"Arrival" Review (****½)

Amy Adams stars in "Arrival."

Denis Villeneuve, one of our most consistent filmmakers, has crafted one of the best sci-fi movies of the decade with "Arrival." A slow-burn, intellectual approach keeps the story front and center—and what a story it is.

Amy Adams plays Louise Banks, a linguist whose skillset becomes invaluable when mysterious spacecrafts land around the world—twelve different ones to be exact. Hovering quietly above random locations across the globe, humanity has to make the next move. Do we attack? What do they want? Why are there twelve? These questions are only the beginning of the mystery that falls into the hands of Louise and her physicist partner Ian (Jeremy Renner).

"Sicario" Review (****½)

Emily Blunt stars as FBI agent Kate Macer in "Sicario."

French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's new addition to his dramatic, suspenseful filmography ("Incendies," "Prisoners") is "Sicario"—a brutal thriller about a government task force and its hunt for a violent drug cartel along the United States/Mexico border. Armed with a brilliant cast and a heart-pounding score, Villeneuve delivers one of the year's most beautifully shot, exhilarating films.

Review: "Prisoners" (****)

Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman star in "Prisoners"

If 2012 was a banner year for film production in Georgia, 2013 has been what dreams are made of. The Atlanta Film Festival showcased more Georgia indies than ever before, including some of the best I've ever seen—"Congratulations!" and "euphonia." However, we mustn't neglect the films that were shot here but conceived outside of the state's boundaries. Hollywood studio productions that shoot here for the tax credits often use Georgia to double as locations that fit their story better, but the films still use plenty of local talent in terms of both cast and crew. Offering not only our talented actors and craftsmen, Georgia's geographic diversity also speaks for itself—allowing easy access to pretty much any type of setting the filmmakers need. We've already seen plenty of Georgia-shot films released in cinemas and VOD this year, including "42," "The Internship," "Jayne Mansfield's Car," "Killing Season," "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" and "Savannah." Several more releases are lined up for later this year, such as "ACOD," "CBGB," "Anchorman: The Legend Continues" and—the biggie—"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." But if I were a betting man, I would count on Denis Villeneuve's "Prisoners" to still be one of the best by the time all is said and done.

Villeneuve first gained notice in the late 1990s for his native French Canadian work, but his career took off in 2010 with his Academy Award nominated film, "Incendies" (which coincidentally screened at the 2011 Atlanta Film Festival). Villeneuve's film contains a nearly tangible sense of his precise vision, echoed in the consistency and accountability between the striking visuals and stirring themes embedded deep in the screenplay. Making use of Georgia's bleak 'bridge ices before road' winter, famed cinematographer Roger Deakins turns our coldest season into a murky Pennsylvania fall, setting an unwavering, incredibly icy tone from start to finish. "Prisoners" boasts a stellar, all-star cast, but Deakins' photography is the indisputable standout.

All-star cast featured in Georgia-filmed "Prisoners" trailer

"Prisoners," directed by Denis Villeneuve ("Incendies") and written by Aaron Guzikowski ("Contraband"), is the latest Georgia-lensed production to release a trailer. The thriller hits theaters in late September, straddling the line between the Labor Day box office graveyard and the Fall Oscar-bait season. While this release date could suggest studio confidence in awards buzz potential, they could also just be releasing the film at a time when adult thrillers typically do best. Either way, a cast like this is going to turn a lot of heads. Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard and Paul Dano all star in the film.

You might remember filming taking place in Conyers all winter, with some scenes being shot in Atlanta and Tucker. The cast and crew were in town from mid-January through late March. The film's stars were frequently spotted out on the town in Atlanta when filming wasn't taking place.

Check out the trailer after the jump.

"Prisoners" casting call

Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal are set to star in "Prisoners"

Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Maria Bello and Paul Dano are all signed on to star in "Prisoners." The film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve ("Incendies") based on a screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski ("Contraband"). The story involves a working-class Boston man's clash with a local detective as he tries to track down his daughter's kidnapper. Shooting will take place in and around Conyers from January 16th through March 26th.

Check out the casting call from Tammy Smith Casting after the jump.