04.27.17: This list is now final. While I may in the future see additional films that were released in the awards year of 2016, no more films will be added to this list. (I may add links to reviews of films listed here.)
This ranking includes only new theatrical releases viewed for the awards year of 2016 (for eligibility for the Academy Awards and the Ofcs and Awfj awards); some films released in the UK without Us releases (and so ineligible for those awards this year) may also be included, for my own bookkeeping purposes. Links go to my review. Numbers after each entry are Date First Viewed/NYC Release Date/London Release Date; year is 2016 unless otherwise noted.
worth paying multiplex prices for
[5 stars]
Arrival (10.10/11.11/11.10)
La La Land (10.07/12.09/01.13.17)
A Monster Calls (10.06/12.23/01.01.17)
The Lobster (07.16.15/05.13/10.16.15)
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) (02.22/03.04/03.25)
A Bigger Splash (10.08.15/05.04/02.12)
Miss Sloane (11.20/11.25/05.12.17)
London Road (06.03.15/09.09/06.12.15)
The Girl with All the Gifts (07.26/02.24.17/09.23)
I, Daniel Blake...
This ranking includes only new theatrical releases viewed for the awards year of 2016 (for eligibility for the Academy Awards and the Ofcs and Awfj awards); some films released in the UK without Us releases (and so ineligible for those awards this year) may also be included, for my own bookkeeping purposes. Links go to my review. Numbers after each entry are Date First Viewed/NYC Release Date/London Release Date; year is 2016 unless otherwise noted.
worth paying multiplex prices for
[5 stars]
Arrival (10.10/11.11/11.10)
La La Land (10.07/12.09/01.13.17)
A Monster Calls (10.06/12.23/01.01.17)
The Lobster (07.16.15/05.13/10.16.15)
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia) (02.22/03.04/03.25)
A Bigger Splash (10.08.15/05.04/02.12)
Miss Sloane (11.20/11.25/05.12.17)
London Road (06.03.15/09.09/06.12.15)
The Girl with All the Gifts (07.26/02.24.17/09.23)
I, Daniel Blake...
- 4/27/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
A total of 145 scores were recently announced as being eligible for this year’s Academy Award, with everything from perceived frontrunner “La La Land” (Justin Hurwitz) and “Jackie” (Mica Levi) to outliers like “Sausage Party” and “Elle.” The final five will be nominated on January 24. In the meantime, avail yourself of this Spotify playlist featuring selections from 110 of the eligible scores — as well as the full list of every eligible score.
Read More: Oscar Best Score Contenders: The Inside Story of Creating 5 Diverse Frontrunners
Read More: Oscars 2017: Listen to 70 Songs Eligible for This Year’s Academy Award
The Abolitionists,” Tim Jones, composer
“Absolutely Fabulous The Movie,” Jake Monaco, composer
“The Accountant,” Mark Isham, composer
“Alice through the Looking Glass,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Allied,” Alan Silvestri, composer
“Almost Christmas,” John Paesano, composer
“American Pastoral,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“The Angry Birds Movie,” Heitor Pereira, composer
“Anthropoid,” Robin Foster, composer
“Armenia, My Love,...
Read More: Oscar Best Score Contenders: The Inside Story of Creating 5 Diverse Frontrunners
Read More: Oscars 2017: Listen to 70 Songs Eligible for This Year’s Academy Award
The Abolitionists,” Tim Jones, composer
“Absolutely Fabulous The Movie,” Jake Monaco, composer
“The Accountant,” Mark Isham, composer
“Alice through the Looking Glass,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Allied,” Alan Silvestri, composer
“Almost Christmas,” John Paesano, composer
“American Pastoral,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“The Angry Birds Movie,” Heitor Pereira, composer
“Anthropoid,” Robin Foster, composer
“Armenia, My Love,...
- 1/3/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
91 songs were recently named as being eligible for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, including three from Damien Chazelle’s musical “La La Land” and high-profile tunes by the likes of Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and Sia. We’ll know which five are ultimately nominated on January 24. In the meantime, avail yourself of this Spotify playlist featuring 70 of the eligible songs — and the full list of all 91.
