Macbeth

No need to be coy about where I stand on this one. While Australian helmer Justin Kurzel s stripped back, mood driven take on The Scottish Play prompted some bludgeoned critical dismissals at Cannes, my own Variety review described it as scarcely improvable fearsomely visceral and impeccably performed. I stand by that claim Michael Fassbender fulfills his ideal casting as the blood lusting Highland warlord, while Marion Cotillard, in her startling first crack at Shakespearean acting, embodies a Lady M for the ages. Both merit an awards push from The Weinstein Co.