If you look at all the best pets in Hollywood history, it doesn’t all that long to come up with a handful (or a few handfuls) of iconic cats from yesterday and today. However, while all the great movie dogs get a ton of attention, their feline counterparts don’t always get as much love. In fact, they’re often portrayed as the villain or the butt of a “nine lives” joke.

That said, let’s change the narrative by highlighting 32 amazing cats in Hollywood history, even if some of them are more than a little evil.

Jonesy (Alien)

Though there are some outrageous theories out there about this memorable movie cat being in cahoots with the Xenomorph, let’s not disparage the name of Alien’s Jonesy. This adorable and fearless orange tabby cat pulled off what most of the Nostromo crew failed to do in Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror classic: survive.

Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)

Voiced by the late Phil Hartman in the 1998 English dub of this iconic Studio Ghibli movie, Jiji was at the heart and center of Hayo Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service. The sassy counterpart of the 13-year-old titular witch finding her way in the world, Jiji was there to keep the young girl on track while also providing some great moments along the way.

Sassy (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)

Cats rule and dogs drool, or at least that’s what Sassy, voiced by Sally Field, would lead you to believe in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. As her name implies, this furry heroine didn’t take crap from either of her canine companions, though she did come through for them on more than one occasion.

Garfield (The Garfield Cartoon, Movies, And Comics)

When it comes to iconic cats, few hold a lasagna-scented candle to Garfield. Yeah, he’s a grump and pretty much hates everything besides lasagna, his bed, and Grandma in Garfield’s Thanksgiving, but it’s all part of his charm.

Cat (Breakfast At Tiffany's)

Would Breakfast at Tiffany’s work without Holly Golightly's (Audrey Hepburn) cat? Yeah, more likely than not. However, this pesky, hungry, and adorable orange cat makes the 1961 romantic comedy so much more enjoyable.

Milo (The Adventures Of Milo And Otis)

Though The Adventures of Milo and Otis has been marred by controversy in the decades since its release, there’s no denying that Milo, the cat at the center of the film, is unforgettable. Again, probably for the wrong reasons, but so it goes.

Tonto (Harry And Tonto)

Harry and Tonto resulted in Art Carney winning the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 47th Academy Awards thanks to his portrayal of a man going on a road trip with his pet cat. That cat, Tonto, would end up being one of the most iconic movie pets of all time, thanks in part to looking fresh hitchhiking across the American landscape.

Jinx The Cat (Meet The Parents)

Was Jinx the cat a force of evil in Meet the Parents? Yeah, there’s no denying that. However, there’s also no denying the fact that Jack Byrnes’ (Robert De Niro) most-trusted family member is pretty much the most impressive cat in big-screen history. Like, this cat does its business in the toilet for crying out loud.

Ulysses (Inside Llewyn Davis)

No matter how many times we watch Inside Llewyn Davis, we cannot get enough of Ulysses, the cat Oscar Isaac’s down-on-his-luck folk singer brings along with him on his perilous odyssey. Pretty much the second lead of the film, this precocious little cat is always getting into mischief, as all cats should.

Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

Though the cat that played Thackery Bink reportedly wasn’t the best co-star on the set of Hocus Pocus, let’s speak ill of this bewitched black cat. A boy trapped in a feline body, this beloved movie was always quick with a joke or nudge in the right direction.

Goose (Captain Marvel)

Okay, Goose isn’t technically a cat but a flerken, but you try telling that to everyone who fell in love with this intergalactic being in 2019’s Captain Marvel. If she can melt Nick Fury’s heart (even if her scratch led to him adopting his signature eyepatch) and pretty much everyone else in the movie, she’s more than deserving of a spot.

Mr. Bigglesworth (The Austin Powers Movies)

It’s not all that hard to feel bad for Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil’s cat from the Austin Powers movies. This guy started out as a long-haired Persian with a beautiful coat and ended up becoming some hairless hench-cat of a crazed madman. Despite his appearance, we’d still let him make biscuits.

Mrs. Norris (The Harry Potter Movies)

Though Mrs. Norris was a rather unpleasant cat that was often doing the bidding of Argus Finch in the Harry Potter movies, there’s still a place for her in the hall of cats. This evil feline was a stickler for the rules and looked cute despite being a pain in the butt.

Oliver (Oliver & Company)

An animated feline version of Oliver Twist? Say no more! The adorable kitten at the center of Oliver & Company managed to steal the show and our hearts, which was no easy task as he shared so much time on screen with a stray dog voiced by Billy Joel.

Puss In Boots (The Shrek And Puss In Boots Movies)

There’s so much to think about with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and much of that is to do with Antonio Banderas’ titular swashbuckling cat. Ever since the character was introduced back in Shrek 2, he’s found a way to entertain audiences with his infectious charm and enchanting nature. Plus, cats with beards should be more common.

DC (That Darn Cat)

That Darn Cat! is a classic Disney film that’s just as much fun watching in 2024 as it was in 1965, and a lot of that is because of DC the Cat. This wise Siamese cat becomes the center of a bank robbery investigation and finds a permanent place in our hearts for his heroics along the way.

Keanu (Keanu)

You know when an entire movie plot centers around someone trying to get their kitten back it’s going to be a good time. And that’s exactly what happens in this 2016 comedy starring Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key. Plus, the cat is voiced by Keanu Reeves, which adds so much.

Don Corleone's Cat (The Godfather)

Though the unnamed cat in Don Corleone’s lap is only featured in one scene in The Godfather, the pet helps make that opening sequence one of the most iconic in all of cinema. Sometimes less is more, and that’s very much the case here.

Marlowe's Cat (The Long Goodbye)

Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye features what could be one of the best opening scenes in Hollywood history, and it all revolves around Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) finding his cat some food late at night, and that pretty much sets the tone of the friendship and the feline’s character.

Blofeld's Cat (From Russia With Love)

There have been countless villainous James Bond characters over the years, and that includes Blofeld’s cat, who appeared multiple times in the 007 movie timeline. With appearances in From Russia with Love to Spectre, this faithful feline has been there for the evil mastermind who’s constantly had a bone to pick with a certain MI6 agent.

Church (Pet Sematary)

Though not the best Stephen King adaptation, Pet Sematary does feature one of the prolific author’s most iconic characters: Church the Cat. Brought back to life after a tragic accident, the cat also known as Winston Churchhill is a force of pure evil in this 1989 horror classic and comes up with some diabolical ways to hurt (and kill) people.

The Entire Cat Cast (The Aristocats)

Everybody wants to be a cat, at least that’s what the feline cast in Disney’s The Aristocats wants you to believe. And guess what, they’re not wrong. The cats at the center of this timeless animated classic do it all, including stealing our hearts.

Jake (The Cat From Outer Space)

Jake, also known as Zunar-J-5/9 Doric 4-7, isn’t really a cat, but we’ll have to let it slide because pretty much everyone he meets in The Cat from Outer Space thinks he’s just a normal feline. This 1978 Disney flick sees the mysterious lifeform get in all kinds of trouble, looking cute the whole time.

Pyewacket (Bell, Book And Candle)

Not just a normal everyday Siamese cat, Pyewacket is a powerful (and adorable) supernatural entity in Bell, Book and Candle, the 1958 adaptation of the play of the same name. One of the best cases of “more than meets the eye,” Pyewacket is one of those iconic and memorable cats we just couldn’t stop thinking about, even if we wanted.

Buttercup (The Hunger Games Movies)

Though everyone is obsessed with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), and for good reason, we couldn’t not include Buttercup from The Hunger Games movies on this list. Sure, he’s not the most handsome of cats and doesn’t appear all that much, but there’s a certain charm that makes him unforgettable.

Tao (The Incredible Journey)

Based on the novel of the same name, The Incredible Journey follows three pets – Luath the labrador retriever, Bodger the bull terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat – as they go to great lengths to make their way back home. And while there are a lot of similarities with Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, essentially a star-studded remake, this 1963 Disney movie doesn’t need celebrity voices to make you fall in love with its pets. This is especially true for Tao, who comes through big on more than one occasion. Hunting, scouting, and putting his life on the line to save his canine friends are just part of his incredible feats.

The Alley Cats (Batman Returns)

Do the alley cats in Batman Returns have some mysterious powers? It seems to be that way, as they seemingly bring Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) back from the dead and transform her into Catwoman, one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time. The anti-hero/villain who steals Bruce Wayne’s (Michael Keaton) heart while also pulling off some insane heists along the way, pretty much gets her powers (and nine lives) from this pack of mysterious strays.

Kovacs' Cat (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Though the cat belonging to Deputy Vilmos Kovacs (Jeff Goldblum) in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel suffers a rather sudden and unfortunate fate at the hands of J.G. Jopling (Willem Dafoe), he makes for an unforgettable big-screen feline in his limited screentime. We’re not saying the cat makes this one of Anderson’s best movies, but he certainly doesn’t hurt.

Mike Tyson's Tiger (The Hangover)

Cats come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s the case for Mike Tyson’s tiger in The Hangover. This massive apex predator makes for the perfect pet for the larger-than-life boxing legend and also leads to some of the funniest bits in the 2009 comedy. We just wish there was more of the tiger (and Iron Mike) to go around.

The Turkish Cats (Kedi)

Though technically a documentary and not a feature film, Kedi does feature some unforgettable cats. Set in Istanbul, the documentary follows the lives of thousands of street cats that live in the iconic city. Danger, cuteness, and a whole lot of heart can be found in this charming film.

Azrael the Cat (Doctor Sleep)

A cat that knows when people are about to cross over into the Great Beyond? Say no more. That’s the case for Azrael the Cat in Doctor Sleep, a mysterious and powerful feline that sits with dying patients, offering them slight comfort before they go to sleep for the final time.

Ser Pounce (Game Of Thrones)

The fate of Ser Pounce was left up in the air after Cersei went all crazy near the end of Game of Thrones, and we’re not sure he survived the attack on King’s Landing, but at least Tommen’s pet cat looked adorable while he was still around.

More times than not, if there is a pet in a movie, we’re going to love them more than the rest of the cast. We’ve seen it in everything from family-friendly comedies like Babe to all-time great sci-fi thrillers like Alien and countless others. And since we had so much fun looking back on the greatest movie dogs, we thought we’d give the rest of the animal kingdom some love by breaking down 32 of the best pets in Hollywood history. 

Let’s look at some of the beloved cats, dogs, fish, and alien creatures that have stolen our hearts over the years.

Gizmo (Gremlins)

While the rest of his siblings are off causing all kinds of mayhem in Kingston Falls, Gizmo spends the entirety of Gremlins being not only a cute and adorable pet, but also a brave companion for Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan). He’s not your typical pet, but this furry and brave mogwai is a creature we’d all love to have in our house.

Beethoven (Beethoven)

Sure, Beethoven destroys the Newton home on more than one occasion, likes to steal bacon, and uses dress shoes as his chew toys, but there’s no denying this massive St. Bernard is one of the best movie pets in Hollywood history. Like, come on, he even turns George Newton (Charles Grodin) from a neurotic mess of a man who hates dogs to a slightly less neurotic man who takes in no fewer than a dozen dogs at the end of the movie.

Babe (Babe)

Babe, one of the best family movies from the ‘90s, features what is perhaps the most beloved on-screen pig in Hollywood history. The titular sheep-pig, which warmed everyone’s hearts including James Cromwell’s farmer in the 1995 classic, never lets the other animals’ comments or attitudes get the best of him. 

Jonesy (Alien)

One of only two survivors of the Nostromo incident in Alien, Jonesy the cat has become one of the most recognizable felines in Hollywood history. The orange tabby cat that was on a yearslong mission to deep space for some reason, shows up again in Aliens, but doesn’t get to leave Earth’s orbit, which is a shame.

Oliver (Oliver & Company)

Sure Billy Joel’s Dodger is the definition of cool in Oliver & Company, but the titular feline is there to melt our hearts and teach us about bravery and new beginnings. Though he starts out as an orphan, Oliver, an adorable kitten voiced by Joey Lawrence, does eventually find a family and does everything he can to make it his forever home.

Toto (The Wizard Of Oz)

One of the most well-known terriers in Hollywood history, Toto is a major part of The Wizard of Oz and is quite crucial to its plot. Not only does he give the Wicked Witch of the West a hard time throughout the movie, but he also doesn’t fall for the Wizard’s act and exposes him for the fraud he is.

Hedwig (The Harry Potter Movies)

What other movie pets have their own iconic theme composed by the legendary John Williams? This alone puts Hedwig in the top tier of animals in Hollywood history, but it’s honestly just one part of Harry Potter’s trusty owl’s on-screen accomplishments. And the way she puts her life on the line to protect the young wizard is nothing short of commendable.

Toothless (How To Train Your Dragon)

Dragons don’t have to be massive, ferocious, or obsessed with gold to earn a spot in Hollywood history, and that’s the case for Toothless in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. Ever since his first appearance in the 2010 franchise starter, this adorable yet courageous pet and companion has come through big for Hiccup time and time again.

Blofeld's Cat (From Russia With Love)

There are quite a few recurring characters in the James Bond franchise and one of the most frequently featured is Blofeld’s cat, which was a major fixture in the early movies. The pet belonging to the fearsome leader of Spectre, this white cat is adorable even if it’s part of one of the biggest crime syndicates in Hollywood history.

Abu (Aladdin)

Sure, Genie makes a case for himself with “You Never Had A Friend Like Me,” but the titular hero in Disney’s Aladdin had a great pet and friend all along: Abu. This crafty monkey with a knack for lifting valuable objects and artifacts, has more street smarts than just about any other animal in the studio’s history, which is saying something.

Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)

One of Hayao Miyazaki’s best movies, Kiki’s Delivery Service features one of the most beloved Studio Ghibli characters with its titular witch, but the movie also has an all-time great movie pet. Jiji, Kiki’s talking cat, who was voiced by the late Phil Hartman in the 1998 English dub, is crafty, sassy, and devoted to his human. With a quip and morale boost at every turn, we’d all be better with a cat like this.

Wanda (A Fish Called Wanda)

Wanda, the angelfish and not the character played by Jamie Lee Curtis, in A Fish Called Wanda doesn’t do as much as other pets on this list, but it is key to one of the most iconic scenes from this hilarious ‘80s crime comedy. Anyone down for fish and chips?

Sassy, Chance and Shadow (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)

For folks of a certain age, Sassy, Chance, and Shadow are three of the most recognizable pets of all time. Sure, they wouldn’t have had to cross a mountain pass if they had just stayed put, but we have to give it to them for going to extreme lengths to get back to their owners, even if it means almost dying multiple times in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.

Vito Corleone's Cat (The Godfather)

Despite only being featured in one scene, Don Vito Corleone’s cat in The Godfather has become one of the most unforgettable characters in the crime epic as well as one of the most recognizable pets in Hollywood history. And the notoriously dark and shadowy opening scene with Vito and the cat is even better in the 4K remaster, which adds so much to the feline’s character. 

Arthur (Beginners)

Beginners is a charming and heartful romantic comedy that touches on love, happiness, loss, and new beginnings (hence the name). And while Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, and Melanie Laurent are all masterful in their respective roles, it’s the dog, named Arthur, who steals the show. This Jack Russell terrier, whose thoughts are shown in subtitles, has great comedic timing, which makes the 2011 movie so much more fun.

Cat (Breakfast At Tiffany's)

Holly Golightly’s pet, appropriately named “Cat,” is honestly one of the best things about Breakfast at Tiffany’s and helps make the iconic Audrey Hepburn movie so beloved. And who is there in the timeless final scene in which Holly and Pual Varjak get back together in the pouring rain? Yep, it’s Cat.

Benji (Benji)

When it comes to legendary on-screen pooches, Benji is near or at the top of the list. Ever since the 1974 classic, Benji, the beloved dog has melted audiences’ (of multiple generations) hearts and provided for some adventurous moments along the way.

Jinxy (Meet The Parents) 

Jinxy cat can wave, flush toilets, and make life miserable for Greg Focker in Meet the Parents, but despite being antagonistic against Ben Stiller’s character in the 2000 comedy, he’s still one of the best. Who else can make Rober De Niro’s Jack Byrnes turn into a big softy like that? No one, not even his daughters.

Max (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

At the heart of every version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is Max, the Grinch’s best friend, trusty assistant, and beloved pet dog. It’s hard not to feel sympathetic towards the iconic pooch, especially before the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes…

Buddy (Air Bud)

We’ve lost count of how many times Buddy has saved the day in the Air Bud movies, but it’s a lot. It all goes back to the ‘90s kids sports movie where the Golden Retriever joins the basketball team after escaping from an abusive circus clown. Are there any other dogs that can shoot hoops (and later play football and just about every other team sport)?

Mike Tyson's Tiger (The Hangover)

Mike Tyson has a pet tiger in The Hangover because of course he does. Probably the most exotic, deadly, and out-of-left-field pet in the history of cinema, the infamous boxer’s tiger is involved in one of the movie’s most hilarious sequences, one that’ll leave you laughing and scratching your head as you try to figure out how this happened.

Stitch (Lilo and Stitch)

Yeah, Stitch is technically an alien lifeform and not an animal from Earth, but the little blue creature from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch is just too good to not mention. We can’t understand a thing he says and he causes a lot of mischief, but isn’t that true about all pets?

Ulysses (Inside Llewyn Davis)

Ulysses, the cat Oscar Isaac’s titular character in Inside Llewyn Davis brings with him after getting locked out of a friend’s apartment, is honestly one of the best big-screen feline characters of the 21st century. He represents the struggling folk singer’s life so well and adds so much to this Coen brothers movie.

Daisy (John Wick)

Daisy, we didn’t know you all that long, but you’ve remained in our hearts for the past decade. A present from John Wick’s late wife to help him with his grief ended up becoming the spark for the retired hitman’s return back to the underworld. There have been more John Wick dogs over the years, but Daisy will always be the first.

Clyde (Every Which Way But Loose)

Clyde the orangutang playing the comedic relief to Clint Eastwood’s straight man in Every Which Way But Loose is one of those great primate movie performances and provides for so many great moments. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with a rambunctious ape that likes to flip people the bird?

Virgil (Project X)

Virgil isn’t your typical pet, which is what makes this chimpanzee so great in Project X (the 1987 sci-fi drama and not the 2012 party flick). Part of a secret military project and later the best friend of Matthew Broderick’s Jimmy Garrett, this advanced primate embarks upon an epic adventure as he and his human counterparts seek a better life.

Goose (Captain Marvel)

Goose may look like a normal housecat, but this isn’t your everyday tabby. Instead, as seen throughout Captain Marvel, Goose is an alien creature known as a flerken and has all kinds of crazy strengths and powers. Just watch your eye.

The Ranchor (Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi)

On the surface, the ranchor looks like a ferocious and massive monster in Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, but as we see after the creature’s death, it’s actually someone’s pet. Just look on the trainer’s face when Luke kills the beast in Jabba’s palace. Heartbreaking.

Dug (Up)

There have been countless pets in Pixar movies over the years, and one of the best is Dug from Up. Equipped with a collar that turns his thoughts into words, this fun-loving, ball-obsessed, and adventurous canine is a source of entertainment throughout this beloved 2009 animated gem.

Rajah (Aladdin)

What makes Rajah such a great pet, well, besides being a freaking tiger? Well, he projects Jasmine from countless threats throughout Aladdin and never falls for Jafar’s games, which is more than you can say about pretty much every character in this Disney staple. But don’t let that fool you, because he’s actually a big softie.

Sven (Frozen)

Reindeer are better than people, especially when it comes to Sven in Frozen. The longtime friend, companion, and pet of Kristof’s in this massive box office hit. He doesn’t talk, but this trusty character has all kinds of emotions and never ignores the call to adventure.

Wilbur (Charlotte's Web)

There’s a good chance Charlotte’s Web would have earned an Oscar if the Best Animated Feature category existed at the time of its release. A lot of that is because of the infectious energy of Wilbur, the prized pig who becomes the source of inspiration for the titular spider and her incredible creations. Sure, he doesn’t become a sheep-pig, but he’s still pretty great.

Surely, we all have all-time favorite bands and musicians we would give anything to share the same air with at a concert. But, what about our most beloved fake music acts from films over the years? Some of the best music movies of all time feature fictional bands and singers that we can only imagine standing in line for.  

So, let’s talk about the musicians we’ve seen play center stage in some incredible movies. We’ve seen everything from ‘70s era rockstars and catchy garage punk bands to a comical boy band. Here are the best movies on the subject and how to watch them at home: 

Almost Famous (2000)

Almost Famous’ storyline of a teenager getting to tour with a rock band may seem impossible, but the Cameron Crowe movie was actually inspired by the filmmaker’s own experiences as a journalist for Rolling Stone. The movie’s fictional band, Stillwater, is a ‘70s era music act inspired by Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers Band and The Eagles. Crowe actually toured with the Allman Brothers Band for ten days back in the day, per Yahoo! No wonder Crowe’s 2000 classic is one of the best! Plus, tons of great songs are featured throughout the movie. 

Stream Almost Famous for free on PlutoTV.
Stream Almost Famous on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Almost Famous on Amazon. 

The Blues Brothers (1980) 

In January 1976, original Saturday Night Live cast members Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi took to the TV show’s stage to debut the Blues Brothers. Four years later, the pair of comedians played their characters of "Joliet" Jake Blues and Elwood for a comedy action film that became a big hit commercially. While we’ve filed the band under “fake bands” because the actors are playing characters, the Blues Brothers actually made three live albums and toured in 1988 and 1998. 

Stream/Rent/Buy The Blues Brothers on Amazon. 

Sound Of Metal (2019)

Riz Ahmed gave an incredible performance in 2019’s Sound of Metal that earned him an Oscar nomination. The drama is about the drummer of a fictional metal duo called Blackgammon, Ruben, who learns he has lost most of his hearing. His doctor recommends he cease playing in his band, which he shares with his girlfriend, Lou. Despite his own protests, Ruben goes on a powerful journey where he wrestles with sobriety, learning sign language and living with silence. 

Stream Sound Of Metal on Amazon Prime.

School Of Rock (2003) 

Who can forget the lyrics “If you wanna be the teacher’s pet, well, baby you just better forget it”? Richard Linklater’s School Of Rock told a hilarious fictional story that remains very popular over two decades later. It's about guitarist Dewey Finn, who is down on his luck and without a band. In his desperation, he decides to impersonate his roommate and pretend to be a substitute teacher at a private school. There he creates his own rock band full of elementary students, who go on to compete at his local battle of the bands. 

Stream School Of Rock for free on PlutoTV.
Stream School of Rock on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy School of Rock on Amazon.

Whiplash (2014)

Being a musician takes hours upon hours of practice and discipline. In Damien Chazelle’s Best Picture-nominated film, Whiplash, the filmmaker discusses this through the intense relationship between a young jazz drummer (Miles Teller) and his ruthless instructor (J.K. Simmons) at a prestigious conservatory in New York City. The storyline was inspired by Chazelle’s own experience in a “very competitive” studio band in high school. Yes, Simmons' character is based on the director's band instructor, but the filmmaker “pushed” the character much further. 

Stream/Rent/Buy Whiplash on Amazon. 

Velvet Goldmine (1998)

Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers played two fictional ‘70s glam rock stars in Velvet Goldmine. Meyers played Brian Slade, an androgynous icon likened to David Bowie and McGregor is Curt Wild, who is based on Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. The story is influenced by Bowie’s relationship with Iggy Pop and Lou Reed in the 1970s and 1980s. The movie also stars Christian Bale as a British journalist writing about Slade’s life and delves into some conversations about sexuality and fame during this time in the rock scene. 

Rent/Buy Velvet Goldmine on Amazon. 

Sing Street (2016) 

Writer/director John Carney has made a career out of music movies, all of which are excellent: from Once to Begin Again and last year’s Flora And Son. The best of the bunch is definitely Sing Street which is about a boy’s journey in creating a band to impress girls in 1980s Ireland. While Sing Street is a fictional band, the story is somewhat inspired by Carney’s upbringing in Ireland. 

Stream Sing Street on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Sing Street on Amazon. 

That Thing You Do! (1996) 

Tom Hanks had his directorial debut back in 1996 with That Thing You Do!, from a script he wrote as well. It talks about 1960s rock and roll culture through the lens of a fake one-hit wonder pop band called The Wonders. The cast was composed of Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn and Ethan Embry. The movie became so popular that the movie’s soundtrack actually charted on the Billboard 200! 

Stream That Thing You Do! on Hulu.
Rent/Buy That Thing You Do! on Amazon.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

Oh, what we would give to see Sex Bomb Omb and The Clash at Demonhead play on the same evening… if they existed that is. Both rock bands are only figments of the imagination, and come from Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series, but they certainly did come alive for Edgar Wright’s 2010 movie. Famed songwriter Beck was actually behind the tunes of the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack, particularly for Sex Bomb Omb, whereas Metric penned The Clash at Demonhead’s hit song “Black Sheep.” 

Stream Scott Pilgrim vs. The World on Max.
Rent/Buy Scott Pilgrim vs. The World on Amazon. 

Freaky Friday (2003)

Freaky Friday’s Pink Slip may have been just a garage band of high schoolers in the Disney comedy, but they made some certified bangers with “Ultimate” and “Take Me Away.” The movie itself is a ball to watch as Lindsay Lohan’s rebellious teen, Anna, swaps bodies with her mom, Jamie Lee Curtis’ widowed psychiatrist, Tess. While Anna is forced to go on a talk show and do a rehearsal dinner as Tess, Tess has to embrace her inner rock star, and it’s a blast to watch. What’s even more rad is the fact that we might see what became of Pink Slip, because a Freaky Friday sequel is on the way. 

Stream Freaky Friday on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Freaky Friday on Amazon. 

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis has Oscar Isaac playing a fictional folk musician as he struggles to keep his life afloat. The story of Llewyn Davis was inspired by Dave Van Ronk, who was pivotal to the American folk music revival. 

Stream Inside Llewyn Davis on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Inside Llewyn Davis on Amazon. 

Green Room (2015) 

In the instance of Green Room, the fictional punk band the Ain't Rights are formed to headline a terrifying horror film. In Jeremy Saulnier’s movie, which is among A24's best movies ever, the band gets attacked by neo-Nazi skinheads after they witness a murder while playing a club. In Green Room, the Ain’t Rights consist of characters played by Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawhat, Joe Cole and Callum Turner. 

