Halfway Mark: Worthy Oscar Contenders from the first Half of the Year

Today officially marks the halfway point of 2014, if you can believe it. I don't know about the rest of you but I feel as if this year has been a blur, and I can say that about a lot of the movies that have come and gone through the last few months.

There has been only one movie from this year, thus far, that's challenged anything on my top 10 list from last year (a truly banner year in film unlike one we've had in awhile). That being said, there are truly some memorable performances, and even details about those films that were standouts, even if the overall product wasn't as great as its little pieces.

So read on, to see a few worthy contenders I feel deserve to remain in the conversation come awards season time.

Happy (Belated) Birthday Natalie Portman! 5 Quintessential Performances

Yes, it's that time of the year again: screen goddess Natalie Portman has turned another year older; 33 years old. Can you believe she's been working since she was just 12 years old?

In honor of my favorite actresses birthday (it was 2 days ago, but I've been busy busy busy), I've decided to rank her 5 best performances.

Nat's next scheduled film is the yet to be titled musical-drama Terrance Malick project (co-starring Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Christian Bale and Val Kilmer) which is set to be out later this year (though that will most likely change, knowing Malick) and the heavily troubled "Jane Got A Gun" out early next year.

Is Noah Darren Aronofsky's Darkest Film?

Darren Aronofsky's films are known for their dark undertone, and psychologically tortured protagonists. In Pi and Black Swan, he followed characters who fell down a rabbit hole of paranoia, driven completely by their obsession for perfection. In Requiem For A Dream, he followed 4 characters who become submissive to their very powerful drug addictions, while he explored innate loneliness at the hands of masochism in The Wrestler.

Mr. Aronofsky's adaptation of the famous bible story of Noah and the Arc, is no different. Those hoping for a version like we heard in Sunday School are going to be very disappointed. Much like Nina Sayers, Randy "The Ram" Robinson and Sara Goldfarb, Noah is a man plagued and haunted by delusions, which drive him to nearly tearing his entire family apart. It may just be his darkest film yet.

Darren Aronofsky's Oscar Chances & Noah's Biblical Accuracy

There's been a lot of talk and controversy surrounding Aronofsky's adaptation of Noah's Arc and whether it's faithful to the story we all learned in bible school as kids.

The studio has released a video testimonial from many of those who have seen the film, with religious backgrounds. Take a look, and decide for yourself below as you watch the featurette.

Noah opens everywhere in today.