Eric Lavallée

A top 2010 Blacklist script (ranked right after Stoker and Margin Call) that Clooney's politically inclined prod label Smoke House backed, after years of paycheck roles on action films and displaying his double duty skill-set on The Town, Ben Affleck is poised to deliver a career best here with a story that was especially gripping on paper and being accompanied by Rodrigo Prieto taking care of the Cinematography, one shouldn't be surprised if we mention this during award season.

The notion of sequels are made more magical whenever Julie Delpy is involved. Her writing and character development in Linklater's Before Sunrise/Sunset makes us especially hopeful for her 2 Days transatlantic gigs. We expect nutty cast of characters and a nuttier premise this time out.

In just two quick strokes, French Canadian helmer Xavier Dolan has canonized himself as one of the international film circuit's best nouveau gifts, but yet his third feature, his most difficult and perhaps least accessible (in terms of subject matter) film might be the item that allows him to do away from the wunderkid label. Landing grade A leads from France (Nathalie Baye and Melvil Poupaud) and subtracting himself from the front of the cameras will help draw more attention to both the film's aesthetic (which Dolan excels in) but the core attributes of the narrative as well.

Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini have had a spotty track record (The Nanny Diaries and The Extra Man) since they first won over audiences with the creatively ambitious American Splendor, but they've managed to stay committed to the indie comedy sphere and with the brilliant Kristen Wiig toplining, we think this might just pay huge dividends.

Miffed that this didn't crack the Park City line-up, The Exploding Girl helmer Bradley Rust Gray had the internets abuzz for the right reasons: a teen lesbian werewolf premise and all female cast lead by Jena Malone, Juno Temple, Kylie Minogue and rising starlet, Riley Keough. But there is more to expect out of this and for Magnolia to swoop in and pick up the rights early suggests we might be talking favorable about this indie film late next year.