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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 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 visually stunning stop-motion reimagining of the classic tale, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio offers a darker and more philosophical take on the story. The first time I heard about Guillermo del Toro was in 2006, when Pan’s Labyrinth was released. He has since become one of the biggest names in film, receiving accolades for movies…
A charming coming-of-age dramedy about a teenager raised by parents with intellectual disabilities, Wildflower balances dry humor with a deeply heartfelt story about love and family. I always enjoy it when a movie lets you know that it’s inspired by a true story. Films about dinosaurs or predator sharks are lots of fun, but when…
A film about four 12-year-old boys on a secret quest to find a missing boy’s body, Stand By Me is a touching coming-of-age story that is arguably the best movie ever made about preteens. Watching Stand By Me again in the movie theater is not a privilege I ever thought I’d get again. I remember…
A quirky crime story about hitmen caught in a time loop, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is a clever, tongue-in-cheek comedy with enough charm to keep it enjoyable even as it starts to feel a bit played out. When I first saw the name of this movie, it immediately reminded me of Bob…
A clever, satirical comedy about identity and perception, The Moment balances absurd humor with a sharp exploration of what it means to be “you.” No shade to Charli xcx, but I wasn’t all that familiar with her before watching this movie. I’m Gen X, and I have kids who are Gen Z, so I’ve heard…
A science-driven adventure about a lone astronaut trying to save humanity, Project Hail Mary is charming, funny, and genuinely heartfelt, with an exciting story and two deeply lovable characters at its center. I am a huge fan of The Martian. Right after the movie was released in 2015, I read the book by Andy Weir….
A character-driven dramedy about a struggling publisher who convinces her reclusive author to go on a book tour, Best Sellers is boosted by two strong leads, even if it takes until the last act to fully invest in them. My 20-year-old son and I each discovered Aubrey Plaza in a different way. I first met…