Rent/Buy Green Room on Amazon. 

Josie And The Pussycats (2001) 

2001’s Josie And The Pussycats is actually based on the Archie Comics and Hanna-Barbera cartoon TV show about a band of female singers. The fictional rock band has been around since the ‘60s, but the movie modernized the storyline about a girl group. Starring Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson as Josie and the Pussycats, the movie is a clever satire on the music industry. 

Rent/Buy Josie and the Pussycats on Amazon. 

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

After The Lonely Island went viral for tons of SNL shorts and great music videos, the trio jumped to the big screen to play The Style Boyz, a fictional pop rap group led by Andy Samberg’s Conner “Kid Conner” Friel. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a hilarious parody full of cameos of real music acts throughout the movie.  

Stream Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping on Amazon. 

A Star Is Born (2018) 

Bradley Cooper collaborated with one of the biggest pop stars of our time to remake A Star Is Born to heartbreakingly raw results. Cooper actually learned to change his voice an entire octave to play the fake musician Jackson “Jack” Maine alongside Lady Gaga’s Ally. The movie is about Jackson and Ally’s romance as he mentors her to stardom whilst he also struggles with alcoholism. Cooper and Gaga were such convincing lovers, many believed they were really together. 

Stream A Star Is Born on Max.
Rent/Buy A Star Is Born on Amazon.

If only these fabulous fictional bands could all be part of the same festival so that we could see them in concert! Enjoy streaming these music-filled movies! 

A lot of people seem to forget that, before he launched his career as a multi-million-dollar pop star by joining NSYNC, Justin Timberlake was a main cast member on The Mickey Mouse Club. His prior experience explains how the “SexyBack” singer and SNL Five Timer’s Club member has managed to earn a reputation as one of the best musicians-turned-actors of all time. To celebrate his success on the screen, we have compiled our picks for the best Justin Timberlake movies so far, along with how to watch them, below.

Alpha Dog (2006)

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Starring: Emilie Hirsch, Anton Yelchin, Justin Timberlake

What it's about: A young California drug dealer and his friends abduct the teenage brother of a man who owes him money as part of a ransom scheme.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: One of Timberlake’s first major and acclaimed acting roles was Frankie Ballenbacher, who is tasked with minding the kidnapped Zach Mazursky in Alpha Dog, which is inspired by a true crime.

How to watch Alpha Dog

• Rent or buy Alpha Dog on Amazon
• Buy Alpha Dog on Blu-ray on Amazon

Blake Snake Moan (2006)

Director: Craig Brewer

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, Justin Timberlake

What it's about: A Tennessee bluesman finds a badly beaten young woman outside his home, takes her in, and vows to give her the spiritual guidance he believes she needs.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Tennessee native Timberlake stars in the compelling drama, Black Snake Moan, as Ronnie — the estranged boyfriend of Ricci’s character.

How to watch Black Snake Moan

• Stream Black Snake Moan on Paramount+
• Stream Black Snake Moan on Pluto TV
• Rent or buy Black Snake Moan on Amazon
• Buy Black Snake Moan on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Open Road (2009)

Director: Michael Meredith

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Justin Timberlake, Kate Mara, Mary Steenburgen

What it's about: A former baseball player is forced to confront his flawed relationship with his son while driving together to visit his ailing ex-wife.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Timberlake has great chemistry with Academy Award winner Bridges in writer and director Michael Meredith’s underrated travel dramedy, The Open Road.

How to watch The Open Road

• Stream The Open Road on Amazon Prime
• Stream The Open Road on Tubi
• Stream The Open Road on Pluto TV
• Buy The Open Road on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Social Network (2010)

Director: David Fincher

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer

What it's about: After his social networking site skyrockets in popularity, Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg faces legal action from his former best friend and business partner Eduardo Saverin and the Winklevoss Twins, who claim he stole their idea.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Arguably Timberlake’s best movie yet is co-writer Aaron Sorkin's sharp, biting, Oscar-winning dramatization (and indictment) of the rise of Facebook, The Social Network, in which he plays Napster co-founder Sean Parker.

How to watch The Social Network

• Stream The Social Network on Paramount+
• Rent or buy The Social Network on Amazon
• Buy The Social Network on Blu-ray on Amazon

Bad Teacher (2011)

Director: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel

What it's about: A middle school teacher decides to abandon her aimless, sleazy ways and become a more deserving role model and educator for her students.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: What motivates Diaz’s character to step up her game in the educational world in director the raunchy comedy, Bad Teacher, is the arrival of a new, committed school staff member whom she finds attractive, played by Timberlake.

How to watch Bad Teacher

• Rent or buy Bad Teacher on Amazon
• Buy Bad Teacher on Blu-ray on Amazon

Friends With Benefits (2011)

Director: Will Gluck

Starring: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis

What it's about: A friendship between a New York City headhunter and her new client, an LA-based art director, gets complicated when they decide to occasionally have sex.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Friends with Benefits is a romantic-comedy movie better than you might remember for how it cleverly acknowledges and mocks the clichés typically associated with stories about platonic relationships becoming more.

How to watch Friends with Benefits

• Rent or buy Friends with Benefits on Amazon
• Buy Friends with Benefits on Blu-ray on Amazon

In Time (2011)

Director: Andrew Niccol

Starring: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried

What it's about: In a world where time is literally money, a poor man is forced to go on the run after being falsely accused of murdering a mysterious man who gave him all the time he had left.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Timberlake gave being an action hero a try as the lead of In Time — a dystopian sci-fi thriller with a unique and thought-provoking premise.

How to watch In Time

• Rent or buy In Time on Amazon
• Buy In Time on Blu-ray on Amazon

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake

What it's about: An in-depth look at the increasingly troubling life of a struggling musician in the early 1960s.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Timberlake puts his musical talents to great use for his brief but memorable role in Inside Llewyn Davis — a beautiful and hilarious love letter to the Greenwich folk scene — as a more successful artist named Jim.

How to watch Inside Llewyn Davis

• Stream Inside Llewyn Davis on Pluto TV
• Rent or buy Inside Llewyn Davis on Amazon
• Buy Inside Llewyn Davis on Blu-ray on Amazon

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

Director: Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone

Starring: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer

What it's about: A documentary crew follows the rise and fall of a boy band member-turned-solo rap artist.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Timberlake has utilized both his musical and comedic talents brilliantly in his collaborations with The Lonely Island, including with his uncredited role in the vastly underrated music mockumentary, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, as Conner4Real’s personal chef, Tyrus Quash.

How to watch Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

• Rent or buy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping on Amazon
• Buy Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Trolls Movies (2016-2023)

Director: Walt Dohrn, Mike Mitchell; Walt Dohrn; David P. Smith; Tim Heitz

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake

What it's about: The adventures of a happy troll and her more cynical companion.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Another role that sees Timberlake combining his musical and comedic talents is Branch, whom he originated in 2016’s Trolls (for which also wrote the Oscar-nominated song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling”) and reprised in 2020 for Trolls World Tour and in 2023’s Trolls Band Together, for which he cut a new single with NSYNC.

How to watch the Trolls movies

• Rent or buy Trolls on Amazon
• Rent or buy Trolls World Tour on Amazon
• Stream Trolls Band Together on Netflix
• Buy the Trolls movies on Blu-ray on Amazon

Palmer (2021)

Director: Fisher Stevens

Starring: Justin Timberlake, Ryder Allen

What it's about: A recently released convict forms a close bond with a young child struggling with bullies and a troublesome life at home.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Timberlake gives a performance unlike any he has ever given in a role unlike any he has ever played in Palmer — an Apple TV+ original movie from director Fisher Stevens.

How to watch Palmer

• Stream Palmer on Apple TV+

Reptile (2023)

Director: Grant Singer

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Alicia Silverstone, Justin Timberlake

What it's about: A perplexing homicide case begins to take a personal toll on a veteran New England detective.

Why it is one of the best Justin Timberlake movies: Timberlake stars as the boyfriend of a brutally murdered woman who also becomes a suspect in the crime, in the Netflix original movie Reptile.

How to watch Reptile

• Stream Reptile on Netflix

Following his headlines-making DWI arrest, Justin Timberlake has been forced to cancel dates on his current world tour. For now, enjoy his movies!

Music is an integral part of cinema – be it film scores, original songs and curated soundtracks – but there are some movies that take its importance to the next level. History is full of incredible features about the power of music, including stories about artists and fans alike, and we’ve put this list together to highlight the best of the best.

From biopics about both fake and real musicians to stories about teachers, record store owners and life after death, the field of movies about music is wide, but they provide us with amazing insight and powerful messages about one of the great artforms.

30. Hustle & Flow

Winning an Oscar for its song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” which was written by underground legends Three 6 Mafia, and starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard before Empire, Hustle & Flow, as its title implies, is all about the hustle. Howard plays a pimp-cum-rapper who wants to leave his life of crime behind and get on the mic, while Henson plays one of his prostitutes who just so happens to kill it on hooks. They make beautiful music together, and everything seems to be going their way until drama just stomps right over all of their plans. Come for the story, stay for the amazing soundtrack.

29. A Mighty Wind

Christopher Guest may be one of the best mockumentary filmmakers to ever do it, but he’s proven himself to be pretty good at music, too. A Mighty Wind tells the story of several folk musicians coming together to honor the memory of a famed music producer after his children organize a first-of-its-kind concert. This 2003 movie works even if you’ve never given folk music a second thought. In fact, it may be better that way, as it pairs Guest’s signature witty one-liners, a familiar cast of eccentric characters and a truly charming soundtrack of songs like “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” (which was Oscar-nominated) and “A Mighty Wind” (which won a Grammy).

28. I'm Not There

Bob Dylan’s story cannot be summed up into one traditional dramatization — something director Todd Haynes and co-writer Oren Moverman understood. Thus, they took inspiration from the many personas the folk singer adopted at various stages of his career and went in their own direction. The result is an anthology of bold, bizarre tales each led by a different member of the star-studded cast, including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Ben Whishaw, and Heath Ledger. Walking into I’m Not There with only a basic knowledge of Dylan’s legacy might leave one bewildered, but even in that regard, the film triumphs as a beautiful and audacious tribute to one of music’s most beautiful and audacious innovators.

27. Ray

Overcoming adversity for the color of his skin and his inability to see, Ray Charles became a pioneer of soul, inspiring millions of musicians and a feature film about his life that is, admittedly, not much different than most music biopics. However, director Taylor Hackford’s Ray is still a standout for the genre, in particular for the breathtaking, Academy Award-winning lead performance by Jamie Foxx, whose own real musical talents certainly came in handy when portraying the singer and pianist. Charles passed before he could see this dramatization of his life in its completion, but few doubt that it would have made him proud.

26. Sid And Nancy

Much like the doomed couple on which it is based, Alex Cox’s Sid and Nancy is an explosive, abrasive, drug-fueled exploration of one of punk rock’s earliest icons and the woman to which he will be forever tied. Starring Gary Oldman as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, this 1986 cult classic accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. From diving into the unprecedented success of the Sex Pistols and the band’s disastrous and infamous American tour that was plagued by violence, to the tumultuous relationship that played out in the final year of Sid and Nancy’s lives, the movie does an excellent job of appealing for both fans of the legendary band and the uninitiated.

25. Inside Llewyn Davis

Oscar Isaac is an immensely talented performer, and Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis is a movie that capitalizes on all of his gifts: his pain and grief is palpable, his comedic timing is impeccable, and it even turns out that he is a skilled singer and guitar player. The film is a wonderful and weird character study that has the 1960s New York folk music scene as its backdrop, and Llewyn is a fascinating protagonist – full of incredible passion for his art but forever struggling against the ever-crushing forces of the world. Thanks to the looping structure of its story, this is also a particularly fun feature to watch over and over again.

24. Baby Driver

In the very first sequence in Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver, everything, and I mean everything, is timed to the song “Bellbottoms” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and the the audience is immediately swept into Baby’s world. It's a world that’s driven by music, and Wright’s ability to make us feel like we’re literally wearing the protagonist’s headphones through the bumping soundtrack and immaculately timed action is masterful. While this film is not technically a musical, music is its driving force speeding us through Baby’s journey that delivers heart-pounding car chases, lovely romantic moments and a stunning shootout timed to the song “Tequila.”

23. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Starring the incomparable Chadwick Boseman in his final role as well as the magnificent Viola Davis as the titular character, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a landmark film and another phenomenal entry in August Wilson’s famous Pittsburgh Cycle. The story concerns a powerful jazz singer (Davis) who is recording an album, only for members of her band to constantly get in the way of each other, mostly because of their egos. It also deals with how Black music was often reappropriated and fed into the mainstream. Besides the simmering tension, this movie also features some of the best jazz music of the roaring ‘20s. It's a must-see if you love period pieces, jazz music, and the wonderful Chadwick Boseman.

22. Rocketman

Rocketman is a gorgeous, fantastical musical all about the life of Sir Elton John, the man gorgeously portrayed by Taron Egerton. He not only belts his heart out with legendary songs like “I’m Still Standing” and “Crocodile Rock” as the life of the musical sensation is illustrated through song, but he also beautifully portrays the challenges John faced through his life and career.

One of the reasons why this movie is so magical is in how it applies John’s story. We learn all about his wonderful friendship with songwriter Bernie Taupin, his horrendous relationship with the toxic John Reid, and his turbulent childhood mixed in with heightened by fantastical musical numbers. The film is a marvel and it tells Elton John’s story in the most extra, fabulous, and lovely way.

21. Mr. Holland's Opus

In one of Richard Dreyfuss’ best movies, 1995’s Mr. Holland’s Opus takes moviegoers on a journey through the 30-year career of composer-turned-high school music teacher Glenn Holland. Right along with the characters, we experience the highs — like using rock ‘n’ roll to connect with his teenage students — and lows — Mr. Holland’s struggle to communicate with his deaf son — of the teacher’s life. That’s not to mention an issue every teacher can relate to: the fight for funding. We challenge you to get through that final scene, where he gets to conduct an orchestra of his former students in the premiere performance of his own symphony, without shedding a tear.

20. Frank

Many talented musicians happen to boast enigmatic personalities, and the ultimate cinematic reflection of this — in both hilarious and heartbreaking ways — is Michael Fassbender’s titular role from Frank. The character is actually inspired by real-life papier-mâché head-wearing artist Frank Sidebottom, whose former band member, Jon Ronson, co-wrote the film.

His experiences were funneled into the real protagonist, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), whose ambition outweighs his actual talent but earns him a spot on Frank’s band. Unfortunately, his inclusion proves to be the beginning of the end for the experimental indie rock outfit in this thought-provoking story exploring the complexities of art and the consequences of chasing your dreams with a lead foot.

19. Once

More than a decade-and-a-half after its release, people are still finding out about Once and falling in love with its majestic and incredibly nuanced story filled with romance, music, and new beginnings. John Carney’s low-budget box office success follows two strangers (played by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) who become quick friends and perhaps something more after deciding to write music together.

For 86 minutes, the pair learn a great deal about each other, redemption, love, and the power of music as they craft one of the best songs of the 21st century, “Falling Slowly.” The lo-fi look and stripped-down nature of the film adds a rawness and realness that creates a beautiful and enchanting experience that still resonates all these years later.

18. Coco

When ranking Pixar movies, Coco certainly lands somewhere near the top. For one thing, the story is amazing, as the twists and turns are some of the best that Pixar has to offer. It’s also a really beautiful movie, despite the subject matter essentially being all about death. What really makes Coco shine, however, is its reverence for Mexican culture – particularly its music. “Remember Me” is one of the best songs to ever come out of Hollywood, and pretty much every moment in this movie is another chance to fall in love with its melodies.

Coco is an amazing fukn since it seems like it’s all about a boy who loves music – and it is! – but it’s also about how nobody really dies as long as somebody remembers them. And, how could you not love a message like that?

17. The Music Man

One of the most essential movies about music follows a man whose expertise in the craft is all a fabrication. In reality, Professor Harold Hill (Robert Preston, reprising the Tony-winning role he originated in the original 1957 stage production of The Music Man) is an expert con artist looking to profit off a quaint community in 1910 Iowa by posing as a young boys’ band leader.

The titular Music Man may know nothing about music, but the music in the film is anything but a trick — featuring Broadway favorites by Meredith Wilson like “Ya Got Trouble,” “Shipoopi,” and the rousing centerpiece track, “Seventy-Six Trombones.” If you do not like musicals, this toe-tapping, romantic, and inspirational experience might be the one that makes you into a fan.

16. That Thing You Do!

In the wake of the British Invasion, every aspiring, American pop band wanted to be the country’s answer to The Beatles. That Thing You Do!, Tom Hanks’ feature-length debut as a writer and director, is a fictional tale about four musicians who nearly obtained that destiny with the pressures of fame and challenging constraints of the industry threatening to tear them apart.

Hanks also stars in the underrated ‘90s movie as the manager to The Wonders (formerly known as the more confusing “One-Ders” — played by Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, Jonathan Schaech, and Ethan Embry), who cut a catchy hit tune that launches them into stardom beyond their wildest dreams. Also starring Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron, That Thing You Do! is a funny, infectious, and sometimes heartbreaking film set during pop music’s prime, anchored by the late Adam Schlesinger’s Oscar-nominated, titular banger.

15. Love & Mercy

We’ve all seen cookie cutter music biopics… but director Bill Pohlad’s Love & Mercy is a tremendous escape from the typical. The film is an examination of Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson during two separate eras of his life, and both are tremendous in their own special ways. Played by Paul Dano in his younger years, Wilson is depicted as a wonderful and creative force (witnessing the in-studio orchestration of the album Pet Sounds is awe-inspiring), but things take a dark turn as he falls victim to a controlling negative influence of his therapist, and John Cusack delivers one of the best dramatic performance of his career as the older Wilson opposite terrific work from Paul Giamatti and Elizabeth Banks. While evoking a particular era, the music of the Beach Boys is timeless, and this film is a must-watch for any fan.

14. Purple Rain

For many, Purple Rain is the musical film. And, while we’re reluctant to call it the greatest rock movie of all time, we definitely understand the sentiment. The story of a young musician named The Kid (played by Prince himself), Purple Rain is part drama, part rock opera, and quite possibly the crowning achievement in Prince’s fantastic career.

What truly makes this movie is its titular soundtrack, which just may be the greatest album of the 1980s (And yes, we’re aware that Michael Jackson’s Thriller also came out in the ‘80s. We said what we said!). And look, the soundtrack must be phenomenal since the plot itself is a little uneven. Yes, the story of a troubled musician with a rocky home life is fertile ground for cinema, but the music (and Prince!) is the true star of Purple Rain.

13. Almost Famous

Cameron Crowe’s 2000 coming-of-age drama Almost Famous not only features one of the best movie soundtracks of all time, but it also introduces one of the greatest fictional bands in the history of cinema with Stillwater. Described as a “mid-level band struggling with their own limitations in the harsh face of stardom,” the group at the center of this Academy Award-winning film (Best Original Screenplay) serves as the perfect representation of a ‘70s rock band on the verge of true success.

At the same time, the story of William Miller (Patrick Fugit) going from a young and naive reporter lying his way into a Rolling Stone article is one of the best explorations of what happens when you meet and befriend your heroes. Basically, everything about this movie works and it works well, creating an unforgettable and unparalleled experience.

12. School Of Rock

If you want to watch movies that rock, Richard Linklater's School of Rock is a must. While Jack Black’s Dewey Finn is by no means a good substitute teacher in the conventional sense, his love for music is infectious, and he teaches his class of kids about its awesomeness. Featuring an absolutely incredible cast of young actors, its hilarious, heartfelt and packed with energy. Watching Dewey teach them how to play their instruments, adopt a rock persona and “stick it to the man” is a joyful experience, and it capitalizes on everything we love about Black as a star.

Ahen mix of Black’s musical talents and physical comedy skills, Mike White’s wicked smart script and Richard Linklater’s stellar direction delivers a banging musical movie.

11. Sound Of Metal

In 2020, The Place Beyond the Pines writer Darius Marder unleashed upon the world one of the best and most impactful directorial debuts with Sound of Metal. This loud, powerful, and raw drama film centers on Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed), the drummer of the avant-garde metal band Blackgammon as he begins to lose his hearing, which has a detrimental effect not only his profession but also his life in general.

Winner of two Academy Awards – Best Film Editing and Best Sound – and nominated for several more including Best Picture and Best Actor, Sound of Metal does an incredible job capturing the heart and soul of underground music, as seen in the various performance sequences and collection of great band shirts. But more than that, it perfectly captures human resiliance, as seen in Ruben’s difficult journey upon going deaf and the father-son relationship he develops with Joe (Paul Raci), a recovering alcoholic who runs a deaf support group.

10. The Sound Of Music

It’s no secret why The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards and two Golden Globes following its 1965 release. One doesn’t even need to have seen the based-on-a-true-story musical to be familiar with the von Trapp family singers and their greatest hits, from “My Favorite Things” to “Do-Re-Mi” and “Edelweiss.” Julie Andrews, in one of her best roles, stars as Maria, the young nun in training who is assigned to serve as the governess of the seven children of Capt. Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer).

In the film, which was adapted from a stage production of the same name, Maria teaches the children to sing, which serves to warm the hard heart of the widowed captain not only to his children but to their governess as well. The Sound of Music is all at once a spirited sing-along, a romantic comedy (the lead actors’ chemistry is off the charts), a drama depicting Austria on the cusp of World War II, and a family favorite worthy of infinite rewatches.

9. The Blues Brothers

Several Saturday Night Live sketches have inspired movies, to varying degrees of success, and not only is 1980’s The Blues Brothers one of the best, but more than 40 years later, it stands as one of the Top 10 music movies of all time. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as the sunglasses-wearing Jake and Elwood Blues, who are on a mission from God to save the orphanage where they were raised. To do so, they’ve got to get the band back together, literally, which proves to be pretty difficult as they try to outrun a vengeful country and Western band (yes, both kinds of music), the Illinois Nazis and Jake’s scorned lover.

The Blues Brothers boasts some truly epic cameos from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Carrie Fisher; the best soundtrack that will have everybody wanting to sing the blues, plenty of hilarious quotes, and one of the highest numbers of crashed cars in movie history. Hit it!

8. Sing Street

Sing Street is a simple coming-of-age story about a boy who forms a band to impress a girl. However, don’t let that fool you, it’s actually a very nuanced, lovely love story about a boy and his love for his crush and rock ‘n roll. Seeing Conor (played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), discover his love for music is wonderful, and the love story between him and Raphina (played by the then-up-and-coming Lucy Boynton) is so sweet. It’s a classic and universal story that so many can relate to, and once you mix that with the stellar ‘80s nostalgia, you really have something special.

What really drives this movie though is the music. These kids turn out to be quite the band, and with each passing track, you realize that they really have something special. Sing Street oozes with ‘80s energy through its synth-y songs and over-the-top outfits, and it’s the major reason why it’s so great. Also, if “Drive It Like You Stole It” isn’t stuck in your head for weeks after watching this film, something might be wrong.

7. Tick, Tick... Boom!

Critics and fans alike love Tick, Tick…Boom! and specifically Andrew Garfield’s performance as the late great Jonathan Larson. The lead actor put his heart and soul into this adaptation of Larson’s autobiographical musical, and it is palpable. With Lin-Manuel Miranda’s caring direction, this love letter to musical theater and the writer of Rent bursts off the screen.

Songs like “30/90” and “Therapy” will get hearts pumping, and in the more vulnerable moments of the film, tracks including “Come To Your Senses” and “Louder Than Words” hammer home the emotional stakes that come with wholeheartedly pursuing your passion. This film is for artists, and it depicts the ever-relatable struggle of trying to make it. Simultaneously, it’s also a tribute to one of our greatest writers who we lost too soon whom Andrew Garfield embodies with great care.

6. High Fidelity

While the majority of the movies on this list are about the creation of music, Stephen Frears’ High Fidelity is essentially a music appreciation course unto itself, and it’s ivy-league level brilliant. Based on the novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, it presents fascinating insight about the medium from the very first line – “What came first: the music or the misery?” – and proceeds to ponder love through the protagonist’s deep love of rock, pop, techno, and soul.

John Cusack’s Rob Gordon is an asshole, as we learn over the course of the film, but he’s also an entirely relatable asshole who has a deep passion for what he loves and legitimately learns to put behind his selfishness through the introspective journey of his romantic past. It’s a wonderful movie for all those reasons (as well as an endless stream of terrific music-driven moments) … but also because it had a huge role in teaching the world about the brilliance of Jack Black and setting the stage for his amazing career.

5. O Brother, Where Art Thou?

If you’re looking for a movie inspired by Greek mythology that also pays homage to the early days of American folk, blues, and roots music, then Joel and Ethan Coen’s O Brother, Where Art Thou?... is really your only option. Loosely based on Homer’s The Oddysey, this Great Depression-era dramedy follows a trio of escaped convicts (played by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson) as they set off to find a hidden treasure and live the rest of their lives as free, and very rich, men.

When an attempt to make some quick cash turns them into an overnight sensation known as the Soggy Bottom Boys, the three men find themselves responsible for the most popular song in the American South. What follows is a journey through the heart of the South and the heart of man as the three escaped prisoners encounter otherworldly situations and a collection of colorful characters ranging from a bluesman who made a deal with the devil, an over-the-top gubernatorial candidate, and a ruthless sheriff who wants nothing more than to bring them to justice.

4. Amadeus

Movie fans regularly reflect on the times that the Oscars “got it wrong,” but 1985 was definitely a year that they got it right. Miloš Forman’s Amadeus famous won a stunning eight Academy Awards, and it deserved every single one of them, as the movie is a phenomenal cinematic achievement about an unquestioned genius.

Amadeus is so gorgeous that it would be breathtaking to watch on mute – the period production design, costuming and theatrical staging is dazzling – but that’s obviously not something that you should do when watching a movie about one of the most gifted composers to ever walk this planet. Despite all of its fancy dressings, it’s a movie that is the opposite of stuffy (it’s regularly laugh-out-loud funny), and packs a powerful story of immense talent and poisonous professional jealousy. F. Murray Abraham won the Oscar for his performance as Antonio Salieri, but Tom Hulce in the eponymous role is unforgettable.

