Visceral and visually striking, Ralph Fiennes' Coriolanus proves Shakespeare can still be both electrifying and relevant in a modern context.

Director:

Ralph Fiennes

Starring:

Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Brian Cox

Daniel Day-Lewis characteristically delivers in this witty, dignified portrait that immerses the audience in its world and entertains even as it informs.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Starring:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn

Smart and solidly engrossing, The Master extends Paul Thomas Anderson's winning streak of challenging films for serious audiences.

Director:

Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring:

Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams

Beasts of the Southern Wild is a fantastical, emotionally powerful journey and a strong case of filmmaking that values imagination over money.

Director:

Benh Zeitlin

Starring:

Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry, Lowell Landes

End of Watch has the energy, devotion to characters, and charismatic performances to overcome the familiar pitfalls of its genre and handheld format.

Director:

David Ayer

Starring:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick