I didn't watch The Lives of Others (will do, thanks for suggestion).

The Conversation's IMDB rating is 8.0, which is why I watched it, and while the movie was not bad, it was boring :)

I don't remember what they predicted, but since I usually like Gene Hackman movies it was likely 3-4 stars. I gave it 2, way too boring for even a 70's movie.

I think "The lives of others" was a great movie. I'd recommend it.