Primal Fear
A high-powered lawyer takes on, free of charge, the defense of a troubled young man accused of murdering an archbishop.
This 1996 courtroom thriller stars Richard Gere and Edward Norton, with Norton delivering a performance that, for me, is absolutely stunning in the role of the accused. It’s a truly gripping film, featuring well-written characters, a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, unexpected twists, corruption, and conflicting interests — all blended into a fascinating mix that prompts viewers to question the law and just how solid its foundations really are.
Richard Gere, surprisingly, gives a strong performance as the ambitious attorney, Laura Linney is excellent as always, and as I mentioned earlier, Norton is the film’s standout — a revelation who even earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the time.
The film ends with a major twist that wraps it all up beautifully.
Woman in the Yard
A lonely woman, dressed entirely in black, suddenly appears on a family's lawn and warns them of a looming tragedy. After being seriously injured, Ramona is left alone in her rural farmhouse to care for their 14-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. She must now fight to protect herself and the children from the grip of the mysterious woman who simply won’t leave them alone. A typical low-stakes thriller.
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The performances are decent, especially from the mother, Danielle Deadwyler.
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It starts off with an interesting concept, even if it doesn’t quite follow through.
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It tries to build atmosphere.
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Fairly predictable, full of script clichés you can’t avoid.
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Becomes flat after a certain point.
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Some parts feel boring.
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I didn’t find it scary.
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Lacks energy.
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The ending is erratic and uninteresting.
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Feels like they’re stretching a thin idea without a solid script to back it up
