Robert Duvall in The Judge
Director: David Dobkin
Also starring: Robert Downey Jr., Billy Bob Thornton, Vera Farmiga
What's it about?
The seasoned veteran plays a smalltown judge accused of murder, whose successful defence rests on rely on his estranged son's (Robert Downey Jr) effots to discredit the allegations.
Ethan Hawke in Boyhood
Director: Richard Linklater
Also starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Elijah Smith
What's it about?
Separated father Ethan Hawke floats in and out of the life of Mason (Ellar Coltrane) in Richard Linklater's 12-year opus on parenthood.
Watch 2014 Sydney Film Festival interview
Edward Norton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Also starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts
What's it about?
Edward Norton plays to the back row as an egomaniacal theatre performer and 'method' devotee, in Alejandro González Iñárritu's ensemble piece.
Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher
Director: Bennett Miller
Also starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Vanessa Redgrave
What's it about?
In this true story, Mark Ruffalo plays Dave, the older brother of Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum), who is hand-picked by wealthy heir John du Pont (Steve Carell) to take up residence at his estate, to help form a team to train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Schultz seizes on the opportunity, hoping to focus on a second Olympic win, and step out of Dave's shadow.
Watch 2014 Cannes Festival Best Director Bennett Miller's press conference
J.K. Simmons in Whiplash
Director: Damien Chazelle
Also starring: Miles Teller, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
What's it about?
J.K. Simmons (already chilling as neo-nazi prisoner in HBO's Oz) plays a ruthless and sadistic teacher at a prestigious New York music conservatory, who will literally inflict his "No pain, no gain" philosophy on young jazz drummer (Miles Teller).