3. This is...Spinal Tap

Making a movie about music that stands the test of time is no small feat, and not only did legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner do that — on his first try, no less — he gave us possibly the funniest movie about music of all time in This Is... Spinal Tap. Alongside Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer wrote and star in this 1984 rock mockumentary about the titular band trying to crank their fame back up to 11.

Its soundtrack holds up decades later, with tunes like “Gimme Some Money” that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head, and the whole ensemble masters the fine line between stupid and clever with dialogue that is witty and endlessly quotable. This Is... Spinal Tap also gets the credit for being the beginning of a beautifully hilarious relationship between Christopher Guest and several players who would go on to make more brilliant mockumentareies like Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and — another entry on this list — A Mighty Wind.

2. Soul

Our pick for the best movie of 2020, Soul is also probably Pixar’s greatest movie ever And hey, it’s also a film about music. The story of a middle school music teacher who dies just before he gets his big break, Soul has more to say about mortality than a vast majority of films aimed at adults (which just may be why Soul is Pixar’s most mature movie to date).

At the same time, it’s also about living in the moment, since you never know when your run of moments will end. Unlike a lot of the movies on this list that use music as a centerpiece, Soul is that rare film that uses music to explore the entire meaning of life. And why not, as music is so rich and complex that it’s one of life’s few universal languages. We have a feeling that people will be singing this movie’s praises for years to come.

1. Whiplash

What would you sacrifice for true greatness? Your friends? Your family? Your health? Your sanity? It’s a big question that can yield some disturbing answers, and filmmaker Damien Chazelle makes you feel every ounce of its weight in his directorial debut. Inspired by the writer/director’s own experiences, the movie immerses you in the intense and competitive world that is being a part of an esteemed collegiate Studio Band, and when you walk away from it, there’s a part of you that is surprised that your hands don’t sport drumstick blisters.

As young and ambitious percussionist Andrew Neiman, Miles Teller's empathetic performance makes you feel every iota of his passion and pain – and it's still somehow only the second best turn in the movie. J.K. Simmons’ Terence Fletcher is an antagonist that will be remembered in cinematic history alongside Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter and Kathy Bates’ Annie Wilkes, and it’s what ultimately cements Whiplash’s place at the top of this ranking.

Be on the lookout here on CinemaBlend for more of our ranked features, such as our ranking of the 30 Best TV Game Shows, the 35 Best Sci-Fi Movies, the 50 Best Horror Movies, and more.

Music can sometimes make or break a scene in a movie, but there are some films that take that idea to the next level and feature soundtracks that take on a life of their own. Sometimes they are an amazing way to reflect on a feature’s best moments, and other times, they produce a very special vibe on their own.

While far from exhaustive, this is a list of movies that take their use of music to special levels and both inspired and produced fantastic soundtracks.

Reservoir Dogs

More than just a collection of needle drops from the movie, the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack is distinctive in that it’s curated as though it’s beaming the radio show featured in the film: K-Billy’s Super Sounds Of The '70s. From George Baker Selection’s “Little Green Bag” to Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut,” every song is a delight – but the true centerpiece is Stealer’s Wheel' “Stuck In The Middle With You."

Tron: Legacy

There’s only one issue with the Tron Legacy soundtrack, and that’s that it is too short. Daft Punk made its debut as film composers for the 2010 sci-fi sequel, and listening to it instantly immerses you in The Grid. The highlights are the two tracks in the middle of the track listing: “End Of Line” and “Derezzed.”

High Fidelity

You’d expect any movie about the influence and power of music to have an influential and powerful soundtrack, and that’s one of the many great aspects of Stephen Frears’ High Fidelity. As depicted in the film, “Dry The Rain” immediately instigates curiosity about The Beta Band; Bob Dylan’s “Most Of The Time” is used to brilliant effect as John Cusack’s Rob Gordon reflects on his greatest relationship in the pouring rain; and Jack Black’s performance of “Let’s Get It On” (as part of Barry Jive And The Uptown Five) is unforgettable.

The Social Network

Arguably the best movie of the 21st century partially earns that credit because it has arguably the best film score of the 21st century. The music for David Fincher’s The Social Network let the world know that Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are among the best composers on the planet, and that was properly recognized with an Academy Award. The soundtrack sucks you in with “Hand Covers Bruise” leading to “In Motion,” and by the time "In the Hall of the Mountain King" hits, your mind is wholly blown.

Drive

Everything about Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive is a feast for the ears. The movie’s sound design and editing is genius, and there is a terrific blend of score and needle drops on the soundtrack. Composer to Cliff Martinez delivers an endlessly cool atmosphere, but the true MVPs here are "Nightcall" by Kavinsky feat/ Lovefoxxx, "A Real Hero" by Electric Youth College, and "Under Your Spell" by Desire.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Though Beck is the primary inspiration of the fictional band Sex Bob-Omb in Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and the source of some amazing original songs, the entire soundtrack is an wide-ranging wonder that at one moment rocks with The Black Lips'  “Katarina” but then hypnotizes with T. Rex's “Teenage Dream." It should also be noted that the cover of “Black Sheep” sung by Brie Larson is even better than the Metric recording.

The Graduate

Easily one of the most iconic soundtracks of all time is the music of Mike Nichols’ The Graduate – and there’s an argument that it’s one of the best albums of all time. “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson”, “April Come She Will,” and “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” by Simon & Garfunkel will forever be tied to the classic coming-of-age story of Dustin Hoffman’s Benjamin Braddock.

True Romance

How amazing is the soundtrack to Tony Scott’s True Romance? It only takes hearing a couple notes played on a marimba to identify Hans Zimmer’s “You’re So Cool” and reflect on one of the badass movies of the 1990s. The score is also brilliantly paired with the thumping beat of Nymphomania’s “I Want Your Body” (memorably used during the confrontation with Gary Oldman’s Drexl Spivey) and the soothing sounds of Robert Palmer's “(Love Is) The Tender Trap."

8 Mile

Eminem was at the height of his powers in 2002 when he starred in Curtis Hanson’s 8 Mile, and equally as anticipated as the semi-biographical film was the soundtrack that would accompany it. Fans were most definitely not disappointed, as the tracklist is outfitted with excellent Marshall Mathers originals (including “Lose Yourself” “8 Mile” and “Rabbit Run”) alongside killer contributions from D12, 50 Cent, Nas, and Macy Gray.

Star Wars

This list could be primarily populated with the music of John Williams, but Star Wars deserves special recognition if not simply because of how many of the tracks register as iconic. The blast of trumpets that start the film with the title card is by itself an important piece of cinema history, and everything that follows is magic.

Almost Famous

With a personal history that includes time as a writer and editor at Rolling Stone, Cameron Crowe knows a thing or two about music, and that deep knowledge is beautifully reflected in his semi-autobiographical hit Almost Famous. The soundtrack is a stellar arrangement of songs from some of the 20th century’s greatest artists, including Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Cat Stevens and David Bowie, but the most memorable track, of course, is Elton John's “Tiny Dancer."

The Shining

Would the opening helicopter shots of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining have anywhere near the same kind of impact if it weren’t for the blaring synth-heavy score from composer Wendy Carlos? The answer is an obvious, “no,” and the same can be said of the rest of the music she made for the beloved horror film. The impact that the music has on the atmosphere of The Overlook Hotel is incalculable and it perfectly ratchets up tension and horror as Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance further descends into madness.

Do The Right Thing

Spike Lee wastes no time musically telling the audience what Do The Right Thing is all about, kicking off the powerful 1989 film with Rosie Perez pumping her arms, shuffling her feet and jamming to the sound of Public Enemy's “Fight The Power." It sets the table for what is an all-around exceptional soundtrack with additional hits including Perri's “Feel So Good” and Guy's “My Fantasy."

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas

In Terry Gilliam’s fantastic adaptation of Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, dedicated fans of Gonzo legend Hunter S. Thompson will recognize hits directly mentioned in his beloved book, but the audible experience from the cinematic wonder also bends your mind with three wild Tomoyasu Hotei & Ray Cooper instrumental recordings and songs like "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by Three Dog Night and "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" by Bob Dylan.

(500) Days Of Summer

What are the songs for falling in and out of love? That’s a question that demands a subjective answer, but director Marc Webb and his collaborators do a pretty incredible job curating that experience with the soundtrack for (500) Days Of Summer. Two songs by The Smiths are the big standouts – “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” – but the eclectic track listing also features everything from The Black Lips, to Hall & Oates to Wolfmother.

Blade Runner

Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is a visual spectacle, with the mind-blowing work of neo-futurist concept artist Syd Mead and the production team transporting audiences to a captivating vision of Los Angeles in the year 2019 – but taking the who experience to new levels is the dark, synth-centric score from Vangelis, which makes for a particularly special listen on a rainy day.

O Brother Where Art Thou

The soundtrack for Joel and Ethan Coen’s O Brother Where Art Thou would be included on this list if the only song it featured was The Soggy Bottom Boys’ “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow” (performed by Dan Tyminski, Pat Enright, & Harley Allen), but the truth is that the entire film is filled with wonderful bluegrass, country and folk music that make for a gentle listen whenever the world is feeling stressful.

Shaft

The spectacular soundtrack for Gordon Parks’ Shaft is pure testament to the unyielding grooviness of Isaac Hayes. The “Theme From Shaft” is one of the greatest piece of movie music ever made, and the funky bass lines and horns in the score helps define Richard Roundtree’s titular detective as a king of cool.

Dazed And Confused

Released in 1993, Richard Linklater’s Dazed And Confused is recognized as one of the great films throwing back to the 1970s, and that’s accomplished through plot, costumes, production design, and definitely music. The legendary song that opens the film, Aerosmith's “Sweet Emotion," isn’t featured on the commercially released soundtrack, but the tracklist is packed with rock n’ roll royalty including Kiss, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Foghat and War.

Empire Records

Rex Manning Day (a.k.a. April 8) most definitely isn’t the only day that cinephiles should celebrate the soundtrack for Allan Moyle’s Empire Records. It’s an awesome ‘90s throwback with alternative rock from bands like The Cranberries and Better than Ezra, but it hits its peak with Track 15: Coyote Shivers' “Sugarhigh."

Kill Bill Vol. 1

Want to feel like the coolest person in the world? All you need to do is throw on a pair of headphones, put on Tomoyasu Hotei's “Battle Without Honor Or Humanity," and go for a walk. It’s the highlight of Quentin Tarantino’s perfect soundtrack for Kill Bill Vol. 1, but every chosen track is a proper brain-melter – from the whistling in Bernard Herrmann’s “Twisted Nerve” to the hyper trumpets of Al Hirt’s “Green Hornet.” Just be careful listening to “Woo Hoo” by The 5.6.7.8's, as it will get stuck in your head for days.

Guardians Of The Galaxy

There are many great scores and themes for superhero movies, with John Williams’ work on Superman: The Movie and Danny Elfman’s music for Batman being examples that immediately spring to mind, but James Gunn crafted something extraordinary with his collection of carefully curated needle drops in Guardians of The Galaxy. From “Come And Get Your Love” by Redbone to “O-o-h Child” by The Five Stairsteps, you can put this album on loop for hours and never grow sick of it.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Anyone who has watched Oscar Isaac in film or television knows that he is a talented actor, but Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis adds a whole new dimension to the performer – showing that he can really sing. The whole soundtrack is a true folk music-laden treat, but I would challenge anybody to listen to “Please Mr. Kennedy” by Justin Timberlake, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver and not at least crack a smile.

Pulp Fiction

Many of the soundtracks listed here open with a bang, but in the fight to pick which one’s the best, it’s hard to vote against Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and the crazy guitar skills of Dick Dale demonstrated with “Misirlou.” The album keeps those surfer vibes going with The Tornadoes’ “Bustin Surfboards,” The Revels’ “Comanche,” and The Lively Ones’ “Surf Rider,” but also mixed in is great soulful tracks like Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," Kool & The Gang's "Jungle Boogie" and Dusty Springfield's "Son Of A Preacher Man."

Garden State

The legacy of Zach Braff’s Garden State is mixed one, but far less controversial is the film’s marvelous needle drops – the album it spawned very much earning the Grammy it won for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album. It’s a fascinating collection of cerebral indie rock with two tremendously well-utilized songs by The Shins (“Caring Is Creepy” and “New Slang”) living alongside Zero 7’s “In The Waiting Line,” Cary Brothers’ “Blue Eyes” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy In New York.”

A Hard Day’s Night

Director Richard Lester’s A Hard Day’s Night was an essential part of Beetlemania in the 1960s, with the soundtrack being their third studio album and a key part of their place in music history. It’s 60th anniversary will be celebrated in 2024, and the titular song along with “Can’t Buy Me Love” remain an indelible part of pop culture.

Footloose

A big part of the intention of Herbert Ross’ Footloose is trying to get audiences to get up and dance, and while part of that effort is accomplished with fun on-screen choreography, the other half is an outstanding soundtrack. Obviously the titular track by Kenny Loggins is the headlining song, but "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams, "Bang Your Head” by Quiet Riot and "Hurts So Good" by John Mellencamp all get your pulse racing.

This Is Spinal Tap

It’s one thing to make a funny rock and roll mockumentary, but it’s a completely different thing to make a funny rock and roll mockumentary that also truly rocks. Rob Reiner’s This Is Spinal Tap is very much that, as the full soundtrack of songs (all written by Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner) is a roster of excellence – with standouts including “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” and “Gimmie Some Money.”

Waiting To Exhale

In the 1990s, R&B was one of the biggest genres in the music world, and with Whitney Houston being a major force behind it, it’s no surprise that the soundtrack for Forest Whitaker’s Waiting To Exhale (starring Houston) plays like an all-star assembly. Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, Brandy, TLC, Mary J. Blige, and more showcase their remarkable voices in the compilation, and Houston’s song "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" ended up winning the Grammy for Best R&B Song.

Trainspotting

In addition to supporting a stunning film that is reflected on as one of the best of its decade, the soundtrack to Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting is an experience unto itself – taking audiences on a journey through genres and time. The impressive significance of the work is illustrated in the fact that the album inspired its very own sequel (which came out 20 years before the release of Danny Boyle’s cinematic sequel, T2: Trainspotting)

Pretty In Pink

New wave music, particularly in John Hughes scripted/produced films, has a way of transporting listeners back to the 1980s, and that’s certainly part of the magic of Pretty In Pink. The eponymous song from The Psychedelic Furs is well joined on the soundtrack by great bands like INXS, Echo & The Bunnymen, New Order, and The Smiths.

Velvet Goldmine

The soundtrack for Todd Haynes’ Velvet Goldmine doesn’t feature any tracks by David Bowie despite the fact that he was a major influence for the film, but the album is still a tremendous celebration of glam rock full of originals and covers – with music from Lou Reed, T. Rex, the New York Dolls and more.

A truly great soundtrack can turn a good film into an excellent film, and an excellent film into a classic, and all of the titles listed here prove that fact.

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Whether he's earthbound or in a galaxy far, far away, Oscar Isaac brings out the humane core of each of his characters. Through varying genres and a wide range of personalities, the performer has demonstrated his talents on several occasions, and that won't stop anytime soon. Currently, Isaac stars in The Card Counter and HBO's Scenes from a Marriage. Soon enough, Isaac will be seen in Dune and heard in The Addams Family 2. It's a very active time for the animated actor, and it's well-deserved, too. Certainly, if you've followed Isaac throughout the years, you're probably well-aware of his skills, and if you're not, then you have some homework to do. If you love the Star Wars actor, here's what you should stream next.

Inside Llewyn Davis (Amazon Prime)

A week in the life of a sorrowful singer (Oscar Isaac) navigating poverty and rejection in Greenwich Village's 1961 folk scene.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Oscar Isaac: As our forlorn folk singer who can't catch a break, due to his rotten luck, his inflated pride, or his stubbornness, trying to make his way in a competitive market following years of grief and disdain, Inside Llewyn Davis is a textured and enveloping film that provides Oscar Isaac with the opportunity to give what might very well be his finest performance. Through each dispirited sigh and crooning tune, Isaac portrays the fine talent and unstable resentment that bubbles throughout this man's wayward core. He brings so much depth and life to this man, even with all the weight provided by another excellent screenplay from writers-directors Joel and Ethan Coen. As moving as it's melancholy, Inside Llewyn Davis is a smart, profound movie about trying to move forward when you're stuck at a creative crossroad.

Stream Inside Llewyn Davis on Amazon Prime.

Rent Inside Llewyn Davis on Amazon.

Ex Machina (Showtime/Hoopla/Kanopy)

A programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment with a reclusive genius (Oscar Isaac) and a highly advanced humanoid A.I. (Alicia Vikander).

Why You Should Stream If You Love Oscar Isaac: As a hard-drinking, secret-wielding, machine-making, dancing-loving tech whiz on the verge of changing the known world for eons to come, Oscar Isaac absolutely tears it up in Ex Machina, writer-director Alex Garland's beguiling and profound sci-fi character drama that also serves as a wonderful showcase for Domhnall Gleeson, Sonoya Mizuno, and especially Alicia Vikander, only a few short months away from winning her Oscar. A sneering, tactful genre film filled with lofty ideas and even grander ambitions, Ex Machina is intelligent enough to let the talky characters captivate us, assuring that the nifty little movie keeps itself focused on their budding dynamics as well as their growing resentment for that which they create and destroy — even if it's themselves. Of course, Isaac's stunning turn remains sensational.

Stream Ex Machina on Showtime.

Stream Ex Machina on Hoopla.

Stream Ex Machina on Kanopy.

Rent Ex Machina on Amazon.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens & Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Disney+)

Follows the continuing intergalactic adventures of a galaxy far, far away.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Oscar Isaac: For many mainstream audiences, especially younger viewers, the new Star Wars trilogy was their formal introduction to Oscar Isaac. Though the actor has been quick to impress in a number of recent movies, his affable-yet-hot-headed portrayal of Poe Dameron remains an ever-popular favorite, showcasing his machismo and magnetism in equal measure. Particularly in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, the proven talent is quick to showcase his star potential (if you can pardon the pun) as a captivating and venturous actor who brings a wealth of wit and gravitas to his characters. Even in the recesses of space, Isaac is quite a bright figure. As for The Rise of Skywalker... the less said about it, the better.

The Star Wars sequels are available to stream on Disney+

Rent Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Amazon.

Rent Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Amazon.

Triple Frontier (Netflix)

When five former special forces operatives reunite to take down a South American drug lord, loyalties are tested.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Oscar Isaac: Reuniting with A Most Violent Year director J.C. Chandor, Triple Frontier isn't quite as strong as Oscar Isaac's previous film with the acclaimed filmmaker, but the expensive Netflix drama is also elevated by the assured performances at its center. While Ben Affleck gets the most time to shine in his hefty, hard-lucked lead role, Isaac does solid work in his prominent supporting part, bringing the weighted pathos that you can readily expect from the dependable actor. Particularly by the movie's emotionally taxing third act, Isaac conveys the long-suffering troubles of his burdened character well, resulting in a moody finale that conveys a wealth of sorrow that's made bearable through the dedicated dependency of its creditable ensemble. It might not ultimately be Isaac's best or more memorable movie, but it's certainly worth watching — not merely for his performance but the commendable work of its high-profile cast.

Stream Triple Frontier on Netflix.

Show Me A Hero (HBO Max)

Mayor Nick Wasicsko (Oscar Isaac) deals with the building of public housing in the white, middle-class side of town upon taking office in 1987.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Oscar Isaac: Under the firm guidance of acclaimed writer David Simon (The Wire) and award-winning director Paul Haggis (Crash), HBO's Show Me A Hero allowed Oscar Isaac to play a well-drawn character, one who could be fleshed out in ways that his big-screen counterparts often couldn't. Though the material threatens to be too uncommercial or, dare one say, unbecoming, Isaac's intelligent and simmering performance (even under a dorky haircut and a trimmed mustache) keeps it captivating, allowing the acclaimed actor to really sink his teeth in this political persona. The result is one of Isaac's most celebrated performances, even in a career filled with highlights, and yet another great demonstration of his expanding star power — notably at a time when Hollywood was taking notice of the performer's powerhouse promise.

Stream Show Me A Hero on HBO Max.

Buy Show Me A Hero on Amazon.

Annihilation (Paramount+)

A biologist (Natalie Portman) signs up for a dangerous expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature do not apply.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Oscar Isaac: Though he's strictly in supporting character mode opposite Natalie Portman and the rest of the female-led ensemble, Oscar Isaac does a dutiful job playing the emotional rock at the festering core of our lead's internal struggle in Annihilation. Given the opportunity to reunite with writer-director Alex Garland, Isaac makes a meal out of every moment, providing depth and pathos to even the most seemingly banal interaction. The actor's care and attention to detail are especially highlighted, as he brings some sensitive perspective to each key scene and gives meaning to each interaction he shares with his Oscar-winning co-star. The result isn't Isaac's all-time best performance but a fine display of his dependable talents, no matter how much screentime he gets, and another reminder that Isaac can plant a seed and build a vast, vibrant forest out of seemingly any character he's given.

Stream Annihilation on Paramount+.

Rent Annihilation on Amazon.

Drive (Peacock)

A mysterious Hollywood stuntman (Ryan Gosling) moonlighting as a getaway driver gets himself in trouble when he forms a connection with his neighbor (Carey Mulligan).

Why You Should Stream It If You Love Oscar Isaac: Though Nicholas Winding Refn's Drive is ultimately Ryan Gosling's showcase, it's one of several movies from the past decade that proves that Oscar Isaac can leave a deep impression, even when he's only given a few select scenes. In the role of Standard, Isaac's innate charisma seeps out, providing a transfixing supporting turn that doesn't steal the show but certainly wins over your attention. While the actor's better work would come in the years to follow, this early standout performance is a good early indicator of what he can bring to the fold. This movie remains one of his finest (which is saying something), even if he only plays a minor role, and it's made better knowing that he'll shine ever brighter as the actor gets more plump parts and several more opportunities to prove his commanding versatility.

Stream Drive on Peacock.

Rent Drive on Amazon.

A Most Violent Year (Showtime/Hoopla/Kanopy)

An ambitious immigrant (Oscar Isaac) fights to protect his business and family in New York City 1981 — the most dangerous year in the city's history.

Why It's Worth Streaming If You Love Oscar Isaac: Before they took on the lead roles in HBO's Scenes from a Marriage, Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain starred in 2014's A Most Violent Year, a gritty, gripping character drama with a thoughtful narrative and tight formal control. With its tempered pacing and its classy presentation, this period piece is well-crafted and commanding with each beat, and it's elevated quite nicely by the well-assured performances from its central stars. Isaac, in particular, is impressive in his restrained control, conveying the depths of his changeling character with dignity and grace. With even one passing glance, he can convey magnitudes. That quiet captivation proves exceptionally gratifying here, particularly as this movie fares subtle nuances that give it more life.

Stream A Most Violent Year on Showtime.

Stream A Most Violent Year on Hoopla.

Stream A Most Violent Year on Kanopy.

Rent A Most Violent Year on Amazon.

X-Men: Apocalypse (Disney+)

In their most perilous adventure, the X-Men must defeat an ancient, all-powerful mutant (Oscar Isaac) who intends to bring destruction to the world.

Why It's Worth Streaming If You Love Oscar Isaac: One would be hard-pressed to consider X-Men: Apocalypse to be Oscar Isaac's best, most accomplished, or most dignified performance. Wearing a permanent scowl and buried under mountains of blue make-up, this melancholic menace is often considered a career-low for the prestigious actor, earning more comparisons to Power Rangers villains than his other, more acclaimed performances. And yet, despite all the movie's clunky failures, there's something charmingly quaint about X-Men: Apocalypse. For all its assortment of blunders, there's a schlocky appeal to this would-be trilogy capper that's absent in most serious-minded superhero movies today. It makes no bones about being slapdash and silly, often owning up to its inherent goofiness. It's reminiscent of the sort of comic book movies that once paraded on the big screen, which might not be nostalgic for some but earns some of my affections.

Stream X-Men: Apocalypse on Disney+.

Rent X-Men: Apocalypse on Amazon.

At Eternity’s Gate (Netflix)

Explores the wayward life of Vincent van Gogh (Willem Dafoe) during his French travels.

Why You Should Stream If You Love Oscar Isaac: While Willem Dafoe's warmly soulful portrayal of the little painter fellow understandably got the lion's share of the praise during At Eternity's Gate award season rollout, Oscar Isaac's spirited performance as Paul Gauguin shouldn't have been overlooked. While Dafoe is the movie's emotionally tormented centerpiece, Isaac's take on the French post-impressionist artist carries the actor's signature flair for playing wily characters with a fire in their belly and a roaring desire to take the world by storm — whether the world wants him to or not. He only gets a handful of scenes throughout the film, but Isaac provides a splashy turn, filled with wry humor and a boisterous heart. It serves as a fine counterpoint to Dafoe's anguished characterization, providing flickers of flare and fury that bolsters a broad-reaching film that can be held down by its tiring pondering and its occasional heavy-handedness.

Stream At Eternity's Gate on Netflix.

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Carey Mulligan is drawing rave reviews for her performance in Promising Young Woman, which after a 17-day exclusive showing in theaters is coming to premium video-on-demand, thanks to Universal’s exclusive deals with movie theaters. If you’re a Mulligan fan, you’re likely eager to pony up the $20 to see her latest, but there are a lot of Carey Mulligan movies readily available on streaming to enjoy as well.

Let’s take a look at which films from the Oscar-nominated actress are available to watch on streaming and where you can find them.

An Education - IMDb TV

Fittingly enough, the film that represents Carey Mulligan’s lone Oscar nomination to date (something Promising Young Woman may change) is available to enjoy, as 2009’s An Education can be watched for free (with ads) on IMDb TV.

Directed by Lone Scherfig, An Education sees Mulligan star as Jenny Mellor, a teenage girl who becomes involved with an older man (Peter Sarsgaard), who reveals different aspects of life in 1960s suburban London to her. Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, Dominic Cooper and Rosamund Pike co-star.

An Education received three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay (Nick Hornby), but Mulligan was the attraction for many. In the review by Roger Ebert, he compared the then 24-year-old to Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn. “She makes the role luminous when it could have been sad or awkward. She has such lightness and grace, you’re pretty sure this is the birth of a star,” Ebert wrote.

