In Theaters Going The Distance

Starring:Drew Barrymore, Justin Long Director:Nanette Burstein Rating: R Running Time: 97Mins Release Date: Sept. 3, 2010

Below Average. Disappointing and Perhaps Even Frustrating. Meeting unexpectedly and suddenly falling head over heels in love is the last thing that Erin and Garrett are looking for. Erin is relocating to California in a few weeks for school but desperately in love, the new couple decide to maintain a longdistance relationship. Fraught with insecurities, friends’ influences, and decisions that may impact their future together, “...Distance” is bipolar in its tone. Long and Barrymore’s real-life relationship bleeds through on screen and they are great together. However, the movie opts for a mix of heartfelt sentiment, romantic comedy and low-brow and gutter-minded humor. “...Distance” tries to be a different kind of romantic comedy, but ultimately never can decide if it wants to be heartwarming and sweet or edgy and bold. Likable in parts, but battling a mess of a screenplay, “Going The Distance” comes up a bit short.

On DVD The Last Exorcism

Starring: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell Director:Daniel Stamm Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 87 Mins.

Release Date: Aug. 27, 2010

Below Average. Disappointing and Perhaps Even Frustrating. The latest faux-documentary “found footage” suspense/horror film, “The Last Exorcism” is intriguing, riveting, fresh, and unique for 80 of its 87 minutes, with two great performances by Ashley Bell as Nell, the possessed girl in need of help, and Patrick Fabian as the Rev. Cotton Marcus, the preacher who attempts to free Nell from that which haunts her. Delving into some strong character development, we learn that the Rev. Marcus is out to expose the myths of exorcism and with documentary crew at his side, he uncovers many things with Nell he never expected. But...then...the movie’s final minutes are vapid, insulting to the viewer, and render the entire film as a pointless endeavor. See it and decide for yourself, but for me...every ounce of good and/ or great the movie generates goes up in flames with a mindnumbingly terrible and unnecessary conclusion.