Jeremy Allen White does a fine job here as The Boss, garnering him a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination. I have heard comments that some viewers were surprised by the content of this film as it was expected to be more about Bruce’s life, but it is of a period in his life during the creation of the album Nebraska, which was a sidestep from his usual work. I did listen to Nebraska, and it is an album which tells a particular story, which did not go down well with record executives. And the wonderful Stephen Graham makes an appearance as Springsteen’s father, with Jeremy Strong as his friend and manager. An all-round good film.

Way, way back in 1940 this wonderful film won the Oscar for Best Original Music. It is considered one of the best animated movies ever made… a big call! Having had three children, I’ve watched this delightful story a number of times over the years. It’s the tale of inventor Geppetto who creates a wooden marionette called Pinocchio. His wish for Pinocchio to be a real boy is unexpectedly granted by a fairy. The fairy assigns Jiminy Cricket to act as Pinocchio’s “conscience” and keep him out of trouble. Jiminy is not too successful in this endeavour. Jiminy became a firm family favourite.

With four Oscar wins, including Best Actress, this lovely Disney film will have you up dancing and singing in a trice. Julie Andrews performance has become legendary. Wonderful special effects and great tunes that have become classics. When Jane and Michael, the children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new nanny, they are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary Poppins who accompanies them on a series of fantastical adventures. No matter how old you are Mary Poppins will always take you to a joyous place.

Winner of four Oscars in 2019. There are some memorable action scenes in this Marvel drama where the late Chadwick Boseman’s Prince T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new king, after the events of Captain America: Civil War. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

Disney has some hidden gems in its vaults when you start to explore. My first encounter with Jenny Agutter was The Railway Children in 1968, followed by the acclaimed Australian film Walkabout in 1971. And we’re still watching her in the series Call the Midwife. This is a touching story where she stars as Amy, who has fled from her unsatisfying marriage to work as a speech teacher at a rural school for deaf and blind children, where there is scepticism with her new methods. But Amy eventually breaks through to several of the children, especially Henry Watkins. The film gives an insight into how deaf children were pilloried at the turn of the century.

Musicals are not always on the top of my list, but if you need to lift your spirits on NYE this is a tonic. It garnered a number of Oscar nominations, with two winners. Dancer/actor Gene Kelly directs this wonderfully joyful production with the lady who was doing it all before Taylor and, in my opinion, with much more class and style. Barbra Streisand and her superb voice are the main reasons to get immersed in this one. She leads a great ensemble cast, with beautiful sets and costumes. Hello Dolly! Performed by the great Louis Armstrong and Barbra is spectacular. A highlight of the film for me. Oh, yes, the story is of matchmaker Dolly Levi who travels to Yonkers to find a partner for “half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder, convincing his niece, his niece’s intended, and his two clerks to travel to New York City along the way.

Vangelis’s Oscar winning score must be one of the most recognised film soundtracks ever. The true story of two British runners who brought glory to their country in the Olympic Games of 1924 in Paris. Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell are both naturally gifted fast sprinters, but approach running and how it fits into their lives differently. Abrahams uses being the fastest to overcome what he sees as the obstacles he faces in life as a Jew despite that privilege. Liddell sees running as a win-win in that the notoriety of being fast gives him an added outlet to spread the word of God. The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Screenplay and Costume Design. A memorable cinema experience.

One of the most-loved films of the ’90s and winner of 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for James Cameron, Original Score, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song for My Heart Will Go On. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet will forever be Jack and Rose who fell in love aboard the Titanic. The story is told from the perspective of 100-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater as she tells the whole story from departure until the death of the Titanic on its first and last voyage on 15 April, 1912 at 2:20am. Coming up to 110 years on, this story still resonates with people all over the world.

An excellent film which garnered four Oscar nominations, winning for its screenplay. The wonderful Robin Williams starred in some exceptional films, but I think he will most be remembered for his role as the inspirational John Keating, and the words “O Captain, my Captain” and “Carpe diem” became part of film vernacular. The story tells of Todd Anderson who has been sent to the school where his popular older brother was valedictorian. His roommate, Neil Perry, although exceedingly bright and popular, is very much under the thumb of his overbearing father. The two, along with their other friends, meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who tells them of the Dead Poets Society, and encourages them to go against the status quo. Each does so in his own way and is changed for life. Peter Weir directed Tom Schulman’s Oscar winning Screenplay. A number of young actors in this film went on to become much admired in their profession.

This much anticipated film from 1971 garnered Oscars which included Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director for William Friedkin and Best Screenplay. The story is the slightly fictionalised account of a real smashing of a heroin‐smuggling ring in 1962. The film version dramatises the flamboyant side of the story, which in real life ended with two rather routine seizures in Brooklyn and the Bronx. An interesting contrast is established between ‘Popeye’ Doyle, a short-tempered alcoholic bigot who is nevertheless a hard-working and dedicated police officer, and his nemesis Alain Charnier, a suave and urbane gentleman who is nevertheless a criminal and one of the largest drug suppliers of pure heroin to North America. The film is also acclaimed for one of the most memorable car chase sequences ever attempted.