By Will Mavity 

​​One of the most notable aspects of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise (And one of the key aspects in keeping it fresh) is that it has boasted an ever-revolving door of directors. Brian DePalma was the perfect start for the franchise, bringing his paranoid conspiracy mentality to the universe. John Woo introduced the world to the franchise’s amazing motorcycle chases and bombarded us with his excellent shoot-outs. J.J. Abrams made…a J.J. Abrams movie and introduced us to priceless supporting characters like Simon Pegg’s Benji. Brad Bird brought a much-needed brevity to the proceedings and upped the ante for the series’ larger than life action sequences. And finally, there's Christopher McQuarrie, who took the action somewhere even better. The point is, going into a "Mission: Impossible" movie, audiences can always expect something different than the last run through. There are different editors, different composers, different DPs, and sometimes, different actors. And that is one of the great selling points of a franchise which otherwise delivers the same concept of “Ethan Hunt saves the world” over and over again. This is how it avoids becoming tired. Which means that although McQuarrie returned to direct a second film in the franchise, he will likely not be back for a third.

So…with the newest film earning series-high reviews and roping in a healthy box office, it won’t be long before we see the series’ next installment. And with it, a new director who will bring his or her own unique vision for the franchise. 

By Michael Schwartz 

For the first time ever, Next Best Theatre is proud to give you an episode that is not solely focused on the Tony Awards but instead on relevant news inside the world of theatre arts and we take a look back at the 2003 Tony Award winning Musical "Avenue Q" which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. We do all of with our traditional team of myself, Dan Bayer and Nicole Ackman and the newest member of the Next Best Theatre team: Cody Dericks.

As always we appreciate your feedback as we continue to expand this exciting section of the Next Best Picture family. Please feel free to subscribe on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, CastBox or you can have a listen down below.

By Matt Neglia 

Our Patreon Podcast series for "Last Best Picture" continues with a new month and a new poll of 10 randomly selected Best Picture Winners/Nominees for you to choose from. The winner of which will be reviewed on the podcast in September 2018. Stay tuned for August's winner ("The Silence Of The Lambs") which will go up later this month and you can now listen to July's winner "Casablanca."

Head on over to the polls page to vote and take a look at the new films below. Voting ends August 31st 2018.

By Will Mavity 

​2018 is packed with feature directorial debuts by actors. Idris Elba, Rupert Everett, and Paul Dano premiered their directorial debuts at Sundance. Heather Graham quietly released hers in February. John Krasinski may not have debuted with “A Quiet Place,” but his second film certainly brought him into the public eye as a director. Amber Tamblyn also dropped one in May. And before the year is up, we have Jonah Hill’s “Mid90s” and Bradley Cooper’s “A Star Is Born” coming down the pipeline. 

Actors stepping behind the camera is not exactly a new phenomenon. Some, like Ron Howard, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood, Kevin Costner, Woody Allen, and Mel Gibson proved so successful at directing that they would win Oscars. Others, like Eddie Murphy, Ryan Gosling, Steven Seagal, William Shatner, Ewan McGregor, and Nicolas Cage are best left forgotten. And then the majority lands somewhere in between - competent, but not game-changing, such as Sean Penn, Jodie Foster, Don Cheadle, Dustin Hoffman, Joseph-Gordon Levitt and plenty more. 

With so many recent success stories of actors-turned-directors peppering the headlines (Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig just got Oscar nominations on their debut films), it is not surprising that more and more respected actors would want to try their own hands behind the camera. 

As such, here are the 10 most exciting upcoming directorial debuts by actors.

By Matt Neglia 

For our first podcast review on "Last Best Picture" we reviewed "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," then we reviewed "Lawrence Of Arabia." Now, for the month of July, the winner of our poll for the next Best Picture Winner/Nominee for us to review was 1942's "Casablanca." It is a classic, timeless film which Michael Schwartz and I were so happy to revisit and talk about on the podcast. The next fan voted podcast review for August has been announced as "The Silence Of The Lambs" while a new batch of choices can be voted on here until the end of the month of August.

This is a preview of the podcast which is an exclusive to our Patreon members. For the small price of $1 a month, you can get the full episode and more exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you and please feel free to subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM & CastBox.