Read More: 2017 Oscar Predictions: Best Original Song
Read More: Oscar Best Score Contenders: The Inside Story of Creating 5 Diverse Frontrunners
“Just Like Fire” from “Alice through the Looking Glass”
“Rise” from “American Wrestler: The Wizard”
“Friends” from “The Angry Birds Movie”
“Flicker” from “Audrie & Daisy”
“Seconds” from “Autumn Lights”
“A Minute To Breathe” from “Before the Flood”
“Glory (Let There Be Peace)” from “Believe”
“Mother’s Theme” from “Believe”
“Somewhere” from “Believe”
“The Only Way Out” from “Ben-Hur”
“Still Falling For You...
Read More: 2017 Oscar Predictions: Best Original Song
Read More: Oscar Best Score Contenders: The Inside Story of Creating 5 Diverse Frontrunners
“Just Like Fire” from “Alice through the Looking Glass”
“Rise” from “American Wrestler: The Wizard”
“Friends” from “The Angry Birds Movie”
“Flicker” from “Audrie & Daisy”
“Seconds” from “Autumn Lights”
“A Minute To Breathe” from “Before the Flood”
“Glory (Let There Be Peace)” from “Believe”
“Mother’s Theme” from “Believe”
“Somewhere” from “Believe”
“The Only Way Out” from “Ben-Hur”
“Still Falling For You...
- 1/3/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
In case you didn’t notice last week, a number of categories had their ranks thinned out by the Academy. Well, in that regard, I’m here to help. Yes, AMPAS thinned the herd in Best Original Score, Best Original Song, and Best Foreign Language Feature. They also managed to include a handful of snubs, as always is the case. Those will be listed in just a moment, but definitely study these lists, as there are Oscar hints to be found within. For now though, these are just the remaining titles fighting it out for nominations. Take a look and be sure to see how it all impacts predictions going forward. Below you will see the 145 films in Original Score that are still eligible, the 91 tunes in Original Song, and the nine in Foreign Language Feature that remain in play. There were no real Song snubs, but notably Score has eliminated presumed nominee Arrival,...
- 12/20/2016
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 145 scores from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2016 are in contention for nominations in the Original Score category for the 89th Academy Awards.
The eligible scores along with their composers are listed below, in alphabetical order by film title:
“The Abolitionists,” Tim Jones, composer
“Absolutely Fabulous The Movie,” Jake Monaco, composer
“The Accountant,” Mark Isham, composer
“Alice through the Looking Glass,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Allied,” Alan Silvestri, composer
“Almost Christmas,” John Paesano, composer
“American Pastoral,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“The Angry Birds Movie,” Heitor Pereira, composer
“Anthropoid,” Robin Foster, composer
“Armenia, My Love,” Silvia Leonetti, composer
“Assassin’s Creed,” Jed Kurzel, composer
“Autumn Lights,” Hugi Gudmundsson and Hjörtur Ingvi Jóhannsson, composers
“The Bfg,” John Williams, composer
“Believe,” Michael Reola, composer
“Ben-Hur,” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, composers
“Bilal,” Atli Ӧrvarsson, composer
“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna,...
The eligible scores along with their composers are listed below, in alphabetical order by film title:
“The Abolitionists,” Tim Jones, composer
“Absolutely Fabulous The Movie,” Jake Monaco, composer
“The Accountant,” Mark Isham, composer
“Alice through the Looking Glass,” Danny Elfman, composer
“Allied,” Alan Silvestri, composer
“Almost Christmas,” John Paesano, composer
“American Pastoral,” Alexandre Desplat, composer
“The Angry Birds Movie,” Heitor Pereira, composer
“Anthropoid,” Robin Foster, composer
“Armenia, My Love,” Silvia Leonetti, composer
“Assassin’s Creed,” Jed Kurzel, composer
“Autumn Lights,” Hugi Gudmundsson and Hjörtur Ingvi Jóhannsson, composers
“The Bfg,” John Williams, composer
“Believe,” Michael Reola, composer
“Ben-Hur,” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, composers
“Bilal,” Atli Ӧrvarsson, composer
“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna,...
- 12/14/2016
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced the 145 scores eligible in the Best Original Score category, includeing work from “Jackie” and “La La Land.” The latter film, a musical directed by “Whiplash” helmer Damien Chazelle, picked up the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s award for Best Music earlier this month; “Jackie” was the category’s runner-up. Notably absent, meanwhile, are “Arrival” (which just landed a Golden Globe nod), “Manchester by the Sea” and “Silence.”
