Carol

Living in a 1950s society that considers lesbian romance taboo, two women from disparate backgrounds- young store clerk Therese Belinet and wealthy socialite Carol Aird-- develop an attachment to each other that ultimately turns passionate.  The acting is outstanding and I can see why it has Academy buzz.  However, the final scene is very French.  I felt a little unfulfilled.  I give it an 8.  Stars Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara.

Joy

Joy is a down trodden housewife that never seems to come out on top.  She is the strength in her dysfunctional family.  Then, she invents the Miracle Mop.  Trying to mass-market the revolutionary floor mop, Joy strikes gold with a personal pitch on QVC that turns her Miracle Mop into an overnight marketing miracle.  Funny at times but sometimes drags, the movie is not like her Hunger Games performances.  I give it a 6.  Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and  Bradley Cooper.

Youth

On vacation in the Alps, two friends on the verge of turning 80 look to each other for support.  One is a retired orchestra conductor on holiday with his daughter and the other is a film director.  The conductor receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth to perform and refuses but reconsiders.    The film director is making a movie and things don't always go as planned.  Both begin realizing that time is no longer on their side.  This film is the last of a trilogy by Paolo Sorrentino on life.  Not a film for youth but the older generation could appreciate it.  I give it a 7.  Stars Michael Caine, Rachel Weiss and Mick Boyle.

Spotlight

Revealing a string of cover-ups stretching back decades, a team of "Boston Globe" reporters exposes the Catholic Archdiocese's history of keeping reports about child molestation and other priest-initiates abuse under wraps.  This is a very intense movie with superb acting.  I give it a 9.  Stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams.

Bridge of Spies

In this historical drama set during the Cold War, a Brooklyn attorney, James Donovan, is tasked with negotiating a prisoner exchange between an American pilot who was shot down over the USSR and a Soviet spy serving a 45-year sentence for espionage.  The trial of the Soviet spy should not be overlooked.  The case put forward by attorney Donovan was outstanding.  Overall the movie is outstanding and will be in the line-up for the Academy Award.  Tom Hanks performance as James Donovan is also outstanding.  I give it a 9. 

Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 2

As the tale reaches its powerful conclusion, Katnis Everdeen-- flanked by her allies from District 12- embarks on a quest to liberate the oppressed citizens of Panem by assassinating ruthless President Snow.  The movie follows the book and does a superb job of bringing closure to this series.  I give it an eight.  Stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson.