Atlantics follows a group of workers in Dakar as they leave the country by boat looking for a better life. One-sentence review: Atlantics has an intriguing enough story and Mati Diop manages some fascinating scenes of tension and emotion, but it lacks the narrative momentum for it to really take off. Details: ? Mati Diop…
Hustlers follows a group of strippers as they hatch a plan to swindle money from their wealthy clientele. 30-second review: Hustlers is an incredibly complex movie. Not only is it hilarious and charming, it delivers commentary on complicated themes of female relationships, the power dynamic between men and women, and the struggle of the working…
Brittany Runs a Marathon follows an overweight and lonely New Yorker as she sets out to turn her life around by training for a marathon. One-sentence review: Brittany Runs a Marathon has enough charm, laughs, and wonderfully eclectic characters — especially Jillian Bell's eponymous Brittany — to get it past its weaker moments. Details: ?…
If Beale Street Could Talk is gorgeous, powerful, stunningly crafted, and another masterpiece from Barry Jenkins. If Beale Street Could Talk is a love story at its core the same way that Moonlight, director Barry Jenkins' last film, is. It makes sense considering Jenkins excels at everything you need to make a good romance. He nails communicating…
Blinded by the Light follows a teen growing up in 1980s Britain as he discovers who he is through the music of Bruce Springstein 30-second review: Blinded by the Light has a lot on its mind — for better and worse. Thanks to some inventive musical staging of Bruce Springsteen's greatest hits like "Dancing in…
Luce follows a mystery surrounding a small town's golden child and him and his parents' run-in with a teacher bent on his demise. 30-second review: Luce is so successful because its story has a clear message and point-of-view it wants to communicate, but director Julius Onah presents it in a completely fresh and original way. Though at its core…
Vox Lux has an interesting story and visuals, but its lack of focus and uneven characters leave it little more than a hollow pop musical drama. Where to watch Vox Lux: Streaming on Hulu. Available to buy or rent on Prime Video. Vox Lux has too many ideas it’s trying to grapple with that it…
Gwen follows a young girl must keep her family from falling apart as her community turns against them for mysterious reasons. 60-second review: Dark storm clouds seem to be rolling into the small Welsh village where Gwen takes place constantly — both literally and figuratively. The film is relentlessly dark as the family of women…
The Farewell follows a New Yorker as she travels to China to say goodbye to her sick grandmother — who doesn't know she's dying. 30-second review: The Farewell is a movie of dichotomies — Chinese culture and American culture, parents and children, mourning and celebrating, youth and old age — that appropriately straddles the line…
Bad Times at the El Royale is a thrilling, character-driven neo-noir homage that will keep you guessing from beginning to end. Don't let the flashy trailers, catchy title, or A-list stars fool you. Bad Times at the El Royale is not your typical popcorn thriller. Written and directed by Drew Goddard, who had a lot to live up…
