If you’re not really interested in Mike Tyson as a boxer and a person, the film doesn't give you much to go on. This is a movie called Tyson and it is about Mike Tyson – and nothing else.

Stephens knows how to get outstanding performances from all the actors. He creates a whimsical atmosphere in a scenario that could be unbearable heavy. This is probably one of the most fun movies I’ve seen that hangs its hat in a land of death. Yet, it celebrates life, which we all need a little bit more of, don’t you think?

Team Marco is a pleasant surprise in a world that can be quite cruel to comedies. I am genuinely impressed with the passionate acting, the compelling story, and the deep, moving metaphors. This film is sure to please everyone who watches.

What Black Christmas retains is the competent pacing and pure chaos that’s dealt in whispers and brutality, and what it lacks is a younger audience who just can’t quite understand that some horror films require imagination, suspense, and no explanation to hold our hand with.

Those first two acts feel fresh and different. I loved Pattinson’s take. He’s not a pretty boy, he’s a conflicted human being. He’s a hero who’s not so super.

If you have ever experienced the crushing effect of young love, you owe it to yourself to check out this gem of a dark comedy.

Splendid.

A superb exercise in economical filmmaking. Not only from a financial standpoint, as the film was shot in HD and on-location in gorgeous Portland, Oregon…but the story here is so subtle and well drawn, if you blink you might miss it.

300 is a feast for the senses (well, two of them anyway) and an impressive technical achievement. More than that, it's a hell of a lot of fun.

The story of these three athletes with big dreams is truly incredible and will open viewers’ eyes to the hardships faced not only by international players trying to make their way in American sports but all athletes.

The filmmakers have crafted an urgent watch that demands to be seen.

The thriller aspect of the film acts as the payoff to audiences for having to sit through extended discussions. While it’s not the most clever or brilliant thriller, it’s exciting nonetheless and will have you on the edge of your seat to the end.

Like all good films, it raises these types of questions, answering some, and leaving some for you to answer yourself.

Sure, it's lighthearted fare, but that doesn't make it any less of a good film.

The movie is definitely worth checking out for its strong performances and surprising story.

This is an atmospheric and beautifully crafted horror film, with its brains firmly on the inside.

A thoughtful and skillfully developed story and a true Independent film.

Rare vehicle which gives the Palestinian people (rather than their failed, double-talking leadership) an opportunity to speak freely and openly, and that feat in itself makes this one of the most important documentaries of recent times.

The Haunting Of Hollywood is effective when focusing on the characters and the horrifying and dramatic effects the past can have on people. The actors are compelling and deliver robust, humanized performances. For the most part, the directing brings forth the truth of the emotional baggage and trauma being dealt with. But when it goes into full horror mode, the style does not mesh and becomes jarring.

Tom McCarthy’s film is never more than small, and that’s how it should be. It is about treasuring life -– sometimes even cheating death -– and it manages to warm hearts in its own uncompromising way, rarely cheating and never belittling.

We witness many of Stephenson's inspirational moments during class, but miles more exist behind her students' skills and execution.

Good storytelling and fantastic acting by Alessandra and Anamari Mesa make up for any limitations of not having a million-dollar budget. Superior is worthy of your support.

With Brian and Charles, Archer delivers a heartwarming and timeless film. The witty and clever screenplay efficiently sets up Brian’s quirky behavior in a touching and funny way.

In Santos – Skin to Skin, Golden weaves Santos’ colorful life story around Afro-Caribbean music to engaging effect.

A cross between a road movie, a documentary and a therapy session.

Even in the more chaotic moments, the filmmaker still delivers a beautiful, exciting, and interesting movie in a way only Wes Anderson could.

Does it herald a renaissance in the action genre? Not really, but it's a welcome throwback to good old-fashioned, '80s-style lunkhead violence, and no one takes a punch, kick, elbow, or bullet quite like John McClane.

It’s every kids dream to fight monsters, and in some ways The Monster Squad helps us live out that fantasy. And it’s a damn good film chalk full of horror movie references, and nods to classic films that only the discernible eye can catch.

In the end, the story of the show Ren & Stimpy is a fascinating one, especially for fans and anyone who wants to push boundaries in Hollywood. It also doesn’t make a hero out of John Kricfalusi, who still desires admiration and sympathy.

This is a wonderful film. Seek it out. Also, if you come across a bottle named Molana, which is the Keushguerian brand of wine prepared from the Iranian Rasheh grape, I encourage you to try it. This is such a powerful emotional moment in our shared history.

