By Cameron Lee 
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David Cronenberg is set to return to the big screen after an eight-year break from feature filmmaking with "Crimes of the Future" (not to be confused with his 1970 film of the same name) which is set to have its world premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Cronenberg is known for popularizing the body horror genre and for generally causing controversy with his depictions of violence and sexuality. "Crimes of the Future" marks his return to the body horror genre that he helped make popular back at his peak in the 1980s. In preparation for his latest feature film, here are some recommended movies of his that will make it easy to understand what makes Cronenberg such a special and unique filmmaker. 

By Eve O'Dea ​

I, a humble film snob, have not yet managed to see every film that has been awarded the Palme d'Or. However, from the several dozen I have seen, I have been rewarded with thrills, tears, and elation from some of the most influential, unique, and dynamic films made in every corner of the globe over the past three-quarters of a century. With a jury that changes every year, the Cannes Film Festival certainly invites controversy and discussion more-so than other awards-giving bodies, often resulting in recognition of films that would otherwise be missed by casual film fans and giving the world's most brilliant talents a stage on which to share their art with the world. Many of the Palme d'Or winners rank among the greatest films ever made, and it is here that I would like to recommend just a handful for your viewing pleasure as the 75th anniversary of the festival kicks off this week. While I'm sure many of you have seen popular titles such as "Taxi Driver," "The Tree Of Life," "Pulp Fiction" and "Parasite," I'm going to mention some others (with viewing links) I think you should seek out.

By Nadia Dalimonte 

Wherever you find yourself on the Baz Luhrmann scale of love or hate, you are bound to feel something when watching his movies. His glittering filmography is full of so much energy – you can practically hear "More, more, more!" echoing from the visionary's chair. His films may seem chaotic, but there is a method to the madness. His commitment to the material used is unapologetically rooted in pure emotion and truth. From his sweltering adaptation of the two star-crossed lovers "Romeo + Juliet," to the spectacular 1890s underworld of the "Moulin Rouge!," Luhrmann has reached impressive heights. When he's good, he's good, but there are the misfires. Take his oversaturated, lukewarm stamp on F. Scott Fitzgerald's American dream with "The Great Gatsby," for example. Minding the highs and lows, Luhrmann's signature voice is imbued with a love of music. Part of what makes his storytelling so invigorating is how certain songs are used to elevate a given moment. In the way a great song can transport you to places you've never been, he brings a similar sensation to the screen. In celebration of his upcoming release, "Elvis," premiering at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and starring Austin Butler in the title role, here are the top ten musical moments of Baz Luhrmann's filmography.

​By Danilo Castro ​

There's nobody like Sam Raimi. His films are kitschy and cool. They're hilarious and heartbreaking. They contain so much giddy energy that they infuse even the most cliched stories with the spirit of reinvention. Nobody can replicate Raimi's tone, and now, after nearly a decade away from the big screen, he's back with a new film: "Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness."

In yet another surprising career move, the filmmaker known for his eccentricity has linked up with the studio most accused of taking an assembly line approach to filmmaking. You can check out our full review of Raimi's latest here, but if you want to see where the Marvel sequel ranks in Raimi's storied career, then strap in and scroll down. It's going to be a wild ride, baby.

From worst to best, here's our definitive ranking of Sam Raimi's films.

By Danilo Castro ​

There's no one like Nicolas Cage. He's a singular presence on the big screen; so extreme and uninhibited that you can barely take your eyes off him. His good is great, and his bad is the stuff that memes are made of. He's also endured so many eras that there are different Cages to choose from. Do you prefer his quirky romantic films in the 1980s? His blockbuster run in the 1990s? What about his fascinating genre work in the early 2000s?

It's impossible to provide all the necessary context for an actor who seemingly tosses out the rulebook with each new release. Still, we here at Next Best Picture are going to do our best to boil down Cage's essence and display it through his ten best performances. Given the actor's meta turn in "The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent," there's truly no better time. Let's play "Low Rider," get focused, and get to work (with respect to the "Gone In 60 Seconds" fans, despite the film not making our list).

