Subscribe to be the first to read about my favorite flicks. Sign up today!
All film posts on Movies All Around
Based on a true story about an unassuming woman drawn into Cold War espionage, Red Joan is an engaging, well-paced drama elevated by strong performances and intriguing mysteries. When a film says it is based on a true story, I tend to go down a rabbit hole looking for details about the original. The Emerald…
A quiet indie drama about a young woman drifting through early adulthood while staying with a reclusive writer, Good Posture is an easy watch, with a subtle sense of growth, but it doesn’t leave much of an impression. There have been some really interesting films about twenty-somethings stuck in their patterns. If you look at…
A small-town comedy about a group of Irish villagers attempting to claim a dead man’s lottery winnings, Waking Ned Devine is a sweet and easygoing film, with charming characters and a warm sense of humor. There are so many movies out there that people recommend that sometimes things slip through the cracks. This is one…
An ambitious ensemble drama about a series of interconnected lives, Magnolia is beautifully paced, emotionally engaging, and unexpectedly bold. I have a curious relationship with Paul Thomas Anderson films. I absolutely love There Will Be Blood and Phantom Thread, Boogie Nights and The Master are good, and I couldn’t stand Licorice Pizza. One Battle After…
A family drama told through a series of video calls as relatives gather virtually during lockdown to say goodbye to a loved one, Family Squares is an inventive film that makes effective use of its limitations to tell a surprisingly complex story. The Covid lockdowns were brutal. My husband and I came from a perspective…
A coming-of-age story about a young girl learning about life and loss, My Girl is a nostalgic film, with a standout performance from Anna Chlumsky and a story that stands the test of time. I remember watching My Girl in the movie theater when it was first released. I don’t know who I went with,…
A romantic comedy about a young woman who works to reunite an older woman with her long-lost love while traveling through Italy, Letters To Juliet is a sweet and predictable film that gets better the longer you watch. I have seen the cover of this movie a few times over the last 16 years, and…
Based on a true story of a man sentenced to death row for the arson killing of his three small children, Trial By Fire shines a bright light on a broken justice system in the United States. When I think of films based on true stories, many of the ones that first come to mind…
Based on a true story about a young man searching for the home he lost as a child, Lion is a deeply moving film, with fantastic performances and an unforgettable ending. There are some movies that stay with you after you’ve watched them. In the same way that your heart grows in the ability to…
A surreal dark comedy about a man who begins appearing in strangers’ dreams, Dream Scenario is strange and well-acted, though it ultimately feels more interesting than involving. I have always loved the movie Peggy Sue Got Married. Kathleen Turner is great in the film, and there’s something warm and nostalgic about it, even though I…
A romantic comedy about a woman finding her own path as she navigates the expectations of her lively Greek family, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a warm, hilarious film with a fantastic ensemble and a quotable script. In 2002, I was in graduate school. My classes were all in the evening, so daytime was…
A light teen rom-com about a high school girl learning to accept herself, Tall Girl is a cute, heartfelt film with likable actors and a gently enjoyable story. It might seem strange, but particularly as we grow up, many girls have a complex about their height. When I was younger, I was convinced that if…