By Matt Neglia
​
For Episode 101, we introduce a new team member, Celia Schlekewey. Along with myself, Will Mavity & Michael Schwartz, the four of us talk about this weeks fall film festival announcements for the lineups for Venice, Toronto (TIFF) and what this means for Telluride and NYFF. We also discuss the recent troubles of MoviePass, the polls and the trailers for Mike Leigh's new film "Peterloo" and the directorial debut of Jonah Hill, "Mid90s."

Thank you and please feel free to subscribe on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, CastBox or you can have a listen down below.

By Matt Neglia 

Our review this week on the podcast is the next (And best?) installment in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise titled "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" starring Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and directed/written by Christopher McQuarrie (Director of "Rogue Nation" & writer for "Edge Of Tomorrow"). Joining me for this action-packed review is Danilo Castro & Daniel Howat.

Thank you and please feel free to subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM & CastBox.

​By Will Mavity 

​Disney has announced the full cast for J.J. Abrams’ upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX.” The main cast from “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi” are returning, along with series veterans, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), and Mark Hammil (Luke Skywalker). 

By Jacey Aldredge 

I previously told everyone about my first hand account from this year's San Diego Comic-Con here. Now, I am going to get you all caught up on the other interesting bits of information, trailers and pieces of entertainment which were dropped last week. This year’s Comic-Con felt a little underwhelming compared to past years, with the elephant in the room being the absence of big-hitting panels from Marvel, HBO, Netflix, and LucasFilm; however, this did allow for studio competitors Warner Bros. and DC to take center stage, and they did not disappoint.

By Danilo Castro 

​Like its daredevil star, the “Mission: Impossible” franchise continues to defy the odds. What started out as a reboot of the campy 1960s TV series has since evolved into one of the most kinetic and consistently exciting franchises in recent memory. Where “Mission: Impossible” differs from the MCU and other competing blockbusters, however, is its emphasis on variety. Success, both critically and commercially, often hinges on the creativity that each director brings to their respective installment.

Whether indulging in the psychodrama of Brian De Palma, the glossy excess of John Woo, or the cartoonish sensibilities of Brad Bird, the franchise is constantly reinventing and refining its own wheel. And given the ecstatic reviews for the latest installment, “Mission: Impossible - Fallout,” it looks like that wheel will keep right on spinning.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to check out our ranking of the “Mission: Impossible” films from worst to best. Be sure to leave your comments below and let us know how your rankings compare! 

Nothing will self-destruct, we promise.

​By Celia Schlekewey 

Timothée Chalamet broke many hearts during last year’s Oscar season. He tugged at our collective heartstrings when he portrayed Elio in "Call Me By Your Name." It was touching film about first love and also Chalamet’s first leading role in a mainstream film. Then, when he became the youngest Best Actor nominee in 80 years, he hurt audiences again, when his masterful performance went unawarded. However, at his age, a nod is nothing to sneeze at. This weekend, Chalamet’s follow-up hits theaters in the form of "Hot Summer Nights" - a darker kind of coming-of-age story set before a backdrop of an impending hurricane. He has some big shoes to fill, with expectations high. Knowing this, let’s take a look at 10 other actors who also received some Oscar love early in their career and see how they chose to return to the big screen - and where they have gone since.

By Will Mavity 

Yet another installment in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise opens this week. Coming up on 22 years running, the franchise has proven itself one of the most reliable action franchises in Hollywood, netting more than $2.7 billion at the worldwide box office. With 6 films under its belt, many argue that the series is one of the rare ones to improve with time. While the first film only landed in the mid 60’s on Rotten Tomatoes, 2011’s “Ghost Protocol” and 2015’s “Rogue Nation” both ended up in the 90s. However, all five films in the franchise have never been recognized by the Academy with a single Oscar nomination in any category. Perhaps the time has finally come for Academy voters to recognize the "Mission: Impossible" franchise with its latest (And many say best) film to date: "Mission: Impossible - Fallout."​

By Will Mavity 

​Netflix has been in the news a lot lately with reports of tumbling stocks. Many are blaming the company’s lackluster output of original content. Netflix Originals such as “Bright” and “Mute” underwhelmed critically and the less said about “The Cloverfield Paradox,” the better. However, even the well-reviewed Netflix Originals often seem to come and go with little fanfare, being buried alongside the streaming service’s many low budget zombie films and Adam Sandler comedies. 

