The Penguin Lessons
The Penguin Lessons is a 'poignant dramedy' made all the more poignant, dramatic and humorous by the mere fact it is inspired by real events. Yes, an Englishman really did…
My Dead Friend Zoe
This unusual buddy dramedy tells a surprisingly effective veteran story. In it Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green) who served in the army in Afghanistan is still intimately connected with her fellow soldier…
I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)
I'm Still Here is a quiet, intense, and moving political and family drama that should serve as a cautionary tale about dictatorship, authoritarianism, complicity, and resistance. It's based on the…
September 5
As a control room producer in a previous life, September 5 left me feeling nostalgic for the adrenaline rush that comes with bearing witness to history in real time while…
The Fire Inside
I was in the mood for something uplifting, not too arty or intense, and under two hours. The Fire Inside fit the bill. Plus, I had no clue about the…
Thelma
I’m late to the party on this nonagenarian action-comedy, but better late than never! June Squibb (Nebraska) is an absolute gem as Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who falls…
My Penguin Friend — A Family Friendly Flick
My Penguin Friend is a sweet human/animal friendship story, perfect for the whole family. Based on a real events, it stars Jean Reno (Da Five Bloods, Léon: The Professional) as…
Wicked Little Letters
Wicked Little Letters is a wicked good film that lands firmly in the category of small indie gems that don't get enough marketing but are thoroughly entertaining. It features two…
Arthur the King
Arthur the King is an adventure movie and meet-cute about a man and a dog. It's based on the true story of professional adventure racer Mikael Lindnord and a scrappy…
The Boys in the Boat
Just in time for holiday viewing George Clooney brings us a good old fashioned crowd-pleaser! The Boys in the Boat tells the true story of the underdog rowing team at…
The Banality of The Zone of Interest
German philosopher Hannah Arendt famously said in her book "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil", which she wrote after covering the trial of the Nazi war…
Movies about Women Who Leave: Shayda and Priscilla
This time of year, I watch a lot of movies at once and sometimes it seems that two of them are on the same wavelength, despite being very different stories.…
Air
Sometimes a shoe is just a shoe… until Michael Jordan steps in it. That’s the crux of this feel-good movie based on the true marketing backstory of Nike’s iconic Air…
Maestro
Maestro is a very ambitious film. Co-written and directed by and starring Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born, Silver Linings Playbook), it attempts to tell the story of Leonard Bernstein,…
Big Flicks on a Little Screen: Nyad and The Killer
It's amazing how quickly big movies are coming to streaming services these days. Sometimes they haven't even made it to the local theater before I get that Netflix notice that…