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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,…
Based on the childhood of food writer Nigel Slater, Toast is an intimate coming-of-age story focused on the bittersweet and delicious moments with his parents and challenging stepmother. My first introduction to Freddie Highmore was in the 2001 miniseries The Mists Of Avalon. Once an adorable and tiny King Arthur, he has grown up on…
