(B) Good Omens (Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett) Grade: B+
Who would have thought the Armageddon would be funny? Well, namely Gaiman and Pratchett in this very comical look at the war between Good and Evil. The sense of humor is self-referential, subtle and often footnoted, with amusing ironic bits such as naming the Antichrist Adam. A genuinely entertaining read for those who would like an alternative, frivolous take on the Left Behind series.

(M) Junebug (2005, June Morrison) Grade: B
I felt somewhat underwhelmed by this film. The tagline certainly is accurate: the blue states and red states do meet in this film about a Chicago-residing man and his cosmopolitan wife traveling to his hometown in North Carolina. I picked up on all the overarching themes of feeling like an outsider (even in your own family), attempts at human understanding and connection (despite cultural differences), et al. And the quiet moments in the film complimented the overall pace. But in the end, I just did not feel emotionally affected. The shining star is Amy Adams, who portrays a character so desperate in her need for affection and approval that you feel for her the most.