The Fighter ( 2010 )

Just watched this and thoroughly enjoyed it. This drama tells the story of the early days of boxer Irish Micky Ward ( Mark Wahlberg ) and his brother Dicky ( Christian Bale ) who trains him. This is not just a film about boxing. It deals brilliantly with their family life, Dickys' crack addiction and Mickys relationship with Charlene ( a show stealing Amy Adams ).

The only downside for me were the slightly under par boxing scenes. But that didn't matter. The performances made the film and were brilliant all round. Bale is superb again, and Melissa Leo as their mum is fantastic. But as I've already said, it's Amy Adams who has really impressed me again. A flawless performance.

Even if you don't like boxing you should see this. It has an amazing soundtrack too.

The Secret in Their Eyes at last.........

Directed by Juan Jose Campanella ( House, Law and Order ), El Secreto de Sus Ojos is the Argentinian film that took home the best foreign film oscar at last years awards. A Prophet was also in this category and for me, at the time, should have won. I hadn't seen The Secret....though.

Some critics called it a tour de force. And it certainly is. I absolutely loved it. It was shot beautifully, incredibly well acted and kept me engrossed for the duration. A superb thriller.

It stars Ricardo Darin ( Nine Queens - very good too ) as a retired legal counselor who starts writing a novel based on an unsolved crime years earlier. He has been haunted by this crime for years and decides to track down the man he thinks was responsible with sometimes shocking consequences. There is a standout scene in a lift which is totally mesmerizing. Look out for it.

Stylish, unpredictable murder mystery that needs to be watched........