04.27.17: This list is now final. While I may in the future see additional films that were released in the awards year of 2016, no more films will be added to this list. (I may add links to reviews of films listed here.)
This ranking includes only new theatrical releases viewed for the awards year of 2016 (for eligibility for the Academy Awards and the Ofcs and Awfj awards); some films released in the UK without Us releases (and so ineligible for those awards this year) may also be included, for my own bookkeeping purposes. Links go to my review. Numbers after each entry are Date First Viewed/NYC Release Date/London Release Date; year is 2016 unless otherwise noted.
worth paying multiplex prices for
[5 stars]
Arrival (10.10/11.11/11.10)
La La Land (10.07/12.09/01.13.17)
A Monster Calls (10.06/12.23/01.01.17)
The Lobster (07.16.15/05.13/10.16.15)
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) (02.22/03.04/03.25)
A Bigger Splash (10.08.15/05.04/02.12)
Miss Sloane (11.20/11.25/05.12.17)
London Road (06.03.15/09.09/06.12.15)
The Girl with All the Gifts (07.26/02.24.17/09.23)
I, Daniel Blake...
This ranking includes only new theatrical releases viewed for the awards year of 2016 (for eligibility for the Academy Awards and the Ofcs and Awfj awards); some films released in the UK without Us releases (and so ineligible for those awards this year) may also be included, for my own bookkeeping purposes. Links go to my review. Numbers after each entry are Date First Viewed/NYC Release Date/London Release Date; year is 2016 unless otherwise noted.
worth paying multiplex prices for
[5 stars]
Arrival (10.10/11.11/11.10)
La La Land (10.07/12.09/01.13.17)
A Monster Calls (10.06/12.23/01.01.17)
The Lobster (07.16.15/05.13/10.16.15)
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) (02.22/03.04/03.25)
A Bigger Splash (10.08.15/05.04/02.12)
Miss Sloane (11.20/11.25/05.12.17)
London Road (06.03.15/09.09/06.12.15)
The Girl with All the Gifts (07.26/02.24.17/09.23)
I, Daniel Blake...
- 4/27/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Liz Watts.
Producer Liz Watts will join See-Saw Films. (Lion, The King.s Speech) Iain Canning and Emile Sherman to produce a biopic on the life of Mary Magdalene.
Set to begin shooting in Europe later this year, Watts (The Rover, Animal Kingdom, Little Fish) will produce Mary Magdelene through her Sydney-based production company Porchlight Films. Watts has previously worked with See-Saw on the company.s 2012 production, Dead Europe.
Garth Davis (Top of the Lake, Lion) will direct from a script written by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett (How to Talk to Girls at Parties).
Rooney Mara (Carol, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is attached to play Magdelene and Joaquin Phoenix (Her, Walk the Line) is in talks to play Jesus.
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, The Martian) is also in talks to play the apostle Peter and Tahar Rahim (A Prophet, The Past) in talks to play Judas.
.It...
Producer Liz Watts will join See-Saw Films. (Lion, The King.s Speech) Iain Canning and Emile Sherman to produce a biopic on the life of Mary Magdalene.
Set to begin shooting in Europe later this year, Watts (The Rover, Animal Kingdom, Little Fish) will produce Mary Magdelene through her Sydney-based production company Porchlight Films. Watts has previously worked with See-Saw on the company.s 2012 production, Dead Europe.
Garth Davis (Top of the Lake, Lion) will direct from a script written by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett (How to Talk to Girls at Parties).
Rooney Mara (Carol, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is attached to play Magdelene and Joaquin Phoenix (Her, Walk the Line) is in talks to play Jesus.
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, The Martian) is also in talks to play the apostle Peter and Tahar Rahim (A Prophet, The Past) in talks to play Judas.
.It...
