A Most Wanted Man- July 25th- 87%
A film starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman that is actually worthy of praise (not like… say… God’s Pocket). Described as a slow boiling spy thriller, Hoffman’s performance is (of course) getting noticed. It’s likely that this will be his last great performance.
Happy Christmas- July 25th- 91%
Currently available as a VOD title, Happy Christmas is getting heaps of praise for stars Anna Kendrick and Melanie Lynskey, as well as director Joe Swanberg. He really started the mumblecore trend, and apparently this is the best mumblecore cinema to date. If that’s your thing…
Calvary- August 1st- 92%
“Calvary is a wonderfully uncomfortable film.” Featuring an award-worthy performance from Brendan Gleeson as a priest faced with a series of challenges, Calvary has received 48 fresh reviews so far, ahead of its release. It’s the closest thing we have to a sure-fire indie hit on this list.
What If- August 1st- 86%
Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan star in this summer’s 500 Days Of Summer (basically). It’s a quirky romcom that critics have embraced. Well… 12 critics so far, but enough to generate a RT score, and some buzz.
Frank- August 15th- 88%
Magnolia is distributing this Sundance charmer starring Michael Fassbender as a guy who wears another head… on top of his head. And he’s the head of an avante-garde garage band. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dominhall Gleeson co-star. 44 critics approve!
Love Is Strange- August 22nd- 100%
So far, all 15 critics have reviewed and loved this indie dramedy starring John Lithgow and Alfred Molina as a longtime gay couple who recently married, only to have Molina’s character fired, and them no longer able to afford their apartment. “Fully earns the tears and transcends any labels you’d like to place on it. ” Marisa Tomei and Cheyenne Jackson co-star.
The Congress- August 29th- 84%
Robin Wright (House Of Cards) plays herself, or at least a version of herself, who signs away the right to her image in order to afford medical care for her son. Danny Huston and Harvey Keitel co-star. The film clearly has something to say about the future of cinema, and Wright has a bold performance. “One of the most startling uses of the animated medium to come along in years.”
Starred Up- August 29th- 98%
Jack O’Connell stars later this year in Unbroken, but his performance in Starred Up is already gaining him a ton of awards buzz. “Starred Up is draining, brutal and absolutely unforgettable. Hands down, this is one of 2014′s must-see movies.” Positively reviewed already by 43 critics ahead of release, “It is impossible to take your eyes off O’Connell as Eric, so convincingly psychotic that there are times when you have to remind yourself this isn’t a fly-on-the-prison-wall documentary.”
The Skeleton Twins- Sept 19th- 100%
This is the film that came out of Sundance that had everyone talking about Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader’s apparently breakthrough performances in drama. “In the same way that “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” redefined Jim Carrey, this affecting and poignant drama-with-laughs shatters your expectations of Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig.” With a perfect score from 16 critics, The Skeleton Twins could be an Oscar contender for Wiig and Hader.
The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby- Sept 26th- 100%
Originally presented as two separate films, the combined version has earned heaps of praise, and the film has been tagged as an early frontrunner this year for stars Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy.
