All the well-directed decision-making made by Affleck to present a known story reveals how screenwriter Alex Convery crafted a script where actors had the freedom to embrace their characters to the core. And adding the Affleck-Damon recipe makes it even better.

Daley and Goldstein have written and directed a fabulous paean to the granddaddy of Tabletop Role-Playing games that is just so much fun.

It makes the mistake of developing the characters less in order to increase the chance of symbolism more.

It’s time to turn off the news and turn our attention to stories and films that offer real solutions for peace. Start here and learn that people can change for the better.

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.

Part of the reason Condor’s Nest works as well as it does is that none of it feels forced or showy. Blattenberger truly set out to make a kick-ass WWII flick, albeit with his tongue planted firmly in cheek.

The documentary is the great American story of the outsiders coming in and rising up. You need to see it.

With unflinching honesty and ardor, this soul-stirring, wonderfully offbeat documentary reminds you of the power of family, positive thinking, and art. Demonstrating filmmaking prowess, Meyer is indeed an artist and already an extraordinary human being.

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.

While the authenticity of a television show from that era may dampen the intensity of the scares, the film is still just plain fun to watch. The effects are wonderful, with the vast majority of them being practical. The Cairnes brothers lean on fun over terror, which may irk some. But, what fun is had!

Are You Lonesome Tonight? is a masterclass of cinematic storytelling. Every element works together to enhance and build up each other. This might be Wen’s first feature film, but it heralds a top-notch director with a lot of swagger and much to say.

While it seems on the surface to be a paint-by-numbers thriller, the numbers add up to something higher than usual.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the return to the greatness we associate with the franchise, particularly after the misstep that is Chapter 3. It is easily my favorite movie of 2023 so far and begs for repeat viewings.

Exploring universal themes of seeking familial connection and kindness, Adopting Audrey verges dangerously close to becoming as aimless as its heroine. But because of Malone’s sublime performance, it manages to stay on course. Maybe in the future Cahill could benefit from adopting a different approach.

The cast’s commitment throughout The Whale allows Aronofsky to create a tearful experience.

Where Licorice Pizza was fun, bombastic spectacle of performances, I Like Movies is a more subtle, more human, more cohesive film with a devastating and distinctive point of view.

Radio Silence needed to make Scream their own, and they did it in a blaze of blood and guts glory.

The movie unfolds with an anxious pace and a consistent building of actions and circumstances.

Look at Therapy Dogs as a cautionary tale, one bound to horrify unaware parents. Eng doesn’t seem to give a f**k whether you respond to it or not. Good for him.

A House Made of Splinters tells a story that needs to be told as loud as possible. While uncomfortable at times, the filmmaker is respectful and empathetic.

Andrew Commis and Rick Rifici’s jaw-dropping camerawork is worth the ticket price by itself: Abby’s fingers brushing against the grouper, whales scaling the surface of a deep-blue ocean, the skeleton of a blue whale resting among rocks. These visuals make the abundant preaching throughout Blueback palatable but make you long for a tighter focus and a subtler approach.

The story is about being held accountable for your actions and making things right. But it’s also about the love and honesty of family and, ultimately, forgiveness.

The movie may take time to develop and needs a little more punch for its payoff, but it is still worth your time as a genre-mixing indie.

The Year Between culminates with a beautifully emotional scene, but the journey to get there is a challenge, much like for those who are suffering from a number of mental health issues. But the performances and the overall message of empathy made it worth it all for me.

Hunter Her, Kill Her is an intense thrill ride that will leave everyone watching on the edge of their seat. Terrazzino’s performance is stunning, as the actor easily handles every emotional beat and punch.

The Persian Version is a comedic and beautiful portrait of a Muslim immigrant family caught between the struggles of two cultures and two generations, featuring two outstanding performances that should not be missed.

The Teachers’ Lounge flows very well, and the story is quite effective, leaving viewers intrigued, engaged, and as eager as its protagonist to find the truth and answers to what is happening at the school.

Bunker is a gripping little thriller with solid characters and impressive visual flair.