The Lady In The Van

In this touching human drama adapted from writer Alan Bennett's bestselling memoir, in 1973 he befriends the elderly Miss Shepard, who's living in a van that's been parked in his driveway for 15 years.  It does seem unbelievable but these two have a chemistry that is touching.  Oh! Alan has a mother too that needs caring for but not in his house.  I am of the firm belief that Maggie Smith lends magnificence to everything she touches.  The movie is touching with light humor and great acting.  I give it an 8.  Stars Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent.

The Revenant

Set in the 1820's American frontier, this snowy thriller follows fur trapper Hugh Glass as he relentlessly seeks retribution against the companions who left him for dead in the Missouri River's icy waters after he was mauled by a bear.  I was surprised that this movie was not just gore and guts but actually a good story.  Not everyone was evil, especially the captain of the expedition that made the two companions promise to care for Hugh after the bear mauling.  One of those companions killed his son and did his best to kill Hugh.  The other companion was unaware of all these evil deeds.  All in all, not for the faint of heart.  I still am trying to figure out why all of them didn't die of hypothermia in those icy waters.  I give it a 7.  Leonardo's grunting got old.  Stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Set thirty years after the events of Episode VI, The Force Awakens follows a downed storm trooper on a journey which reconnects him with heroic faces from the past.  New characters take shape.  Planetary scavenger Rey and incomparable x-wing pilot Poe dominate the movie and set a future for the Star Wars Epics.  Just a plain fun, fun movie that you will not want to miss.  I give it an eight.  Stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamil, Daisey Ridley.

The Danish Girl

This movie should get the Academy for Movie Whisperer.  The dialogue is very hush, hush but considering the subject matter, maybe it should be.  In 1930, Danish painter Einar Wegener elects to have gender-reassignment surgery with the blessing of his wife, Gerda.  This is a true life narrative of personal courage and also sheds light on the medical origins of transsexual surgery.  The movie is well done even if it should be louder and with more diction.  I give it a 7.  Eddie Redmayne is phenomenal in his part.  Stars Eddie Redmayne, Alica Vikander, Ben Whishaw.