- 8/5/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Auteurs working within the confines of the studio system tend to disappoint, though we try to keep hope alive by anticipating the best for talented directors braving compromised visions. 2015 wasn’t without its fair share of standout studio fare, particularly with George Miller’s comeback for Mad Max: Fury Road, Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight, Inarritu’s The Revenant, and J.J. Abram’s revitalization of Star Wars. Of course, there were just as many disappointments, including David Gordon Green’s Our Brand is Crisis and the Wachowski Siblings’ rather derivative Jupiter Ascending. While a couple items from our top 25 studio list last year were held over, we’ve noted a bright clutch of hopeful auteur items to look forward to in 2016. You’ll notice a common theme among our top items, including supernatural or extraterrestrial elements.
25. The Accountant – Gavin O’Connor
24. The Nice Guys – Shane Black
23. The Disaster Artist...
25. The Accountant – Gavin O’Connor
24. The Nice Guys – Shane Black
23. The Disaster Artist...
- 1/4/2016
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Big news just arrived as Netflix is continuing to up its profile, this time landing Brad Pitt's next movie War Machine with director David Michod (Animal Kingdom). The film is a satirical comedy that will find Pitt playing a four-star U.S. military general patterned after Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Michod penned the script which was inspired by Michael Hastings' "The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan". Word is the budget will be in the $30 million range and the priority is Netflix's streaming service, which is to say there are no guarantees as to how, or even if, the movie will play theatrically. "War Machine is a rip-roaring, behind-the-facade tale of modern war decision-makers, from the corridors of power to the distant regions of America's ambitions," said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix. "Brad and David are a perfect team to make this timely,...
- 6/8/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
While DC and Marvel might already have a lock on several future release dates past the 2015 campaign with the Coen Bros. circling February on their calendars, for the most part, when it comes to American independent and foreign film flavored items, 2016 is still cloudy with a chance of…. 2015 just broke (we already have plenty to look forward to (Top 100 Most Anticipated Foreign Films / Top 25 Most Anticipated Studio Films / Top 100 Most Anticipated American Independent Films – soon!) but we’re already excited about what is in store for several of our favorite auteurs. Here are picks 100 to 6, with our Nicholas Bell providing further analysis on current top five for 2016. Pictured above is Peter Strickland, who sits in our number six spot.
100. Untitled Edward Munch Project – Erik Poppe
99. Bastille Day – James Watkins
98. Live By Night – Ben Affleck
97. Imagine – Benoit Graffin
96. Pete’s Dragon – David Lowery
95. Bella Luna – Ivan Fila
94. Bat, Butterfly, Moth – Sergio Caballero...
100. Untitled Edward Munch Project – Erik Poppe
99. Bastille Day – James Watkins
98. Live By Night – Ben Affleck
97. Imagine – Benoit Graffin
96. Pete’s Dragon – David Lowery
95. Bella Luna – Ivan Fila
94. Bat, Butterfly, Moth – Sergio Caballero...
- 1/16/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
“The Rover,” starring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, recorded the best opening at the specialty box office this weekend. The A24 drama, set in the lawless Australian outback 10 years in the future, took in $70,000 from five theaters for a $14,000 per-screen average. “The film received strong reviews, particularly for Robert Pattinson‘s breakthrough performance, and his fans responded as the audience breakdown was close to a 50-50 split between men and women,” A24 said. David Michod (“Animal Kingdom”) wrote and directed “The Rover,” which will expand next weekend. Also read: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill's '22 Jump Street’ Slays ‘Dragon 2' at Box Office.
- 6/15/2014
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Moviefone's Top DVD of the Week
"Fast & Furious 6"
What's It About? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Vin Diesel, and the late Paul Walker reunite with Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and future Wonder Woman Gal Gadot to put the pedal to the medal in the sixth iteration of this car-racing series. Can our favorite speed freaks outwit and outdrive a gang of drivers led by a British baddie named Shaw (Luke Evans)?