Read: ‘La La Land’: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s ‘City of Stars’ Duet Will Sweep You Off Your Feet – Listen
Justin Hurwitz composed and orchestrated the “La La Land” score, while “Jackie” marks “Under the Skin” composer Mica Levi’s second silver-screen effort. Decades after becoming one of the world’s most renowned film composers, Ennio Morricone won last year’s Oscar for his work on Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight.
Read: ‘La La Land’: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s ‘City of Stars’ Duet Will Sweep You Off Your Feet – Listen
Justin Hurwitz composed and orchestrated the “La La Land” score, while “Jackie” marks “Under the Skin” composer Mica Levi’s second silver-screen effort. Decades after becoming one of the world’s most renowned film composers, Ennio Morricone won last year’s Oscar for his work on Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight.
- 12/14/2016
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Academy brass on Tuesday announced the roster of songs that will advance to the nominations stage for the 89th Academy Awards.
The original songs and the film in which each is featured are listed below in alphabetical order by film title and song title:
Just Like Fire from Alice through The Looking Glass
Rise from American Wrestler: The Wizard
Friends from The Angry Birds Movie
Flicker from Audrie & Daisy
Seconds from Autumn Lights
A Minute To Breathe from Before The Flood
Glory (Let There Be Peace) from Believe
Mother’s Theme from Believe
Somewhere from Believe
The Only Way Out from Ben-Hur
Still Falling For You from Bridget Jones’s Baby
That from The Bronze
Torch Pt. 2 from Citizen Soldier
Drift And Fall Again from Criminal
Take Me Down from Deepwater Horizon
Land Of All from Desierto
Sad But True (Dreamland Theme) from Dreamland
Angel By The Wings from The Eagle Huntress
Blind Pig from Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them...
The original songs and the film in which each is featured are listed below in alphabetical order by film title and song title:
Just Like Fire from Alice through The Looking Glass
Rise from American Wrestler: The Wizard
Friends from The Angry Birds Movie
Flicker from Audrie & Daisy
Seconds from Autumn Lights
A Minute To Breathe from Before The Flood
Glory (Let There Be Peace) from Believe
Mother’s Theme from Believe
Somewhere from Believe
The Only Way Out from Ben-Hur
Still Falling For You from Bridget Jones’s Baby
That from The Bronze
Torch Pt. 2 from Citizen Soldier
Drift And Fall Again from Criminal
Take Me Down from Deepwater Horizon
Land Of All from Desierto
Sad But True (Dreamland Theme) from Dreamland
Angel By The Wings from The Eagle Huntress
Blind Pig from Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them...
- 12/13/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced the 91 tunes eligible to compete for this year’s Best Original Songs, including three from “La La Land” alone. The most recent award went to “Writing’s on the Wall” from “Spectre,” the second consecutive James Bond film to be so honored; Adele won for “Skyfall” in 2012.
Read: ‘La La Land’: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s ‘City of Stars’ Duet Will Sweep You Off Your Feet – Listen
This tends to be one of the Academy Awards’ more inclusive categories, often going to movies that get little or no other attention on Oscar night: Other recent winners and nominees include selections from “Frozen,” “The Muppets” and “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The final nominees will be announced on January 24. Full list below:
Read More: ‘Jackie’ Soundtrack: Stream Mica Levi’s Powerful, Haunting Score
“Just Like Fire” from “Alice through the Looking Glass...
Read: ‘La La Land’: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s ‘City of Stars’ Duet Will Sweep You Off Your Feet – Listen
This tends to be one of the Academy Awards’ more inclusive categories, often going to movies that get little or no other attention on Oscar night: Other recent winners and nominees include selections from “Frozen,” “The Muppets” and “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The final nominees will be announced on January 24. Full list below:
Read More: ‘Jackie’ Soundtrack: Stream Mica Levi’s Powerful, Haunting Score
“Just Like Fire” from “Alice through the Looking Glass...
