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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…
A surprisingly engaging sequel that takes on current issues in the high-pressure world of fashion journalism, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a stylish follow-up with sharp performances and catty exchanges that captures the same appeal as the original. There tends to be a cardinal rule when it comes to movies – if a sequel…
A dark comedy about relatives vying for their dying aunt’s fortune, The Estate is a hit-or-miss, predictable story with a strong cast, a few laughs, and more than a few cringey moments. ​When I came across this title recently, I was super confused why I’d never heard of it before. A 2022 film with Toni…
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…
