The Kingdom

Turned out to be a pleasant surprise of an entertainer. The premise is classic Hollywood - well-toned, well-trained, well-cocky FBI investigators head deep into enemy territory in Saudi Arabia to find the truth about some killings. Despite the very basic plot, Peter Berg (the cocky doctor from Chicago Hope!) manages to deliver 2 hours of frenetic action.

Rating: * *

The Visitor

Walter (Richard Jenkins) is a straight laced university professor, silently grieving the death of his wife by trying to recreate the sounds of the piano. He suddenly finds himself forced to visit his apartment in New York to attend a conference. He strangely finds it to be occupied by a couple, Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira). After throwing them out initially, he inexplicably invites them back in. As he starts to get embroiled in the couple's complicated situation, Walter finds himself opening up and rediscovering the man he maybe once was. Jenkins has outdone himself in this role. A brilliant film that exposes the glaring holes and the sterile nature of the US immigration system.

Rating: * * * *