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This group makes the concept of retirement home sleuths look brand new. I've never seen any group take up and run with their roles so deliciously as this set of veterans. Pierce Brosnan is particularly spectacular. He seemed to steal every scene he was in so effortlessly someone should do a course around him.

And then there's Hellen Mirren and Ben Kingsley both of which never make the smallest misstep.

The plot isn't the film's strongest element but it's adequate. The idea is these pensioners either solve a murder or risk getting thrown out of the retirement home. It's fun entertainment particularly for the older crowd though I'm convinced young actors will be in awe at the skill displayed.

Some of the scenes in this movie are inexplicable to me. I don't understand how anyone would think they'd work, but they're actually brilliant. Some of the racing scenes are put together as if they were previously tested but in fact I've never seen this kind of framing. It really gave me a connection with racing unlike every other racing film I've ever seen. That alone is worth seeing the movie for.

But there's more to savor including another great performance by Brad Pitt. He speaks to guys in particular, I think. This time he's joined by Javier Bardem. Almost all of the scenes where these two are together, even when only talking, are as good as the racing scenes. That's also inexplicable to me and I was aghast seeing just how natural the acting was. How do these people do it?

Add the score by Hans Zimmer and this movie is going on my list as one of the best I've ever seen. Can't recommend it enough.

And this series, streaming on AcornTV, is no exception. The story is about an old murder case, thought solved coming apart when the serial killings start up again.

Ellen plays DI Lloyd, one of the original detectives, called back to essentially redo the case. She was last seen on AcornTV in The Mallorca Files in a much more light-hearted role which I also enjoyed.

The question is what did they get wrong? And is the wrong man in jail all these 12 years? The story is further complicated because her former partner, now married, is also put on the case, despite their being involved last time around.

Normally I don't enjoy these relationship problems much, but with Ellen doing the acting, I found myself watching her depict what I recognized as real emotions and I had no problem staying glued to the TV.

The performances are all very good and I think most people will be entertained. But hats off especially to Ms. Rhys who is all star in my book.