Meryl Streep in an Oscar-worthy role -- within a film that tries to do a bit too much.

The Iron Lady

British biopics have been a steady favorite in recent years, offering both compelling character studies and standout performances. Think The Queen (about Queen Elizabeth II) and The King's Speech (about King George VI). The latest British leader to be added to this growing genre is Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

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These two films couldn't be more different from one another. One is a surprisingly delightful Oscar contender and the other feels like an overstuffed episode of Entertainment Tonight.

The Artist

The Artist is an absurdly anachronistic film in our age of 3-D cinematic assault. It's silent. It's black and white. And it's delightful.

The film is set in 1927 Hollywood, where George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie star—the speechless George Clooney of his day.

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If Beaches and Superbad got together and had a love child, this film would be it.

50/50

Twenty-seven-year-old Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is fine. He has an attractive girlfriend, Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard). A good job with Seattle public radio. And a loyal best friend, Kyle (Seth Rogan). Adam follows the rules. He doesn't smoke. He recycles.

And then he gets diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and is given a 50/50 chance of making it.

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This movie stayed with me for weeks -- both for the bravery of the real-life woman whose story it shares and for the horrors she courageously fought.

The Whistleblower

Movies about issues as tragic and uncomfortable as sex trafficking are tricky. You can make a wonderfully crafted, informative film—that no one comes to see. Moviegoers may know they should, they just don't want to.

That's just one of the reasons the story of Kathy Bolkovac is so amazing. Her story provides a somewhat palatable entry point into a horrifying reality.  Read more . . .

I'm still reading the book, which is awesome so far and a smidge darker than the film, but here's what I thought of the movie version:

The Help

Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) are unlikely friends. Aibileen is withdrawn, respectful, and religious whereas Minny is opinionated and outspoken, traits that keep landing her in trouble. But these two women's support for each other is unwavering, and helps them survive the difficult realities of being black maids for white families in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s.

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