A Dangerous Method
Directed by David Cronenberg
Canada/France/Ireland/UK/Germany 2011
99 minutes
Rated 14A (sexual content)
A Dangerous Method brings together Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud at an early stage of their professional collaborations and delves into their work with a particularly disturbed patient named, Sabrina Spielrein, whose case was also studied in John Kerr's book and Christopher (Dangerous Liaisons) Hampton's stage play, The Talking Cure. The film features finely-nuanced performances from Michael Fassbender as Jung and Viggo Mortensen as Freud and a jaw-jutting performance from Keira Knightly as Miss Spielrien, whose disorders included equating corporal punishment with sexual arousal. While the settings are brighter than most of Mr Cronenberg's films, he continues to probe the deeper, and often darker, recesses of the human psyche. (Feb 10-16)

The Descendants
Directed by Alexander Payne
USA 2011
115 minutes
Rated 14A (mature theme, coarse language)
Nominated for five Oscars including, Best Picture and Best Director (Alexander Payne), The Descendants also features Best Actor-nominated George Clooney, as Matt King, a lawyer, living in Hawaii, whose life is quickly unravelling. With Matt's wife in a coma following a boating accident, he becomes a single parent to two opinionated young daughters. He also discovers his wife's sexual infidelities, his family's plan to sell their, once sacred, lands to developers and that he knows nothing about being a parent. With such irressistable eye-candy as Hawaii and George Clooney (perhaps the world's best eyebrow actor), The Descendants is a quirky, oddball, character study that could melt away any February blahs. Recommended. (Feb 17-Mar 1)

The Help
Directed by Tate Taylor
USA 2011
145 minutes
Rated PG (mature theme, not recommended for children)
The Help, Kathryn Stockett's immensely popular novel of race relations in the American deep south during the early 1960s, has been adapted for the screen. Emma Stone plays Skeeter Phelan, a priveleged socialite who writes a newspaper column - with the assistance of servants, Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer) - featuring stories of African American domestic workers. The film also features Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen and Sissy Spacek. Four Oscar nominations include Best Picture, Best Actress and two Best Supporting Actresses! (Feb 4,5)

Hugo
Directed by Martin Scorcese
USA 2011
126 minutes
Rated PG (some scary scenes)
The Globe and Mail's Liam Lacey begins his ****star rave review of Hugo, "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be amazed!". Indeed, Martin Scorcese's adaptation of Brian Selznick's 2007 illustrated children's novel (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) is a delightfully intricate and creative journey into the world of imagination, set in Paris, during the earliest days of cinema. Hugo witnesses the birth of filmmaking, as it should be seen, with youthful vigor and an eye for magic. Recommended for young (9+) and older. Nominated for 11 Oscars, including Best Picture. (Feb 1-9)

My Week with Marilyn
Directed by Simon Curtis
UK/US 2011
99 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language)
Michelle Williams has deservedly earned another Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe, in this film based on the book by Colin Clark. As a movie-mad-23-year-old, Colin finagled himself a job on the set of Laurence Olivier's 1956 film production, The Prince and the Showgirl. As the memoir and movie attest, Marilyn took Colin under her wing and for one marvellous, magical and memorable week, the young lad was the best friend of, and intimate confidante to the most famous movie star, and sex symbol, in the world. Eddie Redmayne co-stars as the eager, young Colin in this entertaining glimpse of movie history. The stellar supporting cast features Kenneth Branagh, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Julia Ormand and Judi Dench. (Feb 3-9)

Pina
Directed by Wim Wenders
Germany/France 2011
103 minutes
Rated G
With The Buena Vista Social Club and now, Pina, Wim Wenders has again captured the essence of music and dance performances on film. Here, the renowned film director pays homage to the genius of German artist and choreographer Pina Bausch. Mr Wenders and Ms Bausch had long collaborated on a film/dance project before her death in 2009 and the film unites the members of her Tanztheater Wuppertal in a breathtaking display of their most memorable dance performances. Originally shot in 3D, this 2D presentation is still highly recommended and a must-see for dance fans everywhere. In German, English, Russian, Italian, French, Slovenian, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese with subtitles. (Feb 10-16)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Directed by Tomas Alfredson
UK 2011
129 minutes
Rated 14A (coarse language, violence)
The best-reviewed film from Britain this year features Oscar nominated Gary Oldman as George Smiley, in the newest adaptation of John le Carre's timeless espionage classic. Decades after the BBC series starring Alec Guinness, this version again proves the enduring strength of Mr le Carre's spy novel, where a group of British agents turn their attention inwards, to uncover the traitorous turncoat within their own ranks. Mr Oldman is joined by an all-star British cast which also features Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Toby Jones and John Hurt. "****",- Rick Groen, The Globe and Mail. (Feb 24-Mar 1)