By Danilo Castro ​

​New Year's Eve is a time of change. It's a time of reflection, frustration, and correction. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it shakes us out of our routine and emboldens us to voice how we truly feel, and bad because it may lead to moments that can be awkward to live down the following day. The best New Year's movies capture this electric feeling. Whether they be tawdry or tragic, the movies that incorporate New Year's into the plot are tapping into an intensity that the rest of the year can't really match.

So, with 2020 firmly in our rearview, we thought it'd be the perfect time to forget all acquaintances and highlight these ten special films. We excluded films that are only tangentially related to New Year's, so gems like "Phantom Thread" (2017) and "The Apartment" (1960) did not crack the list. 

Here are the 10 best New Year's Eve films...

By Matt Neglia 

What a bizarre year. Who could have ever predicted that 2020, the start of a new decade, would be the year that the movie industry would change forever? Despite starting the year saying that I wanted to watch fewer movies in 2020 than I had in previous years so I could focus on other projects for the website, I still found myself watching over 225 movies thanks to digital screeners and constantly being at home during quarantine. I'm not complaining, though! There were some genuinely great films to be seen in 2020, even if some of my most anticipated of the year got pushed back to 2021. I saw some films in 2020 that were supposed to have release dates this year, which have been moved to 2021 but are still qualifying for the end of the year awards. For this list, I'm not going to get caught up in "the rules" of what makes a 2020 movie vs. what makes a 2021 movie. This is my list of what was (for me) the best films of 2020.

Runners up include: "Another Round," "Dick Johnson Is Dead," "The Dissident," "Quo Vadis, Aida?" & "Wolfwalkers."

​By Nicole Ackman 

2020 has been a strange year for theatre fans everywhere as most theaters have remained closed since mid-March. In this episode, we discuss the ways that we have engaged with theatre despite not being able to go in person from the Sondheim birthday concert to watching filmed musicals online, whether through the National Theatre or StarKid’s YouTube channel. We also talk about the resilience of the theatre community, the Ratatouille Tik Tok musical, and some organizations that could use your help. Take a listen to hear from myself, Michael Schwartz, Dan Bayer,Casey Lee Clark & Lauren LaMagna.

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this episode along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here.

By Matt Neglia 

The Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) have announced their winners for the best in film for 2020.
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Click below to see the winners.

By Tom O'Brien 
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Where did all of our guideposts go?

As this past year has become a challenging one for people worldwide, Oscar prognostication would have to rank pretty low on any list of what's important to humanity at this time. Still, it provides one stabilizing bit of normalcy for many of us during an abnormal time. Yet, even the Oscar season has been affected by the worldwide shutdown. For example, the landscape for one Oscar category, Best International Feature, has been arguably the most altered for award prognosticators. By this time in any typical Oscar year, we would have gotten reactions to the year's crop of foreign-language films from festivals like Cannes, Telluride, Venice, Toronto and New York, among others and have a pretty good idea on where to place our money toward this category's nominations.

By Matt Neglia 

In an exclusive with Variety, the Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) have announced their nominations representing the best in film for 2020. The EDA Award winners will be announced on January 4th, 2021.

Click below to see the nominees in their competitive, gender specific and special awards categories.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's third podcast film review, I am joined by Josh Parham, Dan Bayer & Tom O'Brien. Today, we are reviewing the latest film from Netflix, director George Clooney's "The Midnight Sky," also starring George Clooney, Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, Tiffany Boone, Demián Bichir, Kyle Chandler & Caoilinn Springall. Representing the most ambitious film that Clooney has ever done, has does this post-apocalyptic space drama come together? What did we think of the crafts, the performances and story? Tune in below to find out. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 

​The precursors have started to chime in as we heard the results of this year's New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) and many more (with a lot more than that still to come). This is the phase where our long list starts to get more narrow as the critics help us to understand where the consensus is. However, and I must stress this...critics are not Academy voters. So, while the critics do help, they re not the be all end all of Oscar predicting. We still have a long way to go. As we close out 2020 and say hello to 2021, let's take a look at where the Next Best Picture team stands with their rankings as of today. If you want to see our predictions broken down individually, category by category, click here.