For a supposed mainstream movie, Kubrick’s The Shining isn’t very audience friendly. Half the time you have to guess what the hell is going on, and if you're not familiar with Kubrick's narrative style you’ll be completely lost.

In Amerikatsi, Michael Goorjian channels his inner Roberto Begnini and even Charlie Chaplin to bring humor and levity to a solemn subject. But the best part is he shines a light on the Armenian people and their resurgence to re-establish their culture after great tragedy.

Lost Illusions is certainly nothing we haven’t seen before, at least narratively. But it’s done very well. Sometimes, you just feel like having a good ol’ soufflé.

It’s unique and offers a fresh take on the kitchen environment.

It should not go unnoticed that Ducournau gives viewers some amazing scenes that capture the poetry found within the grotesque.

Filmmaker Heather Lenz pieces together a fascinating story of this little-known, yet wildly popular artist.

Joy Ride breaks through all the preconceived notions of female-led sex comedy and an all-Asian cast. Director Adele Lim has brought back for this brief moment in time the over-the-top sex comedy and delivers.

This is a very simple story, but it builds beautifully to an endearing and witty romance.

Daisy Edgar-Jones is the star here and gives an incredibly endearing performance.

Under the guise of a straightforward love story, Sethi’s film reveals itself to be an incisive look into the long-running Indian tradition of arranged marriages and its implications, set against the backdrop of a rapidly spreading COVID-19. If that sounds heavy, it’s anything but, the writer-director ensuring that things don’t get bogged down in ponderous polemic or pretentiousness.

As an affecting work of compassionate craftsmanship, The Letter delivers.

Carefully balancing breakneck momentum and a heartfelt investigation of the grieving process is no simple feat, but Kienle is mostly up to the task.

#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead is a well-crafted horror comedy that provides a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience. The cast brings their smartly written characters to life, adding depth and dimension to the story.

The film has a riveting central narrative, the performances are compelling and, most of all, we need to hear more immigration stories like this.

Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy is a big story with big action along the lines of Carlito’s Way. You can easily jump in on this story without needing to see the previous Ip Man films.

It’s impossible to escape the allusions to faith throughout the film. It may not be everyone’s bag, but Benson uses it in a relatively unobtrusive way that doesn’t seem like an exercise in proselytizing.

Dense in content but also delivered at an intense pace – much like the raps themselves – the script by Kahn and Alex Larsen (a prominent Toronto rapper under the moniker of Kid Twist) balances the harsh directness of rap lyricism with academic analysis, without alienating fans of either realm.

Though I don’t think 100 Days to Live is necessarily a PSA on suicide prevention, it’s a damn good thriller. I’m still thinking about the morality of that ending even now.

George Kosturos carries American Fighter. His acting is above average, and his fighting makes him look like this kid look believable. The bouts never feel choreographed or staged for the camera.

The stories are small but the outcome of each means so much to the characters, you’ll find yourself drawn into their very real world.

The Dying Gaul is Craig Lucas's film directing debut, and it's impressive. The film never feels one bit like a stage adaptation.

Diane is incredibly satisfying, especially at the end, with all the loose ends tying themselves together in a way that isn’t entirely expected but is kind of in your face the entire time.

The Golem is creepy, as the cinematography is awash with atmosphere and the use of such a creature is interesting. The dramatic side of things mostly holds up as well, and when combined with the excellent acting, the movie turns out to be very effective and memorable.

The cinematography is stunning, particularly where Matsumoto and Sawoko walk through the four seasons of life.

A cautionary tale, a story of salvation, sad, lyrical, funny and even brutal at times, Bloody Marie is a shot of adrenaline in a landscape filled with cinematic clones. It may not be perfect, or for everyone, but it sure is spicy as hell, and it gets most of the ingredients just right.

Who thought that New Kids On the Block would turn out to be the most influential group of the ’90s? Anyone who was paying attention to history, of course. That’s why The Idolmaker is so fascinating. Based on the guy who gave us Fabian and Frankie, it understands the inevitable pattern that repeats itself time and time again.

Sometimes we need to bask in each other’s demons, to exorcise them and achieve a semblance of redemption. Ree traces such a relationship; like an evocative painting, The Painter and the Thief will remain engraved in your memory.

Yuni is a beautiful, tender film with strong characterizations. The cast is excellent, and the subtle direction reinforces Yuni’s overwhelming feelings.

A grim and gritty movie, but sardonically funny at the same time.

This thoroughly engaging, if tragic, love story unfolds like a psychological striptease. The biggest challenge here is not to blush.

Like a deranged version of “Clueless,” the film is light-hearted, yet subversive, displaying a surprisingly wicked bite…literally.

