The Best Albums of the Year (So Far..)

As a way of kicking off the expansion of 'Jon On Film', I thought I'd take a moment to appreciate just what a good year for music it's been so far in the year. Though Taylor Swift's "1989" is still ruling the charts months after its release (will it really be the successor to Adele's "21" in terms of sales and impact? It sure looks that way), there have been plenty of great albums by artists that may not come close to Swift's pop domination, but definitely match it for musical quality.

So far in the year, we've seen releases from acts such like Mariah Carey, Drake, Madonna, newcomers like Fifth Harmony and comebacks from the likes of Hilary Duff. With so much music flooding the market, just what should you be listening to?

Don't worry, I've got you covered.

"Inside Out" Is Pixar's Best Film in Years

Pixar established themselves as the pinnacle of animated filmmaking with films like "Toy Story", "The Incredibles" "Finding Nemo" and "Up!". There's even gems to find in their lesser films, such as "Cars" or "Brave" that set the studio apart from other animators such Dreamworks. However, despite their output remaining better than the competition, it has been awhile since we've seen the creativity of the studio in full swing; not since the final installment in the Toy Story series has a Pixar film truly been 'great'.

I'm pleased to announce that's changed with their latest outing, "Inside Out". Pixar doesn't just meet the bar that they set for themselves with their classics, but they exceed it. "Inside Out" is far and away the studios greatest film.

Looking Forward

I just wanted to start this out by saying thank you. To everyone who has ever looked at my blog, read a word of what I wrote, or spent any time at all scrolling through this blog, I say thank you.

I started this blog as a homework assignment about a year and a half ago as part of my Online Journalism class. I picked a beat that I liked writing about (film, duh) and every week for an entire semester I had to come up with pieces and interviews utilizing different multimedia for a grade. At first, I was nervous, because for the first time my writing would be out there on the internet on a platform some place other than my Tumblr, where I was previously publishing any reviews or writing I had come up with. On the other hand, I figured that seeing as this was a homework assignment, no one would really see it other than my professor and potentially some of my classmates, so what the hell.

It was soon after actually making and designing the page, however, I began wanting to post more, and share this with others. The rest is history. By the end of the semester, I had people telling me this was something I should really keep up with. I get messages from people when I don't post in awhile , and the page has daily visitors from outside the U.S. Since starting, the blog has been viewed over 20,000 times, and while that number may not seem as impressive when compared to other pages or blogs, to me it's amazing, because I could have never imagined my homework assignment could interest that many people in my writing.

I'm still as passionate as I was writing those reviews for a grade. This blog has really done great things for my writing, outside of sharpening my skills and my voice and building my audience. I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite writers, Nathaniel Rogers of The Film Experience, and landed a weekly column at Rowan's Newspaper (also entitled "Jon On Film"), which has been doing well according to my editors and friends of min who read the paper.

So again, I want to say thank you to everyone for all of the support, and the kind words I've received since starting. However, I am looking to make some creative changes with the blog in terms of content.

Watch Emma Watson and Ethan Hawke in the First trailer for "Regression"

The first tease of Emma Watson and Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke's thriller "Regression" has arrived! Though the details of the plot are still unknown, the film seems to center around a creepy police investigation, with Watson's character directly in the center of the events.

The film's director/writer, Alejandro Amenábar, has worked with creepy thrillers before this; his film "The Others" starring Nicole Kidman is indicative that he has a flair when it comes to tension and horror.

Take a look at the teaser below. The film is scheduled for release on August 28th.

"Spy" is Melissa McCarthy's Best Work To Date

When Melissa McCarthy first took Hollywood by storm in 2011, it was as the loveably raunchy Megan in "Bridesmaids". The film was a surprising critical and box office behemoth, landing two Academy Award nominations (including one for McCarthy) and more than $250 million at the box office. Since then, McCarthy has proved to be a continued box office draw; her films ("Identity Thief", "The Heat" and even "Tammy") have all grossed at least $100 million.

McCarthy the actress, however, has not had a role since Megan that has challenged her. Outside of her very nuanced and solid performance in last year's "St. Vincent", she's continued to rely on the loud mouthed, not 'conventionally' attractive woman while putting a comedic spin on her weight. And while there's nothing wrong with that, it would be nice to see McCarthy flex those acting muscles we know she has.

Her third outing with "Bridesmaids" and "The Heat" director Paul Feig, is the very vehicle McCarthy needed not only to establish herself as more than a one trick pony, but a true movie star. We knew she could carry films before, but never like this. "Spy" is McCarthy's magnum opus.

Meryl Streep Enlists Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham-Carter in "Suffragette" Trailer

After the very short teaser we received a few months ago, team "Suffragette" is back with an undeniably powerful trailer.

The trailer does an amazing job at introducing the main players (Bonham-Carter, Mulligan, Annie Marie Duff, among others) while hinting at Streep's turn as Feminist legend Emmeline Pankhurst. There's a gorgeous reworking of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" towards the end, and a very affecting line by Carey's character: "War is the only language men listen to."

If you were underestimating the potential of "Suffragette" in the Oscar race, think again. Methinks this will be a very strong play for Mulligan, Bonham-Carter, Streep and the film itself.

Watch the trailer below. "Suffragette" will open the London Film Festival and will be released in the states on October 23.

First Trailer for "Macbeth": Intense, Dark and Beautiful

Justin Kurzel's "Macbeth" was a big surprise coming out of the Cannes film festival, being better than previously anticipated. Though stars Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender won acclaim for their performances as the infamous plotting couple, Kurzel's direction and the film as a whole were praised.

Ultimately, I do fear if the film gets any awards attention (it is being distributed by Weinstein after all) it'll center around Fassbender and Cotillard. But after watching the new trailer, I see what a shame that would be, because it looks gorgeously rendered. There are a number of "money shots" to pull from the short teaser, and the overall tone is incredibly morose and intense, in the best way possible. Here's to hoping the film can find some success outside of the performances come awards season.

Watch the trailer below. "Macbeth" is scheduled to be released later this fall.