Tom Conti

Our analysts examine the movies expected to make waves at the Academy Awards, from jaw-dropping Oppenheimer to epic Napoleon and Saltburn's exuberant satire on class.

EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: None other than the Prince and Princess of Wales indulged in what could be described as fervent window shopping last Friday, when they paid a discreet and entirely private evening visit to auctioneers Dreweatts in Berkshire. They were all looking very, very interested,' a antique trade trade devotee tells me, adding that 'everybody was on twitter to see them.' It was the start of a huge champagne reception that auctioneers always have before a serious bidding event.' And there are few such spectacular sales as the one that drew in Prince William and Catherine.

PATRICK MARMION: It's as if sunshine breaks through the stage when the curtain rises on Sheridan Smith's return to the West End. Willy Russell's onewoman story of a lonely, middle-aged Liverpool housewife is simply irresistible, with the warmth of her smile. And if you agree that this 1989 film starring Pauline Collins as Shirley and Tom Conti as Costas, her leery Greek lover, is untouchable, there is a good chance you'll love this two-and-a-bit hour solo performance even more. Sheridan is a pint of pints to the film's pint of Watney's Red Barrel, complete with cocktail umbrella.