The National Board of Review Puts "A Most Violent Year" on the Map

After yesterday's decision by the Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics, the National Board of Review has named "A Most Violent Year" the best film of 2014, and gave it 2 other major awards.

Though far from being a huge indicator of Oscar success, this helps the film that was definitely in need of a push (that December 31st release date, and having a not so major studio behind it)

"Birdman" continued its success after the Gotham awards with 2 notices here, while Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper" also showed strength.

It's still seriously wide open race at this point.

See the full list of winners below.

Christopher Nolan Reaches for the Stars in Interstellar

Sci-Fi is enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment, one that began last year with Alfonso Cuaron's brilliant "Gravity". Though undoubtedly one of the most popular genres out there, these stories have always felt anything but human; the familiar themes that we are exposed to in other genres (such as love, jealousy, grief) always bat second to the eye-popping visual effects employed throughout, a serious case of style vs. substance.

What was so special about "Gravity", was that despite being a film filled with revelatory, groundbreaking technology, at its center was an all too familiar theme: survival. Though faced with a lack of oxygen and metal hurtling at dangerous speeds, Dr. Ryan Stone (played superbly by Sandra Bullock in the best performance of her career) had a bigger challenge facing her; believing in herself enough to find her way back to Earth. Cuaron may have placed us all in an unfamiliar setting, but the story was one everyone could relate to.

So it should come as no surprise then, that the man who redefined the superhero genre is one to continue this Sci Fi renaissance. As he did with "The Dark Knight", director/writer Christopher Nolan brings a gritty, emotional realism to an almost outlandishly cartoon-like genre.

New Trailer for "A Most Violent Year"

J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year" is undoubtedly one of the biggest question marks in the Oscar race. It's got the prestige: Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks, while being written and directed by J.C. Chandor. It's an Academy friendly story: Set in New York City in the winter of 1981 (a record breaking violent year for the city), the story focuses on an immigrant and his family capitalizing on the growing violence and unrest in the city, trying to make a name and a life for themselves.

The problem? The film's profile is curiously quiet, and it's being distributed by the tiny studio A-24, who have yet to have a film earn an Oscar nomination.

A Most Violent Year Rears its Head

The buzz on director/writer J.C. Chandor ("Margin Call", "All is Lost") has been suspiciously low the last few months. Though there have been some "reports" about the film's acting being incredible (I wouldn't expect anything less from the new Meryl Streep, Jessica Chastain, but that cast is incredible; Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks also star), nothing else about the film has been released. Distributor A24, though relatively new, is not really much of an awards player; though they did manage some critics' awards wins for James Franco last year, their Oscar pull is weak. That all could change, however; the trailer and a poster for the film has finally been released, and it's promising.

Looking Back: Robin Williams' 5 Greatest Performances

By now I'm sure you heard the world has lost one of its greatest talents; Robin Williams was found dead at his California home yesterday. Though nothing has been made official yet, it seems to have been suicide; the press release stated Williams died of asphyxiation.

That's what makes Williams' death so tragic; he was the light of so many peoples' lives, so effortlessly funny, that it's so upsetting he couldn't battle his inner darkness. If anything, this is a strong reminder that depression is no joke, and it can affect anyone despite their reputation of their behavior.

Having just completed work on 5 projects, including the reprisal of his role as Theodore Roosevelt in the newest "Night at the Museum" film, the Oscar winner was an extremely versatile performer gaining notoriety for not only being extremely funny (he was "the funniest man alive" according to Entertainment Weekly in an article they ran back in 1997), but being an adept dramatic actor. He is also one of the few actors that received formal instruction, being one of only 2 students being accepted into John Houseman's acting program at Julliard (the other was Superman himself, Christopher Reeve, who became a great friend to Williams throughout his life). Other actors to follow in Williams' footsteps at attending Julliard include 2 time Academy Award nominee Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain, the latter received a scholarship from Williams himself, and has gone on to be heralded as "the next Meryl Streep".

But rather than focus on the sadness of losing many potential great Robin Williams performances, let's look back on the great ones he left us with, the ones that will continue to inspire and entertain people forever.

Interstellar Could Be Christopher Nolan's (Oscar) Breakthrough

"The Dark Knight snub" is a term that many Oscar pundits and fanboys alike have attributed to the expansion of the Best Picture field; when "The Reader" was nominated over The Dark Knight in 2008, many took it as a flat out snub. It was one of the most (if not the most critically acclaimed film of the year), and received 8 other nominations, including a win for Heath Ledger's now iconic performance as the Joker. Nolan himself was also left out of the Best Director lineup, even though he received a nomination from the Director's Guild, and other major critical precursors.

After the expansion of the Best Picture category (from 5 to 10 films), his follow up film "Inception" received a nomination, but Nolan was once again snubbed from the directors in the Academy, despite once again being recognized by his fellow directors at the DGA.