Why We're In: Besides the fact that some of the DVD earnings will be donated to the late Paul Walker's charity Reach Out Worldwide, this is the perfect guilty-pleasure action film to pop on with a bunch of friends. It's worth it for the runway scene alone.
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week
"Big" (25th Anniversary Edition)
What's It About? Before Tom Hanks saved "Mr. Banks," he won our hearts as a little...
"Fast & Furious 6"
What's It About? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Vin Diesel, and the late Paul Walker reunite with Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and future Wonder Woman Gal Gadot to put the pedal to the medal in the sixth iteration of this car-racing series. Can our favorite speed freaks outwit and outdrive a gang of drivers led by a British baddie named Shaw (Luke Evans)?
Why We're In: Besides the fact that some of the DVD earnings will be donated to the late Paul Walker's charity Reach Out Worldwide, this is the perfect guilty-pleasure action film to pop on with a bunch of friends. It's worth it for the runway scene alone.
Moviefone's Top Blu-ray of the Week
"Big" (25th Anniversary Edition)
What's It About? Before Tom Hanks saved "Mr. Banks," he won our hearts as a little...
- 12/11/2013
- by Jenni Miller
- Moviefone
Our Oscar coverage continues. Here we overview the best acting and best directing award nominees.
Best Actor Nominees
Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
Age: 38
Previously Best Known For: “Phil” from The Hangover
Previous Oscar Nominations: None
Interesting Fact: Was a medalist on the Men's Heavyweight Crew team at Georgetown University.
Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln
Age: 55
Previously Best Known For:
“Bill Cutting” from Gangs of New York
“Daniel Plainview” from There Will Be Blood
Previous Oscar Nominations: 4
Won – Best Actor, Leading Role for There Will Be Blood (2007)
Nominated – Best Actor, Leading Role for Gangs of New York (2002)
Nominated – Best Actor, Leading Role for In The Name of The Father (1993)
Won – Best Actor, Leading Role for My Left Foot (1989)
Interesting Fact: He first became interested in acting when he learned to replicate the accent and mannerisms of people in his neighborhood to avoid standing out to bullies.
Hugh Jackman – Les Misérables
Age: 44
Previously...
Best Actor Nominees
Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
Age: 38
Previously Best Known For: “Phil” from The Hangover
Previous Oscar Nominations: None
Interesting Fact: Was a medalist on the Men's Heavyweight Crew team at Georgetown University.
Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln
Age: 55
Previously Best Known For:
“Bill Cutting” from Gangs of New York
“Daniel Plainview” from There Will Be Blood
Previous Oscar Nominations: 4
Won – Best Actor, Leading Role for There Will Be Blood (2007)
Nominated – Best Actor, Leading Role for Gangs of New York (2002)
Nominated – Best Actor, Leading Role for In The Name of The Father (1993)
Won – Best Actor, Leading Role for My Left Foot (1989)
Interesting Fact: He first became interested in acting when he learned to replicate the accent and mannerisms of people in his neighborhood to avoid standing out to bullies.
Hugh Jackman – Les Misérables
Age: 44
Previously...
- 2/21/2013
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
• 24′s Dennis Haysbert is in talks to play Manute in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the role originated in 2005′s Sin City by actor Michael Clarke Duncan, who passed away earlier this year at 54. Haysbert will join Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Jaime King, and Rosario Dawsome, who are all reprising their roles in the first film; Jamie Chung is taking over Devon Aoki’s role. As with the first film, Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller are sharing writing and directing duties on the film, based on Miller’s series of Sin City graphic novels. [THR]
• Timothy Olyphant (FX’s Justified) will join Kurt Russell,...
• Timothy Olyphant (FX’s Justified) will join Kurt Russell,...
- 12/6/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
David Michod
David Michod’s new film has received funding from Screen Australia, as part of almost $20m of investment from the screen agency.
The investment is expected to trigger $100m worth of production across four feature films, five TV dramas and three children’s dramas.
