The Lady in the Van

Maggie Smith was just brilliant in this, one of the best performances by an actress of last year so far for me. This was a very touching movie, a good comedic paring with Richard Gere's astonishing turn in "Time out of Mind", for which I still can't believe he wasn't nominated. A lovely film. 3.5/5

The Lady in the Van on Netflix

Brooklyn

I feel about this film much like I felt about "Spotlight". It's a lovely film with tremendous acting. I was moved by it and drawn along by the story. It was directed and paced very well. But I'm just not sure this should be an Oscar nominee. Maybe I'm spoiled by independent film, but I would rather see a film attempt to be different and great and fall short than play everything safely. Safe is good and fine and lovely, but Best Film? Not quite, at least not for me. 4/5

Brooklyn on Netflix

Filth

If McAvoy doesn't win an Oscar for this there is no justice. Brilliantly blindingly amazing - I loved this so hard, 4.5/5

Filth on Netflix

Closed Circuit

A solid action/crime thriller with solid acting by Hall and Bana, although the ending was unfulfilling. 3.5/5

Closed Circuit on Netflix

Cloud Atlas

This picture is just magnificent - I was mesmerized by every frame of it. Marvelous acting & a beautiful story. 5/5

Cloud Atlas on Netflix

The Iron Lady

Streep was absolutely brilliant in this, but why did they choose to tell this story when history is so rich? 3.5/5

The Iron Lady on Netflix

Longford

An intriguing & thought-provoking drama with top-notch performances by Broadbent & Morton. Well done. 4/5

Longford on Netflix

Another Year

This quiet, interesting little English slice-of-life drama has a unsuspecting star & moving performances. 3.5/5

Another Year on Netflix

The Damned United

The always brilliant Michael Sheen is perfection in this portrait of Brain Clough. Mesmerizing film. 4/5

The Damned United on Netflix