Mulligan had a few credits for TV and film at the time of An Education, but Ebert was correct, this was the beginning of her stardom.

Stream it on IMDb TV

Wildlife - Netflix

Carey Mulligan’s most recent big-screen performance was in the 2018 indie Wildlife, which was the feature directorial debut of actor Paul Dano. This time she was the mother to a young man (newcomer Ed Oxenbould) whose worldview is coming into form.

Despite being headlined by Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal as the young man’s quarrelling and dysfunctional parents, and strong critical response - it is a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and scored an 80 on Metacritic - the film came and went pretty quietly after a Cannes Film Festival premiere.

It’s certainly a quieter film, but the trio of Mulligan, Oxenbould and Gyllenhaal are strong. Even though some of the gorgeous vistas of Montana probably beg for a big screen, the film will play well on your TV if you decide to catch up with it on Netflix.

Stream it on Netflix

Inside Llewyn Davis - Amazon Prime Video

It’s probably not a stretch to imagine that the Coen Brothers are on many actors’ bucket list of directors to work with in their career. If they were on Carey Mulligan’s, she got to add a check mark to their name in 2013 with Inside Llewyn Davis.

Mulligan plays Jean, a folk singer who, despite being engaged to Jim (Justin Timberlake), sleeps with Oscar Isaac’s titular weary musician and fears that she is now pregnant.

Inside Llewyn Davis was Isaac’s big break, but some Mulligan highlights from the film include her getting to sing folk songs with Timberlake and delivering some all-time great put downs toward Isaac, including “Everything you touch turns to shit, you’re like King Midas’s idiot brother.”

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video

Shame - HBO Max

We also got to hear Carey Mulligan sing solo in Steve McQueen’s Shame. In the film, Michael Fassbender plays a sex addict whose carefully crafted private life becomes disrupted when his sister, played by Mulligan, arrives.

Despite calling out her singing performances in both Shame and Inside Llewyn Davis, no one would confuse Mulligan with a recording artist - that distinction goes to her husband, Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford - but her whispery rendition of “New York, New York” in the film is beautiful and haunting.

Stream it on HBO Max

Pride & Prejudice - Peacock

We’ve talked about her star-making role, but Carey Mulligan’s career officially got underway four years prior to An Education, when she served as one of the Bennet sisters in Joe Wright’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, her first IMDb credited role.

The Bennet sisters were filled with young, promising English actresses. Headlined by Keira Knightley’s Oscar-nominated performance as Elizabeth, Mulligan played her sister Kitty, with Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone and Talulah Riley rounding out the group.

Her time on screen was brief, but it's a pretty great film to get to call your first.

Stream it on Peacock

And When Did You Last See Your Father? - YouTube

If you’re missing any titles from completing the Carey Mulligan filmography, there’s a decent chance one of them is And When Did You Last See Your Father? from 2007. Based on English poet Blake Morrison’s relationship with his father, and starring Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent, Mulligan gives a supporting performance.

Stream it on YouTube

Mudbound - Netflix

Netflix’s pursuit for a Best Picture Oscar began in earnest in 2018, when Roma was widely considered the favorite before the Academy, ultimately, went with Green Book. However, Netflix experienced its first Best Picture snub in 2017, when Mudbound, directed by Dee Rees and starring Mary J. Blige, Jason Mitchell, Garrett Hedlund, and Carey Mulligan, was left out of the top prizes’ nominees. Netflix did win its first Oscar trophy in 2017 though.

Mitchell and Hedlund star as two World War II veterans who return home to Mississippi. These two brothers-in-arms find solace in each other, but are threatened by the racism that still engulfs society.

Mary J. Blige was rightly nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her performance, but Mulligan once again proves how consistently reliable she is with a solid turn as Hedlund’s sister-in-law, who has her own struggles with her husband.

Stream it on Netflix

Drive - IMDb TV

If An Education wasn’t your cup of tea, many likely discovered Carey Mulligan in Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, the uber-cool Ryan Gosling-led crime-drama.

Mulligan plays the neighbor that Gosling’s quiet getaway driver befriends and who, along with her son, convinces him to help her ex-con husband (Oscar Isaac) get out of some trouble. While the actual dialogue between the two characters is sparse, the chemistry between Gosling and Mulligan is great.

BAFTA would end up nominating Mulligan for Best Supporting Actress for Drive, which is her only other individual nomination among the major awards groups that she has outside of An Education, oddly enough. Maybe she'd have better luck with the awards bodies if, as Mulligan suggested, they had to prove they watched contending movies.

Stream it on IMDbTV

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps - Amazon Prime Video

Carey Mulligan’s biggest successes thus far in her career have come from indie or smaller studio films. Her two biggest films to date are probably 2013’s The Great Gatsby and Oliver Stone’s 24-year-later sequel to Wall Street, Wall Street Money: Never Sleeps.

Mulligan was coming right off An Education to star as the daughter of Michael Douglas’ Gordon Gekko and the love interest to Shia LaBeouf, who serves in what had been the Charlie Sheen role as Gekko’s protege.

Despite the late 2000s financial crisis serving as a backdrop, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps wasn’t a success. Thankfully, neither Mulligan nor any one else on the cast saw a dip in their Hollywood stocks.

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video

Public Enemies - Starz

Coming out in 2009, Carey Mulligan had pretty much a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her role in the Michael Mann directed, Johnny Depp-led film Public Enemies.

Telling the tale of John Dillinger and the FBI’s pursuit after dubbing him Public Enemy No. 1, one of the few places Dillinger has for safety is in a brothel run by a friend. Mulligan plays one of the girls working at the brothel whom Dillinger knows.

Though one of Mulligan’s shortest performances on this list, it's still an underrated movie in my opinion.

Stream it on Starz

Brothers - Amazon Prime Video

Carey Mulligan was all over the place in 2009 if you knew where to look. In this instance you could find her as a supporting player in the family/war drama Brothers, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire.

The film follows the titular brothers, Gyllenhaal and Maguire. Maguire is a soldier believed to have died in Afghanistan, though he, along with another soldier, was actually captured. Gyllenhaal connects with his sister-in-law (Portman) and nieces when Maguire’s character is believed to be dead. Mulligan comes into picture as the widow of one of Maguire’s fellow soldiers.

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video

Suffragette - Netflix

Just ahead of the 200 year anniversary of women securing the right to vote in England, Suffragette was released in 2015, led by Carey Mulligan as a young working mother who gets swept up in the movement and joins a radical political activism group.

Fighting alongside Mulligan’s character are Helena Bonham Carter, Anne-Marie Duff, and Meryl Streep as one of the movement’s key leaders, Emmeline Pankhurst. Brendan Gleeson and Ben Whishaw also star.

Even with a great cast, the film had a quiet reception upon its initial release, though one might have imagined what the response may have been just a year or two later when international protests like the Women’s March made headlines and were very much in the spirit of the characters Mulligan and cast brought to the screen.

Stream it on Netflix

The Greatest - Amazon Prime Video

The Greatest rounds out what was Carey Mulligan's breakout year in 2009 (the film played the festival circuit before officially being released in the U.S. in 2010). Mulligan stars with a cast that includes Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, in a film that focuses on a family that attempts to get over the loss of their son.

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video

If you want to make it a Carey Mulligan-themed weekend, there are plenty of movies out there in the streaming-verse to watch right now. Enjoy.

Over the course of the past decade, Carey Mulligan has demonstrated her exceptional acting talents in a variety of distinctive and distinguished roles. Whether you know her best from An Education, The Great Gatsby, Inside Llewyn Davis, Pride & Prejudice (2005), or any number of outstanding lead or supporting roles, Mulligan always brings wit, charm, captivation, and emotional dexterity to her performances, and that's certainly no exception with her most recent performance in Promising Young Woman, which played in theaters on Christmas Day following its Sundance premiere in January. That performance, especially, is one of her most visceral and vivacious performances yet, demonstrating once more her incredible star power talents.

It's with that in mind that we ask, "Why is Carey Mulligan not a bigger star?" Clearly, she has the charisma and skills, but most of her outstanding work is found in smaller, more intimate films, which play to her strength but not always give the actress the audience she deserves. If you love Mulligan and want to see her star-worthy performances, here's what you should watch.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

As an intentionally thorny, unwavering, and brazenly confrontational takedown of toxic masculinity and "boys will be boys" culture, Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell's ferocious first film, is a strong early showcase for this exciting early filmmaker, but it also gives us another excellent lead performance from Carey Mulligan. In the role of Cassandra Thomas, a 30-year-old medical school dropout out for revenge against predatory men after a traumatizing incident from college, Mulligan brings a great deal of depth and dynamism to her vigilante protagonist, providing a wickedly dark sense of humor that ultimately masks her own emotional devastation.

While the marketing materials make Promising Young Woman look more lighthearted than it is, the movie itself is intentionally quite bitterly sad, even when it adopts a colorful presentation to intentionally counterbalance the character's tumultuous inner life. As always, Mulligan displays courage and captivation in this complex lead role, presenting a fierceness and fearlessness that's stunning to watch. As one of her most prominent leading roles yet, Mulligan continues to demonstrate the wealth of her vast and versatile talents.

An Education (2009)

In what remains her only Oscar-nominated performance to date, Carey Mulligan provided a spellbinding lead performance in An Education, the period drama which served as Mulligan's Hollywood calling card. As a smart, self-dependent 16-year-old girl who finds herself caught in an affair with an older man (Peter Sarsgaard), this intricate, introspective character piece provided our talented lead actress with an opportunity to showcase a fragile, developing young woman trying to discover her womanhood while caught in a fraught relationship.

In her first leading role, Mulligan gracefully captures the insecurities and evolving depths of this young and learning character, who's based on journalist Lynn Barber from her memoir of the same name. Her performance is, at once, charming and heartbreaking, filled with susceptibility and maturity that show the dynamic layers that she'd continue to demonstrate in her future performances. It's stunningly dense, delicate work, one that plays very well in Mulligan's favor.

Having proven her talents in a number of other supporting turns, An Education was Carey Mulligan's chance to showcase her outstanding star power. Thankfully, she aced it.

Shame (2011)

Director Steve McQueen's sophomore feature, Shame, is a reflective and pensive drama following a bachelor (Michael Fassbender) who has a sex addiction that prevents him from having a functioning lifestyle. His life is made more complicated when his sister (Carey Mulligan) re-enters his life. While this character study primarily follows the perspective of our addiction-addled main character, a man who cannot help others as he's unable to help himself, Mulligan's extroverted lounge character similarly carries an unknown burden of trauma that haunts her throughout the course of this film.

As these two suffering characters find themselves caught in their own individualistic cycles of trauma, Mulligan is given an excellent chance to play against the typically refrained, modest characters that she was associated with after An Education's success. She embodies a suffering-but-present person who uses her art and openness to mask her own feelings of vulnerabilities and difficulties, particularly as she isn't fully able to connect to the one other person who understands the pain she carries on a day-to-day basis. This extraordinary performance is among Mulligan's most devastatingly haunting.

Never Let Me Go (2010)

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel of the same name, Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go is a poignant, puncturing blend of character-driven period drama and high-minded dystopia that follows a group of boarding school friends who reconnect later in life. But it's later revealed that these characters aren't merely themselves but clones, scientifically made for the sole purpose of harvesting organs in case their real-life counterparts should need them.

The result is a somberly fascinating blend of sci-fi inventiveness and understated humanity that provides our three young leads, Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, and Andrew Garfield, with a chance to demonstrate their exquisite talents. And it's Mulligan, in particular, who really flourishes, particularly as she was coming off the critical, audience, and award season success of An Education only the year prior.

As Kathy, a young woman who fancies a crush on Tommy (Garfield), this doomed romantic relationship is filled with existential melancholy and keenly-observed social and personality-based reflection, which paints a lovely-but-devastating portrait of characters who are, at once, intrinsically humane and detected from reality entirely.

Wildlife (2018)

By both critics and audiences alike, Paul Dano's directorial debut, Wildlife, was sorely overlooked, which is certainly a shame because it features a trio of excellent lead performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Ed Oxenbould, and Carey Mulligan. But it's Mulligan, in particular, who really stands out in this period drama. She portrays Jeanette Brinson, a domesticated housewife who finds herself emotionally liberated and psychologically unraveling when her husband leaves the picture, with tinges of disquiet and disillusionment at her suburban lifestyle and society's overloaded expectations. Once a character filled with optimistic encouragement, Jeanette falls into a spiral of bitter resentment and rage that's fueled by a turning point in her marriage.

We watch as Jeanette becomes a rapturous personality, but barely identifiable to the woman we briefly knew before. It's an excellent showcase for Mulligan's capability to build and furnish the inner lives of her character to marvelous results, particularly when they chameleon into someone else. In a career full of triumphs, Wildlife showcases some of Carey Mulligan's most spirited acting to date in the film's most impressive performance.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

In Joel and Ethan Coen's wistful, beautifully melancholy Inside Llewyn Davis, we primarily follow the life of our sadsack title character, an immensely talented but arrogant and misfortune person who has all the talent in the world to be a successful folk singer but little of the fortune to pave the way for fame. Amid the early '60s changing era, Davis is a rolling tumbleweed, never able to find his way home — or able to make a proper home for himself. He constantly needs to prove himself, even if that costs him any sense of contentment.

But while Davis is our focal point, the colorful characters he interacts with throughout his hard-fought days are what keep this film from wallowing in remorse for its lonesome protagonist. Among the most notable supporting characters is Carey Mulligan's Jean Berkley, Davis's friend whom he may have impregnated.

In addition to showcasing her strong singing talents, Mulligan brings a jagged edge to her character, which presents her as prickly but also pregnable, as she shares her own insecurities about the world.

Suffragette (2015)

While it's definitely not without its flaws, Suffragette tells a timely story of the growing suffragette movement of early 20th century Britain, primarily from the perspective of Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan), a hard-working wife and mother who finds her life forever changed by this period of revolution. Although its pacing can leave something to be desired, Mulligan's expectedly excellent lead performance gives the movie its sense of conviction and courage handily, showcasing the persistent change of this everyday woman who put everything on the line to stand against the oppression she and many other women regularly faced. Her performance is stirring and sentimental, filled with conviction and nuance that brings this historical personality to the present in a vivid and personable fashion.

Mulligan is always great at finding the complexity of her characters. While she's playing a character who fits into the conventions of a period-based biopic, she continues to find the heartfelt earnestness and forthright spirit of her characters. This is certainly no exception, proving to be another great demonstration of her outstanding acting skills.

It's also worth mentioning her strong work in films like Far From the Maddening Crowd, Drive, and Mudbound, to name only a few more. What's your favorite Carey Mulligan movie? Let us know below!

No, it's not just you, Adam Driver was everywhere in 2019. Actually, Driver has been everywhere since audiences first fell in love with his character, Adam Sackler, on the HBO comedy-drama series Girls way back in 2012. And ever since then, Driver has given us some of the best performances and become one of the most prolific actors of his generation.

It is hard to find a bad movie in Adam Driver's extensive filmography, but it's even harder to narrow down Driver's movies down to the top 10, but we're going to give it our best shot.

10. While We're Young (2014)

Adam Driver had already worked with director Noah Baumbach by the time the two got together for While We're Young in 2014, but the two expanded upon the relationship for their second of four collaborations. And although While We're Young doesn't have the same impact on viewers as Marriage Story would do five years later, this film about a middle-aged couple falling in with a young hipster couple in New York City still has a lot to say in its own right.

This comedy-drama follows the lives of Josh (Ben Stiller) and Cornelia Schrebnick (Naomi Watts), a couple on the rocks, as they meet and become friends with a young couple, Jamie (Adam Driver) and Darby Massey (Amanda Seyfried). As Josh and Cornelia grow closer to the young and free couple, they begin to see the real side of Jamie and Darby. Throughout his performance, Driver convincingly brings the stereotypical hipster filmmaker archetype to life in a way that is so infuriating that you can't wait for him to get his comeuppance.

9. Paterson (2016)

By the time Adam Driver wowed audiences and critics alike in Jim Jarmusch's 2016 drama Paterson about a week in the life of a bus driver and poet, he had already become a household name after receiving three consecutive Golden Globe nominations for his role in Girls. Driver would only continue that in his riveting performance of the titular Paterson.

Over the course of a week, the film follows Paterson as he wakes up, goes to work, writes poetry, walks his dog, and goes to his favorite watering hole at night. Although this premise doesn't seem as exciting as some of Driver's later roles, the actor is able to bring so much poignancy and raw emotion to the performance that turns this film into a reflective and contemplative exercise of the human heart. The scenes in which Paterson scribbles down poetry in his tattered notebook become works of art thanks to Driver's performance and great direction by Jarmusch.

8. Frances Ha (2012)

Two years before he was given a larger role in Noah Baumbach's While We're Young, Adam Driver was given a small, yet memorable role in the director's 2012 feature Frances Ha. The film came out less than six months after Driver was introduced to the world on Girls, and was just the beginning of the great things that were to come for the actor.

This short, black and white indie film follows the life of a struggling dancer, Frances Halladay (Greta Gerwig, who also co-wrote the film), as she tries to find a new living arrangement after her roommate and best friend Sophie Levee (Mickey Summer) decides to move from Brooklyn to Tribeca. Over the course of this 86-minute film, Frances briefly meets Driver's character, Lev Shapiro and his roommate Benji (Michael Zegen), which gives us some of the most absurd scenes in the film. Driver so accurately portrays the upper class hipsters of New York as he bounces from one ludicrous conversation to the next.

7. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

In a movie as heart-wrenching and bleak as Inside Llewyn Davis, seeing Adam Driver make a brief appearance as a baritone country western singer by the name of Al Cody comes as nice moment of levity. And though Driver only shows up in one scene of this critically acclaimed film from the Coen brothers, we're still talking about it nearly seven years after the fact.

The film follows a week in the life of struggling folk singer Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) as he tries to get his life in order while also trying to get his music career to take off. Throughout Inside Llewyn Davis, Davis encounters terrible situation after terrible situation, including the revelation that he could be the father of his friend, Jean Berkey's (Carey Mulligan) unborn child. When Jean tells Davis that he needs to pay for the abortion, he takes a studio gig with Jean's husband Jim Berkey (Justin Timberlake) and Driver's Al Cody for a novelty song. It's hard not to laugh as Cody practices his iconic vocal delivery as the other two musicians have a tense conversation about the song.

6. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

Prior to the release of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote in 2018, director and screenwriter Terry Gilliam spent nearly 30 years trying to get his adaptation of the classic novel Don Quixote off the ground. Between 1989 and 2018 (the year the film was released), Gilliam cast everyone from Robin Williams to Johnny Depp in the role that eventually went to Adam Driver. But even after filming the long-awaited film, Gilliam's masterpiece wouldn't see the light of day for several years after distribution rights and other legal issues were finally settled upon.

The film centers around Driver's character of Toby, an advertising executive who goes back to the location of a film he shot years ago where he is confronted by an old Spanish shoemaker named Javier (Jonathan Pryce) who is convinced that he is actually the famous character from the novel. Not only does Javier believe he is the real Don Quixote, he is also convinced that Toby is his trusty squire Sancho Panza. What follows is a surreal retelling of the classic novel with as many twists and turns as the original book and its murky history.

5. The Dead Don't Die (2019)

If you were to tell me 10 years ago that before the end of the decade we would have a zombie movie directed by Jim Jarmusch starring Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Chloe Sevingy, Tilda Swinton, and Tom Waits I wound't believe you. Despite sounding like one of the most preposterous ideas, that's exactly what we got in the surreal and absurdist take on the zombie genre with The Dead Don't Die.

This movie, which follows several inhabitants of a small town that becomes ground zero for a zombie invasion, is about as polarizing as a zombie movie released in 2019 can get. People either love The Dead Don't Die's tone and multiple examples of breaking the fourth wall, or they hate it. Despite the divisiveness around the movie, one thing is for sure is that Adam Driver absolutely kills his delivery as Officer Ronald Peterson in every scene. There are several lines (talking about the film's theme song and asking Bill Murray's character if he read the script) that are delivered with such a deadpan delivery, it's amazing that Driver got through it without cracking up. If you want to watch an absurd zombie comedy movie, look no further.

4. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Say what you will about Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and there's a lot to say, but no one can take away from the brilliant performance given by Adam Driver as the conflicted Kylo Ren. We were introduced to the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa two years earlier in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but Driver's take Ren as he forms a connection with Rey (Daisy Ridley) does nothing but further expand the character and his motivations.

Besides the attack on his mother's Resistance ship near the beginning of the film, Kylo Ren spends much of the movie trying to connect and form an alliance with Rey, which ultimately leads to the iconic "Throne Room" scene where the two take down Supreme Leader Snoke's Praetorian Guard. But just when it looks like Ren is about to turn away from the dark side, he doubles down and declares that he is the Supreme Leader of The First Order. Following the scene, Ren falls deeper into the dark side as he takes on his uncle and former Jedi master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Throughout his entire arc in the film (and series as a whole), we see a certain sadness and degree of pain in Ren's eyes that make us want to root for him, despite his despicable actions.

3. Logan Lucky (2017)

Four months before appearing in Star Wars:The Last Jedi, Adam Driver appeared in Steven Soderbergh's redneck heist film, Logan Lucky. Driver portrays Clyde Logan, a veteran who lost the lower half of his left arm in Iraq, who teams up with his brother, Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) and Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) to rob Charlotte Motor Speedway after Jimmy is fired from a construction company working at the racetrack.

The film is essentially a white trash take on Soderbergh's successful Oceans trilogy, only this time the heist is set in the hills of North Carolina's NASCAR country opposed to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. The thieves are even dubbed the "Oceans's Seven-Eleven" by the press after they pull of the heist during the Coca-Cola 600 race. To add even more tension to the heist, Clyde has to get sent to prison so that he can help Joe Bang escape prison, pull off the heist, and return to his cell before the guards notice. This section of the movie is just as tense as the heist, if not more.

2. BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Most of the praise from BlacKkKlansman is geared towards the stellar performance by the film's lead John David Washington for his portrayal of real-life African-American Colorado Springs police officer Ron Stallworth who infiltrated and exposed the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, but Adam Driver's portrayal of Philip "Flip" Zimmerman is just as vital to the film's success.

The film really picks up after Stallworth starts a line of communication with the local KKK chapter, which is where Driver's character comes in. Stallworth can talk to the KKK on the phone all he wants, but in order to fully carry out the operation, he has to enlist the help of Zimmerman to handle the face-to-face interactions with the hate group. Zimmerman, who is Jewish, is put in a few tough spots during his multiple meetings with the KKK, including one where they try to make him take a polygraph test to prove he's not Jewish. The movie feels like a comedy in spots, but the situations and messages found throughout paint a disturbing picture of hate groups in America.

1. Marriage Story (2019)

And then there is Marriage Story, the 2019 drama from Noah Baumbach about a married couple going through a divorce on opposite sides of the country. Anchored by performances by Scarlett Johansson as Nicole Barber and Adam Driver as Charlie Barber, this raw and gut-wrenching movie feels all too real in several of its most intense moments.

When I first watched Marriage Story upon its release on Netflix in late 2019, I was taken aback by the performances of its stars portraying the two central characters as they try to keep their family together as it's being ripped apart by outside forces. And although the marriage cannot be salvaged, Nicole and Charlie fight tooth and nail to keep loving one another. This movie will pull out your heart, break it into a million pieces, and then force you to put it back together while wearing a blindfold. There's one scene in particular where you can see Driver and Johansson seem to pull from their own personal failures as their characters have one of the most intense arguments in recent memory.

Do you agree with our list of the best Adam Driver performances, or do you think that something should be added or taken away? Does Star Wars: The Last Jedi deserve to be on this list? Let us know in the comments.

The Coen Brothers, or just Ethan and Joel to their close pals, have never made a bad film. Sure, there have been disappointments. But in a world where Fifty Shades Of Black and Sinister 2 exist, any film by the idiosyncratic pairing is devoured rapidly by cinephiles. 

Hail, Caesar! is their latest effort. And to celebrate its release, I decided to take on the unenviable task of ranking the Coen Brothers collection. It was impossible. And I felt as though I betrayed every single film that didn’t finish number one. Which is exactly why they’re cinema’s favorite siblings.

This was really fucking difficult. I would make the obligatory Sophie’s Choice comparison, but she only had two children to choose from and neither had the complexity of A Serious Man or seemed likely to match the thrills of Fargo. Here's my ranking. What's yours?

17. The Ladykillers

OK, I lied. This part of my list was easy. The Ladykillers is an odd film because it’s not odd. It lacks the usual flair of characterization that normally makes even minor characters in a Coen Brother film memorable. Instead it just feels like a waste of Tom Hanks. As you’d expect, their script is still speedy, tight, and has plenty of laughs, while their direction is slick and moody. But, in comparison to other Coen films, it’s underwhelming. And except for the magnificent Irma P. Hall and J.K. Simmons, the only good to come out of The Ladykillers is that this was the first time Joel and Ethan Coen shared producing and directing credits. Still better than most Hollywood drivel, though.

16. Burn After Reading

Fresh off the success of No Country For Old Men, the Coen Brothers could have picked any project that they wanted. With Burn After Reading they went for a screwball spy film, but substituted the explosions for an all-star cast that included George Clooney, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, Brad Pitt, and J.K. Simmons. Each member of the ensemble revels in the comedic freedom that they’re given. Clooney delivers the Coen’s dialogue with panache, while watching Malkovich erupt with anger is always a joy. But it’s too frivolous and aimless to be up there with the Coen’s best work. It still features one of the pair’s greatest ever final scenes, though.

15. The Hudsucker Proxy

The Hudsucker Proxy was the Coen Brothers’ first attempt to make a big-budgeted, outright commercial film. It cost them a cool $25 million to make (probably $40 million after marketing), and even starred Paul Newman. The fact then that it only made $3 million at the box office means that it will always be tainted as the Coen Brothers’ biggest flop. But, thanks to its sweet-natured, whimsical tone, grandiose 1950s setting (its meticulous production design is divine) and its proud screwball zaniness (it reeks of Preston Sturges, Frank Capra and Howard Hawks), The Hudsucker Proxy is still enchanting. Jennifer Jason Leigh is particularly revelatory as the spunky Amy Archer. Sure, it’s a little style-over-substance, and rings a bit hollow, especially in its attempt to satire "Big Business." But it’s still enjoyably lightweight, and impossible to hate.

