Fading Gigolo

Last Weekend

Selma

CRITICS AWARDS 2: National Board of Review

Best Film
A Most Violent Year 

Best Director 
Clint Eastwood, American Sniper 

Best Actor
Michael Keaton, Birdman 
Oscar Isaac, A Most Violent Year 

Best Actress
Julianne Moore, Still Alice 

Best Supporting Actor
Edward Norton, Birdman 

Best Supporting Actress
Jessica Chastain, A Most Violent Year 

Best Foreign Language Film 
Wild Tales 

Best Documentary 
Life Itself 

Best Animated Feature
How to Train Your Dragon 2 

Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, Inherent Vice 

Best Original Screenplay
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, The LEGO Movie

2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007

For more info: http://www.nationalboardofreview.org/

CRITICS AWARDS 1: NY Film Critics Circle

Best Film
Boyhood

Best Director
Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Best Actor
Timothy Spall, Mr Turner

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night

Best Supporting Actor
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Best Foreign Language Film
Ida

Best Documentary
Citizenfour

Best Animated Film
The LEGO Movie

Best First Film
Jennifer Kent, The Babadook

Best Screenplay
The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Cinematography
Darius Khondji, The Immigrant

2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007

For more info: http://www.nyfcc.com/index.php

Ida

War of the Worlds

Life Itself

Fanny

Marius

Transcendence

Taken 2

RIP: Mike Nichols 1931 - 2014

Interstellar

Writer and director Christopher Nolan's ninth feature is also his most ambitious film. Set in the near future where the humans are facing extinction on the planet, a group of explorers are sent through a wormhole to find a new planet to save humanity. Nolan and his co-writing brother Jonathan Nolan go boldly where most science fiction films rarely dare to go which is the film's greatest strength but also its weakest link. While trying to stick to reality as much as possible, the writers find themselves limited which ultimately short changes their aspirations. The film is loaded with bold ideas that's inspiring and should encourage space exploration that has been almost abandoned but also points out why human nature might be the inherent flaw why it has not been advanced. While featuring striking visuals effects, it could have gone further and bolder to tap more into the great mystery it tries to make accessible. Matthew McConaughey stars with a solid performance along fine supporting cast that includes Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, Ellen Burstyn, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck and Matt Damon. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases. 

Breathe In

Writer and director Drake Doremus delivers another terrific romantic drama with this character study. An apparently happy family's life is turned upside down when they accept a beautiful foreign student into their lives which has dramatic consequences. Doremus and his talented team created a perfectly nuanced drama where all the characters are fully developed. Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones star with outstanding performances along with equally terrific supporting cast that includes Amy Ryan and Mackenzie Davis. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD. 

Metro Manila

British writer and director Sean Ellis returns with his feature after a five year absence that puts him on a different path in his career. In order to survive poverty in the rural country, a family moves to Manila where more trouble awaits them than just poverty. Ellis jumpstarts his career with this riveting crime drama that takes him away from his native country and previous films much like Joshua Marston and Gareth Evans. Jake Macapagal and Althea Vega star with stirring performances in the leads while the excellent John Arcilla steals every scene. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD. 

Frank

Irish director Lenny Abrahamson delivered a striking film with this off-beat comedy. An aspiring musician gets the chance of a life time when he's accepted into an avant-garde band where he learns some valuable lessons that affects everybody around including the band's eccentric frontman, Frank. Abrahamson and his writers pay homage to the independent spirit of music as well as poking fun at some of its eccentric aspects in order to stand out which will resonate to most artists. Domhnall Gleeson stars with another terrific performance along a stellar supporting cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scoot McNairy. 1001 Films' coverage of films on DVD. 

Camp X-Ray

Writer and director Peter Sattler makes his feature debut with this powerful drama about notorious and controversial prison. A soldier assigned to Guantanamo Bay finds herself conflicted when she befriends a prisoner. Sattler makes a compelling case against Gitmo and gives a fictional glimpse into the controversial military prison where apparently guilty and innocent suspects are held indefinitely without any rights or trial. Kristen Stewart stars with a terrific performance along with equally terrific Peyman Moaadi (A Separation) which raises some troubling questions about the US war on terror. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases. 

Birdman

Mexican writer and director Alejandro González Iñárritu delivers another dazzling film with his fifth feature which triumphs on every level. A former movie star tries stages a comeback and artistic integrity by doing a play on Broadway which proves to be an uphill battle on every level. After his dazzling non-linear trilogy, Iñárritu's second character study of men on the verge of psychological and spiritual breakdown finds him on a new path with this glorious achievement. Michael Keaton stars with his best performance leading a stellar cast that includes Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Amy Ryan, Andrea Riseborough and Zach Galifianakis. Ace cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki delivers another stunning achievement that elevates the film to another level of mastery while composer Antonio Sanchez shines in his debut. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.

RIP: Misty Upham 1982 – 2014