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The New York Choral Society chorus member Craig Schoenbaum with music producer and 99 Records founder Ed Bahlman on Richard Einhorn’s oratorio Voices of Light and Carl Theodor Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc: “It’s intense.”

Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 silent film La Passion De Jeanne d'Arc, shot by Rudolph Maté and starring Renée Falconetti with Eugène Silvai, André Berley, Maurice Schutz, Antonin Artaud, Michel Simon, Jean d’Yd, and Louis Ravet is a cinematic masterpiece, based on transcripts of Joan of Arc’s actual trial. With a fascinating history of lost prints and numerous edits, the film still speaks to us about faith, calling, and the divine, as they clash with deception, corruption, and power.

Craig Schoenbaum with Ed Bahlman and Anne-Katrin Titze on Music Director and Conductor David Hayes: “You want to be prepared, you want to go there prepared when you're doing it with this guy.

These are some of the most notable religious movies that have been released over the years, each offering a unique perspective on faith and belief: Ben-Hur by William Wyler told the story of a betrayed Jewish prince sent into slavery in 1st century Jerusalem In The Last Temptation Of Christ, Martin Scorsese explored spiritual conflict through the story of Jesus.

Filmmaking and spirituality have gone together since the birth of cinema, and over the years, some truly awe-inspiring Christian movies have been released. From retellings of biblical stories to more modern narratives that were imbued with Christian ideology, films have long been a place where actors, directors, and writers have examined probing theological questions that got right to the heart of why faith and belief have been so instrumental in the lives of countless people. These releases acted as celebrations and investigations into theology, as the medium became a vessel for artists' spiritual yearnings.

Of all the legendary early horror films Carl Theodor Dreyer’s vampire nightmare was once the most difficult to appreciate — until Criterion’s restoration of a mostly intact, un-mutilated full cut. Dreyer creates his fantasy according to his own rules — this pallid, claustrophobic horror is closer to Ordet than it is Dracula or Nosferatu.

Vampyr

Blu-ray

The Criterion Collection 437

1932 / Color / 1:19 Movietone Ap. / 73 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date October 3, 2017 / 39.95

Starring: Julian West (Baron Nicolas De Gunzberg), Maurice Schutz, Rena Mandel, Sybille Schmitz, Jan Hieronimko, Henriette Gérard.

Cinematography: Rudolph Maté

Art Direction: Hermann Warm

Film Editor: Tonka Taldy

Original Music: Wolfgang Zeller

Written by Carl Theodor Dreyer, Christen Jul from In a Glass Darkly by Sheridan Le Fanu

Produced by Carl Theodor Dreyer, Julian West

Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer

Carl Theodor Dreyer’s Vampyr is a tough row to hoe for horror fans, many of whom just...

Say what you will about AMPAS, the Academy Award nomination process, or the lack of minority representation in the acting categories, but when it comes to the branch that selects the Best Animated Feature and Best Animated Short Film nominees, one has to agree they are by far the group that is most willing to look outside what studios are producing and truly champion the quality of the craft ignoring lavish campaigns for true artistry.

Read More: 6 International and Independent 2D-Animated Features in the Oscar Race

This year, while most experts and pundits had their predictions fixated on films such as “The Peanuts Movie, “a well-liked homage to Schultz’ characters, or Pixar’s less prodigious candidate “The Good Dinosaur,” members of the animation committee seemed to ignore the speculation and in a highly unexpected move bestowed the coveted recognition on two five films that reflect the eclectic and broad spectrum of the medium. Curiously enough, the popular choice, “Inside Out,” is in the outlier here, because it’s the only CG film nominated in the category. The other four finalists are handcrafted projects created outside the box-office smashing and toy-selling strategies of large corporations.

One is a stop-motion romance aimed at mature audiences; there is also a critically acclaimed Aardman Studios production inspired by one of its most beloved characters, and two are hand-drawn international features prompted to this level of exposure solely by their undeniable craftsmanship and compelling visual storytelling. These last two candidates couldn’t be more different in stylistic approach and cultural intricacies; however, the fact that they both belong to New York-based independent distributor Gkids’ catalog, places them within an elite collection of animated gems known for their unconventional excellence.

Read More: Review: Why Alê Abreu's Sublime 'Boy and the World' is the Best Animated Film of the Year

On January 14th as the as the nominees in the Best Animated Feature category at the 88th Academy Award were revealed, the most shocking appearance, at least for those not familiar with the title, was that of a completely independent and visionary work from Brazil. Alê Abreu‘s mesmerizing musical extravaganza “Boy and the World” has been profoundly adored by those who have given a chance from the very beginning, but that doesn’t always translate into the mass appreciation - much less into Oscar love. Its nomination represents a triumph for uncompromising artists and in particular for Latin American animation. “Boy and the World” is the region’s first nominee and undoubtedly the most achieved animated project ever produced there.