By Lauren LaMagna 

​​As we all know, storytelling comes in many different mediums. It is also what separates humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. Ever since mankind existed, we have been telling stories. From cave paintings to film, we have always been passing ideas onto each other. So, with film and digital content being the most modern form of storytelling, it would be unwise to think that film only told new stories that were made just for the big screen.

By Robert Pius 

For some unknown reason in recent Oscar history, the judgment on how good or bad a performance an individual actor gave seems to be tied up in the film's reception as a whole. In the past, it was quite common for an actor (especially in the supporting categories) to give a standout performance in a film that critics found less than stellar and still be able to achieve a nomination based on their work and not the movie as a whole. One could almost say that these performers had more difficult tasks than their peers in highly regarded films. It is likely that when you are acting with a good script, adept direction and added help from all the other below-the-line workers on a strong production, it is probably easier to do your best work. But what about those people who found themselves with rotten material or in films that were ripped apart to no one's liking in the editing room, but yet one actor somehow managed to rise above the problem and do outstanding work? Now that's a real achievement when you have to hold it together while everything else is falling apart around you. 

By Casey Lee Clark 

It's a light week for blu-ray releases, perhaps due to it being Christmas week and the end of the year, but nevertheless, let's take a look at what Blu-rays came out!

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's second podcast film review, I am joined by Nicole Ackman, Ryan C. Showers, Sara Clements & Danilo Castro. Today, we are reviewing "Wonder Woman 1984," which premiered in theaters and on HBO Max on Christmas Day. The long awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed and box office hit "Wonder Woman," this sequel reunites Gal Gadot and (controversially) Chris Pine with director Patty Jenkins, while adding Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig as this film's villains to the cast. How does it all come together? The internet has had a great bit of fun dissecting this one these past few days and now it's our turn in our spoiler filled review! Enjoy!

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Nicole Ackman 

"Sylvie's Love" premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival where critics praised its lead performance from Tessa Thompson, the beautiful romance at the heart of the movie, the classical style which resembles the Golden Age of Hollywood and its costuming by Phoenix Mellow. We were lucky enough to chat with Pheonix about her work on the film which you can listen to down below. "Sylvie's Love" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 

The North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) have announced their nominations representing the best in film for 2020. The winners will be announced January 3rd 2021.

​Click below to see the nominations

By Matt Neglia 

The Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) have announced their nominations representing the best in film for 2020. The winners will be announced January 2nd 2021.

​Click below to see the nominations.

By Matt Neglia 

For Episode 226, I am joined by Michael Schwartz, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Will Mavity & Tom O'Brien. This week we are discussing the end of 2020, listing our favorite films of the year, talking about last Sunday's LAFCA Awards, the decisions made this week by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the upcoming Golden Globe Awards, giving our reactions to the trailers for "Coming 2 America," "Land," "The Little Things," going over the polls, answering your fan questions and more! This year has been hard. There's no way around it. Take a moment to breathe and reflect. We appreciate you allowing us to enter your ear drums throughout this tough year. We hope it brought some joy and comfort to you all. Think of the good times, the things we learned and how much stronger 2021 will be for all of us. The show goes on and we could not be any happier to have you all along for the ride. This episode of the Next Best Picture Podcast is proudly sponsored by The Star Draft.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

By Matt Neglia 

For this week's main review, I am joined by Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Daniel Howat & Tom O'Brien. This week we're discussing the latest film from Disney/Pixar now streaming on Disney+, "Soul." Directed by Academy Award winner Pete Docter ("Up" & "Inside Out") and the first Pixar film featuring a Black lead, the animated film has been greatly anticipated since its premiere from this year's Cannes Film Festival was delayed. Working with complex themes, a talented voice cast, the composing talents of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, what did we think of the overall film? What do we think of its Oscar potential? And how does it compare to the other films Pixar has given us before? Tune in below to find out. Enjoy!
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Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here. And if you're feeling generous, you enjoy what you hear and want to hear more, please help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month and you'll receive some exclusive podcast content.

