Animation (Short Subject) Nominees
The Animated shorts category is always a hard one for me to judge. Will the Academy members go with the best, most amazing animation, or will it be about telling…
Documentary (Short Subject) nominees
This has got to be the toughest group of the shorts to watch. They're usually a lot more diverse, but this year, with one feel-good exception, they are all about…
I Am Not Your Negro
This brilliant documentary walks its audience through the Civil Rights era with undoubtedly the most articulate and engaged guide possible - James Baldwin, writer (The Fire Next Time, Notes of…
20th Century Women
20th Century Women takes place at the end of the 70s in Santa Barbara, California. Dorothea (Annette Bening) is a bohemian, mid-50ish, single mom trying to raise her son, adolescent…
The Brand New Testament
Looking for a fun flick that isn’t on everyone's lips yet? Look no further than The Brand New Testament. This absurdist film from Belgium starts with a blasphemous premise. God…
Patriots Day
The Boston Marathon bombing is like so many of our recent tragedies. We remember where we were when it happened and were glued to the news, trying to come to…
Hell or High Water
Hell or High Water didn't get the attention it deserved when it was out. But now it's getting some notice by the awards people, so I thought I'd give my…
Captain Fantastic
I really liked this film. It's another that was somewhat under the radar that I think audiences would love if they knew a bit more about it. So... Captain Fantastic…
Neruda
Chilean poet Pablo Neruda received a Nobel prize for literature in 1974 and is considered by many to be one of the greatest who ever lived. More poem than biopic,…
The Handmaiden
Korean director Chan-wook Park's (Oldboy) latest film The Handmaiden is an amazing adult thriller. It is twisty and erotic and romantic and funny and utterly surprising. And very hard to…
Aquarius
Aquarius is the name of an apartment building overlooking the beach in Recife, Brazil. Clara (Sônia Braga) is the only resident there. A beautiful woman in her mid-sixties, she loves…
All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, and the Spirit of I.F. Stone
This is without doubt the perfect film for this particular time in America! The question this documentary poses is what the hell is wrong with our current media and why…
Hooligan Sparrow
I love gutsy women and Ye Haiyan aka Hooligan Sparrow has got to be one of the gutsiest around. As a Chinese women's rights activist she has put herself in…
Ixcanul (Volcano)
This fascinating drama takes its audience into a culture few of us will ever experience. Ixcanul means volcano and the film takes place in a village that is just on…
The Birth of a Nation
The story of Nat Turner deserves a big screen telling. He inspired his fellow slaves to fight back against their owners and sent shock waves across the South in 1831…