Abreu’s film is utterly unforgettable and can’t fully be compared to anything previously done in the medium. Such colorful singularity and its endearingly transcendent messages certainly stroke a chord with voters. Nostalgic childhood memories, social justice concerns, artistic rebellion against oppression, and a myriad of other poignant ideas expressed nonverbally with multiple dynamic techniques and a vivid score resonated far beyond the reach of cocktail parties. “Boy and the World” is animation in its purest, most inspired and most heartfelt form. Is art directly from the artist hand, and that’s invaluable.

Read More: How "Boy and the World" Director Alê Abreu Handcrafted His Heartfelt & Dazzling Animated Masterpiece

Moved by the unexpected nomination director Alê Abreu said, “I am so honored and happy to have our film recognized by the Academy, I have no words. Thank you! It was a great year for animation around the globe, and the Academy's continued recognition of our work will continue to inspire."

That morning, as Guillermo Del Toro read the names of the chosen films, another Gkids nominee was announced to most people’s disbelief. Ghibli is no stranger the Oscar race, but their latest and, for the time being, final film from the legendary Japanese studio, “When Marnie Was There,” opened back in May and seemed to have lost traction as larger productions appeared to dominate not only the box-office but also the collective consciousness of what films would be recognized by the Academy. But one should never ignore Ghibli’s magical way to connect emotionally with audiences and the painstaking effort that takes to create such beautifully drawn treasures. The inclusion of Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s touching coming-of-age story based on a British novel by the same name, rounds up one of the strongest and most distinct group of nominees to have competed for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award.

Ead More: Review: Wondrous 'When Marnie Was There' is One of Ghibli's Most Profoundly Moving Works

Humbled and grateful for the mention Yonebayashi noted, "I am delighted and honored that 'When Marnie Was There' has been selected by the Academy as a nominee for 'Best Animated Film' of 2015. The selection of the film truly is a tribute to the entire production staff of the film, to whom I express my sincere appreciation. I will continue to endeavor to make films that will be seen and enjoyed by many people. Thank you very much for this honor."

Since 2010 when it earned its first nomination for Tomm Moore’s “The Secret of Kells,” Gkids has collected a total of eight nominations making it a powerhouse in the category - one that pundits should stop underestimating. Gkids’ first double nomination came in 2012 with two very different offers, the moody, Hitchcockian “A Cat in Paris” and the Cuba-set Spanish production “Chico & Rita,“ which is one of the few adult-oriented animated features to have ever been nominated. With the adorable and delicately executed “Ernest & Celestine” Gkids earned its 4th nomination in 2014.

Read More: Why 'Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet' is a Cinematic Out-Of-Body Experience Brimming with Animated Wisdom

Last year’s frontrunner “The Lego Movie” was shut out, and while one can argue that the movie deserved to be included among that year’s achievements in the medium, when compared to what Moore and Isao Takahata did in their respective hand-drawn masterpieces “Song of the Sea” and the “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” it’s simply evident that the best films did in fact make the nominees list. the Princess Kaguya,” it’s simply evident that the best films did in fact make the nominees list. What’s unacceptable, however, is that a company with such a marvelous track record as Gkids is often only considered to be a contender at the nominations stage and has not won the award with any of their superb offers. Once winners reflect the diversity of the nominees in the category then there will finally be a level playing field.

Unfortunately, it’s true that when compared based on their domestic financial success Gkids films are miles away from reaching the large audiences that Pixar and DreamWorks do. Such fact is certainly not based on the achievements of their filmmakers, but on the system with few spaces for alternative options. What the Oscar nominations can do for films like "Boy and the World" and "When Marnie Was There" is to encourage those unaware of their existence to seek them out and allow themselves an experience that could not be provided under the pressures of a studio. At the same time, it proves that, occasionally and as it should be, making a fantastic film is enough to break through.

Read More: Carlos Aguilar's Best Films of 2015 (A Very Personal List)

For 2016, the independent company already has at least two films lined up to amuse their devout following and hopefully expose new audiences to the joys of animation from a global perspective. With French features “April and the Extraordinary World” and “Phantom Boy,” and the first-ever U.S. theatrical release of Takahata’s “Only Yesterday” Gkids will remain at the forefront of what global animation can be outside the multiplex.

Top 100 horror movies of all time: Chicago Film Critics' choices (photo: Sigourney Weaver and Alien creature show us that life is less horrific if you don't hold grudges) See previous post: A look at the Chicago Film Critics Association's Scariest Movies Ever Made. Below is the list of the Chicago Film Critics's Top 100 Horror Movies of All Time, including their directors and key cast members. Note: this list was first published in October 2006. (See also: Fay Wray, Lee Patrick, and Mary Philbin among the "Top Ten Scream Queens.") 1. Psycho (1960) Alfred Hitchcock; with Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam. 2. The Exorcist (1973) William Friedkin; with Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Jason Miller, Max von Sydow (and the voice of Mercedes McCambridge). 3. Halloween (1978) John Carpenter; with Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Tony Moran. 4. Alien (1979) Ridley Scott; with Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt. 5. Night of the Living Dead (1968) George A. Romero; with Marilyn Eastman,...

