be certified insane during World War II, so he can stop flying missions.

There really very little I can say about this masterpiece except SEE IT! To give away too much of the story might ruin it. It's to be experienced.

The stunning acting ensemble includes: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Bob Newhart, Art Garfunkel, Bob Balaban, Martin Sheen, Charles Grodin, Anthony Perkins, Richard Benjamin, Jon Voight, Orson Welles, Buck Henry, Jack Gifford, Peter Bonerz, Paula Prentiss, and Norman Fell.

Based on a novel by Joseph Heller with screenplay by Buck Henry. Directed by Mike Nichols.

My personal rating: A