American Idols' Songs of the Cinema Week

American Idol's Season Nine is down to the Top Four. Tonight the contestants chose numbers that have graced movie soundtracks. Coached by actor and musical artist Jamie Foxx, the final four should have been well prepared. For a movie buff like me and a fan of three of the four remaining Idol hopefuls, you'd think that would make for an evening of great entertainment. Uh, not so much. Here's a recap of the disappointing evening.

Like many in tonight's studio audience, I'm a Lee DeWyze fan. I was not, however, a fan of his performance of "Kiss From a Rose", the Seal number included on the Batman Forever soundtrack and, thus, eligible for the "Songs of the Cinema" night roster. DeWyze is capable of much better than the oft off-key performance in offered up this evening.

Michael "Big Mike" Lynche chose to cover Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There". While Randy found it "alright" and Ellen DeGeneres said, "You can't go wrong with a choir behind you," I have to disagree. The song, which was pulled from Jackson's Dangerous album to run during the credits of Free Willy, was disastrous as done by Lynche.

A duet by Crystal Bowersox and DeWyze was a welcome interlude to the lack luster performances that opened the show. Their rendition of the Oscar winning "Falling Slowly" (Once) redeemed Lee for his earlier performance. A great, gritty song delivered with feeling from both artists - two of my favorites from this season.

Casey James settled in next to deliver his version of "Mrs. Robinson" from The Graduate. Written by the legendary Paul Simon and originally recorded by Simon and Garfunkel, Casey had big shoes to fill. He not only filled them but stretched them out a bit. The arrangement was simple and easy going, but poignantly filled the air.

Simon considered it "lazy" and without the "substance" needed at this level of the competition. However, while "Mrs. Robinson" may be far less complicated than "Kiss From A Rose", a solid delivery seems much shrewder than attempting a difficult number and botching it as DeWyze did.

Bowersox was once again in her element burning up "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins from Caddyshack. Simon made note that she was "back in" the competition - I never saw where she was ever out. In fact, since they've heaped about every form of praise you can imagine on Crystal, tonight they appeared to have nothing left but to critique her boyfriend's moves in the audience.

The last musical performance for the night, "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" (Don Juan DeMarco) performed by Lynche and James, lacked the spark that Bowersox and DeWyze gave their rendition of "Falling Slowly". Lynche always seems so into his own performing. I don't see him connecting with the audience - certainly not with me. The best part of the song - James' masterful, Spanish-influenced guitar playing.

Although I doubt that most callers are really casting their votes based on performances at this point of the game, if they are, DeWyze could go home ala the premature departure of Chris Daughtry during his final four week.