Julia Roberts and Albert Finney in Erin Brockovich

Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich () stars Julia Roberts as a single mother in a small California town. She's having trouble making ends meet and needs a job. Eventually, she finds one as a file clerk in the office of a lawyer (Albert Finney). Erin makes waves with her revealing outfits and straightforward demeanor; everyone thinks she's poor white trash. Even her biker boyfriend (Aaron Eckhardt) is amused by her work in the legal field. Erin believes in herself and begins investigating a real estate file she finds in the office. Her investigation leads her to discover that the PG&E power company has knowingly poisoned the water near their plant, which has resulted in nearby residents contracting cancer-related illnesses. Through her determination, Erin organizes her boss's firm into action against the company. Erin Brockovich covers much the same ground as A Civil Action, another true story which starred John Travolta. That film was a little better, but this one is more of a crowd pleaser. Despite her appearance, Erin is smart - a fact that leads many to underestimate her. Through the legal battle, she finds respect and a purpose in life. Julia Roberts is terrific in the role, delivering some of her best work. She really captures the character's no-nonsense spirit. I liked the interplay between her and Finney, who seems perpetually befuddled by Erin's doggedness. Director Steven Soderberg (Out of Sight) gives the movie style and leads it to a rousing conclusion. Erin Brockovich makes you believe not only that one woman can beat the system, but also that perseverance pays.

Devon Sawa has a premonition that his plane will crash in Final Destination

Teen horror movies are a dime a dozen these days. What sets Final Destination () apart is that, despite a youthful cast, it is perfect for anyone seeking an intense thriller. Devon Sawa plays one of several high school students flying to Paris on a school trip. On board, he has a premonition that the plane will crash. His ensuing panic causes several of the kids to be tossed off. Sure enough, the plane explodes shortly after takeoff. Soon, the surviving kids begin dying under mysterious circumstances. Sawa comes to believe that death is getting revenge for being cheated. He must figure out a way to stop death from taking the lives of his friends - as well as his own life. Final Destination begins with a harrowing vision of the plane crash (perhaps my personal fear of flying attributes to the scene's horror), then proceeds to deliver one nail-biting fatality after another. The last shot is a shocker that undermines everything you think you know. Because the villain is something unseen, the movie has a sense of looming dread. The "accidents" are well-staged and lack the cheesiness that ruins most horror movies. It is a surprisingly intense story because you never know who is going to get it next. More than that, Final Destination has some sophisticated ideas about death, what it does to the survivors, and what it means to know your time is up. The scariness of the horror is maximized by the intelligence of the ideas behind it. I didn't expect much from the movie, but I was a bundle of nerves watching it. This one gets under your skin.