Bateman is given all the best dialogue and delivers his hilarious one-liners and odd observations with his usual brilliant deadpan, along with Garner who gives the finest performance of her career.

Congratulations to Robb Moss for making such a crowd-pleaser. But more importantly, congratulations to Moss for having such interesting friends.

Another astute independent comedy shot on a small budget and boasting high laugh-per-minute ratio. But these are good laughs, not your average sitcom laughs.

The music is excellent, the direction is clear, and the story does not disappoint, even though it is true and sadly tragic. The acting makes sense and carries the film until the end. Perhaps what makes Girl You Know It’s True success is that you can’t believe it happened and is true.

This musical epic is unlike anything I (or anyone I know) have ever laid eyes on.

Surprisingly good.

This is one intensely-flavored meal that begs to be swallowed in a single bite. Compliments to the chef.

A bleak and powerful movie, made all the more sobering by how much of it isn't fiction.

Indeed, many professed aficionados of non-narrative cinema are averse to such formal adventurism, but with the right state of mind and their curiosity peaked, there’s no doubt that adventurous film-goers will find this to be one of the most striking documentaries of 2024.

Love it or hate it for its content, one must concede that it is nothing short of a technical marvel.

When Aja really starts in on the brutal slayings, he spares no one any comfort at all.

You get the feeling that if your party was dragging when Nadim arrived, she’d be your DJ and get the energy up. This film is that same kind of electric jump-start vision of the life of an extraordinary individual. It’s clear that Nadim is just getting started.

This could've easily been a giant mess, but aiding filmmaker Scott Storm in keeping his ship together is a talented ensemble cast who compliment the sharp, witty script by writer Paul Osborne. You're never too lost in trying to figure out why this poor guy is doomed and you're always entertained. Talent coming in from all sides makes Ten ‘til Noon great movie watching.

Brilliantly scripted and full of a virtual Who's Who of familiar faces, The Big Lebowski is yet another golden hunk of totally unique celluloid from the versatile Brothers Cohen.

Aquaman is worth seeing if only for its original visuals and the grand vision from director James Wan. As a whole, it is a bit of a mess and ends up being an exhausting experience that would’ve benefited from some judicious editing.

A genuinely engrossing film.

When the film isn’t deafening you with the sounds of bullets and screams, it revels in silence, in birdsong, in the buzzing of flies, in the tranquil sounds of nature. These sequences are captured beautifully by cinematographer Andrew Commis, Arnhem Land’s emerald ponds and breathtaking vistas forming a stark contrast to the bloodshed and fire and chaos.

Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project will school you thoroughly on why this great poet is so damn important.

It’s a thrilling, poignant accomplishment, as uncompromisingly bleak as it is epic in scope.

What could have been the most boring, unwatchable crawl-up-your-own-asshole picture instead becomes a gripping, searing portrait of a lost soul trying to find her way through life. Stephanie Bennett is amazing.

An arresting and disturbing piece of work that gets its message across without coming off as overly preachy.

It is great to see a boxing movie that portrays both boxing and Jackson in different lights.

Top it off with a cameo by the real-life Phil Kaufman, and you've got a rock'n'roll road movie like no other. Wherever he is, Gram should get a kick out of it.

Our Father, The Devil is a deeply suspenseful and insightful film.

Ultimately, My Penguin Friend is a great film to take your kids to. It is a story about an unshakeable friendship and traversing the roadblocks life puts in your way. It is a life-affirming balm for the soul.

Palmer keeps the jokes coming at a steady pace while the cast, especially Robertson, deliver hilarious and sweet performances. So don’t think about it too hard and have a good time.

Gilford’s National Anthem offers a sense of beauty to behold and accept. It is visually stunning and a complete story everyone can understand, with great drag performances and other spectacles that make this film memorable.

I really appreciate the bold narrative that Thyberg and co-writer Peter Modestij crafted. It is sex-positive, it takes no prisoners, and it grabs your attention from word one to the final frame.

Batman and Me is a wonderful deep dive into one man’s obsession.

The ultimate goal is entertainment and from an entertainment standpoint, The Almost Guys succeeds.

Long after the last image has flickered into your eye, you’ll be left with a deeper, overarching appreciation of what humans are capable of at their best. You can’t put a price on that. Gordon and Archambault deserve a lot of credit for adapting her life in an exciting and heartfelt way.

Rats! is a delirious thrill ride with a perfect mix of absurd comedy and WTF moments!

Go follow this Trail of Vengeance, as it will turn your dull, dark evening blood red with delight.