14. Hail, Caesar! 

Hail, Caesar! isn’t just a black comedy about the black-list, or a love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood. It also works as a nifty biopic to the life of legendary studio "fixer," Eddie Mannix. Like Inside Llewyn Davis, we’re placed firmly into the shoes of Mannix and follow him around for a day, which leaves room for a stunning array of cameo performance from Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes, Frances McDormand, Channing Tatum, and even Dolph Lundgren. But, while the cameos keep Hail, Ceasar! buoyant, this really is Josh Brolin’s film. Sure, George Clooney is humorous as the idiotic Baird Whitlock, and special praise needs to be paid to Alden Ehrenreich for his loveable comic turn.

But Brolin carries the entire burden of the film sturdily on his shoulders. More gently witty than laugh-out-loud hilarious, Hail, Caeser! is nevertheless flamboyant and fun throughout and probably the closest they’ll come to Preston Sturges’ Sullivan’s Travels, a film they’ve referenced throughout their career. But it lacks the substance or focus to be truly memorable. Seeing the Coens’ versions of a musical, Roman epic, melodrama, aquamusical, and cowboy comedy is worth the price of admission alone, though. 

13. Intolerable Cruelty

After The Ladykillers was only met with lukewarm reviews, it was suggested that the Coen Brothers were in a slump. What started this slump? Apparently Intolerable Cruelty. But the fact that this this glossy, riotous romp has garnered a reputation as a crud only highlights just how pristine the Coen Brothers’ filmography is. George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones have never looked more glamorous, while Intolerable Cruelty’s pacey script is another example of them tipping their collective hat to the screwball genre. The meandering plot just about tows the line between convoluted and captivating, but it’s also smart, sharp and includes more laugh-out-loud moments than five Hollywood comedies combined.

12. The Man Who Wasn't There

The Coen Brothers film that is most often overlooked, which probably has something to do with the fact that its lead character Ed Crane, played almost effortlessly but still affectingly by Billy Bob Thornton, is monosyllabic throughout. Despite its relative anonymity, there’s still an awful lot to admire about The Man Who Wasn’t There. First off, it’s utterly stylish, which is partly down to its use of black and white, with cinematographer Roger Deakins making even the simplest of shots hypnotic to look at. It’s a delightful homage to the film noir genre, as its lead character says little because he has little to say.

It also becomes increasingly bleaker as it progresses, which still doesn’t illicit too much of a response from the constantly passive Ed Crane. Kudos to Michael Badalucco and Tony Shalhoub as the talkative barber and shyster lawyer, respectively, who inject verve and vigor into the film. But, ultimately, The Man Who Wasn’t There is too dispassionate to really leave an impression. Even though it’s a hell of a journey while you are watching.

11. Barton Fink

Here’s the first film on my list that I feel bad for placing so low. The previous six, while each with their own charm, don’t provide the seamless heady mix of humor, poignancy, thrills, and drama that the next Coen Brothers pieces, including Barton Fink, somehow manage. Barton Fink is probably the greatest film ever created about screenwriting and the struggles of Hollywood, as the magnificent John Turturro’s titular character fails to adjust to scribing for the big-screen following his huge success on Broadway. It might not surprise you to learn that Barton Fink was written while the Coen Brothers themselves struggled with writer’s block as they scribed Miller’s Crossing. They took a break, and within a month, Barton Fink was written and ready.

The whole host of ideas that fester throughout Barton Fink is evidence of just how speedily it’s written, which works as both a detriment and a perk. It examines the superficial differences between high and low culture, poking fun at numerous renowned writers along the way, while exploring themes related to fascism, World War II, working in creative industries, and simply being a man. But, most importantly, it’s an art house film that pokes fun at art house films. Which is just deliciously Coen.

10. True Grit

I didn’t like True Grit at first. I expected a rough-and-tumble, standard western that had much more in common with the 1969 original. I was an idiot. It took until my second viewing to realize just how subtle, finely crafted and preposterously well performed it is. If he hadn’t won it the year before, Jeff Bridges would have been a shoe-in for the Best Actor Oscar as his gruff Rooster, while Hailee Steinfeld is a revelation as the peppy, driven Mattie. The Coens have never stayed within the confines of a genre more, while Deakins’ cinematography forgoes the stunning landscape shots in favor of a dusty, dirty aesthetic.

And then there’s Carter Burwell’s score. While working for the Coen Brothers, Carter Burwell has written four themes that immediately encapsulate the mood of the film. Miller’s Crossing, Fargo, Raising Arizona, and True Grit just wouldn’t be as good without Burwell’s music, which immediately elevates the fantastic material. While probably not quite matching his work on Miller’s Crossing, Burwell’s True Grit theme is my second favorite of his Coen scores. It immediately sets a nostalgic tone, but as the melody builds, you begin to envision Hailee Steinfeld’s Mattie Ross charging forward on her duty to avenge her father with Rooster in tow. It’s sad, mournful, but still enchanting. And that’s exactly what True Grit is, too.

9. O Brother, Where Art Thou?

The reason that the likes of The Ladykillers, Intolerable Cruelty, Burn After Reading, and, unfortunately, Hail, Caesar! ultimately feel a little like disappointments, even though there are just a handful of problems in otherwise faultless films, is because of O Brother Where Art Thou? And The Big Lebowski. And Raising Arizona. This trifecta of films is proof that when the Coen brothers do lean towards more lightweight material, they are still able to create fully realized worlds of idiosyncratic characters that repeatedly get into peculiar adventures. O Brother is full of them. From Charles Durning’s Pappy O’Daniel to Daniel von Bargen’s Sheriff Cooley, via John Goodman’s Big Dan, Frank Collison’s Wash, Chris Thomas King’s Tommy Johnson, Michael Badalucco’s George Nelson and Wayne Duvall’s Homer Stokes. O Brother starts off at a breezy pace, somehow still feels oddly poignant, and is just an awful lot of fun to watch.

The music selections by T. Bone Burnett, which immediately set the film’s groove and only become more important, propel the perfectly cast leading trio of George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson on their merry jaunt away from incarceration. While Roger Deakins’ sepia-toned cinematography papers over any cracks that even briefly start to manifest. All of which combines to make O Brother, Where Art Thou? the cinematic equivalent of a soothing, warm bath.

8. Blood Simple

Danny Boyle has a theory: "Your first film is always your best film." Blood Simple is a film he often uses in this argument. For him, it will always be the Coen Brothers’ greatest. For most others, it’s simply a raw example of sublime filmmaking talent, which has gone on to be honed meticulously over the subsequent 32 years. Blood Simple even features a whole host of traits that we’ve now come to associate with the Coens. There’s deceit, murder, dark comedy, idiotic characters that are way in over their heads, and even an opening, rambling narration. Sure, it’s now a little dated and flabby. But you’re always aware that you’re under the spell of sublime filmmakers as it manages to mix tense and suspenseful scenes with darkly comic tinges; Marty’s gun not working when it’s aimed at Ray and he’s about to be buried alive being the prime example. Poor Marty. Has there ever been a bigger loser in cinema? No. No, there has not. This tone is why Blood Simple is pitch perfect. Despite its seemingly lowly position on this list, I still understand Danny Boyle’s stance. Because just imagine seeing Blood Simple back in 1984. There was nothing like it. It’d be enough to inspire you to get behind the camera yourself.

7. Miller's Crossing

That cold open. That score. The ‘Danny Boy’ shoot-out sequence where Leo proves he’s still an artist with a Thompson. Just the name Bernie Bernbaum. It really does destroy me that Miller’s Crossing is only seventh on this list. It’s probably the Coen Brothers’ most layered script, with each additional viewing unveiling new lines of dialogue and quips to marvel over. But perhaps what’s most delightful about Miller’s Crossing is that it’s exactly what you’d expect from a Coen Brothers gangster film. It’s surreal, comical, yet still firmly rooted in, while also poking fun at, the genre, with tips of the hat to The Godfather, Cagney, and dozens from its heyday in the 1930s. Plus, it’s finale is a direct homage/rip-off of The Third Man.

So why is it not higher? It’s a little too convoluted – it was so densely plotted the Coen Brothers got writer’s block – and equally self-aware. But that’s also what makes it so intoxicating and unique. From any other filmmaker, it would be the pinnacle of their careers. For the Coen Brothers, it’s close to the norm.

6. The Big Lebowski

By this point The Big Lebowski is more than just a film. It’s a religion. Literally. Of course, to reach this status The Big Lebowski had to do something right. Luckily, it does a whole host of things. It’s the most perfectly cast of the Coen Brothers’ films. It’s literally impossible to imagine anyone else other than Jeff Bridges as The Dude, John Goodman as Walter, and Steve Buscemi as Donny. Just try it. You can’t. It also helps that its mere premise immediately sounds like perfect Coens fodder: as it’s a Raymond Chandler story populated by a bunch of nincompoops, who just want to bowl. The Big Lebowski’s true genius is in the detail that punctuates its dizzying plot, and either drives the narrative forward or proves to be a red herring. I mean, only in a Coen brothers film could a Chandler-inspired tale have a pissed-on rug as the catalyst. While the rambling, forgetful narrator, opening tumbleweed, penis eating ferret, Kenny Rogers tinged musical montage, bag of undies, German nihilists, Donny’s heart attack, Jesus (don’t fuck with him), and funniest cremation scene in cinema history all coagulate to make The Big Lebowski as funny as it is compelling.

Despite its undoubted brilliance, it still doesn’t quite make my top 5 Coen Brothers films. Why? It’s just a little too erratic and outlandish. It’s hardly an excuse, I know. But, when it comes to ranking Coen Brothers films even the slightest issue is enough for a film to pale in comparison against the perfection that's still ahead.

5. Inside Llewyn Davis

No other Coen Brothers film is as rewarding with repeat viewings as Inside Llewyn Davis. Like True Grit, when I immediately left the cinema having originally watched Llewyn I wasn’t sure if I liked it. Unlike True Grit, it only took the car journey home for me to decipher that it was actually genius. All of which is down to its disorientating structure, which leaves you in a state of bewilderment by the time you reach its conclusion. Yet, once you’ve had time to fully ingest Llewyn, it then begins to leave an impact. The titular character is a fine mixture of loathsome, rueful, bitter, and ambitious, and Oscar Isaac is utterly sublime, and almost poetic, in his depiction. Yet, despite his misanthropic ways, Llewyn always resonates.

Inside Llewyn Davis is really about the missed opportunities, the chances not taken, and sometimes being just plain unlucky. Is Llewyn ever going to make it? No. Not to the level that he pines for, anyway. Inside Llewyn Davis leaves more tantalizing questions than resolute answers, but in such a way that only makes in more compelling, and more watchable. And don’t even get me started on the haunting, beautiful soundtrack. In fact, the ultimate proof of its genius is that it somehow made Mumford & Sons seem cool.

4. Fargo

Probably the most important Coen Brothers film in their career. Before Fargo, the pair was seen as part of the cinematic alternative. They were obviously talented, but their attempts to go mainstream were always thwarted by their innate peculiarity. After its release, they’d picked up the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, while Frances McDormand won Best Actress. The decision to preface Fargo with the fabricated text of, "This is a true story," was a blatant attempt to prove that we were now in the real world, not the outlandish Coen universe. Which is interesting, especially when you consider that, rather than being inspired directorially by other filmmakers, the Coens’ main influence for Fargo was Blood Simple, with several scenes feeling as though they’ve been ripped right from their debut.

The real beauty of Fargo is in the writing though. There’s no fat at all to the story. Every single scene feels integral, and it builds seamlessly like a locomotive setting off from the station. The bad guys get their comeuppance. The pregnant cop comes out on top. And it’s the Coen Brothers' most satisfying story to watch unfold.

3. Raising Arizona

Raising Arizona is the touchstone of modern comedy. Without it, I’m not even sure if Wes Anderson would have a career, or if The Simpsons would have been as wonderfully irreverent and zany. Twenty-nine years after it was released, it still feels as fresh and hilarious as anything that’s currently in the comedic ether. It’s exuberant, imaginative, and wholesome. In a way, it’s the Coen Brothers’ Goodfellas, as you’re never more aware that they’re in control of the camera. The 10-minute-long opening montage might just be my favorite scene in all of cinema, as it not only sets up jokes that would be oft-repeated throughout the film, but immediately gets you up to speed with Ed and H.I.’s relationship, their problems, hopes and ambitions for a family, and does so in a sympathetic and compassionate way. The line, "I found myself driving past convenience stores that weren’t on the way home," still makes me laugh so brazenly that I might just go ahead and get it etched on my tombstone. And that’s just before the title! But the best thing you can say about Raising Arizona is that once it’s finished, you immediately have the urge to watch it all over again.

2. A Serious Man

The Coen Brothers’ most divisive film. If you love A Serious Man, you’re infatuated by it. If you’re a hater, you long ago dismissed it. Suffice to say, I think it’s their most probing and engrossing work. A Serious Man questions everything, does nothing, and leaves you lost in its haze of existentialism. It can be summed up by the fact that its most action-packed scene takes place off screen, when Sy Ableman dies in a car crash. Instead, as is with life, we’re just left to feel the build-up and repercussions. As the Coen Brothers have done throughout their careers, they infuse their own personal experiences into the story to make it more resonant. (You can immediately picture Ethan stoned at his own Bat Mitzvah).

Yet, they seemingly mock the audience and Larry Gopnik’s pursuit for answers in the process. It’s the darkest comedy they’ve ever created, as every issue Larry faces leaves him more and more lost and puzzled. From the beginning, they look to disorientate with a cold opening set in an Eastern European shtetl that seemingly has no connection to the rest of the film. Was he a dybbuk? Is he dead? We’re left questioning everything. Which just pulls us deeper and deeper in. In the end, it’s probably all connected to Schrodinger’s Cat. I’m damned if I know why, though. And that last shot really is everything.

1. No Country For Old Men

Three years after the disappointing double whammy of Intolerable Cruelty and The Ladykillers, people had begun to dismiss the Coen Brothers. So they went back to the well. In the same way that The Hudsucker Proxy was followed by Fargo, the Coen Brothers’ antidote to The Ladykillers was No Country For Old Men. No Country For Old Men is the Coen Brothers best film because it includes everything you’d hope for in a thriller from the pair. But it’s just done better. It's their equivalent to Revolver. Everything that came before is great, as is everything after, but No Country is seismic while referencing their past work and teasing the future. The shootout and chasing sequences are more thrilling than Fargo, the deaths are more brutal than Blood Simple, the western landscape is more luscious and compelling than True Grit, while its ending is more thought-provoking and impactful than either Inside Llewyn Davis or A Serious Man.

In the same way that Raising Arizona is relentlessly zany, No Country For Old Men is relentlessly tense and only gets tenser. It starts off with Anton Chigurh – Javier Bardem in one of the finest performances in cinematic history - murdering a police officer with his handcuffs, before we then get to see his unique use of a captive bolt pistol to dispatch with the driver of a car he desires. And then it just builds and builds. But not predictably (while it also doesn’t try to surprisingly sideswipe viewers with its narrative deviations) instead it all feels organic. It also feels as though you’re watching the end of civilisation. While it undoubtedly feels as though you're in the presence of one of the greatest films of the last 35 years.

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This list is wrong. We’re just going to put that out there at the beginning. Only picking 10 great characters from Coen Brothers movies is like picking your favorite child, which is to say, you have one, but it changes often, mostly depending on your own mood. There were some tough choices made here, and honestly if we had made this list yesterday, or tomorrow, or under the influence of slightly more wine, it would have likely been very different.

We have limited our list to one character per film so as to give everybody a clear shot and prevent the list from turning into Our 10 Favorite Characters From The Big Lebowski, because seriously, that nearly happened. Here are our 10 favorite characters of the moment from the history of the Coen Brothers on screen.

10. Amy Archer - The Hudsucker Proxy

While most of the rest of the country is only now remembering what a badass Jennifer Jason Leigh is thanks to The Hateful Eight, a few of us who watched too many movies in high school never actually forgot this fact. In The Hudsucker Proxy, Leigh plays Amy Archer, a note perfect 1930’s fast talking dame who looks like she just walked out of Bringing up Baby or The Lady Eve. Her dialogue is nearly musical in it’s perfection. She hits every beat. She’s also, quite possibly, the most on-the-ball and competent person on this entire list.

9. Llewyn Davis - Inside Llewyn Davis

Music often plays an important role in the Coen Brothers’ movies, but probably nowhere is it more important than the life of Llewyn Davis. Again, here we are dealing with an actor who has become a household name today, but who was not as widely known when he brought the character to life. There’s something about the film’s structure, showing us only a week in the middle of a man’s life, that Oscar Isaac is really able to make you feel. Most movies make you feel like everything you see is all there is worth seeing, while here we get the impression that every week in Llewyn Davis’ life could be its own movie.

8. Chad Feldheimer - Burn After Reading

While Burn After Reading is not generally viewed as one of the Coen’s greatest films, Brad Pitt’s performance cannot be underrated. The layers of the performance are many. He’s not playing a dumb jock, nor is he playing somebody who thinks they’re intelligent when they’re actually a moron. No, Chad Feldheimer has even more going on than that. He’s a dumb jock, who knows he’s an idiot, and is trying desperately to hide this fact from the world. It’s a role unlike anything Pitt has done before or since, and that's part of what makes it perfect.

7. Barton Fink - Barton Fink

John Turturro is one of the Coen Brothers go-to performers, and picking only one of his roles was tough, but ultimately you have to go with the one where he was the star. Barton Fink is still one of the most beautifully bizarre movies I’ve ever seen, and the character himself is all that and more. It’s a comedy, and a drama, and a movie about Hollywood, and a psychological thriller. We’re still not entirely sure what it’s about. What we know is that Barton Fink is terrified and insecure and we love him for it.

6. Larry Gopnik - A Serious Man

Larry Gopnik has one question. "What’s going on?" His life has fallen apart and he doesn’t understand why. As this has shown, and will continue to show, many of the Coens’ great characters are people who seem to be completely lost in life, but Larry is one of the few who actively goes looking for answers. He deals externally with many of the same questions that the rest of us struggle with internally every day. We can relate to Larry a little bit, which is something of a terrifying thought, but it’s also what makes his character so memorable.

5. H.I. McDunnough - Raising Arizona

For many, Raising Arizona was our introduction to the bonkers world that the Coen Brothers have inhabited for 30 years. While "Hi" McDunnough may seem to be your garden variety recidivist criminal, he’s actually a deeply philosophical sort. It’s just that sort of thinking that leads him to the obvious conclusion that if one family has five babies, well surely they can spare one for a family that can have none. While Nicholas Cage movies are a dime a dozen (literally), the times when he is truly doing something special are few and far between. This is one of them.

4. Ulysses Everett McGill - O Brother, Where Art Thou

The tale of The Odyssey as set in Depression-era Mississippi is one of the Coens’ great masterworks in this writer’s opinion, and George Clooney’s Ulysses Everett McGill is the primary reason. His dialogue is some of the best the Coen’s have put to paper, and Clooney, ever the suave and debonair leading man, is given a chance to play that same role to great comedic effect. Add to that the lead in the best musical moment in the Coen catalog, and you have a top performance.

3. Anton Chigurh - No Country For Old Men

For all of the violence and death that tends to occur in Coen Brothers films, there are remarkably few outright villains. This is only part of why Anton Chigurh stands out among the Coens’ great characters. Javier Bardem is absolutely chilling in his role of the emotionless hitman. Never has witnessing a simple coin toss been such a terrifying cinematic event to behold. Chigurh isn’t simply the Coens’ greatest villain, he’s simply one of the greatest film villains ever.

2. Marge Gunderson - Fargo

Maybe it’s because she’s seven months pregnant that everybody seems to underestimate Marge Gunderson, but make no mistake, she is a force to be reckoned with. While coming across as something of an oddball, she is quite possibly the most human character the Brothers Coen have ever written. She’s patient and understanding and just trying to make the world just a little bit better for her soon to be born child. And through all of it she successfully brings killers to justice. The role that won Frances McDormand an Academy Award is nothing short of perfect.

1. The Dude - The Big Lebowski

We said this list was tough, but there was one choice that really wasn’t. If there’s a film even more absurd than the rest of the movies on this list, it’s The Big Lebowski, and if there’s a character even more absurd than any other, it’s The Dude. The Dude has transcended simply being a character in a much-loved film and has become a true cultural icon. To us The Dude is many things, but to himself he’s just a bowler. Whatever man, The Dude abides.

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January is the time of year when everyone from diehard cinephiles to movie critics look back on the previous year’s film offerings and assign them a numeric value. This is what the "Best Of" lists are all about, and it’s not the most enjoyable process. If you think otherwise, at least check out this one particular movie ranking, which professes to rank the top films of not the year but of the past decade. We guarantee it’ll light a fire under your butt.

Filmmaker and critic Kevin B. Lee tweeted the following over the holidays, as he realized we were about to pass the midway mark of the 2010s: "What are the best films of the decade so far?" Anyone wishing to answer submitted their thoughts to him through social media, and he compiled the results into a definitive list. While he admits that this was an open inquiry, he notes in the headline of his analysis on Slate that the results reflect the thoughts of more than 300 critics.

The list, "The Best Films of the Past Decade So Far (2010-2014)," encompasses 491 films. But what would you, as a movie lover, think would make the top 10? Boyhood, perhaps? Maybe something like 12 Years a Slave or Argo? While Boyhood did make it into the top 10, it did so only by the skin of its teeth. And you’d probably never guess which films bested it.

1. The Tree of Life (103 votes)

2. Certified Copy (91 votes)

3. The Master (76 votes)

4. Margaret (68 votes)

5. Holy Motors (66 votes)

6. A Separation (64 votes)

7. Under the Skin (61 votes)

8. Inside Llewyn Davis (59 votes)

9. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (45 votes)

10. Boyhood (44 votes)

This is a damn-near perplexing list. While The Tree of Life was a fine film, the fact that it’s in the top spot on this list, above Boyhood and Inside Llewyn Davis, is disconcerting. The same goes for The Master and Under the Skin’s placements. And what about Certified Copy? The 2010 film starring William Shimell as a traveling author who spends a day with a French store owner (Juliette Binoche) in Tuscany, Italy, the film was widely praised by critics, but its overall resonance was unexpected. Those who participated in this poll are still thinking about it enough to bump it to the second-place spot.

As for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, we have no words. Admittedly, this one eluded me, but after investigating, I can tell you it’s about a man reflecting on his past lives while on his death bed and seeing apparitions. For those of you who have seen it, good for you! The rest of us will still be scratching our heads.

According to Lee in his analysis of the list, the Cannes Film Festival is a greater indication than the Oscars as to the best films of the decade. As he notes, five out of the list’s top 10 films premiered at Cannes, while 12 Years a Slave was the highest ranking film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. (It came in 39th.) The full list of films can be found on Fandor, but prepare yourself for some aggravation.

Sometimes it sucks being right. Today, when the Academy Award announced nine Best Picture nominees out of a possible ten, and Inside Llewyn Davis wasn't among them, it sucked to be right.

Last September, I sat in a packed to capacity theater in New York City, absolutely in awe of Joel and Ethan Coen's latest. The whole theater rolled with laughter and tangible tension as the story of a down-on-his-luck and stubborn folk singer unfurled before us. In my review, I positively raved about Inside Llewyn Davis, but also noted my concerns about its Oscar prospects, adding, "Hopefully, its lack of histrionics won’t hurt it come award season, as this mellow tale doesn’t need showy drama to deliver."

I stand by that. With a pitch-perfect cast and the Coens at the top of their game, weaving the whole narrative with an absolutely breathtaking soundtrack produced by T-Bone Burnett, Inside Llewyn Davis doesn't need to be flashy to be fascinating and powerful. However, its deceptively simple and subtle storytelling was snubbed by the Academy Awards today. All it earned was a Sound Mixing and a Cinematography nomination. While well earned, this thoughtful drama deserved more. And yet its exclusion from the big categories like Best Director, Best Actor, Best Picture was painfully predictable because the Oscar's like their selects to be all kinds of showy.

Not to detract from those films that did get nominated. Some movies demand to be full of big drama, like Best Picture contenders Wolf of Wall Street, an ode to excess with record-breaking cursing, censor-rallying debauchery and controversial depictions of an admitted criminal, or August: Osage County, which boasts its hysterical, feuding family on its poster. But instead of a heartstring-pulling true story or a mind-shattering space odyssey, Inside Llewyn Davis gave us a stoic and grouchy anti-hero who lacks one very important thing come Oscar time. Oscar Isaac, for all his screen presence and careful layering of the complicated character of Davis, lacked a showy clip for the montage section of the awards show.

You know what I mean. Gravity could use Sandra Bullock's big emotional monologue. Captain Phillips will replay that killer line, "I'm the Captain now," or revisit that gut-wrenching moment Hanks offers when his hero is at long last safe. That devastating whipping scenes of 12 Years A Slave will make an appearance, as will the physical transformations of an emaciated Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club or pot-bellied Christian Bale bellowing about the craft of the con in American Hustle. Watching these movies in theaters, it's easy to spot these montage-worthy moments, and picture them with the Oscar logo in the corner as Glenn Close's voice regally reads out their title over top it all.

But part of Davis's problem in Inside Llewyn Davis is that he doesn't have a hook as an artist that makes him an easy sell. And it seems this essential story element has made the movie mimic its anti-hero's journey. Apparently, while performing songs live worked wonders for Les Miserables, it wasn't enough to get the Academy to notice the wonder in Inside Llewyn Davis.

In an alternate universe, Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Joaquin Phoenix, Oscar Isaac and – oh, I don’t know – Hugh Jackman raise a glass this morning and toast the Best Actor nominations that never came to pass.

The Best Actor category at this year’s Academy Awards always seemed like it was destined to be a "Murderer’s Row." So many outstanding performers delivered what can be described as Oscar-worthy performance. Yet, the cold, hard reality of the Oscar ceremony is that there are five slots open, no matter how many willing and worthy candidates throw their names into the ring for consideration.

