The conclusion of Peter Jackson’s staggering adaptation of the masterpiece JRR Tolkien trilogy continues with the vast scale, astonishing battle sequences, intricate story, phenomenal acting, and inspiring heroes of the previous two installments. The final battle for Middle Earth between humanity and the armies of Sauron is thrilling and unforgettable.

Grade: A+.

See also:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

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In this second volume of the epic fantasy trilogy by JRR Tolkien, Peter Jackson directs a stellar cast in an installment wrought with menacing danger, terrifying villains, and valiant heroes. The huge siege in the climax near the end ranks as one of the most engrossing battle sequences on film.

Grade: A+.

See also:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

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Peter Jackson brings the first volume of the masterpiece trilogy of JRR Tolkien to astonishing eye-popping life, with an outrageously talented cast, unbelievable backdrops, and special effects that set a new standard for realism. The three hour run time sprints by in an epic without a single dull moment.

Grade: A+.

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Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett lead a wonderful cast in the perfect adaptation of an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story. Pitt is Benjamin Button, a man who ages in reverse, starting life looking elderly and ending as an infant. The timeless love story Benjamin shares with Blanchett’s Daisy is unforgettable.

Grade: A+.

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Tom Cruise stars in this teen party comedy about an enterprising teenager who gets himself into trouble when his wealthy parents leave town for vacation. Rebecca De Mornay lends supporting work as a gorgeous prostitute that the teen can’t quite get rid of, alongside Joe Pantoliano, playing her menacing pimp.

Grade: C+.

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In this dated musical adventure, a rap trio are trying to gain attention in the nascent hip-hop industry, centered around the fictional Krush Groove Records. Onscreen performances by Run DMC, LL Cool J, Shiela E, and Kurtis Blow make this a fun, if sometimes goofy, blast from the past.

Grade: C.

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Irène Jacob stars in this gorgeous Krzysztof Kieślowski picture about a pair of identical women, one lives in Paris and the other is a singer in Kraków. While they never meet or know each other, they are alike in many other ways, which raises questions about free will and fate.

Grade: A+.

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Richard Bode draws on his life lessons earned from a childhood spent learning to sail in Long Island Sound in this poignant little book. The anecdotes here have practical everyday application, for landlubbers and sailors alike, and the writing in this gem is engaging, earnest, and full of useful advice.

Grade: A+.

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Nancy and her cohorts in Agrestic are back in this sophomore season of the irreverent and hilarious Showtime series about a suburban pot dealer and her careful attempts to expand her business and keep her life under control. The stories are full of clever humor, dangerous characters, and subdivision drama.

Grade: A-.

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Nancy Botwin, a young widow in a cookie cutter suburb, earns a living as a pot dealer in this inventive Showtime comedy series, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Kevin Nealon, Romany Malco, and Elizabeth Perkins. With clever writing and an engaging story line, this irreverent series is full of hilarious moments.

Grade: A-.

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