Frances Ha
written by: Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
directed by: Noah Baumbach
starring: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver
–a dazzler about creativity, dreams and reality.

Ginger & Rosa
written and directed by: Sally Potter
starring: Elle Fanning, Alice Englert, Annette Bening, Alessandro Nivola, Christina Hendrick
–stunning film about being a teenager during the Cuban Missile Crisis in England. it’s about friendships, parents and finding one’s place in the world.

The Place Beyond the Pines
written by: Derek Cianfrance, Ben Coccio
directed by: Derek Cianfrance
starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes
–this film made me cry. fathers and sons. heartbreaking.

Before Midnight
written by: Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke
directed by: Richard Linklater
starring: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke
–Celine and Jesse return nine years later, this time they’re vacationing in Greece and question their relationship. superb dialogue and chemistry.

12 Years a Slave
written by: John Ridley
directed by: Steve McQueen
starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael K. Williams, Michael Fassbender, Adepero Oduye, Alfre Woodard
–important story about one man’s experience as a free black man sold into slavery in the South. it’s heart-wrenching and powerful.

All is Lost
written and directed by: J.C. Chandor
starring: Robert Redford
–whether you like sailing or not this is an intense film and Robert Redford’s amazing.

Enough Said
written and directed by: Nicole Holofcener
starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener
–sweet, smart, honest. a delight.

Dallas Buyers Club
written by: Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack
directed by: Jean-Marc Vallée
starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto
–based on a remarkable true story, this should get your fired about against the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA as well as angered over the thousands who died unnecessarily in the 80s from HIV/AIDs.

Fruitvale Station
written and directed by: Ryan Coogler
starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer
–another film based on a true story shows active racism among law enforcement and its devastating impact on a young man’s life and that of those who love him.

Drinking Buddies
written and directed by: Joe Swanberg
starring: Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston
–men and women CAN be friends. brilliant script.

The East
written by: Zal Batmanglij, Brit Marling
directed by: Zal Batmanglij
starring: Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgård, Ellen Page, Patricia Clarkson
–truly creepy and mesmerizing film about a cultish, violent activist group and the FBI agent who infiltrates it.

Spring Breakers
written and directed by: Harmony Korine
starring: James Franco, Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson
–excess. mayhem. heart-pounding.

August: Osage County
written by: Tracy Letts
directed by: John Wells
starring: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Julianne Nicholson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ewan McGregor, Dermot Mulroney, Abigail Breslin
–amazing cast, brilliant script. poignant, dark, literary.

What Maisie Knew
written by: Nancy Doyne, Carroll Cartwright
directed by: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
starring: Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård, Steve Coogan, Onata Aprile
–best film about divorce since Kramer vs. Kramer.

The Bling Ring
written by: Sofia Coppola, Nancy Jo Sales
directed by: Sofia Coppola
starring: Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga
–love the visuals and flash. Sofia Coppola’s one of my favorite filmmakers. She’s got such an interesting eye.

Inside Llewyn Davis
written and directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake
–melancholy and lovely.

Much Ado About Nothing
written and directed by: Joss Whedon
starring: Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Fran Kranz, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Ashley Johnson
–one of the best modern Shakespeare adaptations ever.

Girl Most Likely
written by: Michelle Morgan
directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
starring: Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, Matt Dillon
–sharp and funny. Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening both brilliant.

Blue Jasmine
written and directed by: Woody Allen
starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard, Sally Hawkins
–darkly poignant.

In a World
written and directed by: Lake Bell
starring: Lake Bell, Jeff Garlin, Demetri Martin, Alexandra Holden, Rob Corddry
–explores women voice-over artists. strong and charming.