NYFF: Wrapping up the festival

Another New York Film Festival has come and gone for me and it was once again a wonderful experience. This year I really felt like I belonged among the press corps and it made it even more satisfying than last year. As usual, I wrap up my coverage with a rundown of some random thoughts/observations from the festival:

• When the press schedule came out, I must admit that I was a bit miffed that half of my press screenings would be documentaries. It's a good thing I stuck with them however, as they turned out to be the best films I watched!
• The selection of films I saw were so varied and inspired that it really reinvigorated my passion for film. Don't let anyone tell you that cinema is dead. Kudos to the festival's selection committee. 
• Review embargoes are so lame. People inevitably bend the rules anyway.
• The NYC blogger community once again made me feel very welcome, even if it was just by saying hi. I must give special shout-outs to Clayton Davis, Joey Magidson, Nathaniel Rogers, Michael Cusumano and Andrew Boyd Stewart.
• This year I really noticed that a lot of the press were senior citizens. It made me wonder if the "old white guy" stereotype applies to film critics too.
• Favourite film: Red Army
• Favourite director: Mike Leigh, Mr. Turner
• Favourite performance: Josh Brolin, Inherent Vice
• Favourite screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson, Inherent Vice

Here's how I'd rank the 8 films I saw(in order of preference):

Red Army

Tales of the Grim Sleeper

Heaven Knows What

Inherent Vice

The Princess Of France

Mr. Turner

The Wonders

Two Days, One Night