For the record, Christian Bale, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Matthew McConaughey did make the cut… and even though I don’t care for the vastly overrated American Hustle, I’m not going to protest Bale’s nomination. All five are worthy. The five men I mentioned above are worthy, as well.

So what the hell happened? How did Hanks go from an assumed two-slot nominee (many thought he’d get into Supporting Actor for Saving Mr. Banks as well as here or Captain Phillips) to an empty-handed A-lister this morning? How did Redford get overlooked after shouldering ALL of the amazing All Is Lost?

We can spend weeks reading the tea leaves – and because the Oscar ceremony is still more than a month away, we likely will waste all of that time. My guess is that Hanks split his attention between two performances, and ended up on the short end of the nominee stick in both instances. The Academy liked Captain Phillips. It earned nods for Picture, Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. I’m not sure how you nominate the film and MISS Hanks, but I agree that his best scene was in the final minutes of the film. Perhaps Academy members didn’t make it that far before ejecting their screeners.

Redford is more of a puzzle. Viewed as Hollywood royalty, the actor turns in a mesmerizing performance as a doomed sailor in J.C. Chandor’s All is Lost. The picture was shut out of all categories. Yes, Redford has won an Oscar before, for directing Ordinary People. He also received an Honorary statue in 2002. Does the Academy simply feel that enough is enough? If so, that’s sad. The 71-year-old won’t have many more feature-lead opportunities. He deserved a nod.

The same could be said for Phoenix, Isaac and Jackman, though Prisoners never caught on with the Academy. At the same time, I’m not sure who you’d pull from the category. This year happened to be an embarrassment of riches in the performance category. (For a similarly stacked category, just look to Best Actress.)

At the very least, if Tom Hanks needs to drown his sorrows with a friend, he can call his also-shut-out Saving Mr. Banks co-star, Emma Thompson. Someone order them two spoonfuls of sugar. It might help these snubs go down.

2013 has been a great year for movies, so narrowing down our list of favorites was no easy task. As Cinema Blend has numerous writers with varying tastes in film, we decided to go solo this year in sharing our Top 10 lists of the best movies of 2013. You've read both Sean and Kristy's lists, but now it's Eric's turn to rank the best blockbusters, indies and prestige films that came to us this past year.

10. The Spectacular Now

There are some - both those who write about movies and read about them - that believe that film festival reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, the big titles that premiere at places like Sundance or Toronto are usually at the center of a good deal of fanfare, and it’s not hard to get sucked up in all of the excitement of the event and let it have an effect. The true test of a festival film is the second viewing, where the volume is turned down on the presentation element and a high degree of expectation is introduced. I knew I loved James Ponsoldt’s The Spectacular Now when I first saw it at SXSW in March, but I found out just how much when I saw it again in August.

Enough can’t be said about the performances of leads Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, who truly get the chance to shine after fantastic turns in movies like Rabbit Hole and The Descendants. And following up on last year’s Smashed, Ponsoldt once again proves a deft ability with tone and emotional storytelling. In a few years I hope that The Spectacular Now is looked back upon not just as an amazing film, but also for launching three great careers. (Read my full SXSW review here).

9. Mud

Matthew McConaughey’s career has always been a bit perplexing to me. While not everything he did at the start was gold, he put on excellent, memorable performances in films like Dazed and Confused and A Time To Kill… and then spent most of the first decade of the millennium making dud after dud. Things suddenly took a surprising turn in 2011 when the actor returned to the courtroom for The Lincoln Lawyer, and he’s been on a roll ever since. There are still two more movies featuring McConaughey still to be named in this article (albeit one of them is in the honorable mentions), but before we get to that we have to talk about the amazingness that is Mud.

I first became aware of writer/director Jeff Nichols in 2011 when my senses were rocked by the intense thriller Take Shelter (a film that wound up at #7 on my Top 10 that year), but with Mud the filmmaker tackles a completely different kind of tone and a completely different kind of story, and it’s impressive as hell to see how well he handles it. It’s a beautiful coming of age story with a wonderful blend of comedy, drama, and a taste of the fantastical. (Read my full SXSW review here).

8. Iron Man 3

As I’ve written about before, I have what I believe is a unique holiday tradition. Every year I sit down on Christmas day for a marathon of Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. All four titles are linked simply by being action movies set during the Christmas season, but the more important connection is the guy who wrote the screenplays: Shane Black. The filmmaker’s neo-noir stylings, quick witty dialogue and fun characters have made me a fan of his work for a long time, and this year I got a Christmas present in May when I watched Black’s talent come together with another one of my film passions: comic book movies.

Once again demonstrating a keen skill for matching up filmmakers and projects, Marvel Studios knocked it out of the park hiring Shane Black to both direct and co-write Iron Man 3, and the result was the best blockbuster of the summer season. The film features better action than we’ve seen from any of the other Marvel solo films so far, and Black and Downey Jr. once again prove to be a perfect director/actor pair, the star speaking the filmmaker’s language fluently. It’s a more than welcomed addition to the Shane Black Christmas tradition. (Read my full review here.)

7. Prisoners

When cinematographer Roger Deakins is paired with the right director and material, there are few – if any – who can match him in his craft. The man has the ability to light and frame a scene that will make your jaw drop, be it capturing spikes of light coming in through a lone window in a dark basement or out in the woods watching snowfall collect on the ground. Deakins’ work on the child-abduction thriller Prisoners this year is among the best we’ve ever seen from him… and yet it’s only a part of what makes the film great.

Trapped in a mystery with a terrific number of horrific and exciting surprises, stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman are at the top of their game butting heads as a detective and a grieving father, respectively. Their performances are filled with raw energy and amazing nuance. On more than a few occasions, director Denis Villeneuve ratchets up the intensity level to uncomfortable levels, but its extremes only make the emotions more powerful and real. There is a palpable level of fear, pain and rage that comes with the mere idea of child abduction, and Prisoners brings it all to the screen in an intense, striking way. (Read my full review here.)

6. The Wolf of Wall Street

When a vocal minority publicly decries a film for its sex, violence, drugs and language content, I usually either roll my eyes or shrug my shoulders. But in the case of Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, I actually kind of get it. Featuring an all-star cast headed up by Scorsese regular Leonardo DiCaprio, the film is about as salacious, extreme, debauched, and fucked up as they come with an R-rating. The lives of the main characters are filled with more decadence and depravity than you could ever possibly imagine. And I loved watching just about every minute of it.

Echoing the sentiments from my review, the film is the best collaboration we’ve seen from Scorsese and DiCaprio, and the whole thing is so damn ballsy that it begs to be appreciated. Reviving the essence of the brilliant Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street is the classic tale of the path towards the American dream and all of its hardships and corruptions, but is told from a new, captivating and outrageous point of view. Because of its content, it will likely always be a divisive title in Scorsese’s filmography, but it’s easily one of my favorite movies of the year. (Read my full review here.)

5. The World’s End

As much as I want to see director Edgar Wright and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost go on to do some brilliant work with their individual careers (knowing that they certainly have the talent to do so) the truth is that I want to see them work together forever. From their television show Spaced to Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, the three have worked to produce some of the smartest, most hilarious comedy of the last 15 years, and The World’s End - the capper of the trio’s Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy - is just further proof of their undeniable genius.

The film shows off the same great visual panache that Wright has brought to all of the titles we’ve seen thus far in his career, featuring plenty of fun quick edits and once again making an art out of casual foreshadowing, but what makes The World’s End really impressive is its surprising maturity. Hidden within the plot of childhood friends who go out for a pub crawl and get attacked by robots is a meaningful story about maturity and never really being able to go home again. The Cornetto trilogy – which was never actually meant to be a trilogy – is over, but if there is a movie god out there, he will bring Wright, Pegg and Frost together again.

4. Her

Love is a beautiful abstraction. It’s impossible to define, but we all know what it’s like. There are few things more powerful in the world, both in its ability to uplift and create and decimate and destroy. Filmmakers have spent decades upon decades trying to understand it and recreate its impact in their works, but the truth is that very few actually succeed. Thanks to his work on Her, writer/director Spike Jonze can be counted among those who have.

Belying its oddball sci-fi premise, following the story of a lonely writer (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls head-over-heels in love with a newly invented conscious operating system named Samantha (Scarlet Johansson), the film digs into some deep, honestly emotional places that evoke a pure empathetic reaction from the audience. The two incredible lead performances come together to create a relationship that just about each and every one of us can relate to, and as they experience the peaks and valleys of passion, your heart is right there with them, touched and stung by every feeling that the characters have. Love will forever remain an abstraction, but art like Her helps us understand it better. (Read my full review here.)

3. Gravity

As completely entranced as I was by the narrative, stunning performances and stunning visual style of Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity, while watching the film for the first time there were moments where I couldn’t help but look past the action in front of the camera and just stare into the stars in the background. Aided by some of the greatest use of 3D I’ve ever seen, the stars were so far away that I could suddenly feel myself becoming completely encased in the void that is deep space. It was such a thrilling experience that I just about kissed the ground walking out of the theater, and I immediately began to think about what high ranking Gravity would land when I ran my Top 10 list at the end of the year.

From the very first shot of the film – which happened to be the beginning of an absolutely epic 13-minute tracking shot – I found myself completely pulled into the world of Gravity and I couldn’t shake the sense of its immenseness until long after I had returned home from the screening. While I have never been a big Sandra Bullock fan, she pulls off what is easily the best performance of her career, and it’s incredibly exciting to watch her character experience a full rebirth while fighting for her life in the darkness of space. Gravity is a film that’s meant to make you feel in every way possible, and in that mission it is a tremendous triumph.

2. Stoker

Studios typically wait until the fall season to unveil what they believe is the best work in their catalogue, but the reality is that one of the best films of the year was actually released into theaters all the way back on March 1st. Based on a screenplay by Wentworth Miller, Stoker is the first English-language film from Korean director Chan-wook Park and is one of the most finely crafted, beautiful horror movies that I have ever had the privilege to watch.

Yes, this is the third coming-of-age movie on my list, but Stoker is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, weaving a complex story of evil and bad blood. Matthew Goode is brilliant in the role of the mysterious Uncle Charlie, evoking memories of Anthony Perkins’ Norman Bates, but it’s Mia Wasikowska as the dark, changing India Stoker who emerges as a truly shocking talent. Every shot of the film feels like a strand of silk that has been put in place with a pair of tweezers in the hand of a master surgeon, and as a fan of the art of film, it’s a spectacle to behold. Thanks to its limited theatrical run, which saw the title never get released in more than 275 theaters at a time, it may take a while for audiences to find Stoker, but if they do it could become a horror classic. (Read my full review here.)

1. Inside Llewyn Davis

Joel and Ethan Coen don’t make a habit of making the same film twice. Watching through all of their films you get a certain consistency in texture, attitude and dialogue, but the stories they tell couldn’t be more varied from picture to picture. Following in that vein is the Coens’ somber folk music ballad Inside Llewyn Davis, and much like the rest of the filmmakers’ catalog, it is an absolutely astonishing piece of work and, in my opinion, the best movie of the year.

The film tells a tale of cyclical failure and defeat over the course of one week in a Greenwich Village winter, and does so with a perfect blend of tragedy and comedy that few can achieve quite like the Coens. Bringing some astonishing acting and musical skills to the table, Oscar Isaac ranks as one of the best leading men that the filmmakers have had a chance to work with, and he’s blissfully surrounded by a classic cast of screwball characters played by greats like John Goodman and Carey Mulligan. It’s a perfect film all around and its surprising, fun ending makes it so that the movie is endlessly re-watchable, always with a new meaning. This is an element that I plan on taking advantage of for many years to come. (Read my full review here.)

Honorable Mention (In Alphabetical Order): 12 Years A Slave, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Dallas Buyers Club, The Kings of Summer, Nebraska, Short Term 12, This Is The End, and Warm Bodies.

Last year was a pretty fantastic one for movie music. Directors like David O. Russell, Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino and Ben Affleck made not only fantastic films, but also beautifully crafted soundtracks that blended perfectly with the story and visuals on screen. The mix created some stunning, haunting, exciting, uplifting and thrilling movie music moments that we will remember for years to come. As a result, 2013 had a lot to live up to, but looking back on the last twelve months reveals that this year’s crop of filmmakers were more than up for the task.

As I’ve done for the last four years, I’ve taken a detailed look back at all of the films that have hit theaters this past year searching for the best movie music moments I could find. While there was a large crop to choose from, I’ve narrowed it down to my 10 favorites of the year. Will yours make the list? Read on to find out!

Stoker

"Duet" by Phillip Glass

Uncle Charlie, the character played by Matthew Goode in Chan Wook-park’s dark horror Stoker, is a man that Winston Churchill may have described as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. His niece, India (Mia Wasikowska) never even heard of him before her father’s death, and any story about where he’s been the last few years ends quickly and with few answers. Even small claims about not being able to play the piano turn out to be lies, as seen in the incredibly powerful sequence where India and Charlie team up on a piano bench to play the hypnotizing "Duet" by Phillip Glass.

As the plot of Stoker unfolds we learn that there is a deep natural bond that exists between India and Charlie, but it’s their paired performance tickling the ivories that first really informs their strange, important connection. As Glass wrote the music directly for the film, the audience is meant to believe that the two are composing the piece together on the spot (building on the piano work that India is seen practicing earlier in the movie), and it’s a perfect blend of the fantastical, phenomenal and disturbing that the two characters are able to perform so beautifully in sync. The aesthetic of Stoker is all about swirling together the horrific and the beautiful, and no scene in the movie does that better than Charlie and India’s duet.

Inside Llewyn Davis

"Please Mr. Kennedy" by Oscar Isaac, Justin Timberlake and Adam Driver

It would be impossible to have a conversation about the best movie music moments of 2013 without mention of Joel and Ethan Coen’s extraordinary Inside Llewyn Davis. The tale of a Greenwich Village folk singer trying to get back in the early 1960s, the film shows a deep appreciation for the genre at the heart of the story and takes great pride in the real performances by the actors. From Oscar Isaac’s heartbreaking rendition of "Hang Me, Oh Hang Me," to a troupe of Irish singers in nice sweaters singing an a cappella version of "The Auld Triangle," this entire list could entirely consist of songs from the Coens’ latest bit of genius, but if I’m going to pick one it has to be the in-studio performance of "Please Mr. Kennedy."

An intentionally bad song that is partially based on a track from a folk outfit called The Goldcoast Singers back in 1961, "Please Mr. Kennedy" represents the exact level of phony that the eponymous Llewyn (played by the excellent Oscar Isaac) can’t stand, which makes the sequence in the film where he performs it all the funnier. Amazing as that is, however, it’s actually the supporting cast that makes the scene so perfect. Between Justin Timberlake’s ridiculously cheery disposition and terrible lyrics and Adam Driver’s bizarre baritone vocal stylings both before and during the song’s performance, you’re laughing from the moment the sequence starts until it ends. And then, of course, there’s the way that the song comes back to bite Llewyn in the ass at the end of the story…

The Lone Ranger

"The William Tell Overture" by Hans Zimmer

Like many critics, I can’t say that I was a big fan of Gore Verbinski’s The Lone Ranger. It’s far too long, Johnny Depp’s shtick wears thin, the framing device is incomprehensible, and a good number of talented actors in the supporting cast are totally wasted. Most of the movie is a slog to get through, but that all changes at one very specific moment: when the film begins to play the titular character’s famous "William Tell Overture" theme.

The song is used to dramatically announce the beginning of the third act and the action sequence that concludes the plot, and like a bolt of lightning it sends the film’s energy level through the roof and actually turns the movie into what the audience actually paid to see. What we get to watch on the big screen is great all by itself, as the Lone Ranger (Armie Hammer) and Tonto (Depp) ride alongside and on top of a train in order to stop the bad guys and their plan, and the score – which was adapted by Hans Zimmer – helps generate tons of excitement. In the long run, the film’s use of the William Tell Overture" is an example of too little, too late, as it was incorporated way past the movie’s point of no return, but the sequence still goes down as one of my favorite movie music moments of 2013.

This Is The End

"When The Shit Goes Down" by Cypress Hill

Given the size of the ensemble and the fact that the film was helmed by two first time directors, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s This Is The End is an amazingly even comedy that gives all of its stars – including James Franco, Craig Robinson, Jonah Hill and Jay Baruchel – ample individual time in the spotlight. But if a standout from the cast has to be selected, it’s Danny McBride. The movie makes the actor seem like he is absolutely the last person on the planet who you want to be stuck in the apocalypse with - as his selfishness and petulance seemingly knows no bounds – and the performance created some of the best scenes in an overall hysterical feature. And it all kicks off with an amazing movie music moment.

Knowing how much trouble and chaos the character winds up creating in the film, I can imagine that Rogen and Goldberg spent a good amount of time picking out the perfect introduction song for Danny McBride, and they totally nailed it with a track by Cypress Hill. Featuring a chorus that repeats the line "When tha shit goes down ya better be ready," there is a great foreshadowing element to all of the terribleness that McBride is about to unleash on all of his "friends," and the beat gives him something perfect to dance to as we watch his feet cross through Franco’s house down to the kitchen (where he will do his part to waste the group’s food supply). Thanks to the song selection we know everything we need to know about McBride within 30 seconds of his arrival on screen, and that’s what a great movie music moment does.

Frozen

"Let It Go" by Idina Menzel

Disney’s Frozen offered a number of memorable musical moments, among which was Josh Gad’s snowman character Olaf hilariously and obliviously daydreaming about how great it’ll be to do "whatever snow does in summer," and a group of trolls enthusiastically singing about accepting people’s flaws with "Fixer Upper," but no song was quite as powerful and moving as Elsa’s "Let it Go," the song she sings as she abandons the castle and her newly acquired crown in favor of being free to use her frosty super powers whenever and however she wants.

In addition to sufficiently making up for the Idina Menzel sung song we were so unfortunately denied in Disney's Enchanted, "Let it Go" is also an outstanding demonstration the Broadway star’s powerful vocals in a tune that emphasizes her character’s frustration, which set a course for her to become an unintentional almost-villain — or at the very least, a misunderstood woman with powers not entirely within her control. The "Let it Go" sequence is thrilling and moving, and both audibly and visually stunning all at once. Watching Elsa belt out her song while shedding her gloves and building herself a beautiful ice castle in the mountains, we’re torn between feeling happy for her, for being free to finally be herself and embrace the things that make her special, and sad for her for having no place else to do that but near the top of a mountain, all by herself. (by Kelly West)

The Spectacular Now

"Live Fast Live Hard Die Young" by Faron Young

It’s not hard to see why the Sutter, the free-wheeling protagonist of James Ponsoldt’s The Spectacular Now would be attracted to the song "Live Fast Live Hard Die Young" by Faron Young. First released in 1955, the song’s message about living life to the fullest and leaving behind a good looking corpse fits perfectly with his personal philosophy regarding living in the moment and never bothering to think too far into the future. Unfortunately, it’s this personal connection that also leads to one of the most devastating moments in the film.

Sutter plays the song on a jukebox for his estranged father, Tommy (Kyle Chandler) at a bar hoping that it will bring them together, Sutter not only believing his dad to have the same philosophy as himself, but also a memory of hearing it when he was a kid and his parents were still together. This reach leads to nothing but rejection, however, as Tommy not only dismisses the song but also his son’s memory. The reunion only deteriorates further from there, but even after the song has ended you can still practically hear it echoing as Sutter learns who his father really is and who he may be destined to become. It’s one of the most crucial scenes in the film, and the song choice is perfect.

The World’s End

"I’m Free" by The Soup Dragons

In Edgar Wright’s The World’s End, Simon Pegg stars as a man who knows exactly who he is. During his teenage years, the black trench coat-wearing Gary King decided that he just wanted to live life to have fun, and that’s exactly what he did (of course, that also meant starting up some terrible drug and alcohol habits). He prides himself on his freedom, so naturally when he first heard the song "I’m Free" by The Soup Dragons he connected with it to the point that it can practically be called his anthem.

The song first appears in the movie shortly after Gary’s childhood friends have all arrived back in their hometown of Newton Haven and get picked up by their "leader" in his hunk of shit car to go on their drinking marathon. Watching Gary sing along to the track you can see that he’s filled with glee, but also notice his intense desperation to get his friends in on the fun (which just about works until Gary creepily admits that the song is being played off a cassette mixtape). Beyond just being a song he listens to, however, the lyrics have practically become mantra. What does Gary tell the Network at the end when asked what the human race wants? "We want to be free to do what we want."

The Kings of Summer

"Pipe Drumming" by Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moises Arias

Suburban life does not fit Joe (Nick Robinson) and Patrick (Gabriel Basso), the two leads of Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ coming-of-age dramedy The Kings of Summer. Both of them have parents and homes that they can’t stand, and in an act of rebellion against the system they team up with their odd friend Biaggio (Moises Arias) to leave civilization behind and make a fresh start for themselves deep in the woods. They build their shelter by hand and make plans to live off the land. It’s a return to nature, and one that’s ushered forward by a loud drumbeat created by hitting sticks against a giant metal pipe.

I will admit that a big reason for this entry’s inclusion into the list is because the beat the drummers create is just so catchy, but it’s also just impressive how it evokes memories of childhood and elegantly fits with the movie’s themes. Most men – and probably more than a few women - can think back on their childhood walking through the woods and hitting trees, rocks and pipes with sticks – be it to create rhythm or just with the intention of destroy stuff. With his film Vogt-Roberts gives us a meaningful and reflective look at a very specific age and the pipe scene definitely hits on that (if you’ll pardon the pun).

Her

"The Moon Song" by Scarlet Johansson and Joaquin Phoenix

Following a successful collaboration on a re-recording of "Wake Up" for Where The Wild Things Are, director Spike Jonze and the band Arcade Fire reteamed to create the score for the sci-fi romance Her, and the result is spectacular. The band’s almost haunting guitar and drum work beautifully accentuate the sense of loneliness in the film’s atmosphere and it has a lasting effect even after you’ve left the theater. Great as their work in the movie is, though, it’s actually Scarlet Johansson and Joaquin Phoenix’s duet performance of Karen O’s "The Moon Song" that creates not only the film’s best movie music moment, but one of the best of the year.

Over the course of Her the relationship between the emotionally fragile Theodore (Phoenix) and the conscious operating system Samantha (Johansson) undergoes a number of wonderful ups and heart-shredding downs, but the performance of "The Moon Song" comes pleasantly during an upswing. Theodore and Samantha decide to take a vacation together, and while resting together in bed he picks up a ukulele and the two of them sing while looking up at a giant full moon in the sky. It’s the kind of moment that’s photographed in your memory forever when thinking about a relationship with someone and it’s stunning to watch in the context of the story.

Spring Breakers

"Everytime" by James Franco

While he may have a few duds on his filmography, James Franco really is an incredibly talented perform, and he has never demonstrated that more clearly than with his performance in Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers. The actor fully disappears into his role as the corn-rowed gangster/rapper/drug dealer Alien and elevates the film’s crazy level to 11 as the character leads a group of college girls on a crime spree around St. Petersburg, Florida. The real insanity of the performance and the story, though, comes towards the middle of the film when Alien and his girls sit by a piano and sing a rendition of the Britney Spears song "Everytime."

Alien sings the song to express his love to his "soulmates" – which seems to work quite well – but it’s the way that the tune operates against the tone that makes it such a great movie music moment. Most of the film’s soundtrack is comprised of dubstep and hard beat techno, so when Alien starts belting out a pop ballad you can’t help but raise an eyebrow and laugh. Let’s also not forget that this is a movie starring a group of former Disney princesses and that Britney Spears used to be a Mickey Mouse Club member, so the whole thing works on multiple levels.

Recently unveiled in limited release, Joel and Ethan Coen's Inside Llewyn Davis has been gathering plenty of praise for its poignant story about a 1960s folk singer as well as for its sensational soundtrack shepherded by Academy Award-winning music producer T-Bone Burnett. Well, to arouse further fascination ahead of its December 20th expansion, the Coens and Burnett have created the inclusive concert documentary Another Day / Another Time: Celebrating The Music of Inside Llewyn Davis, which premieres Friday, December 13th at 10PM on Showtime.

This doc takes audiences on the stage of Town Hall and behind the scenes of a special concert that was held during this year's New York Film Festival, featuring talent like Joan Baez, Patti Smith, Jack White, Marcus Mumford, the Avett Brothers, Rhiannon Giddens, Punch Brothers, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Willie Watson, The Milk Carton Kids, Colin Meloy, Lake Street Dive, and Oscar Isaac, star of Inside Llewyn Davis. Put together in just 36 hours, this rousing musical event delighted audience last September, and has since been distilled for all of us who missed out.

Wednesday night I had the unique opportunity to see Another Day / Another Time screen in New York's Walter Reade Theater, with both Coens and some of its contributors (Oscar Isaac, Chris Thile of the bluegrass band Punch Brothers, and Kenneth Pattengale of the indie folk duo The Milk Carton Kids) in attendance. As you might have guessed from this lineup, the concert within the doc is a more expansive brand of folk music than is shown within Inside Llewyn Davis, which is squarely focused on the American folk music revival of the 1960s. The music ranged from Celtic folk to indie rock, doo-wop, bluegrass, and jazz. But it all shared a thread of energy and deep-rooted emotion that knitted every act into the next, making for an awe-inspiring tapestry of American music.

No expense seems to have been spared in corralling top notch talent nor rigging a multiple camera setup that gives viewers an uncanny access to the performers on stage--from various angles--as well as an eye looking back to crucial rehearsals, and down into the basements of Town Hall where jam sessions seemed to break out from sheer enthusiasm. Personally, I wasn't familiar with much of the musical acts that took to stage, but it didn't matter. There's something in the songs performed that is timeless, luring me in to a swoon where several times I forgot I wasn't at a live show, and began applauding as if those on the screen could hear me.

There's no over-arching plotline in Another Day/Another Time. No time is spent concocting drama of a "will the show go on" nature or stirring up tension between its headliners. Instead, stories are presented within songs, ones of heartache and exaltation, ones of regret and reveling. Many acts and influences collide over the course of the show's selected highlights, and each of them is enchanting, inviting us into what seems an intimate event. Early on Thile theorizes that the lore of the 1960s Greenwich Village setting of Inside Llewyn Davis, is that cultural scene felt like it was "America's campfire." Another Day/Another Time captures that vibe of warmth and unity, and graciously invites you join in from the comfort of your home.

