Eric Lavallée

Expecting this docu essay to be reminiscent of such canvases as Koyaanisqatsi, Microcosmos, Powaqqatsi and Baraka, we expect this to not only reveal some of the larger in scope ideas Malick has been toying with for Tree of Life, and we'll be pleasantly surprised if Voyage comes across as more than just a companion piece. Employing several formats (including IMAX) this features the work from renowned natural history photographer Peter Parks and "Planet Earth" cinematographer Paul Atkins. Plus we've taken a liking to Pitt's narration voice in PBS' e² series.

Unlike the folks at the Academy, Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days hit us like a ton of bricks and 2009's barely noticed Tales from the Golden Age was a welcome side project (five Romania filmmakers contributed). Mungiu's third feature film (his debut was 2002's Occident) should be up our alley.

For film snobs such as myself, you'd need a really valid reason to want to see a film with Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey toplining. Arkansas born Jeff Nichols is that reason. From the day in 2007 where I decided to pull out Shotgun Stories from my pile of screeners to the blissful satisfaction I received approximately one year ago when taking in Take Shelter on premiere night in Park City, in just two feature films, this gifted auteur has proven his worth as one of the most talented filmmaking voices in American Independent cinema. Worth noting: Michael Shannon is in this film too.

Coens' working on a musical biopic? We're in. In the mean time, we'll be checking out van Ronk's career (listen here) and watching companion film, I'm Not There.

Yet another QT signed revenge coming to us with the usual bells and whistles: scenes with instant re-watch value, classic characters (Waltz has the funnest character of them all), well-written spoken dialogue, an homage riddled score and a casting job that will pay out in spades. Should be a blast - but will this top Basterds or the Kill Bills?