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A spellbinding drama following a successful young author across multiple stages of his life as the circumstances surrounding his disappearance slowly unfold, The Vanishing of Sidney Hall is a compelling film with an intriguing mystery and a nonlinear structure that keeps the story consistently interesting. I am a movie watcher who has a habit of…
A coming-of-age story about an aspiring young playwright gathering inspiration from the people around him while trying to stage his latest work, Griffin in Summer is a sweet and engaging film, with a simple story, likable characters, and thoughtful lessons about growing up. I have always been a theatre kid. When I was around 7…
A true-crime drama about the real-life disappearance of a woman and her infant daughter, Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard is steadily paced, with a strong central performance, and a more grounded tone than expected. Being the true-crime girlie that I am, I often find myself drawn to Lifetime movies. They are rarely good…
A psychological thriller about a troubled woman who becomes caught up in a missing-person case after witnessing something from her daily train ride, The Girl on the Train is a well-acted film with a solid mystery, even when the story becomes somewhat tangled. I read the book The Girl On The Train when it was…
A romantic dramedy about two people who develop an unexpected connection through a series of messages, Voicemails For Isabelle is a charming film, with an easy chemistry between the leads and an emotional payoff that proves surprisingly moving. I think we all know that Netflix romance movies are pretty hit-or-miss. Mostly miss. My Oxford Year…
An indie drama about friends completing a scavenger hunt left for them before a young woman’s death, Always, Lola is a thoughtful and emotionally honest film, with a gradual emotional build and a compassionately stark approach to mental illness, drug addiction, and grief. There are many great movies about mental illness, and most approach the…
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…