Nominations for the SAG Awards never match nominations for the Academy Awards completely, but there is usually quite a bit of overlap. Last year, for example, both of the male categories matched 4/5. So, while the average person might not even watch the ceremony when it’s aired on TNT and TBS in January, if they’re into the Oscars at all, they should take a long hard look at the nominees that were released this morning and start getting used to most of the faces because they’ll be talked about for the next few months.

As Kristy pointed out in her response this morning, there weren’t a whole lot of drop-your-coffee-double-takes in the organization’s choices. Nothing was way the hell out of bounds, and no one who was considered a huge frontrunner was snubbed. Hidden within the seemingly obviously choices, however, are five clues that some of the larger films might be in some serious trouble for the Academy Awards. Whether because of a complete lack of nominations or merely way less than expected, there are five films that had worse mornings than expected.

Let’s talk about them.

The Wolf Of Wall Street

What Could Have Been: The embargo for Martin Scorsese’s Wolf Of Wall Street hasn’t ended; so, we really don’t know what the general consensus on the film is. That being said, it did score one of the American Film Institute’s Top 10 of 2013 slots, and given the talent involved, it has all the makings of a serious player. Most insiders assumed Leonardo Dicaprio would be a serious contender in the lead category and Jonah Hill and/ or Matthew McConaughey would make a strong push in the supporting category. None of those things happened here. The film didn’t pick up any major nominations, and if this is taken as a larger sign, it may not pick up the necessary momentum needed for a viable Oscar campaign.

Why: Most of the voters likely got screeners or were invited to various showings, but it’s still a safe bet that a whole lot less people saw theWolf than say The Butler, which came out months ago. Beyond that, DiCaprio has never been a huge favorite with voters for whatever reason. He’s almost routinely listed in the snubs category, and both McConaughey and Tom Hanks (Saving Mr. Banks) may have screwed themselves out of supporting nods thanks to thanks lead actor nominations for Dallas Buyers Club and Captain Phillips.

The Bottom Line: It’s too early to write the film off, but this is a very poor sign.

Inside Llewyn Davis

What Could Have Been: The latest from the Coen Brothers has been earning rave reviews. Critics are in love with the film, and they’re fans of lead actor Oscar Isaac’s performance. As such, it was assumed the film would have an outside chance at a Best Ensemble hat tip, an outside chance at a supporting actress nomination for Carey Mulligan and a fairly decent chance at a lead actor nomination for Isaac. None of those things happened. The film was shut out of all major categories, and now, fans are left to wonder whether the same thing will happen at the Academy Awards.

Why: The Coen Brothers are brilliant directors. They’re among the best working in Hollywood today, but they’re not necessarily actors’ directors. By that, I don’t mean they’re difficult assholes. I mean they tend to choose the larger movie over individual performances. They’re not the type who write parts that let actors have big showy moments that might play well on a highlight reel. They choose the pace of the film every time and are unwilling to linger with the camera to capture moments that either aren’t deserved or slow down the overall momentum. As such, sometimes brilliance can go unrecognized because it’s a little more subtle.

The Bottom Line: Inside Llewyn Davis’ best shot at Oscar glory was always going to come in the Best Director and Best Picture categories. This doesn’t help, but it doesn’t doom the film either.

Her

What Could Have Been: There was a whole lot of chatter back in late November about how Scarlett Johansson’s voice only performance was deemed ineligible for consideration. She was fair game for the SAG Awards, however, and some thought she might have a realistic chance at a nomination. The same can be said for Joaquin Phoenix too whose lead role as the eccentric protagonist has been earning high marks. He’s an awards season veteran and figured to be a strong contender, but the film didn’t earn anything in any of the major categories.

Why: While Scar Jo was technically eligible for a nomination, people really don’t like voting for voice only roles. Maybe they really do require less effort. Maybe voters are unfairly biased. Either way, despite all the hope, she was working from behind the eight ball. She really could have used a nod here to prove she’s a legit contender, but apparently, that wasn’t to be. Beyond her (pun intended), many other voters may have been apprehensive about the larger film’s bizarre subject matter or about Phoenix’s track record of strange behavior and openly talking about how little he cares for awards season.

The Bottom Line: This hurts. Momentum has to start somewhere. Maybe it’ll be at the Globes tomorrow but probably not.

All Is Lost

What Could Have Been: After a long, universally adored career, many thought Redford’s daring, one man performance in All Is Lost could finally be the film to give him a Best Actor Oscar. It would have been some delicious icing on an otherwise very tasty career, and it would have marked a very interesting pairing alongside Sandra Bullock’s mostly one woman performance in Gravity, but apparently, voters weren’t feeling his turn as much as expected and he lost his spot in the top five, likely to The Butler’s Forrest Whitaker. This category is the only real shot the larger film has at 2013 glory, and it may be the last chance Redford personally ever has.

Why: People like voting for performances in movies they really, really love. That might seem obvious, but thanks to the Tomato Meter, it’s not always initially clear whether a huge rating means a film was utterly brilliant or just that a film was good enough in certain ways to get a thumbs up. All Is Lost works thanks to Redford, but it’s not the type of film most viewers are going to want to own and watch once every few years for the rest of their lives. It’s just not that absorbing, especially compared to the higher end fare this year had to offer. In addition, All Is Lost really hasn’t been seen by a ton of people, and while many voters will watch the screeners, all of them certainly won’t.

The Bottom Line: Redford really needs a Golden Globe nomination tomorrow to keep hope alive.

American Hustle

What Could Have Been: American Hustle actually performed pretty well today. The film was nominated for Best Ensemble and Best Supporting Actress, but it’s not nearly the mountain of awards some were hoping for. In fact, many were convinced the film could pick up a nomination in every single acting category, a feat pulled off at the Oscars last year by Hustle director David O Russell’s brilliant Silver Linings Playbook. Apparently, voters weren’t feeling Christian Bale, Amy Adams or Bradley Cooper, all award season veterans, as much as they were Jennifer Lawrence who picked up the only solo nomination. All involved should still be proud of themselves thanks to the collective nod, but one would imagine, secretly, there’s at least a little bit of disappointment there.

Why: Well, it’s really, really hard to tell. No one who was snubbed today was considered a frontrunner for a statue. They were all sort of in play for possible honors. What’s weird is that three out of the four of them missed out, which means there might be less collective love for the larger film than first imagined. Let’s put it this way. If you really like a movie, you might vote for it in a category or two, but unless you think it’s one of the best two or three movies of the year, you’re probably not going to vote for it in every single available category.

The Bottom Line: I'm bullish on American Hustle. It’s still a frontrunner for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress nods. It may even snag one more acting nods, but don’t look for a clean sweep.

The American Film Institute tends to play a little more fast and loose with its annual end of the year best movies list when compared against other organizations. Usually, there’s at least one selection odd enough to cause a double take. Last year, for example, more than a few heads were turned by the surprising selection of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. Back in 2009, The Hangover was honored with a well-deserved place, and this year, it’s Fruitvale Station that got the unexpected hat tip.

After a very warm reception at Sundance, a whole lot was expected of Fruitvale Station, but for whatever reason, the buzz just never built as loudly as expected. Everyone agrees lead actor Michael B Jordan is great and the film is really powerful, but many assumed it was all but out of awards contention. Maybe this will be the jolt it needs to put it back into the race, or maybe this will be just a deserved moment in the sun. Either way, it’s pretty cool for the under the radar film.

Beyond Fruitvale Station, AFI also selected Oscar frontrunners 12 Years A Slave, Gravity and Inside Llewyn Davis. You can check out the full list of honorees below…

12 Years A Slave

American Hustle

Captain Phillips

Fruitvale Station

Gravity

Her

Inside Llewyn Davis

Nebraska

Saving Mr. Banks

The Wolf Of Wall Street

Outside of the aforementioned Fruitvale Station, the big news here is that The Wolf Of Wall Street is apparently good. Everyone who has seen it as embargoed from talking about it, but adding it to end of the year best of lists is fair game. The voters here clearly liked what they saw, and considering most of us assumed the Scorsese/ Dicaprio team up would be incredible, this is a really nice vote of confidence.

The end of the year is filled with dozens and dozens of end of the year lists. An overwhelming majority of them are all but ignored, but the American Film Institute’s always gains a lot of traction, probably because it deviates from the norm at least a little bit. Considering the list never includes foreign films, it’s far from an accurate predictor of Oscar glory, but even so, it's always worth a look.

The holiday season is officially upon us, observed less through Christmas decorations and cold weather and more by the onslaught of Oscar fare hitting theaters this month. December is always a truly great time for both quality dramas and big bombastic comedies, and this year won’t be bucking that trend.

We’ve got flicks from esteemed directors such as Martin Scorsese, the Coen brothers and David O. Russell; we’ve got highly anticipated sequels; we even have Keanu Reeves fighting monsters. No need to pen a letter to Santa Claus, dear readers, for your wishes have already been granted.

Welcome to Cinema Blend’s official movie preview for December 2013. Hold onto your hats. Wait, that’s Champ Kind’s hat, so kindly give it back to him.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Their first film since 2010’s western True Grit, Inside Llewyn Davis is a movie light on plot and heavy on music, as it follows the titular singer-songwriter through the folk music scene taking over New York in the 1960s. (It’s no surprise its U.S. debut was at the New York Film Festival, following a premiere at Cannes.) And just in case you can’t get enough of the music in the film, it already has a concert documentary coming out on Showtime on December 13. Will this soundtrack be more memorable than O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Director: Ethan and Joel Coen

Stars: Oscar Isaac, John Goodman, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake

Release Date: December 6 (Limited), December 20 (Wide)

Out Of The Furnace

Scott Cooper’s directorial follow-up to the country music film Crazy Heart couldn’t be further from it. Out of the Furnace follows Russell (Christian Bale) and Rodney (Casey Affleck), two brothers whose impoverished lives have been built upon dreams of something better. As Russell lands in prison, Rodney sacrifices a lot to join a dangerous crime ring. Once Russell is a free man, he must decide whether to stay that way or to find a way to rescue his brother. I’m guessing he chooses to rescue him, since that’s just the kind of brother Bale is. Expect a lot of seething in this one.

Director: Scott Cooper

Stars: Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson

Release Date: December 6

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the middle film in Peter Jackson’s trilogy, will follow the wide-eyed Bilbo Baggins and wise wizard Gandalf as they lead a clan of dwarves on a journey through Middle Earth so they can fight the wickedly voiced dragon Smaug. There’s nothing about this movie I can tell you that you don’t already know. Big action scenes (particularly the barrel sequence), CGI creatures and awkward dialogue will fill your time until the eventual cliffhanger leading us into There and Back Again, due out next year.

Director: Peter Jackson

Stars: Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellen

Release Date: December 13

Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas

Everyone’s favorite (or least favorite) cross-dressing filmmaker Tyler Perry is back with yet another chapter in the life of the sharper-tongued Madea Simmons. This latest entry is entitled A Madea Christmas, and it involves a trip into the country for a holiday visit, where it’s discovered her niece is dating a white guy. (Record skip.) And if you think that’s bad news, the guy’s father is played by Larry the Cable Guy. It’s a sassy fish out of water tale that is certain to bash a few stereotypes across the back of the head, probably with a pistol.

Director: Tyler Perry

Stars: Tyler Perry, Chad Michael Murray, Tika Sumpter

Release Date: December 13

American Hustle

This film, first titled American Bullshit, is this year’s attempt to teach the general public about America's corrupt history through huge movie stars. It's the same formula that helped Argo take over awards season last year. The story is centered on the FBI ABSCAM sting in the early 1980s in which a con man (Christian Bale) and his lady (Amy Adams) are forced to work with the FBI and go undercover into the murky underworld of the New Jersey mafia and its political cohorting. With a supporting cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Robert De Niro and Louis C.K., it’s hard to imagine American Hustle not making a huge dent on critics’ "Best of the Year" lists.

Director: David O. Russell

Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper

Release Date: December 13 (limited), December 18 (wide)

Saving Mr. Banks

Nostalgia will reign during Saving Mr. Banks, which follows the life of P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), the renowned author of Mary Poppins, from her Australian childhood to her close relationship with Walt Disney (Tom Hanks), who persuaded her to sign over the novel’s right so that he could make what would become one of the most treasured family films in history. It will be a challenge watching Victoria Summer and Kristopher Kyer as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, respectively, but I’m guessing this movie’s heartfelt sincerity will go unmatched this December.

Director: John Lee Hancock

Stars: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson

Release Date: December 13 (Limited), December 20 (Wide)

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

They’re back! A movie that seemed inevitable and impossible all at once, Anchorman: The Legend Continues brings back the best damned news team and throws them into the world of 24-hour journalism. But do we really care about the plot here? Of course not. We want to hear Brian Fantana talk about his latest colognes and see what kind of inanity Brick Tamland will utter while under pressure. We want comedic quotes that will take us into 2014 with style. When you consider the supporting cast includes Harrison Ford, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jim Carrey, Liam Neeson and a panther-full of other talented performers, it stands to reason that the Channel 4 team might just be the best thing that ever happened to fictional cable. And if not, we can all just go back to our homes on Whore Island.

Director: Adam McKay

Stars: Will Farrell, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner

Release Date: December 18

Walking With Dinosaurs

This 3D adventure follows a small young dinosaur as he grows up to become a leader of his clan as they travel the world looking for a new habitat. Like Anchorman 2, the plot takes a backseat in Walking With Dinosaurs, but instead of raunchy jokes, audiences will be granted the awe-inspiring CGI that fills every frame of this adventure. It won’t make as big a splash as a Disney or Pixar movie, and the detailed imagery may not reach kids as much as bigger brighter colors, but I’ve got hopes that 20th Century Fox and BBC Earth production will take a dino-sized bite out of the pre-Christmas box office.

Director: Barry Cook, Neil Nightingale

Stars: John Leguizamo, Justin Long, Tiya Sircar

Release Date: December 20

Her

While Where the Wild Things Are was a cute film, it wasn’t the wacky brain-warper that writer/director Spike Jonze has built his name on, but Her seems to be a fine return to cross-genre oddities. Joaquin Phoenix plays a man whose career of writing personal letters to other people loses some of its meaning once he is left heartbroken after a long relationship ends. He then becomes enamored with a new artificially intelligent operating system named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), and the two fall in love. Or whatever term is more suitable for their situation. There was a recent bit of controversy when Johansson’s performance was ruled ineligible for Golden Globe nominations because she isn’t physically in the movie. Boo on them, but let’s hope it’s an award-worthy performance in any case.

Director: Spike Jonze

Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson

Release Date: December 20 (Limited), January 10 (Wide)

The Past

After winning last year’s Best Foreign Film with A Separation, director Asghar Farhadi is back with The Past, another emotionally challenging drama. An Iranian man (Ali Mosaffa) who’d fled his family life for Paris is back after four years to finalize his divorce, finding his wife in a relationship with another man whose own wife is in a coma. More family dynamics come into it as some relationships strengthen and others go kaput. I’m already uncomfortable just talking about it.

Director: Asghar Farhadi

Stars: Berenice Bejo, Ali Mosaffa, Tahar Rahim

Release Date: December 20

47 Ronin

Based on the Japanese legend of samurais who exact revenge on the man who murdered their master, Carl Rinsch’s 47 Ronin takes many, many liberties with the material, adding demons, ogres and other giant creatures. Oh, and Keanu Reeves. He’ll play a half-Japanese man who is broken out of slavery by the oppressed society taken over by all the monsters and such. Assuming one doesn’t take the story too personally, this actually looks like a pretty fun romp, full of ridiculous action sequences across vast, gorgeous landscapes that will hopefully balance all the on-the-nose dialogue.

Director: Carl Rinsch

Stars: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kô Shibasaki

Release Date: December 25

Grudge Match

From a Hollywood standpoint, the tagline "A Rivalry 30 Years in the Making" makes perfect sense, as a boxing film between Sylvester "Rocky" Stallone and Robert "Raging Bull" De Niro since the men gave us two of the greatest sports figures in cinema. Grudge Match will see the two aging thesps play characters coming out of retirement to face each other three decades after their last match. While it initially sounded like a film more farcical than reality-based, the previews make it look like a standard sports film perfectly aware of all those that came before it, just with a lot of age-based color commentary sprinkled around.

Director: Peter Segal

Stars: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart

Release Date: December 25

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

An updated retelling of James Thurber’s short story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a high-profile comedy drama follows Ben Stiller as a LIFE Magazine employee tasked with tracking down an elusive missing photograph, But the real story is happening inside his head, where his unencumbered imagination takes him all over the world and back. As you can imagine, part of it involves attracting the eye of a pretty lady, played by Kristen Wiig. The trailers have made Walter Mitty look like an actual daydream put on film, and it hopefully puts audiences in the same free-willed state of mind.

Director: Ben Stiller

Stars: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Sean Penn

Release Date: December 25

August: Osage County

Adapted from Tracy Letts hit play, the star-studded extravaganza August: Osage County is centered on the estranged Weston family, who all gather back in the family home once the patriarch goes missing, and is later found dead. A story that deals out emotional drama and black comedy in equal strokes is always a good match for awards consideration even with a marginal cast, but this one has Julia Roberts, a drug addicted Meryl Streep, and a host of other talented actors that will presumably find themselves on nomination lists in the next few months.

Director: John Wells

Stars: Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Abigail Breslin

Release Date: December 25

The Wolf Of Wall Street

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t think Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street will shine when Oscar nominations are revealed? Recently trimmed down due to what the prude-heavy MPAA called excessive sex and nudity, this epic look at the true life and times of stockbroker Jordan Belfort still clocks in at a hefty 179 minutes of drug-taking, money-swindling fun. Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the more electric leading men out there, and it will be a pleasure to watch him rise from rags to illegally-acquired riches, taking partying and imbibing to all new levels. And it will be equally as enjoyable to watch his world come crashing down all around him.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill

Release Date: December 25

This Friday will at long last see the release of the Coen Bros Inside Llewyn Davis, a bittersweet drama about the misadventures of a folk singer banging around Greenwich village circa 1961. The titular hero is a musician who takes himself pretty seriously, but the song that stole the most attention at Inside Llewyn Davis's NYFF debut was an odd little ditty called "Please Mr. Kennedy." HuffPo writer Mike Ryan was particularly enchanted by this (intentionally) off-the-mark protest anthem, and sat down with the film's cast and crew to ask them how it came to be.

The entire oral history he's compiled is absolutely worth the read, but we'll break down the broad strokes for you here. First, it might help to watch the video clip of this song, which features performances from Isaac, Adam Driver, and Justin Timberlake as a trio thrown together for a quick record session.

This number elicited giggles and guffaws from the audience at NYFF because it plays as such a silly counterpoint to the music Davis is driven to make. But the guy's broke. So here we are: Outer. Space. Within the film, the song is meant to be bad, like it's missing the boat on what a protest song should be. Of course, the Coens take the music in their movies very seriously, as we saw with the blue grass use in O Brother Where Art Thou!. So when Joel and Ethan needed someone to craft gorgeous and narratively driven folk songs for this period piece, they called on Academy Award-winning songwriter T-Bone Burnett, whose made heartbreaking songs for Cold Mountain, Crazy Heart and The Hunger Games.

But writing a well-crafted bad song is deceptively tricky. "It is a joke song, but here's the thing," Burnett shared, "even if a song is supposed to be bad in a film, it still has to be great. Because if you put bad music in a film, it's just bad -- then the film's bad. You can put good music in a film and say it's bad and the audience will believe it's bad, but it will still be good and they will still be entertained by it, even though they're told it's bad. And, on top of it, underneath all of that, it really is great."

Burnett said his inspiration was a satirical song called "Please Mr. Kennedy Don't Send Me Off to Vietnam," from there he wrote ten verses in a sort of Ogden Nash style. Then he and Timberlake visited a rare guitar shop to pick out the pop star's movie guitar. In that very shop, the pair wrote the beginnings of the melody with Timberlake singing this early draft of the lyrics. Before filming began, Burnett directed Driver, Isaac, and Timberlake in a recording studio to test out some variant recordings, then sent them to the Coens. From here the verses evolved. Burnett said,

From this experimentation phase came the decision to have Driver do sound effects, a trend at the time. Burnett detailed, " I started doing a doo-wop, but that's all I did. I did it maybe one time and then he picked that up and then Ethan would say, "Now go 'outer space,'' -- the way Adam read the lines, we would just feed him things and he would take off with them… He is fearless. Adam Driver is not always trying to get on his best side, you know?" (No wonder he's blowing up right now.)

Wild as it is, the film's performance--complete with an international pop icon--wasn't even the highest point for "Please Mr. Kennedy." Days after its NYFF premiere, the song was performed at a live concert by Isaac, Driver and the one and only Elvis Costello, filling in for Timberlake at Another Day Another Time. And if you missed that one, don't worry. Showtime is bringing it to home entertainment on December 13th. Inside Llewyn Davis opens in theaters on December 6th.

If you just can't get enough folk music, you'll eat up the trailer for the latest Showtime documentary, Another Day Another Time, which takes viewers into the a sold out concert that paid tribute to the music of the Coen Bros' Inside Llewyn Davis.

Nestling their latest drama Inside Llewyn Davis in the folk music scene of New York City's 1960s Greenwich Village, writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen had to get the songs for the soundtrack just right. So, they hired the great T-Bone Burnett who's won repeated acclaim as well as an Oscar nomination for his songwriting skills. Burnett came up with a soundtrack that had those who saw the drama at its US debut in the New York Film Festival ravenous for a copy. For them, the filmmakers organized a concert the following day at The Town Hall called "Another Day Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis."

Several members of the feature's ensemble cast came out to lend their lovely voices, like John Goodman, Stark Sands, Carey Mulligan, and Oscar Isaac. (Sadly, Justin Timberlake and Adam Driver were not in attendance.) But the main slate of performers boasted such big names as Gillian Welch, Jack White, Joan Baez, Marcus Mumford, Conor Oberst, and Patti Smith, just to name few. If you missed it, dry your eyes. Showtime will be revealing the glory of this one-night only event in the upcoming documentary Another Day Another Time.

Here's a clip from the concert of Joan Baez and Marcus Mumford performing "Corn Bread, Corn Whiskey:"

The soundtrack of Inside Llewyn Davis is one of the film's strongest assets, and that's saying something considering the outstanding cast and captivating performances it contains. In my NYFF review, I wrote of its songs, " I suspect it will do for this brand of folk what O Brother Where Art Thou did for bluegrass. After hearing these numbers, it’s impossible to not want to hear them again and again, to wrap yourself in their lovely melodies and the bittersweet stories they tell."

Inside Llewyn Davis will open in limited release on December 6th, expanding on the 20th. Another Day Another Time will premiere on Showtime on will air on Showtime, Friday, December 13 at 10 PM. ET/PT.

Hold on to your hats-- awards season has started already. We're still months away from Oscar nominations and Golden Globes and all that, but the nominees for the first major awards show of the season were announced today, with 12 Years A Slave walking away as the big winner.

The Gotham Independent Film Awards, which will be handed out on December 2, routinely honor some of the most adventurous and low-profile independent films of the year, but this year they went in for some star power as well-- 12 Years A Slave is a Fox Searchlight release starring Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt among others, and the Best Feature nominees also included the Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis, the Richard Linklater threequel Before Midnight and the Rooney Mara-Casey Affleck-starring Ain't Them Bodies Saints. Rounding out the Best Feature category is Upstream Color, from indie wonder Shane Carruth-- like Midnight and Saints, it was a sensation at Sundance earlier this year.

Adding Best Actress and Best Actor categories for the first time this year, the Gothams singled out several Oscar hopefuls-- Cate Blanchett, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Matthew McConaughey and Robert Redford can all expect many more nominations from here out-- but also some surprises, including a nod for Isaiah Washington in the grim indie Blue Caprice and for Scarlett Johansson's bawdy work in Don Jon. The Breakthrough Actor category, which includes both genders, included a range of familiar faces (comic actress Kathryn Hahn, who turned lead with Afternoon Delight, and future Amazing Spider-Man 2 star Dane DeHaan) along with newcomers, like 12 Years A Slave's breakthrough star Lupita Nyong'o, who made her screen debut in the film.

Below you can see a list of the full nominees, and look for the complete results of the Gotham Awards come December 2.

Best Feature

12 Years a Slave

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints

Before Midnight

Inside Llewyn Davis

Upstream Color

Best Documentary

The Act of Killing

The Crash Reel

First Cousin Once Removed

Let the Fire Burn

Our Nixon

Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award

Ryan Coogler for Fruitvale Station (The Weinstein Company)

Adam Leon for Gimme the Loot (Sundance Selects)

Alexandre Moors for Blue Caprice (Sundance Selects)

Stacie Passon for Concussion (RADiUS-TWC)

Amy Seimetz for Sun Don’t Shine (Factory 25)

Best Actor

Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis (CBS Films)

Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club (Focus Features)

Robert Redford in All Is Lost (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions)

Isaiah Washington in Blue Caprice (Sundance Selects)

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine (Sony Pictures Classics)

Scarlett Johansson in Don Jon (Relativity Media)

Brie Larson in Short Term 12 (Cinedigm)

Amy Seimetz in Upstream Color (erbp)

Shailene Woodley in The Spectacular Now (A24)

Breakthrough Actor

Dane DeHaan in Kill Your Darlings (Sony Pictures Classics)

Kathryn Hahn in Afternoon Delight (The Film Arcade and Cinedigm)

Michael B. Jordan in Fruitvale Station (The Weinstein Company)

Lupita Nyong’o in 12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Robin Weigert in Concussion (RADiUS-TWC)

With the New York Film Festival now in full swing, Gravity on its way to theaters and some release date shifts for Foxcatcher and Grace of Monaco taking them out of this year's race, there are so many different reasons to be excited about Oscar season right now. And even better, we're still in that "Anything's possible" sweet spot, where none of the categories seem locked down, where some of the fall's biggest movies are still unseen and full of potential, and where if you really want to cling to Brie Larson's chances at a Best Actress nomination, you can go for it.

