THE IMITATION GAME (2014)

The true-life story of Alan Turing (played here by Benedict Cumberbatch), the British mathematician who went to work at the top-secret Bletchley Park in the beginning years of World War II, as part of a group of code-breakers determined to break Enigma - the code the Nazis used to communicate their plans for the Allies' destruction and winning the war.  Turing himself, however, would begin to see that only a machine could beat a machine, and would end up (with much opposition) building one that would break the code, ultimately saving millions of lives and (according to some) shaving what may have been years off the war itself by leading the Allies to victory.  One of the most compelling, rousing, yet heartbreaking (thanks to Turing's fate in the years after the war) films I've seen in ages, thanks to terrific direction, writing and cinematography, with stellar performances by Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley leading a near-perfect cast.  A wonderful, near-perfect film. (rated PG-13)  A+

THE IMITATION GAME trailer