- 12/13/2016
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Engaging in a secluded environment in an overall unfamiliar culture can be a daunting prospect for many people as they embark on the latest phase of their lives. Not only do the main characters of the new drama, ‘Autumn Lights,’ must learn how to immerse themselves in a remote region of Iceland as they strive to find a much needed serenity, but so do the main actors and filmmakers of the movie. First-time feature film writer, director and producer, Angad Aulakh, collaborated with a fellow American, actor-producer Guy Kent, to make the first Icelandic-American co-production to be shot and completed in Iceland. Joined by Italian actress, Marta Gastini, the trio [ Read More ]
The post Interview: Guy Kent and Marta Gastini Talk Autumn Lights (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Guy Kent and Marta Gastini Talk Autumn Lights (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/8/2016
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Dead and absent women cause a man to have feels, but in an ethereal way, you know, with “artistic” female nudity and nonsensical pseudophilosophical dialogue. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
My cinematic psychic powers inform me that this movie exists as a thing solely because someone had access to two amazing houses down the beach from each other in remotest Iceland, and someone else said, “Dude! We have to make a movie here! It would look amazing.” And it’s true: Autumn Lights does look pretty good, and its setting is indeed spectacular. So it’s a pity that this is the movie that American writer-director Angad Aulakh, in his feature debut, decided to make. I couldn’t really tell you what it’s about, beyond a visiting American photographer, David (Guy Kent), wandering...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
My cinematic psychic powers inform me that this movie exists as a thing solely because someone had access to two amazing houses down the beach from each other in remotest Iceland, and someone else said, “Dude! We have to make a movie here! It would look amazing.” And it’s true: Autumn Lights does look pretty good, and its setting is indeed spectacular. So it’s a pity that this is the movie that American writer-director Angad Aulakh, in his feature debut, decided to make. I couldn’t really tell you what it’s about, beyond a visiting American photographer, David (Guy Kent), wandering...
- 10/26/2016
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Though it may seem like there are fewer and fewer milestones in the world of film, look no further than “Autumn Lights,” the first independent American-Icelandic co-production both shot and completed in Iceland. In the film, young American photographer David (played by newcomer Guy Kent) is on assignment in a remote Icelandic community. One day, he discovers a deserted crime scene and becomes implicated in a local investigation, forcing him to remain in the town. While he’s there, he crosses paths with an intriguing Italian woman (Marta Gastini) who’s living with her Icelandic husband (Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson) in the countryside. As his fascination with the couple intensifies, he finds himself enscsonced in their lives. Watch an exclusive clip from the film below.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Oscilloscope Dates ‘Girl Asleep,’ 26 Aries Sets First Theatrical Release And More
The film is written and directed by Angad Aulakh, and is his feature-length debut.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Oscilloscope Dates ‘Girl Asleep,’ 26 Aries Sets First Theatrical Release And More
The film is written and directed by Angad Aulakh, and is his feature-length debut.
- 8/15/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– Oscilloscope Laboratories will open Rosemary Myers’ subversive debut feature, “Girl Asleep,” preceded by Amy Nicholson’s delightful, award-winning documentary short, “Pickle,” at Landmark NuArt in Los Angeles on September 23 and at Landmark Sunshine in New York on September 30, with a nationwide rollout to follow. Billed as “a vibrant portrayal of Australian adolescence” the film follows what happens when “Greta Driscoll’s bubble of obscure loserdom is burst [and] her parents throw her a surprise 15th birthday party and invite the whole school! Perfectly content being a wallflower, suddenly Greta’s flung far from her comfort zone into a distant, parallel place.”
– NYC-based film production and theatrical distribution company 26 Aries will release their first theatrical release, Kurt Vincent’s...
– Oscilloscope Laboratories will open Rosemary Myers’ subversive debut feature, “Girl Asleep,” preceded by Amy Nicholson’s delightful, award-winning documentary short, “Pickle,” at Landmark NuArt in Los Angeles on September 23 and at Landmark Sunshine in New York on September 30, with a nationwide rollout to follow. Billed as “a vibrant portrayal of Australian adolescence” the film follows what happens when “Greta Driscoll’s bubble of obscure loserdom is burst [and] her parents throw her a surprise 15th birthday party and invite the whole school! Perfectly content being a wallflower, suddenly Greta’s flung far from her comfort zone into a distant, parallel place.”
– NYC-based film production and theatrical distribution company 26 Aries will release their first theatrical release, Kurt Vincent’s...
- 7/15/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Plus: Miss Sloane gets Us awards season release date; Freestyle Digital Media acquires Autumn Lights; and more
David Dastmalchian and Hiam Abbass are to join the previously announced cast on Alcon Entertainment’s Untitled Blade Runner sequel.
Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Carla Juri, Mackenzie Davis, Barkhad Abdi and Dave Bautista star in the sci-fi that Denis Villeneuve directs.
The Blade Runner sequel will open on October 6, 2017, via Warner Bros in North America. Sony handles international distribution.
EuropaCorp and FilmNation announced that Miss Sloane will open in the Us on December 9, positioning it for a potential awards run. John Madden directed Jessica Chastain and Mark Strong in the political lobbyist drama. EuropaCorp handles worldwide distribution.Freestyle Digital Media, the recently acquired digital film distribution division of Entertainment Studios, has acquired North American rights to Angad Aulakh’s feature Autumn Lights, which the producers say is the first Us-Icelandic co-production to be shot...
David Dastmalchian and Hiam Abbass are to join the previously announced cast on Alcon Entertainment’s Untitled Blade Runner sequel.
Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Carla Juri, Mackenzie Davis, Barkhad Abdi and Dave Bautista star in the sci-fi that Denis Villeneuve directs.
The Blade Runner sequel will open on October 6, 2017, via Warner Bros in North America. Sony handles international distribution.
EuropaCorp and FilmNation announced that Miss Sloane will open in the Us on December 9, positioning it for a potential awards run. John Madden directed Jessica Chastain and Mark Strong in the political lobbyist drama. EuropaCorp handles worldwide distribution.Freestyle Digital Media, the recently acquired digital film distribution division of Entertainment Studios, has acquired North American rights to Angad Aulakh’s feature Autumn Lights, which the producers say is the first Us-Icelandic co-production to be shot...
- 7/14/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to U.S.-Icelandic co-production, Autumn Lights. The mystery drama will go out in a limited theatrical release on October 21 with a day-and-date VOD debut. Check out the trailer above. Directed by first-time feature helmer, Angad Aulakh, who also wrote the screenplay, the film stars newcomer Guy Kent, along with Marta Gastini (Borgia), Sveinn Ã"lafur Gunnarsson (Rams) and Thora Bjorg Helga…...
- 7/13/2016
- Deadline
The UK’s revived Icon Film Distribution is adding to its release slate with four pick-ups from Cannes. Ifd acquired Jc Chandor’s A Most Violent Year with Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain; Equals by Drake Doremus with Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart; The Legend Of Barney Thompson starring Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone and Emma Thompson; and It Follows, the horror pic from David Robert Mitchell that ran in Critics’ Week. Ifd is showing itself a savvy buyer and recently released animated feature Postman Pat: The Movie which has grossed over $4M in its first 10 days. Icelandic producers Davíd Óskar Ólafsson and Árni Filippusson, exec producers on David Gordon Green’s Prince Avalanche, are moving forward with their first English-language drama, Autumn Lights. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Angad Aulakh who wrote the screenplay. Newcomer Guy Kent is starring as a young American photographer on assignment in...
- 6/4/2014
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
Producers of Metalhead and Either Way team with La’s Ashley M Kent on the English-language drama.
Shooting started yesterday in Iceland on English-language drama Autumn Lights, the feature directorial debut of Angad Aulakh.
The producers are Los Angeles-based attorney Ashley M Kent, and Mystery’s David Oskar Olafsson and Arni Filippusson; the latter was one of Efp’s Producers on the Move at Cannes last month. Olafsson and Filippusson’s credits include Metalhead, Either Way (remade as Prince Avalanche), King’s Road and Country Wedding.
The cast features Guy Kent [pictured], Marta Gastini, Sveinn Olafur Gunnarsson and Thora Bjorg Helga.
Kent stars as a young American photographer who meets an enigmatic couple while on assignment in remote Iceland.
Shooting started yesterday in Iceland on English-language drama Autumn Lights, the feature directorial debut of Angad Aulakh.
The producers are Los Angeles-based attorney Ashley M Kent, and Mystery’s David Oskar Olafsson and Arni Filippusson; the latter was one of Efp’s Producers on the Move at Cannes last month. Olafsson and Filippusson’s credits include Metalhead, Either Way (remade as Prince Avalanche), King’s Road and Country Wedding.
The cast features Guy Kent [pictured], Marta Gastini, Sveinn Olafur Gunnarsson and Thora Bjorg Helga.
Kent stars as a young American photographer who meets an enigmatic couple while on assignment in remote Iceland.
- 6/3/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.