In addition, after failing to adequately campaign “Beasts Of No Nation” enough to even snag Idris Elba an Oscar nomination and subsequently proving unable to secure a Best Picture Nomination for “Mudbound” last year, despite a large campaign and strong reviews, many have written off any film with Netflix attached as a potential Oscar contender. What people don’t seem to notice is that Netflix seems to be changing. Last year, the company hired veteran Producer, Scott Stuber (Formerly an executive at Universal) to oversee its burgeoning film department. The company also quietly started hiring A-List directors to helm feature projects including Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuaron, Joel and Ethan Coen, Paul Greengrass, J.C Chandor, and John Lee Hancock.

By Will Mavity 

Peter Albrechtsen is a sound designer and sound re-recording mixer for many films both with features and documentaries including last year's Oscar winning film "Dunkirk," "Thelma," 2009's "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," "Antichrist" and more. In this interview he talks about the nature of his work, his work on Lauren Greenfield's new documentary "Generation Wealth" and more. For anyone interested in the art of sound, this one is a real treat.

Thank you and please feel free to subscribe on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, CastBox or you can have a listen down below.

By Matt Neglia 

​The official lineup for the 75th Venice Film Festival has been announced. There are a few world premieres and a few classics being restored as well. The competition jury will be led by last year's winner for the Golden Lion and eventually the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director, Guillermo del Toro ("The Shape Of Water").

Click below to see which films will be coming to the festival this year.

By Will Mavity 

With two "Game Of Thrones" directors receiving Emmy nominations recently for the show’s seventh season, it is a reminder of the considerable talent on display behind the camera. The show’s latest double nomination also reminds us that "Game Of Thrones" is bumping TV directors to feature directors at an unprecedented rate. For years, TV directors and feature directors operated with little overlap. Occasionally, a Mimi Leder would make the jump from television to film, or an icon like Peter Bogdanovich might direct an episode or two of "The Sopranos," but generally, the two types of directors remained separate. ​

​Click below to find out why.

By Matt Neglia 

​The official lineup for the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has been announced. Of course, as always, there are a misture of foreign films, commercial films, Oscar contenders and more!

Click below to see which films will be coming to the popular festival this year.

By Matt Neglia 

​​Prior to 1998, there had been depictions of war on screen before. One of the oldest and often depicted genres on screen is the war film. We had seen innocents get un-mercifully taken from this cruel world in “Platoon.” We had seen very personal and intense scenes between characters in “The Deer Hunter” as they played Russian roulette for their lives. However, the depiction of combat itself had never received the kind of realism which Steven Spielberg granted it in 1998 with “Saving Private Ryan.” Only 5 years removed from his Best Director win for another unflinching look at graphic realism in “Schindler’s List,” Spielberg went even bigger with his look at the legendary D-Day invasion and the personal journey that a small group of soldiers goes on behind enemy lines to find one man amongst the chaos of the war and bring him home. In the process, Steven Spielberg inspired an entire generation of filmmakers. Join me, as we wish happy 20th anniversary to what I still believe is the greatest war film ever made and the rightful Best Picture winner of 1998, “Saving Private Ryan.”

By Matt Neglia
​
For Episode 100 (!!), myself, Will Mavity, Michael Schwartz & Josh Parham welcome Nicole Ackman & Dan Bayer from Next Best Theatre to join us for this milestone episode. On it we discuss the news surround James Gunn's firing from Disney, answer a ton of fan questions (We love you all), talk about the polls, react to the trailers for "On The Basis Of Sex," "Boy Erased," and announce new members joining Next Best Picture and Next Best Theatre, along with a few other surprises as well.

Thank you and please feel free to subscribe on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, CastBox or you can have a listen down below.

By Matt Neglia 

For our Patreon supporters, we asked them to pick a Tom Cruise action film for this month's Throwback Review on the podcast to get us ready for "Mission: Impossible - Fallout." The winner was Doug Liman's 2014 sci-fi action film "Edge Of Tomorrow" starring Tom Cruise & Emily Blunt. The next fan voted podcast for August's Throwback Review can be voted on here until the end of the month of July.

