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A character-driven drama about a grieving widow unexpectedly forming a bond with her estranged son’s assistant while planning her husband’s funeral, Miss You, Love You is an intimate film with stunning chemistry and a relationship that grows in deeply satisfying ways. I was raised both in the theatre and on the theatre. I started doing…
A fantasy adventure about the legendary writers drawn into a cursed forest filled with fairy-tale creatures, The Brothers Grimm is a visually stunning and imaginative film, with dark storybook elements that remain engaging even with a story that feels uneven. I have always had a special interest in fairy tales. As a young kid, I…
A light comedy about friends reconnecting at summer camp, Summer Camp is harmless but charmless, with a good cast and a message that takes too long to come together. When The First Wives Club was released in 1996, it sparked a bit of a revolution. Suddenly, middle-aged women were front and center, taking their power…
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…
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 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…
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…
A heartfelt dramedy about a widow working at an aquarium who forms an unusual connection with an observant octopus, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a warm film with a strong cast, beautiful marine life, and gentle, storybook-like charm. I read this book shortly after it was released in 2022, and I loved it. It takes you…
A romantic comedy about a novelist at a writing retreat, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a tonally uneven film with a few fun moments, but far more that leave it feeling flat and forgettable. I first learned about this film while watching the trailers at a Screen Unseen at AMC Theaters. I was immediately…
