The Queen brings Helen Mirren back to the screen as a monarch, in a phenomenal performance as restrained, frosty, defiant and suspicious Elizabeth II contending with Blairite iconoclastic "modernizing," specifically in the days after Diana's demise. Because Mirren is on the screen for almost the entire film, it is easy to forget the actors who skillfully depicted Blair and Prince Phillip. Voyeurs and Peeping Toms should love this movie as it allows audiences to believe that they are sitting in Balmoral Castle with the Royal Family and eavesdropping on their every conversation. (Did you know that they have their own official website? I guess it modernized after all.)
The Departed is a fast-paced romp through the Boston underworld between cops and robbers, confidential informants and traitors. Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio are tremendous. The cast also includes Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin and a few other notables. In fact you may be forgiven for thinking this movie was a full employment vehicle for some of the most talented actors in Hollywood. Last was The Prestige, which was entertaining and well executed, but while not quite as exciting as The Departed, still involved mystery and suspense and gave the audience a lot of the wonderul Hugh Jackman to consider.

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