Barnesyard Bites, Vol. 2

-"EVERY LITTLE STEP" (2009 - Dir.: Adam Del Deo/James D. Stern)
Fairly irresistible meta-doc follows the cruel, dehumanizing rehearsal process for the Broadway revival of "A Chorus Line", itself a story of the cruel, dehumanizing rehearsal process. As one aspirant after another performs the same song and dance routines, we start analyzing and comparing each performance, a critical act undercut by hearing the often heartbreaking real-life stories that formed the basis for the show. "Every Little Step" performs the minor miracle of giving heft and significance to a mediocre musical, although I was humming "I Hope I Get It" long after I wanted to.
GRADE: B.

-"STUCK" (2007 - Dir.: Stuart Gordon)
Lowdown, brutally entertaining story of an ambitious young nurse (a surprisingly good Mena Suvari, who also co-produced) who hits a down-on-his-luck schlub (Stephen Rea) with her car, then hides the evidence in her garage and waits for him to die. "Stuck" admirably eschews typical leaden moralizing - Suvari's character never even considers saving Rea, yet she's less a calculating sociopath than a conflicted and irresponsible twenty-something. Of course, it's all tossed out the window in the third act, when "Re-Animator" director Gordon can't help but turn the film into a de rigeur slasher flick. GRADE: B.