MSNBC's Ed Schultz cursed out a caller on his syndicated radio show, calling the man a “fricking a–hole” and telling him to “get the f— out of here.” Ouch! The foul-mouthed rant happened last week on the “Ed Schultz Radio Show.” But it didn't make it onto anyone's radar until conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham played the clip on her show Monday. Also read: Laura Ingraham Accepts Ed Schultz's Apology, Invites Him Back to Conservatism The call in question got off to a rocky start when the man shouted at Schultz,”This is fascism!” and “Stop capitulating to the people who created.

Everything deemed 'wrong' with the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained has been compiled into one video.

The latest in the CinemaSins series nitpicks the award-winning movie in a light-hearted manner, keeping count of the number of flaws in the upper-left corner.

(Warning: Contains spoilers)

Among many things, the video criticises Django's Austin Powers-inspired dress sense, Schultz's refusal to shake Candie's hand and Tarantino's cameo and accent.

The team recently tore apart both Iron Man and Iron Man 2, coinciding with the release of the third instalment of the superhero franchise.

Previously, Transformers, Skyfall, Les Misérables and The Hobbit have been subjected to the CinemaSins treatment.

Evidently Justin Bieber has gotten himself a pet monkey, which was seized at the border in Germany because he didn't have the proper papers. Sgt. Schultz was the border agent.

Fred Lutner, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention, says that North Korea is threatening war with the United States because of marriage equality. “I would not be surprised that at the time when we are debating same-sex marriage, at a time when we are debating whether or not we should have gays leading the Boy Scout movement, I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that we have a mad man in Asia who is saying some of the things that he’s saying."

GI Joe: Retaliation is set to win the weekend box office with $40 million, with The Croods taking second for $27 million, and Temptations: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor taking third for $22 million.

Speaking of numbers,...

The Weinstein Company has unveiled the first clip from director Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. This scene takes us inside the Candyland ranch of Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), with a contentious conversation between Candie and Django (Jamie Foxx). Quentin Tarantino's unmistakable flair for dialogue is most certainly on display in this scene, which also features Christoph Waltz as Dr. King Schultz.

Django Unchained - What's Your Name Boy?

Django Unchained comes to theaters December 25th, 2012 and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Christoph Waltz, Amber Tamblyn, Zoe Bell. The film is directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Since Mondays are just the worst, we here at Zap2it have decided to give your week a much-needed wake-up call with 10 TV teasers -- just to remind you that when the work day is over, your DVR waits to welcome you home.

For this week's Monday Kickstart, we've got scoop on the season premieres of "CSI: NY" and "Blue Bloods," plus some hints at the "Fringe" future and a new "Vampire Diaries" teacher in town. (R.I.P. Alaric.)

"The Vampire Diaries": This season, the Mystic Falls gang will graduate from high school. In order to smooth the transition, viewers are going to start spending some time at the local university early in the season -- remember, the unnamed school that Jenna attended while writing her thesis? Expect to meet a new recurring character, Professor Shane, who knows a thing or two about the paranormal. We're hearing that initially,...

On Saturday afternoon in Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center, Quentin Tarantino and the cast of the (admittedly, pretty terrific looking) "Django Unchained" presented an eight-minute sizzle reel of footage to a quite enthusiastic Comic-Con crowd. You know what? Let's just get to it: Here are the eight most badass things we saw at the "Django Unchained" Comic-Con panel.

Boy, that sizzle reel will awaken a very tired human being.

We'll get to the details of the sizzle real, but, as someone who has had very little sleep over the last fews day while covering Comic-Con, I left that panel with a burst of adrenaline. Good lord, whether you're a fan of Quentin Tarantino or not ... the man knows how to cut a sizzle reel.

Speaking of Quentin Tarantino ...

The man also knows how to play to the Comic-Con crowd; he's well aware that hese are his people.

Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1932

"I wanted to create a waking dream on screen and show that horror is not to be found in the things around us but in our own subconscious," said Danish film-maker Carl Theodor Dreyer, whose loose adaptation of two stories from Sheridan Le Fanu (Carmilla and The Room in the Dragon Volant) was initially conceived as a silent movie. Sound was added during production, but the film's trance-like images could stand on their own as a visual poem in which the action seems to take place on the cusp of dreams and reality.

Apart from German actress Sybille Schmitz, who plays the vampire's chief victim, and French actor Maurice Schutz, who plays her father, the cast was non-professional. Baron Nicolas de Gunzberg, who provided finance for the film, also took the leading role under the pseudonym Julian West. He plays a roving occult investigator called Allan Grey...