22. A Dangerous Mind

Director David Cronenberg looks at the relationship between Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) and Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) whose professional relationship comes into jeopardy when the latter gets romantically involved with a troubled patient (Keira Knightley). Provocative and engaging, the performances from the three principals drive this intriguing drama. (January)

23. My Week with Marilyn

Told from the point of view of Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), an assistant to Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh), the film deals with the young man’s efforts to assist Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) during the filming of The Princess and the Showgirl. Both of the leads provide marvelous interpretations of these screen legends in this entertaining film that’s not just for film buffs. (January)

24. Shame

Michael Fassbender stars as a New York business executive whose addiction to sex threatens to consume him. His predatory lifestyle is upset by an unexpected visit from his equally troubled sister (Carey Mulligan). Saddled with an NC-17 rating, this will be a hard sell for Fox Searchlight, but this daring film needs to be seen for Fassbender’s performance alone. (January)

25. Albert Nobbs

Glenn Close, looking an awful lot like Robin Williams, stars as a woman who masquerades as a man in order to get a position as a butler to survive. While this seems like a good idea at the time, as the years pass, she realizes she’s trapped in a solitary life. (February)

26. Rampart

Woody Harrelson reunites with director Oren Moverman (The Messenger) as a Los Angeles cop who begins to crack under the strain of trying to survive on the streets every day and deal with his family responsibilities. (February)

Contact Chuck Koplinski at ckoplinski@usd116.org.