Where to watch the year's best films in Philly

Gear up for the red carpet by catching up on the most nominated flicks.

When Amy Poehler and Upper Darby's Tina Fey host the Golden Globes this Sunday, awards season will have officially begun. Soon after, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the British Academy Film Awards and the Academy Awards will pepper each weekend with red carpet walks and drunk acceptance speeches. Until that final winner is announced, be prepared for awards season to dominate all small talk and water-cooler conversation.

Rather than repeating, "Oh, I hear she was great in that movie," or "I haven't seen it, but it looks good," for the next few weeks, try actually seeing some of the nominees. With all this weekend's showings around Philadelphia, you can catch up in no time. Or, see just enough so that you can fake your way through a conversation and laugh along with Fey and Poehler. 

(Need the 411 on the Golden Globes? Don't miss our explain-it-all guide.)

The Imitation Game

Benedict Cumberbatch plays mathematical genius Alan Turing, leading a band of codebreakers in an effort to foil a Nazi encryption machine during World War II.

Nominated For: Five Golden Globes, including Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama (Cumberbatch), and three SAG Awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Where to Watch: Ritz Five, Bryn Mawr Film Institute


Selma

Follow Martin Luther King Jr.'s journey from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1965 voting rights marches in this period piece starring David Oyelowo and Common.
Nominated For: Four Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture, Drama, and Best Director - Motion Picture. 
Where to Watch: United Artists Riverview Plaza, University City Penn 6 


Into the Woods

Stephen Sondheim's twisted fairy tale jumps from Broadway to the big screen with stars like Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp playing princesses, witches and wolves.
Nominated For: Three Golden Globes, including Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy (Emily Blunt), and one SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Streep).
Where to Watch: Ritz East, Bryn Mawr Film Institute


Wild

Based on Cheryl Strayed's best-selling memoir of the same name, Reese Witherspoon portrays the author grieving for her mother and her marriage while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  
Nominated For: One Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama (Witherspoon), and one SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Witherspoon). 
Where to Watch: Ritz Five, Ritz at the Bourse, Bryn Mawr Film Institute


Big Eyes 

Tim Burton's latest outsider tale tells the story of famed artist Margaret Keane and her struggle to reclaim authorship of her works from her domineering husband. 
Nominated For: Three Golden Globes, including Best Actor and Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy (Christoph Waltz and Amy Adams).
Where to Watch: Ritz at the Bourse


Birdman

Michael Keaton finds himself in a meta-role as a former superhero-playing movie star trying to make it big in a serious Broadway production. Look out for long tracking shots.
Nominated For: Seven Golden Globes, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, Motion Picture, and four SAG Awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Where to Watch: Ritz East, Bryn Mawr Film Institute


Foxcatcher

Steve Carell turns out a transformative performance as John du Pont, the DuPont heir and wrestling coach turned convicted murderer. 
Nominated For: Three Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture, Drama, and two SAG Awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Carell).
Where to Watch: Ritz at the Bourse, Bryn Mawr Film Institute