John Nash is a brilliant, though socially awkward, mathematician and with his latest work he has achieved the acclaim that he so needed, but John is also prone to delusional behaviour, and when a mysterious stranger asks him for his help to thwart a conspiracy against the Stars and Stripes, John becomes increasingly obsessive, a state of mind that begins to push away all those he holds dear, even his loving wife. Very loosely adapted from a true story "Beautiful Mind" is the bog standard slickly find out more...

When Arthur Morrison was diagnosed with terminal cancer and with only a few weeks to live, his son Blake returned to the Yorkshire village of his youth and visited his ailing father in the hospital where he had spent so much time as a GP. Blake reminisces on their shared experiences, the intimacies and the irritations of their relationship, articulately expressing the contradictions, frustrations, love and loss bound into the complicated relationships which most of us have with our parents as we find out more...

Douglas' magnificent award-winning trilogy is the product of an assured, formidable artistic vision. These are some of the most compelling films about British childhood ever made. Brutal, angry, bewildered yet also affectionate. Largely autobiographical, following Jamie (eight years old when we first meet him) as he grows up in a poverty-stricken mining village in post-war Scotland. A hard, gritty, hypnotic observation of growing up. find out more...

Robert Downey Jnr demonstrates his prowess by giving a riveting performance as the little master. The cast delivers despite a disjointed narrative, and Chaplin's fall from grace, brought down by McCarthyism is very moving. Kevin Kline is excellent as the flamboyant Fairbanks Jnr. find out more...

A monumental history of the Cuban Revolution; from the initial meeting in Mexico between Che and Fidel Castro, through the landing by boat of a few desperadoes, the years of the guerrilla campaign, the gradual build-up from a rag-tag band to a fully fledged revolutionary army, the political alliances and decisions to be made, and the eventual victorious battles over the demotivated Batista led government army. find out more...

Superb biopic of legendary country singer Loretta Lynn. Sissy Spacek, who incidentally has a belting voice, deservedly won the Best Actress Oscar for her moving portrayal of the naive Kentucky farm girl who became a singing superstar against all the odds, while Tommy Lee Jones is dynamite as her husband Doolittle. Beverly D'Angelo is also a revelation as Loretta's close friend, the late great Patsy Cline. An inspirational rags-to-riches story, only to be avoided if you have a strong aversion to find out more...

A stunning dramatisation of the mesmerising life and ultimately tragic times of Edith Piaf, the ‘little sparrow'. The singer's life is beautifully evoked, as is the time, while Marion Cotillard in the central role is perfection. A moving and marvellous delight.....'Je ne regrette rien'. find out more...

Christy Brown was an Irish cerebal palsy victim who overcame his severe handicap to become a talented painter and author with just the use of his left foot. Daniel Day Lewis is totally and utterly convincing as Brown - using method acting he became Brown and his thoroughness makes the film a great one. find out more...

A mesmerising dramatisation of one of the kings, Ray Charles. Unsurprisingly the soundtrack is pure bliss, but it is Jamie Foxx in the title role that pulls everything together, an hypnotic performance of a music legend, through all his highs and lows, and one of those increasingly rare examples of a leading actor Oscar that actually makes sense. find out more...

A brilliant biopic of Quentin Crisp the self-styled "Stately Queen of England", an effeminate gay, a flamboyant exhibitionist, sparkling wit and a character who gave more pleasure to the world than the world gave to him. Played brilliantly and with pathos by the versatile Hurt. find out more...