State of Play ***

Cast: Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Robin Wright Penn, Helen Mirren, Jeff Daniels
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Running Length: 1:58
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Congressman Stephen Collins (Affleck) is the chairman of a committee reviewing whether Pointcorp should be used to outsource homeland security. One of his researchers apparently commits suicide, and it comes out that he had an affair with her. Collins believes that she was murdered because of his position. Journalist Cal McAffrey (Crowe) is his friend and a top reporter at the Washington Globe. He begins investigating the murder with a newbie blogger named Della Frye (McAdams). Soon, he is digging into areas that may be better left untouched, if he wants to continue living.

“State of Play” covers a lot of material in its two hour running time, being based on a five hour BBC miniseries. There are layers upon layers of story here, and while a little confusing at times, it is satisfying. The acting is solid, especially from Affleck and Crowe. This is a smart thriller that provides a twist ending that shows that all is not what it initially seems. “State of Play” is worth checking out.

The Last King of Scotland ***1/2

Cast: James McAvoy, Forest Whitaker, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Simon McBurney
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Running Length: 2:00
MPAA Classification: R

Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan (McAvoy) leaves Scotland after his graduation to get away from his father. He goes to Uganda around the time that a military coup puts General Idi Amin (Whitaker) in charge of the country. When Amin is injured in a car accident, Nicholas treats him. Amin likes Nicholas and offers him a position as personal physician to the President. He accepts, and soon finds that although Amin is personable and charismatic, he is also paranoid and brutal. This is further complicated by Nicholas having an affair with Amin’s third wife (Washington). With each passing day, Amin becomes more unstable, and Nicholas finds that he cannot escape.

“The Last King of Scotland” is an excellent film. The two leads, Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy deliver standout performances. They hype for Whitaker in this movie is well deserved. It is a shame that McAvoy has not garnered similar praise. This film offers a look into how the charismatic Amin became one of Africa’s most vicious dictators. I highly recommend this film.