By Danilo Castro 
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Kenneth Branagh has been so successful in so many areas that it can sometimes be easy to take him for granted. He blasted off with his directorial debut, "Henry V" (1989), which earned him Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Best Director, and has continued to expand his resume with a mixture of refined dramas, commercial blockbusters, and acclaimed thrillers.

Incredibly, Branagh is having one of his best runs yet. His autobiographical drama, "Belfast" (2021), is nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, making him the first person in history to be nominated in seven different categories. His latest release, "Death on the Nile," is now in theaters, and the high-concept mystery, coupled with the star-studded cast, is the perfect example of Branagh's head-spinning range. Simply put, he can do it all.

In the hopes of giving Branagh his proper due, we've decided to come through his four decades of directing and determine which films best showcase his talents. Here's what we came up with:

By Nicole Ackman ​

This past year was a fantastic year for movies for me, and not just because I got to see so many of them in a cinema. While I also love streaming movies at home (and remain grateful to studios that are giving out streaming links in the name of safety), I rediscovered how much I love experiencing films with a community around me. I was so excited to be surprised by so many films this year that weren't on my radar or that I didn't think I would like and also happy that so many of my most-anticipated films turned out to be as great as I had hoped. So without further ado, here are my favorite movies from 2021 that I watched this past year when I wasn't rewatching "Crimson Peak" for the thousandth time. 

There are so many films I wish I could mention, but my runner-ups include (in alphabetical order): "CODA," "Encanto," "Free Guy," "Silent Night," and "Spencer."

By Dan Bayer 

What a strange year 2021 has been! From the bleak mid-winter confusion of "is this a 2020 film or a 2021 film?" to the reopening of theaters for the summer and on through the hazy near-return to 2020 that ended the year, it's been quite the trip around the sun. But through it all, the movies have been pretty damn good. Plenty of film festivals have kept their digital components, making ambitious smaller films available to a much wider audience than usual, and the films that went exclusively to theaters truly felt like they benefited from the big screen experience. Whether it was at home or in the cinema, I loved my time watching movies this year. They warmed my heart, filled my need for connection with others, and, even on rare occasions, lifted me out of depression. The films of 2021 served as a reminder of our shared humanity and how beautiful it can be when we come together and listen to our fellow human beings share our experiences with each other and walk a mile in others' shoes. They served as a reminder that even those of us stuck alone in our little boxes aren't alone because others are going through the same things we are. I have rarely felt more connected to the rest of the world than when watching these films in the past year.​

I had a deep affection for roughly my top fifty films (of one hundred seventy-three that I saw this year), and not getting to share my love for them here hurt a little. But I have to be true to what I feel in my soul, and while they didn't make my top ten, please also check out the rest of my top twenty: "The Harder They Fall," "The Matrix Resurrections," "Petite Maman," "I'm Your Man," "C'mon C'mon," "A Hero," "Flee," "The Lost Leonardo," "Ali & Ava," and "Language Lessons." I'd also like to give an extra special shout-out to two festival films that don't appear to have received a full release this year which would have made this top ten otherwise: the mystical, mysterious African thriller "Saloum" and the crystalline, Farhadi-esque social realist Turkish drama "Brother's Keeper." 

And now, without further ado…

By Cody Dericks 

2021 is the year we finally went back to the movies! Kind of! And while it remained a strange and challenging year that's sure to be noted with a huge asterisk in cinematic history, 2021 offered up a hearty array of brilliant films. Unlike 2020, one didn't have to look far and deep to find films that offered wild entertainment and profound examinations, often at the same time. There were plenty of movies I adored from 2021 that I'll surely look back on with affection, but these ten represent the best of the best.

By Casey Lee Clark 

2021 ended up being a terrific year for movies. There were a lot of great films debuting on streamers, and it marked a bit of a return to seeing movies on the big screen (albeit masked, vaxxed, and hopefully distanced). While we're already a month into 2022, in my opinion, if you don't live in New York or L.A., then you are allowed to take the first month of the new year to catch up on movies you missed or are just being released wide. Nevertheless, I am still waiting on the releases of some films that I will probably love and could've made this list, mainly "Cyrano," "Petite Maman," and "The Worst Person in the World." Additionally, due to the eligibility period of last year's Oscars, some 2021 films were disqualified from my list, most notably "Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar," a terrific and weird comedy that came out at the tail end of last year's Oscar eligibility but otherwise would've been close to making this list. I'm also not including perhaps the best piece of media I saw in 2021, "Bo Burnham: Inside," which I've consistently returned to and has stuck with me with both its humor and its profound relatability in regards to isolation and depression. I really loved a lot of films this year so narrowing it down to ten was a challenge, but I feel like I came up with a list that paints a complete picture of everything I love about movies. 

