There is much more than a film in front of us here. There is a story of love in the middle of scientific discovery that altered the way we view the universe. It adds humility to someone we never met. We mostly know Stephen Hawking as that generated voice from the computer that chased the notion of time.

The Theory of Oscar Acceptance Speeches could be the alternate title as Eddie Redmayne’s physical deterioration, while keeping a sense of humor and an eye on the universe, was an astonishing cinematic achievement.

The film was drawn by Jane Hawking’s vision of her husband from their Cambridge start all the way until he denied knighthood from the queen. A crazy ride, no doubt.

A brief history of my time at the movie ends with 3.95 cosmic napkins out of 5.

How does Wes Anderson do it?? I would love to sit down to tea with him and draw from his cartoonish and creative mind. This film is fantastic, colorful and dark, artistically beautiful and laugh out loud funny; garnering the distinction as my favorite film this year.

A who’s who of an ensemble cast, with many of the usual players in Anderson films making appearances, Ralph Fiennes as the incomparable concierge M. Gustave clearly wins this picture. Calling everyone from his arresting officers to people that cannot stand him, “darling”, he just nails it. He is defined by the Grand Budapest so much so that he apologizes for his zany actions on its behalf.

There are so many moving parts to the picture, the scenery is playful and the story is expansive. The narration is spot on through the eyes of the lobby boy, Zero. The dialogue speed and scene transitions turn this film into a fast paced adventure.

This film is certainly up to the standards of The Grand Budapest Hotel, checking in with 4.90 napkins out of 5.

The state of amateur athletics in the 80s…whoa. The reward received paled in comparison to the commitment. These Olympic champions were struggling financially and were preyed upon by a paranoid aristocrat desperate for approval (maternal) and recognition (athletic).

Ruffalo and Tatum physically perfected a wrestler’s gait where it seemed they were wrestlers acting instead of the other way around. The cutting weight sequence was amazing. Certainly Carell, made up and monotone reminded us what a creepy and entitled narcissistic baby John du Pont was.

Although slow, I wrap a silver medal around Foxcatcher with 3.25 napkins out of 5.

Zach from Wedding Crashers as a decorated Navy Seal? What?? Bradley Cooper was far from type cast going from absurd FBI agent Richie DiMaso in American Hustle to the legendary soldier Chris Kyle in American Sniper. The funny leader of the Hangover gang bulked up to grab this biopic and run with it straight to the Oscars!

Clint Eastwood brought this personal story to the forefront of a large scale conflict. He focused on Kyle and his chess match with enemy sniper Mustafa. As their rivalry intensified, I became sympathetic to Kyle’s desire to return for tour after tour. He had to protect his friends. In his mind, there was no decision to continue to leave his growing family as long as Mustafa was still in play.

This film was was well done because it didn’t “cover” the war. I salute American Sniper with 3.5 napkins out of 5.

One take? This genius illusion allows Birdman an unexpected element of excitement while taking us frantically and humorously through the narrow halls of (and crowded streets outside) an old off Broadway theater.

Michael Keaton’s Riggan Thompson is self-deprecating and hilarious while trying to regain his relevance. In a brilliant full circle move by Inarritu, Riggan’s superhero alter ego is voiced by Keaton’s Batman.

Ed Norton channels his defining role as Worm from Rounders with his quick wit, fast dialogue and arrogance; darn near stealing the film.

In the season of the biopic, it is refreshing to have such a creative original screenplay. Wonderfully cast with only one exception, the working title should be, “The Unexpected Film of Awesomeness in Spite of Emma Stone”.

I swoop in with 4 heroic napkins out of 5 for Birdman.