New Orleans Film Festival screens early Oscar hopefuls

Every so often a film comes along that captures the unflinching humanity of its characters. Following in the tradition of "Boyhood," and "Blue is the Warmest Color," Sean Baker's "The Florida Project," is a masterpiece of human emotion. Its success rests largely on the shoulders of its 7-year-old star, Brooklynn Prince. Shouting, skipping, eating ice cream and tormenting adults throughout the film...

As if it were lifted right from the mind of William Faulkner, "Mudbound" is a Southern saga of Americans dealing with the nuanced drama of racism and poverty in rural Mississippi. Director Dee Rees is a force to be reckoned with, nearly worthy of Faulkner's legacy. Rees, with the help of an excellent ensemble cast, paints an unflinching portrait of a Southern family. Henry McAllan and his wife Laura mo...

Gary Oldman performs a stunning magic trick in "Darkest Hour," disappearing entirely into the role of Winston Churchill. There's no point in holding an Oscar ceremony this year. The Academy already gave all the awards to Oldman. "Darkest Hour" tells the story of Churchill's appointment as Britain's prime minister while Hitler's shadow begins to fall over Europe. With Hitler's chokehold over England...

“Call Me By Your Name” is a stunningly gorgeous exploration of romance and sexuality. The sophisticated coming-of-age story set in suburban Italy follows a 17-year-old Italian teenager and a 24-year-old American who gravitate toward each other. The two men embark on a summer romance that is tender and powerfully resonant. In a breakout role, Timothee Chalamet, a Fiorello H. LaGuardia High Sc...