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A musical proshot about a family navigating grief and mental health, Next to Normal is beautifully staged and emotionally overwhelming, with exceptional performances and a distinctly unique story in the world of musical theatre. I remember when Next To Normal first made it to Broadway in 2009. I have always been a huge Broadway nerd…
A fantasy adventure about a young woman forced to fend for herself, Damsel is visually striking, though it never quite rises above a fairly standard premise. When this movie first came out on Netflix, I remember being told to skip it. Netflix has a habit of cycle-producing movies, some of which are great, but many…
A road trip drama about a teenager setting out to capture meaningful sounds before losing his hearing, The Ultimate Playlist of Noise is an uneven but heartfelt story that builds to a genuinely moving final act. When this movie was first released on streaming, I immediately added it to my watchlist. I liked the cover,…
A subdued drama about a woman accused of her husband’s death, Anatomy Of A Fall is a pensive film where every word feels intentional, anchored by strong performances and spectacular cinematography. When I watched Project Hail Mary, I was struck by many things – it’s a fantastic film. One of them was Sandra Hüller, the…
A historical epic about the origins of the Robin Hood legend, Robin Hood is visually beautiful, with strong production design, though the story feels convoluted and not all that interesting. I remember watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in the movie theater when it was released in 1991. Despite Kevin Costner’s American-accented Robin, who spoke…
An intense historical thriller, Judas And The Black Messiah, about a man infiltrating the Black Panther Party during a time of turmoil, is a gripping film that never lets up. There are certain movies out there that, as great as the picture is, you remember mostly because of a powerhouse performance. When you think of…
A sci-fi mystery about a man investigating a death using experimental memory technology, Rememory is an intriguing story with strong performances, though the narrative feels a bit loose. When it comes to science fiction films that fly under the radar, they can be very hit or miss. Sometimes you get something exciting and original, like…
A quiet, slow-burning film about a father and son on a road trip to possibly collect a sweepstakes prize, Nebraska is understated and funny, with a tenderness that peeks through the cracks. I love June Squibb. If someone were to ask me to choose an emotional support animal from the list of actors that I…
A high-energy comedy about the rise of an Irish-language rap trio, Kneecap is as visually inventive and unexpectedly heartfelt as it is full of infectious music. Musical movies are a huge thing for me. I love a proshot like Come From Away and Waitress: The Musical, but I’m also here for straight-up documentaries like the…
An indie comedy about a couple who turn their arguments into songs, Band Aid is a clever and offbeat idea with an execution and tone that never quite connect. My husband and I were big fans of the show Life In Pieces. We loved the ensemble of actors, got a kick out of the humor,…
A light comedy about a man juggling two relationships at once, Micki & Maude is silly and amusing, carried by three strong performances, even if some of its themes haven’t aged well. I remember watching this movie on what must’ve been a VHS tape in around 1985, and maybe multiple times. I was a kid,…
A coming-of-age drama about a teenager trying to find herself while being raised in a Christian fundamentalist community, The Starling Girl is thoughtful yet emotionally restrained. I really enjoy when a film has a focus on religion. It adds an element of culture and expectation that you can’t get quite the same way anywhere else….
