We know — it’s February and the last thing you want to hear about is another awards show, but believe us when we say that the American Independent Film Awards are different. Generally speaking, the awards season tends to celebrate the best in cinema, with the caveat being that many movies get on the Oscar radar because they have the money and influence behind them helping to make that push. And while the Indie Spirit Awards somewhat the fill the gap of the Oscars, focusing on movies produced outside the studio system for less than $20 million, it still means that worthy films get overlooked.

Continue reading Nominations For Inaugural American Independent Film Awards Revealed at The Playlist.

For a variety of reasons, 2016 marked my personal record for the most new films I’ve seen in any given year, which is simultaneously a triumph and a problem. More movies equals more choice, and I’m nothing if not terrible at making decisions. But the following 10 films (and runners-up, because again, I’m terrible at making decisions) are the ones I loved most this year, edging out the titles I found worthy of respect, but not affection (like the ambitious Martin Scorsese opus “Silence“).

Continue reading Kimber Myers’ Top 10 Films Of 2016 at The Playlist.

There’s too much TV, too many films, and there have been a few other things going on in 2016. So for sure, there are very few of us, even among the fraternity of full-time film commentators, who can say they’ve seen everything. Thus, here’s our annual roundup of the films we feel most likely either fell off your radar while you built your nuclear bunker, disappeared from their short runs while you attended an underground resistance meeting, or languished in your Netflix queue while you researched alternate-universe theory and the likelihood of a life-sustaining nearby planet being discovered in the next four years.

Continue reading The 25 Best 2016 Films You Might Not Have Seen at The Playlist.

It’s too bad that who dismissively write off 2016 as “a bad movie year” couldn’t find more than a few films to treasure across the last twelve months. Sure, blockbuster movies were pretty terrible all around, but even a glimpse of indie cinema and foreign films this year (South Korea alone yielded the excellent likes of “The Handmaiden,” “The Wailing” and “Age Of Shadows“) reveals some tremendous work.

Continue reading Celebrating The Films Of 2016 at The Playlist.

It was a weekend of binge-eating, bargain shopping, and also trying to find ways to fill time with the family. And it seems the movie of choice for those headed to the multiplex was an all-ages offering from Disney.

The studio’s dominance over Thanksgiving weekend continued with “Moana” opening to $55.5 million, giving Disney nine out of the 10 all-time best openings over the holiday (the figure is $88.1 million if you include the dollars accrued between Wednesday and Friday).

Continue reading ‘Moana’ Rides Big Thanksgiving Wave, While ‘Allied,’ ‘Bad Santa 2’ & ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ All Struggle [Box Office] at The Playlist.

The road to success sometimes leaves friendships behind, and from that kernel unravels the thriller “Always Shine,” which has been earning strong buzz on the festival circuit. And with director Sophia Takal‘s film now headed to cinemas, this tense and nervy new trailer certainly makes the case to see it on a big screen near you.

Starring Mackenzie Davis, Caitlin FitzGerald, Lawrence Michael Levine, Alexander Koch, and Jane Adams, the story follows two friends and actresses, who embark on a weekend getaway to reconnect.

Continue reading Friendship Unravels In New Trailer For Psychological Thriller ‘Always Shine’ With Mackenzie Davis & Caitlin FitzGerald at The Playlist.

Even if Sophia Takal’s second film were merely a straightforward psychological thriller about the rivalry between two actress friends, it would still be gripping from start to finish. There’s a rising feeling of panic as the movie speeds toward its conclusion, aided by effectively twitchy editing, a pair of intense lead performances and a taut, twisty script. You would still leave the theater wanting to discuss what just happened and think about it for days.

Continue reading Tribeca Review: Sophia Takal’s Superb Thriller ‘Always Shine’ Starring Mackenzie Davis And Caitlin FitzGerald at The Playlist.

The 22 Most Anticipated Films Of The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival

Continue reading The 22 Most Anticipated Films Of The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival at The Playlist.

Tribeca Exclusive: Poster For Thriller 'Always Shine' Starring Mackenzie Davis & Caitlin FitzGerald

Continue reading Tribeca Exclusive: Poster For Thriller ‘Always Shine’ Starring Mackenzie Davis & Caitlin FitzGerald at The Playlist.