It's hard to believe that we are at the start of another year, but 2016 looks set to be a right treat if you are a fan of independent film - there are a whole host of great movies heading our way and I am already excited about what is on the horizon.
The 33
January looks like it is going to kick the indie film year off in style as there are some unmissable movies on the schedule over the next few weeks. We take a look at some of the films that we are looking forward to and the ones that you cannot miss.
- The Danish Girl - out now
The Danish Girl is a movie that I have been looking forward to ever since I saw the first image of Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of sex reassignment surgery.
Redmayne's central performance is already whipping up a storm and he looks on course to pick up his second consecutive Best Actor Oscar nomination; he has already picked up nods at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
The movie sees Redmayne team up with Alicia Vikander, who is one of the most exciting young actresses around - don't be surprised to see her picking up more award nominations - as she takes on the role of Lili's wife Gerda. 2015 was a great year for Vikander and the next twelve months looks set to send her star rocketing even further.
The Danish Girl marks the return of Tom Hooper to the director's chair as he reunites with Redmayne. This is the fifth feature film of Hooper's career and comes after success with the likes of The King's Speech and Les Misérables.
The Danish Girl is the remarkable love story inspired by the lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (Redmayne and Vikander). Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's ground-breaking journey as a transgender pioneer.
The Danish Girl is a powerful and emotional watch with two terrific performances at its core. It really isn't to be missed.
- Sleeping With Other People - out now
Leslye Headland is one of the female filmmakers to watch out for in 2016 as she returns to the director's chair with her new film Sleeping With Other People.
This is the second feature of Headland and comes four years after she made her debut with Bachelorette. As well as being in the director's chair, Headland has also penned the screenplay for the new comedy film.
Sleeping With Other People is the first film outing for funnyman Jason Sudeikis as he is set to take on the central role of Jake. He is joined on the cast list by Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Jason Mantzoukas, Amanda Peet, and Natasha Lyonne are just some of the names that are on board.
Jake (Sudeikis) and Lainey (Brie) lose their virginity to each other in college. When their paths cross twelve years later in New York City, they realise they both have become serial cheaters.
Bonding over their chronic commitment issues, they form a platonic friendship to support each other in their quests for healthy romantic relationships.
At times, Sleeping With Other People perhaps tries a little too hard to stun audiences with this raunchiness but there are some great moments with likeable leads.
- Room - released 15th January
Room is a movie that has been winning over audiences and critics in the U.S. and we are finally going to see what all of the fuss is about - I have to say, I'm really looking forward to this one.
Room is a big screen adaptation of the novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue - the author herself has taken her own book and adapted it into a screenplay. We last saw Lenny Abrahamson in the director's chair with Frank, but Room will mark his return - it looks set to be the movie that really puts him on the map.
While Brie Larson is no stranger to the big screen, her performance as Ma in Room looks set to be her big breakthrough role. Jacob Tremblay will play her young son Jack, while Sean Bridgers, Joan Allen, and William H. Macy are just some of the other names on board.
Room was nominated for three Golden Globes - Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Actress - Drama, and Best Screenplay. Larson and Tremblay's performances were also recognised at the SAGs with Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor nominations.
Room really is set to be the dark horse on the awards circuit this year and I expect to be a major presence when the Oscar nominations are announced later this month.
Room is a riveting emotional journey about the power of love, limitless imagination and the strength of the human spirit, Room is an unparalleled celebration of the bond between parent and child.
Ma has created a whole universe in 'Room' for 5-year-old Jack, where they have both lived for Jack's whole life. But when Ma decides they have to escape, she risks everything to give Jack the chance to make a thrilling discovery.
- The 33 - released 29th January
The 33 is one of the biopic movies to watch out for this month as Antonio Banderas returns to the big screen. The movie is based the real-life event, when a mine collapsed trapping thirty-three miners underground for sixty-nine days.
The world sat and watched the plight of the miners and the family and then... we saw them rescued one by one in what was one of the most memorable events of 2010 that captivated everyone.
The 33 sees Patricia Riggen back in the director's chair for the third feature film of her career - it comes after Under the Same Moon and Girl in Progress.
Banderas will take on the central role of Mario Sepúlveda and is joined on the cast list by Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mario Casas, Juan Pablo Raba, Kate del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, and Gabriel Byrne.
The 33 boasts one of the most impressive cast lists of early 2016 and I cannot wait for this incredibly true story of survival and the human spirit play out on the big screen. I know that we know how the story ends, put it promising to be a great watch.
- Youth - released 29th January
I am a huge fan of Michael Caine and he is set to return this January with his latest film Youth, which sees him team up with writer and director Paolo Sorrentino.
Sorrentino has brought us films such as The Great Beauty and This Must Be the Place and I am delighted to see him back in the director's chair. The director has assembled a wonderful cast list as Caine is joined by Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, and Jane Fonda.
Springtime. Fred (Caine) and Mick (Keitel), two old friends now approaching eighty, are on vacation together in an elegant hotel at the foot of the Alps. Fred, a composer and conductor, is now retired. Mick, a film director, is still working. The two friends know that their time is quickly running out, and they decide to face their future together. They look with curiosity and tenderness on their children's confused lives, Mick's enthusiastic young writers, and the other hotel guests, all of whom, it seems, have all the time that they lack.
And while Mick scrambles to finish the screenplay for what he imagines will be his last important film, Fred, who gave up his musical career long ago, has no intention of returning to it. But someone wants at all costs to hear his compositions and to see him conduct again.
Youth has been playing well on the festival circuit and picked up two Golden Globes back in December - including a Best Supporting Actress nod for Fonda.
