SIR ALEC GUINESS
The death of Sir Alec Guiness in 2000 at the age of 86 was a sad, if not unexpected, event. Sir Alec appeared in over 50 films in a long and distinguished career. Most younger fans will remember him as Obi Wan-Kenobi, guardian of The Force and mentor to Luke Skywalker, in Star Wars (1977).  He brought needed gravity and nobility to the film.
Mr. Guiness won an Oscar for his stunning portrayal of the Colonel in Bridge On The River Kwai (1957). Kwai is not only an outstanding war movie and a consummate nail-biter, it is an excellent character study. The Colonel somehow loses sight of the long-range goal and becomes obsessed in saving the bridge he has built for the Japanese. Jack Hawkins and William Holden head the rest of a fine cast. This film won seven Oscars in all, including Best Picture and Best Director.  If you have never seen it, you’re in for a treat!
Sir Alec is convincingly depraved as the villainous Fagin in Oliver Twist (1948), topping even Ron Moody’s performance in Oliver! (1968). Both of these films are excellent. The earlier one with Mr. Guiness is not a musical. It amply demonstrates the incredible, effortless range of which Sir Alec was capable. 
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) is British low-key comedy at its finest. Sir Alec is a timid bank clerk and  the unlikely mastermind of a gold truck heist. Stanley Holloway leads the ensemble cast of assorted ne’er-do-wells but it is Mr. Guiness’ underplayed drollery that makes this film a classic.
In The Horse’s Mouth (1958) Alec Guiness stars as Joyce Cary’s eccentric 
genius and pain-in-the-neck, Gully Jimson. He is an artist who by turns dazzles and irritates those he deals with. Sir Alec is perfect in the part and is the wheel that turns this fine comedy, a serious but entertaining exploration of the artistic soul.
It seemed Alec Guiness was around forever- he was knighted 56 years ago. Some other fine films with good Guiness performances include Great Expectations (1946) as Pip, Tunes of Glory (1960) as the easygoing officer, and Lawrence of Arabia (1962) as an Arab prince. He was awarded a special Oscar in 1980 for “memorable and distinguished performances.” He was in a few bad movies, but he never gave a bad performance.
All of the movies in this article are available on DVD and for streaming. All are suitable for children 10 and up.

                                                   2014 SLEEPERS
                                                      Part 3

Here’s another interesting group of films from last year that you might have missed.
In World War II, the German Panzer tanks were apparently superior to American Sherman tanks (I did not know that!). So American tank squads had to be smarter and trickier to have a chance. Fury is the story of one American tank team. Brad Pitt is the leader and his five-man crew has been together for most of the war. This film is far more realistic about tank warfare then most others, and is quite an exciting ride. The group’s strategy is outstanding and it’s ability to cope with dire situations is amazing. 
Belle stars the unprounceable Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the mixed race niece of a powerful British judge (Tom Wilkinson). Found living in poverty in the West Indies, she is taken to the manor house of her wealthy uncle and raised together with her very white cousin (Penelope Wilton). The interaction of this charming girl with staid 18th century British society is fascinating. As a bonus, the Judge is called upon to rule in a case determining whether slaves are people or property.
The Fault In Our Stars is a better than average coming of age flick, marked indelibly by the wonderful breakout performance of Shaliene Woodley. Veterans William Dafoe and Laura Dern pump up the supporting cast, but this is Ms. Woodley’s movie, lock stock and barrel. Though she’s only 25, she already has over 50 acting credits. This one is worth seeing just for her performance. 
Obvious Child is a romantic comedy about abortion! Filled with unknowns, it features Jenny Slate as a stand-up comedian who discovers she is pregnant after a drunken one-night stand. The unwitting father Max (Jake Lacy) finds out about her condition and supports her decision to end her pregnancy. The ending is a very sweet denouement. WARNING: If you are strongly pro-life, this film may offend you. I’m forever on the fence on this hot-button issue and I thought the film handled the subject matter with tact and sympathy.
Okay, I know that Paddington is ostensibly a kid’s movie. But you know what? A good movie is a good movie! The stuffed bear from “Darkest Peru,” who speaks and understands English, is adopted by a normal British family. He of course knows nothing about modern society. High-jinks ensue. This charming film features Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville (His Lordship on Downton Abbey!), Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and an absolutely adorable bear. 
All of the movies in this article are available on DVD and for streaming. Only the last one is OK for kids.

                                     ONE DEGREE OF KEVIN BACON
There is a game called Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, in which you start with the actor and in six steps connect him with anyone in the world. He seems mildly amused to be famous for that silly game. I think he is one of the most underrated actors around.
Mr. Bacon was born in Philadelphia (not his fault) in 1958, and while comfortably middle-aged he still looks virtually ageless. He is able to play as young or old as the part requires, within reasonable limits. He has been in over 50 movies, and is usually the guy who simply cements the spaces between the big stars. 
But he is the main guy in The Woodsman (2004). Mr. Bacon not only carries this exceptional film on his back, he was so keen on it that he also produced it. It is a daring leap for a guy who doesn’t need to risk anything. The Woodsman is the up close and personal story of convicted child molester, beautifully underplayed by Mr. Bacon. The subject matter is squirmishly uncomfortable, but the payoff is big. The story is treated with tact but pulls no punches. And make no mistake about it, the main character is certainly not treated as a hero. This is a very good movie. 
Both Sean Penn and Tim Robbins deservedly won Oscars for Mystic River (2003). And yet, it is Mr. Bacon’s quietly competent performance as the third friend, who happens to be a cop, that really holds this movie together. Something terrible happened when all three were kids, and something terrible keeps happening now. Not for the squeamish, this film features strong performances and a tough, unrelenting screenplay.
Apollo 13 (1995) likewise features numerous fine performances. Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, and Ed Harris are all good. Kevin Bacon is there to quietly and competently fill the spaces that need filling. This is the most suspenseful movie in history where you already know the ending!
Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore would tend to intimidate anyone, and all are good in A Few Good Men (1992). But Kevin Bacon is the grace note, providing once again the right touch in this splendid court-martial story.
Diner (1982) is Barry Levinson’s autobiographical love story to Baltimore. Mr. Bacon is joined by Steven Gutenberg, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke and Ellen Barkin in a fine coming-of-age story. 
Though he doesn’t have many good movies after 2004, he still gets a lot of work.
And Kevin Bacon has come a long way since he was a frat boy in Animal House (1978)! 
All of the movies in this article are available on  DVD and for streaming.  All are for matures audiences.