Subscribe to be the first to read about my favorite flicks. Sign up today!
A disaster film about a climatologist trying to reach his son as catastrophic weather events reshape the world, The Day After Tomorrow is an uneven film with strong performances, memorable visuals, and an emotional core that helps ground its stranger moments. I have never been particularly drawn to disaster movies. I’ve watched and enjoyed many…
A romantic drama about an ambitious American student whose carefully planned future is complicated by an unexpected relationship, My Oxford Year is visually appealing and undeniably earnest, but also boring and lacking chemistry. I have never looked into it (and I likely won’t), but as I’ve come across various Netflix original movies, I’ve wondered if…
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 crime thriller about a British ex-con seeking revenge for his daughter’s death, The Limey is visually striking and tightly-paced, highlighting a bold performance by Terence Stamp. When I think of Terence Stamp, I think of him as Bernadette in Priscilla Queen of The Desert. I know that he is Superman’s General Zod as well,…
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…
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…
