Rob Rector

Dosa gives shape to the Kraffts’ relationship, not through traditional talking-head interviews, but rather by allowing audiences in on the couple’s subtle interactions with one another in their footage, allowing the story of their life together to be told predominantly by them.

Both Glass and Clark provide enough ambiguity throughout (are we witnessing supernatural influence or the active imagination of an unreliable narrator?) to keep us engaged and marking the debut of a powerful new cinematic voice.

Tippett himself said he did not intend Mad God to adhere to any strict narrative structure, so it’s best to merely soak in the sumptuous, detailed visuals and extract your own meaning from the journey. It’s a ferociously engaging, if slightly flawed, viewing experience.

The main actors infuse A Love Song with a sanguine authenticity that keeps things simple narratively. However, it speaks volumes about love, loss, and the desire for connection, however fleeting, and whatever stage of life one is in.

It signals a strong new voice in the genre with the Philippous that is equally confident, commanding, and committed to slinking under your skin.

The finale of Emily the Criminal does not match the pulse-pounding scenes of her earlier assignments. However, it still manages to work toward a satisfying, logical conclusion while offering a solid critique of the gig economy many Americans face in which fortune is merely a credit card swipe away.

Hatching is the very essence of a midnight movie and one that will undoubtedly find a sizeable cult following. Sure, its metaphor isn’t as deep as it thinks it is, but this is certainly a solid start for director Bergolm and lead Solalinna.

Like Lucy, herself, Am I OK? does not really discover itself until much later, but once it does, it confidently strides to its conclusion.

It’s nowhere near the intimacy of Homecoming and Far from Home. Still, considering the heavy lifting it’s required to perform, it makes for a fitting grand finale for one of Marvel’s (and Sony’s) most enduring heroes.

A Quiet Place: Part II offers another round of impressively staged set pieces, a few cheap (but damn effective) “gotcha” jumpscares, and a heavier dose of those spindly, flower-headed aliens.

House Party puts out quite the spread and has put effort into its lights and music. But nothing that happens will give us any inspiration to accept an invite to future festivities.

To both the filmmaker and subject’s credit, neither feel that the transition to Zoey should excuse past behavior, and the director lets her sit with her thoughts. She processes her actions in front of the camera as she surveys the wreckage of her life. This is what makes Whirlybird such a wholly unique story, ultimately resonating as a portrait of a deeply flawed person.

Despite periodic bursts of action, The Last Duel has a long wick that burns slowly toward its violent conclusion. It’s a wisely protracted take from writers Affleck, Damon, and Nicole Holofcener that allows the audience to consume its narrative details as well as its performances and Scott’s stirring visuals.

The movie’s ability to flirt with the familiar and completely turn it on its head is what keeps Psycho Goreman so perversely fresh and fun throughout. It never once betrays its dark heart and continually trots out practical creature effects that tumble out of a GWAR nightmare that keep it engaging, unique, and deliciously deviant all the way to the closing credits.

At a crisp 90 minutes, Cordelia is as enigmatic as its title character for the majority of its runtime. But with its lush cinematography, archaically creepy set design, and outstanding balancing acts from both Campbell-Hughes and Flynn, it’s never muddied to the point of being opaque and remains enthralling throughout.

Boyega once again proves he’s one of today’s strongest young talents, giving us a glimpse of his mental afflictions without leaning into them as a dramatic crutch.

Diallo’s dramatic horror film is rich with atmosphere and subtext and deserves recognition, despite its narrative shortcomings.

Abandoned delivers tension with a more nuanced approach to a particularly emotionally vulnerable stage of life.

Throughout, the film is an idiosyncratic mediation on a pesky emotion that can simultaneously bond us and tear us apart. And with Pink and his exquisite cast behind The Wheel, the audience is in great hands.

It’s unfortunate that Knocking is so muddled as Milocco is thoroughly engaging. Plus, Kempff demonstrates a visual strength and confidence that will serve her well when she gets ahold of a script that is a bit more grounded than the one here.

For those who have read any of the McDonald adventures with the reporter (there are nine, not including the “Son of Fletch” novels), Confess, Fletch feels much more authentic. Hamm is given one of the biggest sandboxes yet for his talent and he pulls it off. Here’s hoping for future chapters.

Gillan is always a powerhouse, and the set-up of her in a Battle Royale rumble is enticing. Still, the actor is required to maintain a monotone delivery from which only the slightest emotions escape.

Fascinating as it is to see the sheer drive and determination of a man who builds his persona with unwavering dedication, Loudmouth can appear somewhat hagiographical in its approach. Sharpton is too fearless for such a style and has never shied away from confronting those who are angered by his words, for, as Dr. King once said, “In order to love your enemies, you must begin by analyzing self.”

Settings aside, Infinite Storm is Watt’s show, and she is thoroughly invested.

It’s as emotionally honest as it is engaging.

Like all of its predecessors, its overtly political message can’t decide whether its violence is justified or glorified. This means it sits right at average.

Death on the Nile is more solid and engaging than Murder on the Orient Express, and despite the questionable presence of Hammer, it makes for a great latter-day career tentpole for Branagh. He will hopefully continue the adventures of Poirot for years to come.

You People chooses to bounce along from one awkward situation to the next, with little time to let the characters feel like actual people.