Save the Date: "Citizenfour" to Premiere on HBO Day After Oscars Ceremony

It is the documentary everyone has been raving about. For the most part, it has quickly become one of the quintessential modern documentaries alongside titles like The Act of Killing. However, for all the good that hearing about it does, most people don't have the advantage of seeing director Lauren Poitras' Citizenfour due to limited resources. For those who are interested in seeing the likely Oscar nominee that has already swept up plenty of Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA nominations, there's some good news. You won't be able to see it in time for the Oscars ceremony, but you'll be able to see it very, very soon.

A Look at the 20 Finalists in the Best Documentary Running

As we get closer and closer to the final Oscar nominations next month, the lists dwindle down to the most likely targets. In the case of Best Documentary, the list has shrunk impressively from its initial 134 selections. Now sitting at a meager 20, we are getting a better look at what will likely make the cut. For those that have been wondering, there's a lot of familiar faces still among them and a few snubs as well.

A Look at the 134 Best Documentary Eligible Nominees

Alejandro Jodorowsky in Jodorowsky's Dune

With the recent announcement of the Best Foreign Film nominees, it seems like the Academy isn't taking its time to get any and all information out regarding potential nominees. Up next is the field that is clogged with potential and a lot of familiar names: Best Documentary. The list of nominees were released and an impressive 134 entries are eligible for the top honor. But what will make the cut? Read on to see what all of the nominees are and my brief thoughts on the films that I have seen and the few that look to be runaway stars.

"Boyhood" and "Birdman" Lead This Year's Gotham Awards Nominations

Left to right: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Lorelai Linklater in Boyhood

Today marked the release of the nominees for the Gotham Independent Film Awards. Much like The Spirit Awards, it sets out to recognize the big talents in independent cinema with awards honoring acting, directing, and breakout achievements. One of the noteworthy reasons that I bring it up is that many of them have already been praised here on The Oscar Buzz. While there's a chance that a few may not make it further into the race, it is a welcomed sign to see so many great films making it in a very impressive year for film. The following is a look at the nominees as well as varying thoughts on the selections as well as back links to various articles.

A Hypothetical Look at Potential Oscar Nominees in Films Already Out

It seems a little early to announce who the finalists are for next year's Oscars. However, there is only hope to be made that we have already seen some nominees release quality films. With Oscar season looming on the horizon, I have decided to do a hypothetical look at films that I have seen and feel stand some chance of getting into next year's Oscar race. Please don't consider this a complete compendium, as some categories are missing from this analysis. The follow is a list of already standout selections that I feel stand some chance in holding their own weight as we get further and further into the heart of my favorite time of year.

Review: "Life Itself" is a Wondrous Origin Story of Film's Most Powerful Thumb

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was a titan in film criticism. Along with winning the Pulitzer Prize, his long and storied career has come to be the iconic portrayal of a film critic. More-so than his contemporaries including Andrew Sarris, Pauline Kael, or even Gene Siskel, he made the art of film discussion accessible in ways that are most likely formative to every film fan with a blog to this day (myself included). It wasn't just the words that he wrote, but the passion and sincerity that he brought to his work that made him so tangible. In director Steve James' documentary Life Itself, based off of Ebert's self-penned biography, the writer's life is explored in great detail with help from Ebert as well as family, friends, and even a few celebrities. The results are a loving tribute not just to one of film's most recognized fans, but to the power of optimism and using your influence to better other people's lives.

Will "Life Itself" Get the Ode to Ebert into the Best Documentary Race?

Roger Ebert

When it comes to film criticism, who is the one name that most people think of? Not just you, but your grandmother or anyone who will likely never see an Akira Kurosawa film. Who is the name that is so trustworthy that their opinion embodies a greater meaning more than the film itself? In the history of film, no name has been more deserving and synonymous with this as Roger Ebert. For several decades, he was the premiere critic not only with his iconic At the Movies show, but his reviews in the Chicago Tribune. Love him or hate him, he is an important figure that has been there for over half of cinema's very existence. With all of this said, is it possible, even remotely that director Steve James' Life Itself will stand any chance at getting this ode to a legend an Oscar?