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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 coming-of-age drama about a teenager trying to find herself while being raised in a Christian fundamentalist community, The Starling Girl is thoughtful yet emotionally restrained.​ I really enjoy when a film has a focus on religion. It adds an element of culture and expectation that you can’t get quite the same way anywhere else….
A tender Irish drama about a neglected young girl sent to stay with distant relatives for the summer, The Quiet Girl is a gentle and deeply moving film that finds extraordinary emotion in the smallest moments. The older I get, the more grateful I am for the catalog of films that we have access to….
A slow-burning psychological thriller about two brothers raised by a father who believes he’s doing God’s work, Frailty is a morally ambiguous film that cleverly reels you in and never lets go. I love a good psychological thriller, especially when I know nothing about it. I watched Like Minds, The Assessment, and Blink Twice fully…
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…
An electrifying World War II drama focused on Winston Churchill’s first weeks as Prime Minister, Darkest Hour is elevated by exceptional performances and grand, atmospheric cinematography. There have been dozens of films made about World War II from many different perspectives. Whether it’s The Pianist, Hacksaw Ridge, or The Imitation Game, there are so many…
With gorgeous cinematography, Mothering Sunday, about a housekeeper’s secret affair with the wealthy neighbor’s son, never quite becomes as absorbing as it is beautiful. There are many actors I love spending time with on screen, and two of them are Colin Firth and Olivia Colman. I watched them together in Empire Of Light, but I’d…
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…
An intimate indie drama about three siblings forced back together after their mother’s sudden death, Trust feels close to home in ways that are both honest and quietly affecting. Being part of a family can be wonderful, but it can also be hugely complicated. It’s a roll of the dice when you are born, and…