My honorable mentions (in alphabetical order) are: "Bergman Island," "C'mon C'mon," "The Humans," "The Last Duel," "Memoria," "The Souvenir Part II," "The Sparks Brothers," "The Velvet Underground," "West Side Story," and "Zola."

By Eve O'Dea 

Considering that at the tail end of 2020, I struggled to come up with at least ten films to put on my list of that year's favorites, 2021 was a cinematic gold mine. Filled with personal histories, fairy tales, epic odysseys, and poignant period pieces, 2021 in film brought audiences to places they'd never been before, creating an exciting foundation for the future of the medium. Compared to last year, I was able to watch a fair amount of films in brick-and-mortar theaters, which only amplified the enjoyment of my film-going experiences. In fact, it was a challenge to cram my list down to only ten titles, and still, there are countless films from 2021 I still have yet to see. Evidently, as a film lover, this is a great problem as I present my top films of 2021.

By Tom O'Brien 

2021...Well, we managed to get through it. If there's much that I'd like to forget about the year just past, the movies of 2021 are not among them. Think back...we were treated to a renaissance of new musicals, the latest films from cherished auteurs, a wide range of exciting work from around the world, and three Spider-Men. Of the 150 new movies I screened this past year, these ten have stayed with me the most, films that challenged my expectations, opened new worlds or were just plain fun. Please join me for one last walk down 2021's memory lane.

Runners up include (listed in alphabetical order): "C'mon, C'mon," "In the Heights," "Mass," "Old Henry," & "The Worst Person in the World."

By Daniel Howat 

After the disappointment of 2020, this new year brought us back to theaters in a big way. Major studio releases returned, as did scale and scope. Delayed releases resulted in a strong slate of films, and for me, a diverse end-of-year list where no two films are remotely alike. Going with the Academy's adjusted eligibility, even using just ten months of this year, it's a phenomenal list. I'm so delighted with these picks, and as always, it wasn't easy to narrow down to just ten films. "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," "Encanto," and "The Power of the Dog" just barely missed the cut.

But first, an ode to "Bo Burnham: Inside." Despite some viewing it as a TV special rather than a feature film, it's genuinely my favorite film of the year. There are certain precious moments when a piece of art is so astounding that even a first viewing bowls you over. Like when I first watched "La La Land," listened to "Hamilton," or saw the music video for Childish Gambino's "This is America," I immediately knew that "Inside" was something special. It was a realization that I was experiencing something that would stick with me for a very, very long time. It's a stunning work of art, both hilarious and deeply moving, that speaks to the state of our culture more effectively than anything I've ever seen. Through Burnham's exploration of his loneliness, he makes us feel less alone. Brilliant cinematography and editing (all from Burnham himself) bring to life the most creative songwriting in years. Deep empathy, breathtaking honesty, and a soul laid bare for the world to see, "Inside" is one of the best pieces of art I've seen in a decade, full stop. This list wouldn't be complete without giving the film its due.

And now, here are my Top Ten Films of 2021.​..

By Josh Parham 

Another year has come and gone, this one facing many of the same challenges like the one that preceded it. Yet, through the darkness, there has been some light. The experience of watching films in a theatrical setting returned for those who missed it, and intriguing cinematic exploits were once again aplenty. No matter where these films were seen, plenty of exceptional movies charmed, entertained, and enlightened. Even during the continuing anxieties of unprecedented events, returning to the cinema, in any format, was a welcomed reprieve. As the year closes, I present a selection of the films that resonated the most with me and defined another excellent year for the art form.
 
Here are the honorable mentions (in alphabetical order): "Flee," "Licorice Pizza," "The Power of the Dog," "Riders of Justice" & "Zola."