Joining me for this in-depth review into the film's themes, characters, action and lack of Oscar success is Josh Parham and one of our Patreon members, Trent Ostrom. This is a preview of the podcast which is an exclusive to our Patreon members. For the small price of $1 a month, you can get the full episode and more exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.
​
Thank you and please feel free to subscribe to the Next Best Picture Podcast on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM & CastBox.

By Jacey Aldredge 

​There’s no place like San Diego at the end of July. The weather is (Normally) perfect, the avocados are ripe, and groups of women dressed as Disney Princess Slave Leia’s walk into downtown 7/11’s like it’s no big deal. Of course, it is a big deal - it’s San Diego’s International Comic-Con and we’re right in the middle of it. Annually, over 100,000 people visit the convention every day and since its humble origins in 1970, it has grown to encapsulate every crevice pop culture has to offer. 

It will almost always be a sensory overload whether it’s your first or fifth time attending, and that is just the way I like it. This is my eighth year, and I never get tired of it. However, it can definitely take a toll on you. In general, the idea of “taking it easy” usually means laying low, binging a new Netflix original and eating a sleeve of Oreos. At Comic-Con, however, “taking it easy” has quite a different definition. 

By Will Mavity 

Three-Time Oscar Nominated Director Terrence Malick's (“The Thin Red Line” & “The Tree Of Life”) new film, “Radegund" is reportedly eyeing a fall premiere date with a potential festival run. His last three films have been experimental and divisive in both their critical and audience reaction, but now returning with a new DP and a traditional script, the legendary filmmaker could find himself back in the awards season hunt yet again.

Click below to read more.

By Josh Parham

I can imagine that, for many of us, the release of "The Dark Knight" 10 years ago, was one momentous occasion. Even if the usual comic book fare is not your particular speed, the release of Christopher Nolan’s sequel to his rebooted Batman franchise was already at a fever pitch within the popular culture. No doubt anticipation intensified after Heath Ledger’s sudden and tragic passing earlier that year. Eagerness to see his last completed film, as well as a bit of morbid curiosity, only helped to build up expectations even more. When the film was finally released, it was met with huge critical praise and record-breaking box office numbers. It really felt as if something different was in the air that was being ushered in by this dark avenger.

As we have now crossed the milestone of the ten-year anniversary, looking back on the legacy of "The Dark Knight" is one of endless fascination. The film’s insertion into the culture fundamentally changed the dialogue when it came to discussing the artistry of comic book movies. Building off of the tone he set in "Batman Begins," Nolan took the more grounded, realistic approach to the world of Gotham City even further, fusing the more fantastical elements with a darkly, more disturbing look into our own political atmosphere. It was something audiences had never seen rendered before, and it took the world by storm.​ Surely, the Academy would take notice of such a monumental achievement from that year?

​Yes and no.

By Daniel Howat

While we don’t see nearly as many as in the 1930's and 40's, the musical is alive and well in Hollywood. They can take a few different shapes. Sometimes they’re big song and dance spectacles. Sometimes they use existing songs and build a musical around them. Sometimes they’re just films about musicians playing great stuff. Last year, “The Greatest Showman” made an incredible amount of money at the box office, proving that audiences are still hungry for music at the movies.

The Oscars haven’t recognized too many musicals in the 21st century. Only three were nominated for Best Picture since the year 2000, and only one won the coveted prize. Thanks to other categories, especially Best Original Song, more musicals have still received some awards attention. Awards or not, there have still been plenty of incredible musicals in the 21st century. With the release of "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" this weekend, we decided to take a look back and count down the best musicals of the 21st Century so far.

By Matt Neglia 

"Puzzle" is a a wonderfully written and beautifully acted independent film starring Kelly Macdonald, Irrfan Khan & David Denman. It was written by Oren Moverman ("The Messenger" & "The Dinner") and directed by business man turned producer/director Marc Turtletaub (He produced "Little Miss Sunshine" which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Picture & "Loving"). "Puzzle" is Marc's second directed feature and he was kind enough to lend us a few minutes of his time to talk about it.

"Puzzle" will be released in theaters on July 27th by Sony Pictures Classics.

Thank you and please feel free to subscribe on either ​SoundCloud, Tunein, GooglePlay, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, CastBox or you can have a listen down below.