Ever since the first time I saw a preview for Precious, I knew I was intrigued and would have to see it. I was not at all prepared, however, for the many layers and levels of abuse Precious endures. Mo-nique stars as her terrifying tyrant of a mother, a virtually unrecognizable Mariah Carey as her social worker. The verbal abuse alone had me sobbing as I watched, and  at several points I almost had to turn it off, but I am so glad I didn’t. Gabouray Sidibe really gave her all in this role, the viewer empathizes with her and wants to rescue her.

The abusive, commanding and all-around shock-inducing Momma, Precious' mother.

Another film I watched just last night: Brothers. This one stars Jake Gyllenhaal as troubled brother Tommy, Natalie Portman as Grace, the loving wife and mother to two little girls and Captain Sam Cahill, played by Tobey McGuire. Sam goes to war and his plane crashes almost immediately. Sam survives with a friend and fellow Marine, unbeknownst to anyone else.  The two are kidnapped and kept alive, starved and tortured. Grace and Tommy receive word Sam is dead, and try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives while growing slightly closer. Sam is made to do the unthinkable in order to return to his family unharmed, but when he does, the horror of war and demands slay at him and his paranoia spins out of control.

Grace making a futile attempt to reach Sam.