The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), 3 Stars

Dame Maggie Smith 2007 Wikipedia

This movie is worth seeing if only to watch a young Maggie Smith in 'full flight'. She dominates each scene (even when not on the screen) and she was honoured with an Academy Award that year.

There are also strong performances by Robert Stephens (Zeffirelli's Romeo & Juliet 1968) and Pamela Franklin (who doesn't appear to have accomplished much else in film).

The movie shows some age and has a '1960's feel' to it but is still a good story. We found it on Netflix.

Alan Rickman, 1946-2016

Alan Rickman (Wikipedia)

I was sad to hear of Alan Rickman's passing.

I always admired the effort and interpretation he put into each of his roles. I cannot yet imagine a future re-make of the Harry Potter series, but surely his is the definitive Snape. He rescued an insipid version of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with his excellent Sheriff of Nottingham. And one of my favourite movies and characters of his was as Colonel Brandon in Sense & Sensibility.

He was always precisely articulate, yet mellifluous, and he shall be missed.

Brooklyn, 3 Stars

Saoirse Ronan (Wikipedia)

This is a lovely film. It's a gentle story set in the early 1950's, well told and beautifully shot (some of the Brooklyn scenes were shot in Montreal).

The acting is understated - Saoirse Ronan (whom I don't remember in Grand Budapest Hotel) shows good range and character growth - one critic labeled her as 'one to watch' in the future. Emory Cohen (whom I'm not familiar with) does very well. I don't know if the accent by Julie Walters (HP series and Calendar Girls) is realistic, but she dominates the scenes she's in. And I'm starting to admire the work of Domhnall Gleeson (also HP series & Star Wars: The Force Awakens), who is subtle but strong.

I would see this again and I recommend it to you.