​By Daniel Howat 

Lee Daniels’ “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” has remained one of the biggest question marks in this year’s Oscar season. Though it’s been scheduled for release by Paramount on February 26th, we’ve not seen any trailers for the biopic, and there’s been little other promotion. Now, Deadline reports that Hulu is swooping in and closing a deal to acquire the film and release it in time for awards eligibility.

By Michael Schwartz 
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​​Tom Hanks has long been considered one of the most beloved American icons. Right up there with the flag and apple pie, Hanks has carved out a place in history that allows him to be the rare celebrity beloved by just about everyone in these otherwise polarizing times. He is wise. He is comforting. He is America's dad. As Hanks' latest film, "News of the World," is set to open on Christmas Day, it is interesting to look at where both this film and role factor into his place in this tumultuous year.

By Cody Dericks 

Two weeks ago, I went through the Next Best Picture team's below-the-line Oscar predictions and averaged them together to see what our consensus predictions looked like. I'll once again be taking a look at the below-the-line categories outside of the above-the-line categories, which Matt covered last week. Now that critics groups have begun handing out their end-of-year awards, let's take a look at our current collective predictions and see what's up, what's down, and what's stayed the same in the past two weeks.

By Ryan C. Showers 

​"Promising Young Woman" is the best film of the year. Unlike stories already told in the new genre of #MeToo-influenced features, Emerald Fennell's directorial debut is an entity made for this generation of moviegoers. The film colors a portrait of the millennial experience and is based in an ideology about sexuality, gender roles, and consent in ways we understand. All the while, the movie manages to entertain with euphoric cleverness and turn the audience on their heads in visceral pain. As social criticism, it's powerful. As a cinematic experience, it's piled full of love for "the movies" that you would expect from film styles best exhibited by directors like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and David O. Russell. Both harsh and heartbreaking, "Promising Young Woman" will go down in history for its achievements, and I hope the Academy chooses to go along for the ride. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that tears into your soul.

By Matt Neglia 
​
We're back for another show of television talk. Two months ago, we announced that we were launching a new format for Next Best Series. Much like Next Best Theatre, members of the NBP team get together once a month to talk about what television shows they're currently watching or re-watching. This month's show we''re discussing hit shows such as Netflix's "The Crown" and Steve McQueen's "Small Axe" anthology on Prime Video (and the debate of TV vs. film that the series has sparked amongst cinephiles). We also recap some of our favorite television shows of 2020 as we say goodbye to this landmark year in television history. Joining me for this episode we have Michael Schwartz & Ryan C. Showers. We encourage everyone to give us feedback on this new format and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

This is a preview of the podcast, the full version of which is only available to those who subscribe to us on Patreon. For the small price of $1 a month, you can receive this episode along with other exclusive podcast content, so be sure to subscribe here.

Thank you so much for listening. The Next Best Picture Podcast is proud to be a part of the Evergreen Podcasts Network. You can subscribe to us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, Tunein, Player FM, Acast & Castbox or you can listen down below. Please take a moment to review us on Apple Podcasts here.

By Daniel Howat 

Fresh off a Supporting Actress win from the New York Film Critics Circle, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" star Maria Bakalova will now compete for Best Comedy/Musical  Actress at the Golden Globes. According to Gold Derby, Bakalova will remain in Supporting Actress in the other major races, like SAG and the Academy Awards. ​

By Ryan C. Showers 

​The latest Oscar hopeful to be released and face the chorus of film critics and awards pundits is "News of the World" from director Paul Greengrass. "News of the World" is expected to be one of the core movies campaigned by Universal for this cycle of award season. As an epic adventure tale with technical gravitas and star power from Tom Hanks, it has the ingredients to be a Hollywood hit – despite skipping the film festivals that typically establish movies as legitimate contenders for the industry, press, and critics' prizes at the end of the year. Several of us at Next Best Picture who have seen the film have formed a small consensus on "News of the World": A solid feature with handsome aesthetics and qualified technical elements, even if the narrative feels especially familiar. ​

By Casey Lee Clark 

It's a light week for blu-ray releases, perhaps due to it being Christmas week and the end of the year, but nevertheless, let's take a look at what Blu-rays came out!