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All film posts on Movies All Around
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 fascinating documentary about the casting of the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, Every Little Step becomes a real-life version of the musical, following hundreds of dancers through months of callbacks and putting their hopes, fears, and unbridled determination at the center. When Boop! The Musical first premiered, it did so in Chicago. We…
A somber family drama about a man bringing his aging father into his home despite years of hurt between them, Falling quietly explores the difficult question of what we owe the people who raised us, even when they failed us, with beautiful cinematography and extraordinary performances. As many of you know, I am a Chicago…
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 darkly playful comedy about a man plotting his way through a wealthy family to claim the inheritance he believes is his, How to Make a Killing turns murder into an entertaining cat-and-mouse game, with a femme fatale watching his every move. The first time I remember seeing Glen Powell in a film was as…
A tense drama about the television host behind To Catch a Predator, Primetime turns the true-crime subject into a disturbing, highly stylized nightmare, with excellent performances and expressionistic visuals. Like many people, I first met Robert Pattinson as Edward in Twilight. I’ll admit that after the second movie (my least favorite), I read all the…
A Lifetime thriller about an 18-year-old former foster kid who takes a job as an au pair for a wealthy family with secrets, The Seemingly Perfect Family leans heavily into melodrama and predictable twists, though the unexpected airplane storyline makes it slightly more entertaining than the average Lifetime movie. I watch all kinds of movies…
A slow-burning drama about a priest given one week to prepare for his own murder, Calvary balances dark humor and mystery with breathtaking Irish landscapes and a steadily building tension. Over the last decade, Brendan Gleeson has become one of the actors that I look for in film. If he’s on the cover, I’m going…
A culinary dramedy about a restless, college-aged Anthony Bourdain taking a job in a Cape Cod restaurant, Tony takes an unvarnished look at the arrogant young man he once was, learning the value of hard work, responsibility, and good food. My husband has always had a special place in his heart for Anthony Bourdain. He…
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 vibrant animated adventure about two lifelong friends transported to a fantastical island filled with the Filipino folklore they grew up hearing about, Forgotten Island includes entertaining animation styles, hilarious characters, and a heartfelt story about friends, loyalty, and chosen family. One of the little secrets that I don’t talk about all that often is…
