Oliver Stone directs this interesting biopic about one of the most controversial presidents in American history. Josh Brolin plays George W Bush in an examination of his life from his college days to the White House. An all-star cast completes the lineup in this riveting and eye-opening picture.

Grade: B.

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Steven Pressfield advises the reader about overcoming obstacles to creativity, finding productivity and commitment, and defeating resistance to passionate work. His advice is well given and his approach to disciplined process and resisting fear is useful and practical. Steeped in Eastern philosophy, this little book is good for repeated reads.

Grade: A.

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Jeff Bridges is perfectly cast as the Dude in this hilarious Coen Brothers picture about a lazy slacker who finds himself caught up in a caper due to mistaken identity. His sidekick, Walter, played by John Goodman, helps the Dude sort out run ins with nihilists and villains and bagmen galore.

Grade: A-.

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Tom Hanks stars as an American aviator flying for the RAF in this historical romance, set in Jerusalem during World War II. While the interplay between the new couple is endearing, the loud angry drama between the pilot and his love interest’s protective Sephardic Jewish family gets tiring pretty quickly.

Grade: B-.

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Evelyn Glennie is one of the world’s finest percussionists. She also happens to be profoundly deaf. This insightful documentary explores her life, both personally and professionally, and follows her nearly childlike fascination with sound of all kinds. It’s rare to see someone so enchanted by life as this incredible dynamo.

Grade: B+.

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In this thrilling action-adventure, we follow the exploits of Jack Morrison, a rookie firefighter assigned to his first truck in Baltimore. Joaquin Phoenix fills the starring role perfectly, a brawny blue-collar fireman trying to balance the danger of his chosen vocation with staying safe for his growing family.

Grade: B.

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Denzel Washington leads a wonderful cast in this historical drama, based on the true story of the debate team of Wiley College, an African-American university in Texas in the 30s. The four debaters struggle against racism in this inspiring story that chronicles the birth of the Civil Rights movement.

Grade: A-.

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In this exceptionally well-made, but bizarre, Korean film, Oh Dae-Su is locked in a cell for 15 years and tortured continuously. When he gets out, he seeks his revenge. This well-scripted psychological thriller is full of all kinds of twists and turns—sometimes satisfying and sometimes infuriating.

Grade: A.

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Woody Allen wrote, directed, and starred in this hilarious comedy about an oversexed neurotic novelist suffering from writer’s block, who needs a date to a gala honoring his work. With a star-studded cast and an endearing script, this is a fun romp through the life of an aging playboy.

Grade: B+.

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In this gorgeous, unpretentious, low-budget ISA-nominated drama, two young men travel together across modern Rwanda on a quest to avenge the murder of the family of one. The recent Rwanda genocide looms large in this picture, which is memorably recounted in a wonderful poem recited about midway through.

Grade: A-.

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