Movie critic Steven Rea's weekend selections

The Lady in the Van Maggie Smith stars as a homeless woman who pulls into writer Alan Bennett's driveway - and stays there for 15 years - in the film adaptation of Bennett's memoir and play. Alex Jennings is Bennett, in bifurcated mode: the timid, reluctant host and the ready-at-the-typewriter artist, eager to get what he can from the unkempt, unpleasant "eccentric" he's let into his life. PG-13

Oscar Nominated Short Films 2016: Animation CGI from Pixar, stick figures from Don Hertzfeldt, old-school and new-school animation, all represented in this showcase of Academy Award contenders. "Bear Story," from Chile, and "World of Tomorrow," from Hertzfeldt, are among the standouts. One short, "Prologue," with its graphic depiction of ancient warriors, is not for kids. No MPAA rating

Oscar Nominated Short Films 2016: Live Action War and conflict are dominant among the five live-action shorts vying for Academy Award glory. From wariness between Israelis and Palestinians to strife in war-torn Kosovo to a frightening U.S. Army sortie in Afghanistan, and even a seemingly innocent visitation between a young girl and her divorced dad - the tension mounts. Perhaps because it's the sole entry that addresses issues of romance and longing, "Stutterer" is the one that really stands out - the British film is beautifully acted, and yes, hopeful, too. No MPAA rating