Number 4 – THE DESCENDANTS

If there is a lighter side to Director Alexander Payne, “The Descendants” is it. For Payne, who gave us the vicious “Election,” the bleak “About Schmidt,” and the sardonic but somewhat optimistic “Sideways,” “The Descendants” is bright and more easily digestible for a wide spectrum of viewers. George Clooney is excellent as the understated father of two, whose wife is mortally wounded and left in a coma. When he finds out that his wife was having an affair, he has to deal with those emotions without having the benefit of being able to confront his bed bound comatose wife about it. “The Descendants” is a mature and very satisfying movie. I especially liked the closing moments as the credits rolled.

Next: Number 3 – ALBERT NOBBS