history as told by...

w.--
if this is oliver stone being even-handed, i'd be most curious to see a director's cut: attack-dog version. at turns outright farce and preachy polemic (each mode effective), it figures to please the average bush-basher and piss off the staunch right-winger. josh brolin is mesmerizing as our 43rd prez, somehow managing to make the familiar mannerisms and the too-familiar idiot-speak come off authentically. the w. on screen is a fully realized character, ground in truth, motivated mostly by paternal approval; the film, a revealing look at a fascinating man who has bungled his way through every significant chapter of his now ominously weighty history.
effective: 3 stars

changeling--
i enjoy director clint eastwood when he goes toward the gritty, and as such i consider pic among his finest works. the root of this true story is horrific, the years-long tale Involved. in the hands of a lesser skipper, could easily have been too gruesome or just plain boring. instead, detractions are relatively minor. credit as well to veteran tv scribe j. michael straczynski, and to angelina jolie for holding down an emotionally challenging role. (at times i wanted to Throttle her character for not fighting back!) no shoe-in, yet could be in the running for some post-season hardware.
challenging: 4 stars