By Matt Neglia 

2021 was a year of transition. We started the year fully engulfed in awards season and still watching films at home digitally. And then, in the spring, theaters started to slowly re-open, and those who were vaccinated and not at risk went back to movie theaters and film festivals. As we head into 2022 with another potential shut-down on our hands, it's been cathartic to look back on the film year and realize how much I cherished both those at home and theater experiences. At the end of the day, the movies are the movies, and 2021 had so many it made whittling down the over 300 new movies I saw in 2021 down to ten pretty challenging. But I finally have my list, which is by no means perfect or should act as the definitive list for 2021, but it is mine, and I'm happy to share it with all of you. For the purposes of the list, I went by Academy Calendar, so anything from March 1st - December 31st 2021. I also shared my personal ballot for our NBP Film Awards (which we'll be holding as we get closer to the Oscars) on my Twitter account here. Without any further delay, please click below to see my top ten films of 2021.

Runners up include (listed in alphabetical order): "C'mon, C'mon," "Pig," "Riders Of Justice," "Summer Of Soul" & "The Worst Person In The World."

By Danilo Castro 
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Some filmmakers are technical masters, able to construct otherworldly settings through clever trickery and precision. Others are masterful at spinning complex narratives and staging elaborate action scenes for maximum suspense. Then there are the filmmakers who specialize in extracting excellent performances from their actors. The "actor's director," as they're sometimes known. Paul Thomas Anderson falls firmly into this camp.

Over the course of nine films, Anderson has helped to create some of the most towering performances in modern cinema. These performances range from sharp and comedic to layered and impossibly tragic, but they retain crucial, intoxicating humanity no matter the tone. There are no caricatures in Anderson's films, only people coping with the farce of life in their own farcical way. If that means joining a cult, starring in porn, or sucking on frozen bananas, then so be it.

Anderson's latest, "Licorice Pizza," is now playing in limited release (going wide tomorrow on Christmas), so we thought it timely to whittle down the performances in his films to the ten best. Given his penchant for working with the same people, though, we felt it best to spread the love and limit the entries to one per actor. Plus, for the purposes of this list, we're choosing to not include anyone from "Licorice Pizza," but if we did, Alana Haim would surely get a mention!

By Danilo Castro 

​Spider-Man has been the most cinematically saturated superhero of the 21st century. He's had three live-action franchises and an Oscar-winning animated blockbuster (with a sequel on the way). Even his villains, be they Venom or Morbius, are getting their own films. The fact that moviegoers haven't tired of the web slinger's antics is a testament to his lasting appeal. He is, with few challengers, the most beloved hero to come out of Marvel's legendary stable.

"Spider-Man: No Way Home" is now in theaters, and given that the film has been promoted as a nod to the franchises that came before, we thought it the perfect time to look back and rank each installment, from worst to best. Feel free to pull up a web, hang out, and discover where your favorite Spidey adventure winds up!

By Danilo Castro 

There's nobody quite like Edgar Wright. As a technician and a visual storyteller, Wright has cultivated a style resulting in some of the most irreverent and clever comedies of the millennium. He may be second to Quentin Tarantino in terms of cataloging obscure film references, but unlike Tarantino, he invites the audience to laugh at them and share in their inherent silliness.

There's more to Wright than satire, however. He's proven himself to be a master documentarian and a filmmaker who's constantly looking to up the ante in terms of form and aesthetic. "Last Night in Soho" is Wright's latest and most uncharacteristic release. Given the buzz surrounding it, we decided to pull out our collections and determine which Wright films we love most and which ones we'd consider chucking at heads of nearby zombies.

Here is Next Best Picture's ranking of Edgar Wright's films, from worst to best.​..

By Danilo Castro 

Happy Halloween weekend from Next Best Picture!

The movie remake is a thankless undertaking. There are so many elements working against it, not only in terms of artistry but in the viewer's expectations, that it can often fall apart before it even has a chance to find its own identity. A special talent comes into play when mounting a successful remake, and while there haven't been many to speak of overall, there have been standout examples within the horror genre.

