The Sunday Drive: 1/23/11

3. No Strings Attached
Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher make up a gorgeous pair of friends exploring that age old question, "Is it possible to have sex and still just remain friends?" A smartly written, raunchy comedy that marks the successful return of director Ivan Reitman(Ghostbusters).
2. Blue Valentine
There's still time to catch Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams's triumphant performances as a couple going through the extreme highs and lows of a turbulent relationship.
1. Another Year
Mike Leigh has done it again, presenting a brilliant, honest character study of desperate people trying to find meaning in their lives by clinging to those more fortunate. Lesley Manville gives a heartbreaking, raw performance as Mary, a lonely alcoholic who has seen life kick her down once too often.

DVD Pick of the Week: Animal Kingdom
Another triumph of Australian cinema, Animal Kingdom is unlike any crime flick you'll see all year. Thrusting you straight into the wilds of the Cody clan, a family of criminals just struggling to survive. Pursued at every turn by a crew of corrupt cops, the Codys begin to deteriorate, and just like in the harsh realm of the animal world, they start to feed on themselves. A must see crime drama featuring the most terrifying female performance I saw all year from Jacki Weaver.