Downton Abbey: Season 4

They've handled the Mary heartbreak very well. Not sure I can say the same about the remainder of the characters.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606375/

Her

A strange 24 hour juxtaposition: finish proofing the Turing book and then go see a movie about AI.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/

House of Cards: Season 2

Fortunately, those with an "if I just ran the world..." mentality aren't also psychotic.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1856010/

Captain Phillips

Greengrass = a man who can accurately and calmly provide a thriller. He also really gets what shock is all about.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535109/

Dogtown and Z-Boys

Great soundtrack, avant-garde choices (burned filmstock!), helter-skelter content, can't lose.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275309/

Cutie and the Boxer

This was nominated because it's the only documentary not about war. (Well, war of the heart, I suppose.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2355540/

The Armstrong Lie

A not-surprising spotlight on the consistent denials, without the needed discussion of delusional tactics.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1638364/

Philomena

Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay solely on the strength of the car conversations, I believe.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2431286/

All is Lost

Moral of the day: don't run out of flares.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2017038/

Blue Jasmine

Blanchett succeeds in making us feel for her poor little rich girl act.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2334873/