Horror remakes experienced a boom in the 1980s when filmmakers discovered a way to combine the premises of 1950s B-movies with the craft and sophistication these earlier movies weren't afforded. Suddenly a camp yarn about a scientist and a fly became a Kafkaesque tragedy, and a thriller about a snowbound alien became an allegory for disease. Since then, the horror genre has served as an oasis for artists who want to pinpoint a fresh thread within a familiar story. Let's take a look at the ten horror movie remakes we think are the best the genre has to offer.

By Danilo Castro 

Ridley Scott has had an idiosyncratic career, to say the least. In terms of work ethic and range, he's a throwback to the directors of classic Hollywood. Few people could muster the energy to release two massive dramas ("The Last Duel" and "House of Gucci") in one year, let alone do so at the age of 83. Of course, Scott is anything but old-fashioned when it comes to artistry. The director has repeatedly broken down genre barriers and shown what could be possible when one is unafraid to play with form and aesthetics. Film noir, science fiction, horror, and historical epics have all been filtered through Scott's exacting lens and been all the better for it.

Scott's prolific output has resulted in a fair share of duds ("1492: Conquest of Paradise" & "A Good Year" among them), but we wanted to focus on the instances in which he put it all together. So, with "The Last Duel" galloping into theaters, we decided to take our swords and carve out a list of the ten best Ridley Scott films. Admittedly, I have not seen "The Last Duel" yet, so this list of ten will not contain his latest effort.

By Cody Dericks 

​There's a chill in the air, the leaves are drifting from their wooden homes, and candy is on sale and prominently displayed at every grocery store. It's finally the seasonally appropriate time to watch the "Halloween" series. This is unquestionably my favorite scary movie franchise, and it's certainly been a roller coaster trying to keep up with it over the years. Even in a reboot and remake-heavy genre like horror, this series has chopped up and remixed its own mythology a frightening number of times. In honor of the release of "Halloween Kills," let's look at the many entries in this storied film series and see how they rank against each other.

By Cody Dericks 
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The James Bond film series revolves around traditions - the gun barrel opening, the fancy cars, the one-and-done leading actresses, the martinis, and, most notably, the theme songs. Listening to all of the Bond songs in order is a great way to chart the course of popular music over the last half-century. And while they reflect trends from the time of their release, Bond songs still maintain a specific, classic sound in one way or another that links them all together. Just in time for the latest 007 adventure, "No Time to Die," let's take a look at the astounding number of theme tunes this series has given us and see how they stack up against each other.

By Dan Bayer 
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With fewer big premieres than in the past and most "big" titles unavailable for press and industry to view digitally, the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival feels like the black sheep of the fall festival season. However, that doesn't mean that the lineup is void of interesting and eye-catching titles. As always, TIFF is pushing boundaries when it comes to diversity behind the camera, with over 50 feature films directed by women and even more from ethnic minorities. The lineup includes some holdovers from Cannes and some that will come to the festival from Venice or Telluride. But for this list, we're focusing on those titles that will be making their world premiere in Toronto, where I will be bringing you coverage from the ground. Come get excited with me!

By Zach Gilbert 

Although theaters are still struggling to recover from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, that hasn't stopped several high-profile releases from premiering this summer, from sequels in fan-favorite franchises ("F9," and "Black Widow") to heralded horror hits ("A Quiet Place Part II," and "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It") to fun family fare ("Cruella" and "Jungle Cruise") and everything in between. However, with so much attention on "the return of big-budget blockbusters," several smaller indies seem to have fallen through the cracks, unable to match the overwhelming attention these larger-scale titles generate. As the summer movie season comes to a close and we head into a bit of a "waiting period" before the next wave of franchise flicks arrive, there's no better time to revisit the critically acclaimed releases that don't have the advantage of the mighty marketing campaigns major studios can afford. Below, we've outlined ten films that fit that bill perfectly, representing an array of genres and shining a light on stories commonly swept aside.

By Cameron Lee 

​The fall festival season starts today with Venice, and with it comes many musical scores that will likely be nominated for the big awards come early next year. But there are plenty of film scores already out that deserve to be considered and will most likely be forgotten in favor of more heavyweight contenders coming out during peak awards season. Hopefully, this article will serve as a reminder to any voter or critic not to forget about these fantastic film scores as we go through awards season.