Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman star in this story of a man trying to console the autistic mother of a girl who died in his car in an accident. The characters here are very rich, nuanced, and believable. Good writing and solid acting make this tumultuous story a compelling experience.

Grade: B+.

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A collection of intertwined stories have variously afflicted characters pondering the seeming randomness of life in this engaging independent film. A host of familiar faces bring the highly engaging story to life. A beautifully-written script by the Sprecher sisters and Alan Arkin’s performance garnered a pair of ISA nominations.

Grade: A-.

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This engrossing mini-series follows a diverse group of American and British counterterrorist operatives as they desperately try to stop an elusive global terrorist cell from executing their attacks. A tight script, fallible and believable characters, decent acting performances, exciting action sequences, and a global scope make this thriller riveting.

Grade: B.

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In this gorgeous HBO series, a circus tours around the Midwest during the Great Depression. Full of magic and mystery, the story lines are extremely gripping and the characters are engaging. A talented cast of performers and parallel plot lines make this collection of DVDs almost impossible not to love.

Grade: A+.

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In this wonderful independent gem set in Ireland in the early 20s, two brothers fight for Irish independence against menacing squads of elite British soldiers sent to crush the rebellion. The script here is first-rate, the sense of danger palpable, the scope vast, and the acting performances utterly unforgettable.

Grade: A.

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Johnny Depp stars in this historical drama about the poet John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, whose huge appetite for wine, women, and the stage is legendary. With good supporting work from Samantha Morton and John Malkovich, a well-written script, and a stunning backdrop, this is worth a look.

Grade: B+.

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Casey Affleck stars in this gritty crime drama, supported by an extremely talented and very believable cast (Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan, Ed Harris). He, a struggling private detective, is hired by a young kidnapping victim’s family to find her. A solid script with plenty of twists keeps the audience guessing.

Grade: A-.

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Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman plan another motorcycle trip in this documentary. This time, they’re heading from John O’Groats in Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa. They meet lots of interesting people, struggle with border checkpoints, break down, and share in the lives of destitute, but generous and smiling people.

Grade: A.

See also:

• Long Way Round (2004)

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At neighboring colonies in West Africa, French residents receive word that their country has declared war on Germany (World War I). They attempt to organize a group of men to fight the Germans, who are led by someone with military experience, as the native Africans are caught in the middle.

Grade: C+.

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Adrien Brody delivers an Oscar-winning virtuoso performance as Polish pianist Wladislaw Szpilman in this Roman Polanksi-directed masterpiece. Szpilman survives World War II by hiding in the Warsaw ghetto from the Nazis. This inspiring picture shows one man’s refusal to give up, despite a bleak backdrop and constant danger.

Grade: A+.

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