The Rover is written and directed by Michod, with a story by Michod and Joel Edgerton.
The film has cast Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles.
Michod will also produce the film alongside his Animal Kingdom producing partner Liz Watts for Porchlight Films and David Linde, Ep on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for his Lava Bear Films.
The film will be distributed by Village Roadshow with international sales by FilmNation.
The Rover, set in the Australian desert in the dangerous near-future sees Eric, a man who has lost almost everything in life, have his car stolen by a gang of criminals.
David Michod’s new film has received funding from Screen Australia, as part of almost $20m of investment from the screen agency.
The investment is expected to trigger $100m worth of production across four feature films, five TV dramas and three children’s dramas.
The Rover is written and directed by Michod, with a story by Michod and Joel Edgerton.
The film has cast Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles.
Michod will also produce the film alongside his Animal Kingdom producing partner Liz Watts for Porchlight Films and David Linde, Ep on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for his Lava Bear Films.
The film will be distributed by Village Roadshow with international sales by FilmNation.
The Rover, set in the Australian desert in the dangerous near-future sees Eric, a man who has lost almost everything in life, have his car stolen by a gang of criminals.
- 7/26/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Comic-Con 2012 is so close we can taste it! The epically badass geek convention is set to invade San Diego from July 11th to July 15th, and we can't wait to get over there and get crazy!
Comic-Con International has released the full schedules for Wednesday July 11th and Thursday July 12th, and there's a ton of stuff going on! It's going to kick off with a great first couple of days that will give you plenty of stuff to do! Wednesday looks like it's going to be an awesome day of pilot screens and Thursday has got stuff like Twilight... (fart) and Disney will be holding their big panel, along with a ton of other great stuff to check out!
I've gone through the schedule and put a *** next to all the event's we hope to be able to cover. If there's anything on the list you would like information on please let us know,...
Comic-Con International has released the full schedules for Wednesday July 11th and Thursday July 12th, and there's a ton of stuff going on! It's going to kick off with a great first couple of days that will give you plenty of stuff to do! Wednesday looks like it's going to be an awesome day of pilot screens and Thursday has got stuff like Twilight... (fart) and Disney will be holding their big panel, along with a ton of other great stuff to check out!
I've gone through the schedule and put a *** next to all the event's we hope to be able to cover. If there's anything on the list you would like information on please let us know,...
- 6/28/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Japanese film director whose work was heavily influenced by the Hiroshima atomic bomb
The fact that the film director Kaneto Shindo, who has died aged 100, was born in Hiroshima affected his work both directly and indirectly. His films, such as Children of Hiroshima (1952), are valuable contributions to the cinema of hibakusha, the testimony of the survivors of the atomic bomb. Many of his movies are allegories on the absence of civilised behaviour in the conduct of war, exposing humankind's innate propensity towards violence and cruelty in the absence of a moral and spiritual code.
Much of his humanism and style derived from the director Kenji Mizoguchi, for whom Shindo wrote two screenplays. In 1975 Shindo paid homage to his mentor in a documentary, Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director. Like Mizoguchi, Shindo created many forceful women characters who, by virtue of their willpower and love, tend to "save" their male counterparts.
The fact that the film director Kaneto Shindo, who has died aged 100, was born in Hiroshima affected his work both directly and indirectly. His films, such as Children of Hiroshima (1952), are valuable contributions to the cinema of hibakusha, the testimony of the survivors of the atomic bomb. Many of his movies are allegories on the absence of civilised behaviour in the conduct of war, exposing humankind's innate propensity towards violence and cruelty in the absence of a moral and spiritual code.
Much of his humanism and style derived from the director Kenji Mizoguchi, for whom Shindo wrote two screenplays. In 1975 Shindo paid homage to his mentor in a documentary, Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director. Like Mizoguchi, Shindo created many forceful women characters who, by virtue of their willpower and love, tend to "save" their male counterparts.
- 5/31/2012
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.