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A dark psychological comedy about a lonely woman who moves to Los Angeles to insert herself into the life of her Instagram obsession, Ingrid Goes West turns social-media stalking into a compelling and unsettling story of loneliness, validation, and the blurred line between following someone and actually knowing them. ​When you think about stalker films,…
A slow-burning drama about a coal merchant who becomes aware of the horrors hidden within his Irish community, Small Things Like These builds its mystery and tension through Cillian Murphy’s painfully honest performance, a heavy atmosphere, and a haunting exploration of conscience and complicity. When I watch a new movie, there’s a 90% chance that…
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 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 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 musical proshot about three friends whose personal and professional lives become increasingly intertwined, Merrily We Roll Along moves backward through its characters’ lives with quintessential Sondheim wit and lyrical complexity, elevated by three extraordinary performances. When this performance first came to Broadway, I was a little surprised – and I wasn’t alone. Not well…
A dark crime thriller about a widowed father whose son’s abduction connects to the serial killer who terrorized the town years earlier, The Whisper Man is an intriguing mystery with solid performances, an eerie atmosphere, and a story that’s a little hit-or-miss. I like a good psychological thriller, and I’m glad studios keep making and…