I've been wrapped up in the New York Film Festival, which gave me the chance to catch two of the fest's biggest titles, the Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis and Paul Greengrass's Captain Phillips. The Coens' movie, while wonderful, seems less relevant in the awards conversation-- it's one of their pricklier and less emotionally rewarding efforts, telling the story of a gifted musician (Oscar Issac, who is fantastic) who can't get out of his own way while pursuing a career in the same New York folk scene that created Bob Dylan. It's more like A Serious Man than True Grit, but given that both of them were Best Picture nominees, I can't totally rule it out. But it's hard to imagine Llewyn connecting enough with Academy members to be a real threat for any wins-- a totally fine fate for a movie, and a pair of filmmakers, largely uninterested in awards anyway.

Captain Phillips, on the other hand, could be a big one, featuring Tom Hanks giving a fearless and remarkably surprising performance, and typically intense direction from Paul Greengrass, who was a surprise Best Director nominee for another gripping true-life story, United 93. Captain Phillips has a happier ending than United 93 and the added benefit of a huge star in its title role, both of which should get it more attention from audiences (did you catch the massive spot for it during the Breaking Bad finale?). Sony Pictures has another huge contender on the horizon with American Hustle, but now that Foxcatcher has moved on to 2014, the studio could easy throw their weight behind Captain Phillips as well, another major, deserving contender in a field that's suddenly full of them.

Which brings us to Gravity, a movie that will earn plenty of comparisons to Captain Phillips for the basic similarities of the plot-- a single person faced with unimaginable odds and doing their best to survive. Gravity is much more of a technical marvel, probably the most visually dazzling and gut-churning story ever set in outer space, but Sandra Bullock's lead performance carries much of the emotional weight, and as a recent Best Actress nominee she lends a sheen of prestige to what is, in essence, a thriller. It's hard to know if those genre trappings will stymie the film as awards season goes on-- sci-fi films typically don't fare well with the Academy, though District 9 and Avatar have done well very recently-- but Bullock ought to at least keep it in the conversation, along with the many technical awards that ought to head its way.

Gravity, like everything else in the season, could also get a boost from audiences-- recent tracking numbers suggest it could do very well, and the onslaught of football tie-in ads mean Warner Bros. must have a lot of faith in it. By the time we check back in next week Gravity will have gotten past its opening weekend, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty will have screened for critics at the New York Film Festival (though not me, sadly-- life gets in the way), and we'll be preparing for the arrival of Captain Phillips everyone. In the meantime, it's time to get to the first charts of the season! More specific conversation about the top 6 categories below, and if you see any omissions in there, or just want to argue with me, jump in the comments and keep the conversation going.

A surprising amount of films in the running have already shown their faces at festivals… but surprisingly few of them are currently looking like actual Best Picture threats. 12 Years A Slave is the obvious heavyweight, with both stellar filmmaking and a large cast of great actors going for it; Gravity and Captain Phillips, while also great, are largely single-person survival stories, which could bump them down when "bigger" movies arrive later in the fall. And since none of these films have yet opened for audiences, of course, the box office may be a huge factor in sorting them out. The "still in the running category" contains some unseen films that look strong on paper (American Hustle and Saving Mr. Banks primary among them) along with some less heavy-duty contenders from festival season like August: Osage County. And finally there's the Outside Chance category, which runs the gamut from festival whiffs-- The Fifth Estate-- unseen question marks-- Out of the Furnace, Her. It's still early days. Many things can happen to make any one of them a major threat.

The three directors whose films are the likeliest Best Picture nominees are obviously the three Likely Contenders here, but what I said about Gravity and Captain Phillips being one-man (or woman) shows could also hurt Cuaron and Greengrass, because for whatever reasons directors who handle "bigger" movies tend to get preference. Then again, Michael Haneke was nominated for Amour last year, so who knows? It's interesting that there are only a handful of Oscar veterans-- Greengrass, Lee Daniels, Ron Howard, David O. Russell and Martin Scorsese-- with real shots at nominations, leaving it to upstarts like McQueen, Cuaron John Lee Hancock and Ben Stiller, of all people, to potentially steal all the thunder. (It will be especially interesting to see how Stiller fares as an actor-turned-director in this post-Ben Affleck world). Other x factors, like McQueen's general prickliness in the face of schmoozing and Russell's recent Oscars hot streak, could make this a very unpredictable contest.

The fact that there are already five Likely Contenders, and with several big deals (like Wolf of Wall Street) yet to be seen, suggests this could be a very tight race, especially since the reviews from all five top contenders so far have been ecstatic. And going back to what we were saying last week about narratives, every one of these guys has a strong one: Bruce Dern and Robert Redford are both veterans with zero acting Oscars, Matthew McConaughey is the comeback kid with a string of great recent performances behind him, Tom Hanks is the beloved industry standout doing his best work in decades, and Chiwetel Ejiofor is a hardworking up-and-comer boldly reflecting on a dark corner of history. And that's without even seeing what Leonardo DiCaprio might bring to the table. Watch this space .

Best Actress has the potential to shake out like last year's Best Supporting Actor category, in which it's exclusively former winners facing off against each other. That scenario could prove seriously helpful for Amy Adams, a four-time nominee who's never won, if her American Hustle role shakes out as hoped. But hey, Cate Blanchett only has a Supporting statue, and Emma Thompson hasn't won in nearly two decades, and Judi Dench is always great… it may not be the crazy derby that Best Actor is shaping up to be, but Best Actress has some of the most formidable talent its seen in years, which ought to make for a fascinating contest.

Some of the performances we've seen so far, like Jared Leto's and Daniel Bruhl, have been obvious highlights in their films. Others, like Barkhad Abdi or even Tom Hanks, will have to rely on their films taking off with audiences to get requisite attention. That means this category is very fluid, leaving possible room for any number of x-factors, like the many, many supporting players in Monuments Men or even former SNL-er Will Forte.

Let's cheer for a moment that the two leading contenders so far are both women of color, who tend to be nominated for Oscars far, far less often than they deserve. Moving on from that, there's still tons of potential for flux here, and unfortunately unlike Supporting Actor, not a lot of potential huge game-changers on the horizon. That might make some refreshing room for contenders in less showy roles, like Sally Hawkins or Carey Mulligan, or could also deadlock the category to the women only in the Oscar-baitiest films. I'm hoping for the more exciting option, but not willing to be optimistic about every Oscar category being an actual contest this year.

“Everything you touch turns to shit,” sneers Llewyn Davis’s bitter former lover played by Carey Mulligan, “like King Midas’s idiot brother.” While it seems a cruel thing to say, she’s not wrong. Davis, a folk musician desperately trying to break through with his covers of tender and tragic tunes, is like a bad luck charm, not just to those around him, but to himself as well. Every choice he makes seems destined to hurt someone. And though the anti-hero at the center of Ethan and Joel Coen’s latest drama is decidedly unlikeable—being bullheaded, selfish, arrogant and sometimes flat-out mean—he isn’t unlovable. His determination to soldier on through homelessness, loneliness, repeated rejection and the abandonment of his performing partner all to make the music that drives him is compelling, and it pulls us and him through Inside Llewyn Davis.

Taking place over a week in 1961, Inside Llewyn Davis plays as a slice of life of its title character as he bumps along from gigs at hole in the wall venues in New York City, to crashing on couches of anyone who’ll have him, and stumbling into a brief road trip to Chicago. As Davis is in every scene of the film, rising actor Oscar Isaac has the intimidating task of shouldering the majority of the movie. And he does so beautifully. There’s no attempt to win us over with a winsome smile or good intentions, as Davis is not a charming man. He is coarse and angry as he recklessly careens into the lives of his friends and family. But Isaac’s performance throbs with a brooding pain of a talented, tortured artist that wins us over just as it does everyone else in Davis’s life.

At the Q&A held immediately after the screening, Ethan Coen described the film as an Odyssey without a destination. Indeed, Davis is a wanderer. But in his travels he comes across a fascinating cast of characters. Of course you should expect nothing less of a Coen Bros movie. There’s Mulligan’s furious Jean, who is tirelessly and comically enraged with Davis. Stark Sands, Adam Driver and Justin Timberlake play three other folk singers, all who struggle but none on the level of Davis. There are crass club owners, clueless agents, and an upper class academic couple (Ethan Phillips and Robin Bartlett) who treat Davis as some sort of beloved stray. Then, there’s John Goodman as a folk music-mocking gasbag who shares his road trip with Davis and a steely and sexy loner called Johnny Five, played by Garrett Hedlund. Last but not least, is a lost orange cat that Davis feels obligated to keep safe as he bumbles along.

These colorful characters speak in that patter that the Coens have mastered which plays out like a distillation of American speech. It’s slightly ridiculous, yet totally recognizable, and lends graceful moments of levity and humanity to this story of an artist who seems destined to fail. Painting their film in muted colors, the Coens create a sense of the past while also draping us in Davis’s sullen perspective. But the narrative never gets too grim, in part because of the wonderful music that is threaded diagetically throughout. Simple folk songs that soothe the soul stream out in scene after scene, smoothing away the pangs of pain in Davis’s journey. The Coens worked with T-Bone Burnett to create Inside Llewyn Davis’s addictive soundtrack, and I suspect it will do for this brand of folk what O Brother Where Art Thou did for bluegrass. After hearing these numbers, it’s impossible to not want to hear them again and again, to wrap yourself in their lovely melodies and the bittersweet stories they tell.

Inside Llewyn Davis is a vivid portrait of the period right before folk went from musicians finding new grace in old standards to the emergence of the singer-songwriter. Davis’s window of breaking through is closing fast, but as aimless as he is, he can’t stop to see it. This music defines him. It means more to him than the comfort of a home, than the love of his family, the respect of his friends, or even the possibility of success.. Hopefully, its lack of histrionics won’t hurt it come award season, as this mellow tale doesn’t need showy drama to deliver.

Inside Llewyn Davis will open at the New York Film Festival on September 28th. A theatrical release will follow in December.

For our complete New York Film Festival coverage, click here.

The full slate for the 51st New York Film Festival is littered with titles we’ll likely be talking about for the rest of the year (as the Oscar picture snaps into focus), and possibly for years to come. Potential classics from Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips), Joel and Ethan Coen (Inside Llewyn Davis), Alexander Payne (Nebraska), Jim Jarmusch (Only Lovers Left Alive) and many more stand out during a cursory scan of the entire cinematic roster. You can scour the list to your heart’s content here.

“Cinema is a vast terrain with a complex ecology, encompassing a mindbending array of species and habitats," said NYFF Director of Programming Kent Jones in a statement. "I love the level of diversity in the main slate selections, which includes documentaries, biographies, comedies, adventures, epics, chamber pieces, elegies, explorations and affirmations. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did."

We plan to. And if we only could see five movies from the diverse palate of cinematic offerings when the festival kicks off on Sept. 27, here are the films we’d consider essential.

1. Inside Llewyn Davis

The Coen brothers charmed Cannes critics with their grungy, melodic story of a down-on-his luck folk singer (Oscar Isaac). Now they’re taking their show to New York City, where Gothamites likely will respond to the Big Apple setting of the titular musician’s journey. Inside Llewyn Davis is expected to strike the same emotional chords the Coens plucked in movies like Miller’s Crossing, A Serious Man and even O Brother Where Art Thou, but they also seem to be hoping to tap into some more of the Academy attention generated by their last picture, True Grit. A successful run through the NYFF will help this film’s awards chances.

2. Captain Phillips

Director Paul Greengrass has taken a break from making movies with Matt Damon to recount the true story of heroism on the high seas that occurred when an unarmed U.S. freighter was attacked by Somali pirates. We’re paying close attention to this projecr because Greengrass casts perennial Oscar contender Tom Hanks, against type, as the tough-as-nails title character. The last time Greengrass worked to fashion a nail-biting thriller from actual, devastating headlines he came up with United 93… a film I consider to be one of the greatest of the past 20 years. Could this one come close to that?

3. All Is Lost

When was the last time Robert Redford was great? I mean, truly great? Indecent Proposal? Sneakers? You are going back 20 years. I'm hoping Margin Call director JC Chandor has handed Redford his most challenging role in decades, casting him as a sailor braving brutal weather conditions on a damaged boat. The reviews out of Cannes were solid, and we should know more about All Is Lost when it screens for crowds in New York.

4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

It was a surprise finding Ben Stiller’s Christmas release on the schedule for a September film festival. And yet, most of what we have seen from Siller’s latest directorial effort suggests that that it’s going to be one of this year's sure-fire Oscar contender… making a bow at NYFF a calculated risk. In The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Stiller casts himself as a daydreaming cubicle dweller at Time Magazine who’d like to pursue the heart of a coworker (Kristen Wiig), if he could only put his emotional obstacles behind him. Is it as good as it looks? Thanks to its debut at NYFF, we will know soon.

5. Blue Is The Warmest Color

This last slot was tough to fill. In lieu of the new Payne, or the new Jonze, the new Denis (really, the list goes on and on) I’m going with Abdellatif Kechiche’s Blue is Te Warmest Color, another Cannes sensation that rode near-universal critical praise to a Palme d’Or trophy earlier this year. We’re anxious to see if what played well in France carries over to the States, because sometimes Cannes films fall flat. Everything we hear, however, says that young co-stars Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux give heartwrenching performances that transcend language barriers. Put this on your must-see list.

How much more do I need to say beyond “It’s the new Coen Brothers movie” to get you interested in Inside Llewyn Davis? The above trailer, posted on Apple, should hook you … if the original (and equally spectacular) red-band teaser didn’t already whet your whistle. Here it is again, just to refresh your memory.

Honestly, if the rhythms of the dialogue, the pacing of the scenery, and the heartbreaking use of Bob Dylan in the red-band clip don’t get your pulse racing for Inside Llewyn Davis, then this movie isn’t for you. And I'm not sure we can be friends.

The new trailer strums different folk music, but bathes in the same period lighting that gives the new film a nostalgic texture. The use of the folk songs instantly reminds me of the siblings’ brilliant, brilliant O Brother, Where Art Thou? -- a movie that several critics in Cannes compared Inside Llewyn Davis to when the movie screened there earlier this year.

The biggest difference between this new preview and the red-band is that it gives Oscar Isaac more time to shine … an odd compliment given the fact that he’s the star and titular character of the filmmakers’ latest piece. Early clips allowed Isaac's co-stars – primarily John Goodman and Carey Mulligan – the chance to fill in the actor’s silences. In addition to beefing up the music, this new trailer gives us a better idea of the artistic purity Llewyn Davis brings to his craft (songwriting), and paints him as a more complete version of the classic Coen protagonist – a Job-like creature who is crumbling under the weight of his own insecurities, fears and hard-to-reach desires.

The most terrifying aspect of this new tease is the sentence pasted on the bottom of Apple’s page: “In theaters December 6th, 2013.” That’s an eternity to wait for a movie that I already know is going to knock me flat on my ass. Look at Goodman and Mulligan’s disgusted reactions to every little move Isaacs makes! That’s the subtle artistry of the Coens, and even though they are coming off their biggest hit (by far) in True Grit, I don’t see them trading in the storytelling qualities that have made them a valued commodity over the past 30 years. Get here soon, Inside Llewyn Davis, because I’m confident that I’m going to love what you are about to deliver.

Technically this is a red-band trailer, but it's pretty safe for work by our count. It does acknowledge sex, and the word "dick" is used. So discretion is half-heartedly advised.

Few filmmakers have captured America, for better or worse, in comedy or drama, as lusciously and captivatingly as The Coen Bros. Joel and Ethan Cohen have explored the American experience with fables (A Serious Man), with whimsy (O Brother, Where Art Thou?), with sadness (No Country For Old Men), with frank admiration (True Grit), and with stoner humor (The Big Lebowski). And for their next act they'll be delving into the game-changing folk music scene of the 1960s with a star-studded drama called Inside Llewyn Davis.

Set in New York City, the film centers on the titular folk singer/songwriter played by Oscar Isaac, who not long ago nabbed memorable roles in two polarizing features, Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch. Beyond scoring the lead in this Coen Bros drama, Isaac had here the opportunity to work with admired performers like Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Adam Driver, F. Murray Abraham, as well as Garret Hedlund. Yet little has been leaked about this venture shot on location in New York in the tail end of 2012's winter season.

The trailer above gives us some insight into Inside Llewyn Davis, and some justification for our intense anticipation. Along with a bittersweet tone of a musician struggling to make sense of himself, his work, and life in general, we get a peak of Isaac, Mulligan, Timberlake and Goodman in action. And that cut to the title has us all the more eager to see (and hear) what Inside Llewyn Davis has in store.

Inside Llewyn Davis makes its world premiere on May 16th at the Cannes Film Festival. It will open theatrically in the US in the thick of awards season on December 6th.

Joel and Ethan Coen, Steven Soderbergh, Roman Polanski, Alexander Payne and relative newcomer Nicolas Winding Refn are the highlights of this year’s Cannes Film Festival program, revealed today on the fest’s official Web site. That means you have to be ready to travel overseas if you want to be one of the first audience members to see highly anticipated features like Inside Llewyn Davis, Behind the Candelabra, Nebraska and Only God Forgives.

As was reported earlier, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby will open this year’s fest. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A quick scan of the titles screening in Un Certain Regard reveals anticipated showings of Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring, Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station, Claire Denis’ Les Salauds, James Franco’s As I Lay Dying and Hany Abu-Assad’s Omar.

Filmmakers James Toback, Stephen Frears, Polanski and Roberto Minervini are scheduled to have Special Screenings at this year’s event. The great Johnnie To will participate in the Midnight Screenings program with Blind Detective. And J.C. Chandor (All is Lost) and Guillaume Canet (Blood Ties) are planning on bringing new features to screen Out of Competition.

Steven Spielberg will preside over this year’s jury, returning to the scene where he debuted Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Meanwhile, Palme d’Or winner Jane Campion will preside over the short film competition category, and Danish director Thomas Vinterberg will lead the Un Certain Regard sidebar jury.

The Cannes Film Festival kicks off on May 15, and runs through May 26. Of all the titles announced today, which would you travel to France just to see ahead of everyone else?

Though the Coen Brothers are coming off a surprising financial success with True Grit, they decided to go the indie route with their follow-up film Inside Llewyn Davis. Not only that, but they also bypassed the festival circuit, instead screening the film last week for a group of Hollywood insiders-- and earning the kind of bidding war they would get at Sundance without ever having to strap on a pair of snowboots.

Now Deadline reports that the film has a buyer. CBS Films, the upstart film distribution unit of the TV network, has picked up the rights for close to $4 million. The film stars Oscar Isaac as a folk singer in the mold of Bob Dylan, making his way through the Greenwich Village folk music scene in 1960s New York. A trailer for the film dropped a few weeks ago, and it says everything about the greatness of the Coen Brothers and the potential of this new project that i can't. Take a look:

No word on when they're planning a release, but a fall Oscar-season date seems pretty obvious. In addition to Isaac, an up-and-coming star who's been in everything from Robin Hood to The Bourne Legacy , the cast the people you see in the trailer like his Drive co-star Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund and F. Murray Abraham, plus Justin Timberlake and Girls boys Alex Karpovsky and Adam Driver. Now that we know it's actually got a distributor and is likely to see release this year, it's right at the top of our list for most anticipated 2013 movies.

It was nearly a year ago that Joel and Ethan Coen began production on their latest effort, Inside Llewyn Davis. Inspired loosely by folk singer Dave Van Ronk's memoir The Mayor of MacDougal Street, the 1960s-set drama explores the folk music scene that was brewing within New York City through the titular character Llewyn Davis. The film has long since wrapped and has remained largely mysterious. We still don't know when it's slated for release.

Being that it is a Coen Bros movie, buzz began for the film before casting did. Then, the celebrated directing duo compiled a cast that includes their long-time collaborator John Goodman, Oscar-nominee Carey Mulligan, TRON: Legacy's Garrett Hedlund, Girls' Alex Karpovsky and Adam Driver, as well as Justin Timberlake, and rising ingendude Oscar Isaac. And yet producers have been stingy in releasing images or clips, until now. Check out the film's first trailer below:

Released on what appears to be film's official site, the trailer reveals a bearded and beleaguered Isaac as he crashes around New York and beyond looking to forge a career as a musician. It's a terrific and tantalizing tease. We're shown Mulligan as an embittered ex with a gift for vivid imagery, a glimpse of Timberlake, and Goodman at his growling best. Then, just as we are about to hear what lies inside Llewyn Davis—the man and the album—the trailer ends. Oh, Coens, how you tease, not even giving a hint as to when this promising pic might hit theaters!

If you can't wait for a taste of Inside Llewyn Davis' music, check out this clip of Isaac performing "Dink's Song" at a press event last fall.

Between 2007 and 2010 we were lucky enough to get one Coen brothers movie per year, and it was a glorious time. Not only was it nice regularly getting films from two of the best filmmakers in Hollywood, the titles are some of the best that they have produced, racking up 20 Oscar nominations and four wins (albeit all of the wins were for No Country For Old Men, which just so happened to also take home Best Picture). Now, however, we're experiencing the biggest Coen drought since the early 90s, as there hasn't been two year gap between titles for them since 1994's The Hudsucker Proxy followed 1991's Barton Fink.

The good news, though, is that the drought will hopefully end soon. The Coens have been hard at work this year on their newest movie, Inside Llewyn Davis, which is a period piece set in New York during the 1960s that follows the life of a singer-songwriter in the heart of the folk music scene. Heading up the all-star cast, which includes John Goodman, Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, F. Murray Abraham, Adam Driver and Justin Timberlake, is Oscar Isaac as the titular character, who is said to be based on Dave Van Ronk. What's unfortunate is that with the exception of a few set photos, we haven't seen anything from the film, be it a trailer, a poster, or even an official still. Today we at least get something.

Coming Soon recently had the chance to attend a special event for the upcoming independent film 10 Years where Isaac performed his rendition of "Dink's Song" from Inside Llewyn Davis. The song is a classic from the era and has been performed by artists like Bob Sylan and Pete Seeger, as well as the aforementioned Van Ronk. You can watch the performance below.

Inside Llewyn Davis does not yet have a distributor in the United States - as previously reported - but I can't imagine that it will be hard for the movie to find a home. Stay tuned here on Cinema Blend for more news about the Coen's latest and when it will be coming to a theater near you!

Here's some news that ought to take the sting out of the negative reviews Justin Timberlake's latest movie, In Time is racking up. Variety is reporting that the Coen Bros. have offered Timberlake a lead role in their next movie, Inside Llewyn Davis. Centered around the folk music scene in Greenwich Village during the 1960s, the movie is loosely based on the life of folk singer Dave Van Ronk.

Timberlake wouldn't be playing the Van Ronk-alike Llewyn Davis -- that role has already gone to Oscar Isaac (he played Prince John in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood). Instead, Timberlake has been offered the role of Jim, another folk musician. Carey Mulligan is already cast to play Jean, Jim's wife. We don't know much more about the character than that at this point.

The Coen Bros. wrote the script partially based on Van Ronk's memoir, The Mayor of MacDougal Street. Van Ronk was a centerpiece of coffeehouse culture and the folk revival of the '60s, and he was friends with iconic names such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. His own musical style incorporated blues, jazz, and ragtime, amongst others.

I'll be astonished if Timberlake turns this one down. The Coen Bros. are one of those talents that pretty much everybody wants to work with. And good for him. I've grown to like Timberlake in spite of myself over the years -- he's proven to have genuine acting chops in movies like The Social Network and Black Snake Moan, and he never seems to take himself too seriously. Plus, it's impossible to hate anyone involved with "Dick in a Box." Take the job, Timberlake!

The Coen brothers have always had a knack for finding the perfect lead actors for their films. From Jeff Bridges in both The Big Lebowski and True Grit to Francis MacDormand in Fargo to John Tuturro in Barton Fink, their selections may sometimes seem weird, but they are always dead on. Even The Ladykillers, which is considered by most to be the duo's weakest film, is strong up front with Tom Hanks as the southern gentleman prone to criminal acts. The point that I'm driving at is that we should expect impressive things from Oscar Isaac in the near future.

Deadline has learned that the Coens have hired Isaac to play the lead role in the upcoming Inside Llewyn Davis. The film is about the folk music scene that exploded in New York during the 1960s. The script is loosely based on the life and times of Dave Van Ronk, who witnessed the rise of incredible talents like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Phil Ochs. Isaac has had quite the busy year in 2011, having played roles in both Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch and Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive. Later this year the actor will be seen in Madonna's W.E. and alongside Channing Tatum in Jamie Linden's Ten Year.

While I didn't enjoy the movie that much, I can attest to Isaac's musical skills as he has a duet with Carla Gugino on the Sucker Punch soundtrack. As I mentioned before, we should know better than to question the Coens, but I'm not sure why anyone would in this case. Isaac is a bona fide upcoming talent and it will be great to see what the Coens can do with him.

If there's only one reason why the 2011 movie year ends up being worse than the 2010 movie year, it's because there is no Coen brothers movie coming out in the next six months. Since 2007, the directing duo has released one feature film per year, and those projects have earned a total of 20 Oscar nominations and four wins, including Best Picture for No Country For Old Men. The last time the brothers took some time off it was after The Ladykillers in 2004, and they were absent from the film scene for three years. Hopefully this break won't end up being as long, particularly because it seems as though they've found the subject of their next movie.

The LA Times has learned from an unidentified source that the Coens are now planning a project loosely based on the work of Dave Van Ronk, the New York-based singer who was a figurehead in the coffeehouse folk culture of the 1960s. In addition to music, Van Ronk was also a political activist and under his movement artists like Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Joni Mitchell were discovered. After the artist died in 2002 at the age of 66, a memoir was released titled "The Mayor of MacDougal Street" and the paper says that the Coens will be "drawing in part from material in the book." Giving credence to the story, it was previously reported by The Playlist that the Coens would be working on a "music-based film," and it would seem that this fits the bill. Speaking on a stage with director Noah Baumbach at the opening of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Joel Coen said the songs heard in the movie will be performed live with single instruments.

The last time that the Coen brothers made a music-heavy film the result was O Brother Where Art Thou?, and I don't think I need to explain why it would be amazing to see the directing duo dive back into that territory. Now all they need to do is reunite with John Goodman and Steve Buscemi and it could end up being their best project yet.