Room

Brie Larson delivers an Oscar-winning performance as Joy, a young woman held captive in a small shed with her 5-year-old son, Jack (Jacob Tremblay). Adapted by Emma Donoghue from her 2010 bestseller and directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the story is primarily told from the point-of-view of Jack, who was born in the squalid, small shed in which his Ma has been held captive for seven years. Through the skylight, Jack can see clouds, rain, and a leaf—but nothing else. Everything he knows about the outside world he's learned from Ma by playing games or watching television. On his fifth birthday, Ma tells him that she was 17 when she was kidnapped by a psychopath, Old Nick (Sean Bridgers), who visits to deliver groceries and rape Ma, while Jack is relegated to the makeshift wardrobe. Ma says it's time to plan their escape, a risky maneuver which will require Jack to be very brave. Co-starring Joan Allen, William H. Macy, and Tom McCamus, this Best Picture nominee hinges on the excellent acting by Larson and Tremblay, who create an astonishingly intimate mother-son connection. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Lenny Abrahamson, cinematographer Danny Cohen, editor Nathan Nugent, and production designer Ethan Tobman, a “making-of” featurette (12 min.), the behind-the-scenes segments “11x11” (9 min.) and “Recreating Room” (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)