"The Reader", directed by Stephen Daldry

Movie, 2008

Rather fraught, gloomy and affecting film, humanising an SS concentration camp guard and telling of her downfall through the eyes of a lover she briefly takes after the war. While there's not much in the way of subtlety or surprise here, an atmosphere of decay and the struggle to rebuild is beautifully evoked through settings and acting. Ultimately, this is a tough film to watch, but it's compelling and raises a number of questions about love, duty, honour and history.

"The Grand Budapest Hotel", directed Wes Anderson

Movie, 2014

A witty, colourful and fast paced character study and homage, perhaps, to a grander Europe in the early twentieth century, played for thrills, action and - occasionally - a palpable tenderness and poignancy. Within this star-studded chocolate box of a movie are some well-worked themes and devices, and yet there's also something refreshingly original  - the mixture of bathos and comedy sitting on top of the whirlwind of fun is quite remarkable and rewards attentive viewing.

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