Based on the early reports and first trailer, it seems that Nolan is bringing a level of A-game we haven't yet seen from him; Interstellar looks to be Nolan's most visually, and thematically cohesive project yet, and a the new trailer confirms that this is going to be the film that may just finally get him that elusive Oscar nomination.

Toronto Film Festival Lineup

TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival) has announced its official lineup this morning. Running from September 4th to the 14th, several films will have their official world premiere here, while some holdovers from Cannes will also appear to build upon the buzz they got (or didn't get) there.

TIFF is an even more important, and influential Oscar precursor than Cannes; last year's winner of the People's Choice Award "12 Years A Slave" won the Oscar for Best Picture, with almost all of the other recipients following suit, or winning other Oscars including: "Silver Linings Playbook", "The King's Speech", "Precious", "Slumdog Millionaire", Whale Rider" and "American Beauty" have all been recognized in some way by the Academy Awards.

Take a look at the full list below (I've also included trailers for the films if they're available by making the film title a link).

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Trailer: Jessica Chastain's 3rd Oscar Nomination?

Jessica Chastain is one of the busiest actresses working today. Look no further than her filmography from 2011 alone to prove that fact; "The Help", "Take Shelter", "Tree of Life" "The Debt" and "Coriolanus" all starred Chastain that year. A two-time Oscar nominated, and Golden Globe winning actress, 2014 stands to be another great year for her, as she's starring in some more high-profile films. Not only does she have a role in Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar", but there's buzz surrounding her performance in J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year".

But it's her performance in the acclaimed romance "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" that has won her the best raves of her already well received career. Handled by the Weinstein Company, the film finally has a trailer. (Watch below)

Interstellar Trailer

I had the privilege of not only seeing "Godzilla" last night, but the new trailer for Christopher Nolan's upcoming Sci-Fi film, "Interstellar" starring Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway.

Jessica Chastain Will Play Marylin Monroe in the New Biopic "Blonde"

That's right, the natural red head will star as the famous blonde bombshell in the upcoming adaptation, entitled "Blonde" based on the biography of the same name by Joyce Carol Oats.

2014 Cannes Line-up Announced; Watch Trailers

The Cannes Film Festival is (arguably) the start to Oscar season. Some will argue that it's Sundance that kicks the conversation off. However, many of the titles from Sundance do find their way to Cannes, which is recognized as the kick start for many Oscar prognosticators.

Cannes (especially in the last few years) has planted the seeds of Oscar dreams for many films. It was the first time 2011 Best Picture winner The Artist was seen, where Lead Actor Jean Dujardin won the festival's Best Actor award. That same year, Palm d'Or (the festival's Best Picture award) went to Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" which not only nabbed a Best Picture nomination from the Academy, but 4 other nominations as well. Other films like Amour, The Piano and Pulp Fiction have found their footing at Cannes and went on to Oscar glory.

This year's lineup is one of the starriest in recent memory. Julianne Moore, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Channing Tatum, Steve Carrell, Hillary Swank, Nicole Kidman and many others all have at least one high-profile film that will be seen for the first time here

The festival takes place starting on May 14th till the 25th, which will yield to the festival's annual awards ceremony.

Below is the festival line-up. I've also put a * next to the films that many are paying close attention too. Their reception at Cannes could affect their footing in the coming Oscar race.

Christopher Nolan's Interstellar lands its First Trailer

That's right everyone, after his epic conclusion to The Dark Knight Trilogy, Christopher Nolan has assembled an all-star cast lead by Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, and Ellen Burstyn.

Though the trailer isn't big on details (which it more than makes up for with gorgeous cinematography, and a voice-over by McConaughey), the official synopsis released by Paramount and Warner Bros states:

"When a wormhole (which hypothetically connects widely-separated regions of spacetime) is newly discovered, a team of explorers and scientists embark on a voyage through it to transcend previous limitations on human space travel."

The Hollywood Reporter said in addition to the official synopsis, "The plot is believed to involve time travel and alternate dimensions, but other details are being kept under wraps."

The film is slated for a November 7, 2014 release, which puts it smack dab in the middle of the Oscar race. Inception racked up some major nominations back in 2010, and The Dark Knight should've been a Best Picture Nominee was snubbed for Best Picture and Best Director, though it landed some major wins and nominations (including a win for Heath Ledger as The Joker). 

Could it be just a commercial thing though? Or will it actually play into the circuit. McConaughey, Hathaway, and Chastain's involvement doesn't hurt, and Nolan has been close to a Director nomination for quite some time. Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity could lessen the "sci-fi" bias that's existed within the Academy for so long now, as it's a top tier contender this year. 

You can watch the trailer below.