Naz & Maalik (2015) rating: 8/10

Two young Muslim boys/men in Brooklyn make their way through life. They are friends and secret lovers. But the police/FBI find them as possible sources of information. Their interactions with law enforcement starts out innocent, but then becomes fraught with danger and suspicion.

Excellently acted by the two charismatic and attractive leads. The script is well done.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3385334

Xenia (2014) rating: 7/10

A young, eccentric Eastern European gay guy's mother dies, and he finds his way to meet his straight older brother in Athens. They have crazy adventures together to find their long lost father. On the way, they meet with their gay uncle who tells what he knows of their missing, but rich and famous father.

Like You Mean It (2015) rating: 6/10

A film about a cold sociopath/psychopath actor in a relationship with a nice guy singer. The sociopath should just tell the nice guy it's over, but he doesn't. He really doesn't seem to care. They go to therapy, but there is no relationship to salvage. The nice guy is kind of cute, I think this is why the film gets a 6 and not lower.

Dreams of Strangers (2015) rating: 5/10

Looks like about 15 minutes of content expanded to a 75 minute film. The 15 minutes of content are acted alright, but the script is nothingness as far as content.

The companion film on the DVD, Polaroid, is actually the right length, but also contains roughly nothing.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4456774

Vera (TV Series)

I found the early shows of the British made (mostly) murder mystery series exceptionally well done and interesting. Perhaps not as good as Cumberbatch's Sherlock, but actually not very far behind.

Vera is an older and single detective chief inspector (DCI) is accompanied by younger and generally good looking Sargent in the series. In the end, the crime is always solved, but of course there is always a twist which keeps you guessing. Usually I find my self guessing wrong...

Carol (2015), rating: 8/10

I didn't know the story that the film is based on is from Patricia Highsmith. It is in fact her second novel; the one she wrote just before "The Talented Mr. Ripley".

The film shows a lesbian love story, wonderfully acted by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as leads.  Cate's character is in a loveless marriage with a wealthy man, but has a young daughter, who the becomes the object of custody fight. Viewing the love start and build, at first sight, in the shop where Rooney's character works, is spellbinding.

The custody fight gets more heated and threatens the new relationship. The screenplay is very well done and camerawork is excellent.