Michael Gambon

[7] Director Tim Burton puts his stamp on Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, casting his Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands star Johnny Depp in the role of Ichabod Crane. In this retelling, Crane is a 1799 New York forensic investigator sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate a string of murders. The townspeople tell him the victims are decapitated and their heads haven’t been …

[8] Renée Zellweger gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Hollywood legend Judy Garland in this film about the decline of her life and career, based on the stage play “End of the Rainbow”. Despite inherent potential for doom and gloom in a story about a woman suffering from alcoholism and drug abuse, Judy is actually a hopeful story of perseverance. The painful flashbacks about her childhood …

[5] When an eccentric toymaker dies, he leaves his factory in the hands of his warmongering brother (Michael Gambon). As the company slowly turns into a weapons manufacturer, it’s up to the toymaker’s son (Robin Williams) to set things right. A long-time passion project for director Barry Levinson (Rain Man), Toys is a visually stunning achievement full of bright, bold, imaginitive sets. The soundtrack is also …

[7] Colin Firth plays the stuttering King George VI, who never wanted to be king for fear of his speech impediment bringing shame to him and his family. The King’s Speech focuses on the antagonistic relationship between the king and his therapist, Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, and culminates in a live radio speech the King gives on the eve of Britain’s declaration of …

[5] Dustin Hoffman directs this tepid comedy/drama based on Ronald Harwood’s play about geriatrics putting on a concert at a home for retired muscians. Maggie Smith stars as the facility’s newest resident. She’s nervous about seeing an old flame (Tom Courtenay) and former compadres (Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins), all of whom try to coax her out of retirement to sing once more at the concert. …

[8] Robert DeNiro directs from a script by Eric Roth this taught, engaging, mysterious, and surprisingly emotional story about the birth of the CIA. Matt Damon stars, serving as our window into a world full of secrets and deception. Damon’s reserved cool gives costars Angelina Jolie and Eddie Redmayne plenty to act against, playing the wife and son who always get second fiddle to career …