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A dark psychological comedy about a lonely woman who moves to Los Angeles to insert herself into the life of her Instagram obsession, Ingrid Goes West turns social-media stalking into a compelling and unsettling story of loneliness, validation, and the blurred line between following someone and actually knowing them. ​When you think about stalker films,…
A slow-burning drama about a coal merchant who becomes aware of the horrors hidden within his Irish community, Small Things Like These builds its mystery and tension through Cillian Murphy’s painfully honest performance, a heavy atmosphere, and a haunting exploration of conscience and complicity. When I watch a new movie, there’s a 90% chance that…
A heartfelt indie about a trans son and his father who take a journey across South Africa to retrieve the estranged bio-mom, Runs in the Family finds its greatest strength in the loving, imperfect relationship between the men, with a warm message about acceptance, forgiveness, and always trying. One of the things that I love…
A family dramedy about a successful Chicago advertising executive forced to confront his parents’ troubled marriage and his difficult relationship with his father, Nothing in Common carries genuine emotional weight in the family story, but the dated sexual politics, lengthy setup, and general unevenness make it feel very much a product of its time. When…
A charming true-life comedy about a working-class man who steals a Goya portrait from London’s National Gallery, The Duke turns an unlikely art heist into a sweet and entertaining story, with a wonderfully eccentric performance by Jim Broadbent and a terrific supporting cast. Earlier this year, I watched The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry and…
A whimsical fantasy about the Owens sisters facing a new threat to their family and its generations-old magic, Practical Magic 2 is a cute and nostalgic return filled with familiar characters and witchy fun, even if the story occasionally gets a little goofy. The only time I watched Practical Magic was when it first came…
A dark crime thriller about a widowed father whose son’s abduction connects to the serial killer who terrorized the town years earlier, The Whisper Man is an intriguing mystery with solid performances, an eerie atmosphere, and a story that’s a little hit-or-miss. I like a good psychological thriller, and I’m glad studios keep making and…
A coming-of-age drama about two teenagers whose chance friendship leads them to confront grief, family trauma, and the weight of their pasts, All the Bright Places unfolds with warmth and compassion, using excellent performances to tell a story that’s ultimately as healing as it is heartbreaking. One of the things that I love most about…
A romantic dramedy about a couple confronting the anxieties threatening to reshape their relationship, The Drama favors symbolism over realism, creating an ambitious and stylistically fascinating experience that’s more visually absorbing than emotionally engaging. I have to admit – when this was released, I was not interested. I like both Zendaya and Robert Pattinson enough,…
A family drama exploring the lasting effects of generational trauma, long-buried secrets, and mental illness across multiple generations, After All is a thoughtful slow-burn that ultimately delivers a rich story with emotionally honest performances. I have loved Penelope Ann Miller since I first met her in Adventures In Babysitting in 1987. As Chris’ best friend…
A survival comedy about two people forced to exist together on an isolated island after a devastating plane crash, Send Help delivers plenty of bloody laughs through its gleefully absurd premise, even if the cat-and-mouse dynamic starts to repeat itself. When this movie was first released on Hulu a few months ago, I had planned…
A mystery drama about a popular high school student forced to relive the day of her death over and over again, Before I Fall is an atmospheric film with an intriguing premise and a protagonist whose growth becomes increasingly rewarding to watch. The first time I watched the movie Groundhog Day was in the movie…
