Hitchcock

Iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock struggles with his marriage, the censors and the financiers of his 1960 film Psycho.  Driven to prove he still has an edge, Hitchcock crafts what would become one of the greatest thrillers of all times.  While he and the making of Psycho is the main thrust, his wife Alma plays a major role in his life and success.  The movie also focuses on her and her desires.  You will be thoroughly entertained and come to appreciate a woman who was in the background but not forgotten or not appreciated by her husband.  The movie stars Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Toni Collette and Jessica Biel.

A Royal Affair

In  18th century Denmark, the unstable King Christian IV neglects his young queen who fall in love with the King's German physician who is an intellectual.  The physicial advocates reform to transform the country but brings  about his own downfall.  Stars Mads Middelsen; Mikkel Boe Folsaard; Alicial Vidander.  I need to get back to the 21st century where the human race is somwhat civil.  I got lost in all the lopping off of heads. On the other hand,  politics hasn't really changed all that much over the centuries.  Save this one for the DVD.

Life of Pi

Based on a best-selling novel, this coming of age tale recounts the adventures of Pi, an Indian boy who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck.  Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with only zoo animals for company including a Bengal tiger.  The animals hunt each other and the tiger is the last animal standing so it's just Pi and the tiger.  Must see this in 3D, the best 3D movie I have seen.  Stars Irrfarn Khan; Suraj Sharma; Gerard Depardieu.  Entertaining but hard to believe.  Personally, I would have drowned the tiger and saved the chimp.  I am missing some great philosophical symbol behind the tiger.

Silver Linings Playbook

After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his parents.  While he is trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.  The movie stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro, and Jacki Weaver.  This is a new perspective on mental illness.  With that being said, it is thoroughly entertaining.  I would put it on my to see in the theater list, but definitely see it when it comes out on DVD.

Lincoln

This will be one of movie greats in years to come.  The movie focuses on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln and his stewardship of the Union during the civil war years.  In particular it focuses on the 13th amendment and it development and passage.  The biographical saga also reveals the conflict within Lincoln's cabinet as regards the war and abolition.  Not one of you out there should miss this.  It is what being American is about.  Needless to say, the movie has Academy Award written all over it.  It stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, David Stathairm and Hal Holbrook.