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A vibrant animated adventure about two lifelong friends transported to a fantastical island filled with the Filipino folklore they grew up hearing about, Forgotten Island includes entertaining animation styles, hilarious characters, and a heartfelt story about friends, loyalty, and chosen family. One of the little secrets that I don’t talk about all that often is…
A colorful musical about a gifted young girl pushing back against a harsh school and difficult adults, Matilda The Musical is a fun film, with great songs, spectacular choreography, and an endearing story. The first time I truly heard about Matilda The Musical on Broadway was during the 2013 Tony Awards. Since then, it has…
An animated family film about the toys adjusting to a changing world as Bonnie’s attention shifts toward new technology, Toy Story 5 is a sweet and engaging adventure that blends funny moments, heartfelt relationships, and a message that feels especially relevant today. When I heard there was a new Toy Story movie coming out, I…
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 heartfelt medieval fantasy about a disillusioned knight who forms an unlikely bond with the last remaining dragon, Dragonheart is an old-fashioned adventure elevated by its fairy-tale sincerity and uplifting score, even if it is a little uneven. I am a huge fan of the movie Labyrinth. I love it dearly, and it will always…
A fantasy adventure about the battle for Eternia spilling into modern-day Earth, Masters of the Universe is a campy and surprisingly enjoyable film that embraces the spirit of the original cartoon while having fun with its fish-out-of-water premise. If you were an 80s kid like me, you grew up playing with Barbies and He-Man figures….
A family comedy about a father struggling to accept his daughter’s shotgun wedding to a man he’s never met, Father Of The Bride is a light, modernized, and fairly forgettable remake that benefits from its likable cast and updated family dynamics. When I first saw the 1991 Father Of The Bride film with Steve Martin…
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 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 fantasy adventure about a young woman forced to fend for herself, Damsel is visually striking, though it never quite rises above a fairly standard premise. When this movie first came out on Netflix, I remember being told to skip it. Netflix has a habit of cycle-producing movies, some of which are great, but many…
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 tender science-fiction drama about a household robot who begins to develop human emotions, Bicentennial Man is far sweeter and more profound than I expected. Robin Williams had an incredible career in comedy, but his more serious roles are my favorites. As husband Chris Nielsen in What Dreams May Come, he tugged at our hearts,…
