This is a feel-good movie based on two true stories. Nora Ephron produced, directed and wrote the screenplay and her track record practically guarantees your enjoyment. She also wrote the screenplays for, and either produced or directed, films such as You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless In Seattle and When Harry Met Sally. So you know what you are getting with Julie And Julia: good American fun.

Meryl Streep plays Julia Child, the famous chef, author and TV personality. The story begins as Child follows her diplomat husband to Paris in 1948, many years before she was to find fame. This film transports us back and forth between Julia in Paris in the 1950s and Julie Powell (Adams) in New York in the 21st century, a young woman who aspires to cook all 524 recipes from Child’s cookbook within a single year.

In addition to the wonderful scenery and ambience of two of the world’s most exciting cities, it is amazing to contemplate how the world has changed, especially regarding the role of women in it. Amy Adams is gorgeous as usual as Powell, while Streep does a terrific job channelling Julia Child. If, like me, you start suspecting that Streep might be overplaying her character, go onto YouTube to watch one of Child’s cooking demonstrations – you’ll see that Streep’s performance is spot-on. Child’s story is amazing (check her out on Google) and is worthy of at least one more film on her life outside cooking.

Eat well before seeing this film, and look forward to better food and more interesting meals in the future. Bon appétit!

This terrific film, only tangentially about soccer, provides an intimate character study; one that is enriched by a stellar ensemble of British pros. You’ve probably seen a dozen movies in which a tough coach takes a squad of losers and turns them into champions – this story is the reverse.

From 1968 to 1974, Brian Clough (Sheen) turned a third-rate club into division champs. That success wasn’t nearly as sweet as getting to take over Leeds United, a top-tier team previously managed by Clough’s archenemy, Don Revie (Meaney). The 44-day flameout that follows demonstrates the difficulty of filling the shoes of a beloved, charismatic leader.

In the modern, media-saturated world Clough’s vanity and his inability to control his speech or foresee its effects lands him in trouble. Hired with great fanfare in 1974 to manage the mighty Leeds United club, he alienates players, fans and management and sends the team into a tailspin.

Michael Sheen gives a convincing, funny and insightful performance, rivalling those of previous outings with writer Peter Morgan (The Deal, The Queen and Frost/Nixon).

Concluding with actual archival clips, The Damned United is the rare sports movie that deals with — indeed, positively relishes — humiliation and disappointment. Failure can be as compelling as success, sometimes even more so.