Shepard is smart enough to helm Unsettled as more than just an observational documentary. He wants the viewer to be stirred and inspire them to act for change. He does so by employing a fantastic score that perfectly matches the highs and lows these people experience. And instead of going for big and flashy, Shepard keeps the focus rather grounded, which makes it more intimate, thus more emotionally rewarding.

If you persevere, Stargirl will grow on you and ultimately pays off.

Ultimately, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga fails to transport us into this hyper-realistic world of Iceland as Ferrell is equally unable to endear us to his character of Lars in a film that didn’t need to be two-hours long.

It’s a smart comedy that points out the flaws of all aspects of the United State’s political landscape. It discusses how bad the division is in our country and how the media and politicians are complicit in this division. It’s a problem for both sides of the aisle that needs to be addressed before any real change can be made.

On all accounts, filmmaker John Swab’s gratuitous and grave Run with the Hunted fails to live up to the promise of its premise. Instead, it comes off as a lunkheaded exercise in self-aggrandizing mental masturbation.

The Fight is a fantastic documentary highlighting the real heroes out there: the overworked attornies of the ACLU.

While The Last Tree is not a happy story nor a political one, it is a real account of immigration with no easy answers. Watch it because it is an honest tale, and Amoo’s masterfully handling of it puts you directly into the shoes of Femi himself.

Director Peter Segal knows what strings to pull to elevate the cuteness factor, and he pulls them hard. It’s all good, actiony fun, when you need a moment to unplug your brain. Even though you’ve seen this all before in other cop buddy movies, it works.

With the endearing true story of Jack & Yaya and the power of documentary film, I am given hope that we will unite because of diversity.

A commendable subject matter does not a good movie make. Tape is inherently misguided, a queasily voyeuristic project, rendered nearly-unwatchable by its pseudo-artistic tendencies and patronizing tone.

In its attempts to mirror the abbreviated sentiments of the current social media culture, the doc becomes an abridged version of a statement.

The final product is riveting, enjoyable, and heart-wrenching from beginning to end. Guor Mading Maker is an inspirational, one-of-a-kind talent, and everything one might need to know about him is captured in Gallagher’s ​exhilarating documentary​.

Usually, films of plays are dull things. Limited access to camera angles, bad sound, lighting that doesn’t work for the movie camera. Theater and film are (appropriately) distinct media. Enter Spike Lee. He’s a master craftsman and his skills are as relevant as ever. Lee made use of all those potential disadvantages to inform his cinematic vision and encapsulate the stage performance into a striking moving picture.

Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen not only leaves us with the hope that things will improve, but it also shows us how much better the industry is when everyone is included, represented, and respected. Here’s to a brighter, more diverse future for all trans actors.

Seahorse’s presentation, while intimate and well-pieced-together, comes off a bit flat, considering how truly lyrical and groundbreaking it could have been.

Despite being slow at times and having moments where characters’ motivations can be unclear, The Dinner Party still delivers a solid horror film that had me watching parts through slightly covered eyes.

There is potential that elevates The Luring from traditional small-budget horror output on a visceral level, but sadly there are no amount of balloons that could elevate this to a recommendation.

Is Mope a “must see?” If you love movies that start off insane and ends even crazier, then yes, Mope is a must see in every way!

Hammer has the mechanics of a hard-edged noir thriller, which work startlingly well, but it’s clear that Sparkes’s heart, and therefore the film’s, is centered on the distressed familial relationships.

Return to Hardwick is a living, breathing moment from our past, reminding us what has been done, and what can be done.

While most of the plot of An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn feels like several different movies working at once, they all converge into a bizarre, madcap finale.

Miss Juneteenth’s brilliance is in its subtlety.

It’s hard to watch StarDog and TurboCat and not think that Disney and Pixar can do this better. The animation is pretty good with standard cartoon movement and character design. It only lacks the photorealistic details and textures associated with Pixar.

After We Leave is a shining example of indie filmmaking at its finest.

Visceral, visually assured, and thematically sound, Tainted functions as a great calling card for its skilled filmmaker. If you’re in the mood for yet another treatise on our penchant for savagery, delve right in.

The Departure is an entertaining film on the strength of the performances. If you enjoy “TMZ” style drama, you’ll need to watch until the end… despite the boys not behaving like men.

Marona’s Fantastic Tale gently and poetically deals with heavy themes like mortality, solitude, and loss, but manages to be suitable viewing for the entire family. It reiterates that the love our dogs have for us is unconditional and that we shouldn’t regard them as accessories or temporary means of respite. It’s also a phantasmagoric feast for the eyes. Seek it out.

This film could have been something great, but with an unsatisfying ending and a couple of subplots that felt like they didn’t fit, it gets knocked down to just being entertaining.