With The Librarians, Kim A. Snyder has crafted a moving, invigorating call for tolerant thinking and freedom to prevail. Thankfully, it provides a path forward for those who will watch it with concern, showing that the best way to combat ignorance and hate is with the further dissemination of knowledge. Evil prefers a closed mind, and like a good book, these librarians seek to open them.

It serves as both an exploration of the law and a powerful tribute to a mother, a woman, and a human life tragically cut short.

Led by a terrifically tender performance by John Turturro, it’s a classy, enjoyable, lovely film about a man out of time, coming to terms with the fact that the world he occupies is no longer the world he knows.

Predators emerges as both a deeply unsettling reflection on a cultural moment and a probing look at how quickly compassion can erode when entertainment takes precedence over humanity. Stirring and provocative, it is not only one of the year’s most fascinating documentaries but also a career highlight for Dave Osit.

Alex Gibney’s documentary stands as a testament to the power of art in any form to push back against both abstract and real forms of oppression.

For some, the narrative’s stronger foundation will be an asset. For others, it’s an underwhelming aspect that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the read. Either way, the film remains a fascinating piece that showcases a high level of creativity, making it worthy of being experienced.

This is a film that’s as concerned with lofty ideas of existentialism as it is with the simply mundane observations of daily beauty. That both co-exist through the lens of Amélie makes this a timeless and essential tale about growing up and learning what it means to live to the fullest.

The Stranger is a distancing, cold watch that’s sure to leave many viewers feeling completely stranded, which just may be what Ozon is going for.

Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas give terrific performances and the film’s wild mix of dark comedy, absurdity, and emotional moments keeps it endlessly engaging. Its visuals, sound design, and uniquely Scandinavian humor create a memorable cinematic experience.

Wilson manages to weave in a nearly non-stop barrage of jokes into the 100-minute runtime, while still keeping the tone lowkey. Though the film starts to lose steam toward the end, feeling as though it might have struggled to fill the feature runtime, it never stops being funny.

Given how well “Brian” works, it’s tempting to call it a miracle of a movie, simply because this humor shouldn’t play this well. But that’s not a miracle, that’s just everyone working on a film being perfectly aligned on how to tell the story they’re telling.

Little Trouble Girls is a confident debut from Djukić, who captures so much life and perspective into a dreamy 90-minute film. Making it even more impressive are wonderful debut performances from Ostan and Svajger.

Marczak’s film is a testament to a parent’s unwavering love and their willingness to do whatever it takes to bring their child home.

A harrowing portrait of an attempted rescue that is captivating and intense. It’s emotionally effective, incredibly moving and haunting as it captures these events with an impactful intimacy. The performances across the board are exceptional.

Even with crafts that, at worst, could be described as serviceable, the narrative and performances are so captivating that they more than compensate.

Preparation for the Next Life emerges as a poignant and empathetic examination of the challenges faced by young people in America. Through Bing Liu’s sensitive direction and Sebiya Behtiyar’s standout performance, it tells the story of two survivors bound by love but trapped in circumstances beyond their control.

Rian Johnson’s resurrection of the all-star murder mystery continues with yet another flawlessly cast, cleverly written, socially relevant, supremely entertaining entry in the “Knives Out” franchise

Regardless of one’s beliefs—or lack thereof—”The Testament of Ann Lee“ is an undeniably moving and inspirational story of holding true to one’s convictions and finding strength in a like-minded community, effectively brought into the 21st century through powerful, stirring music.

Campanella’s suspenseful direction makes for an emotionally resonant (and at times very upsetting) watch about enduring love, pain, and the evasiveness of true justice.

Separating Kokuho from most stories of artists striving for greatness is Sang-il’s commitment to capturing kabuki’s physicality. The filmmaker reminds us that greatness often comes from intense dedication as much as from the people around you. It is the art form itself, not just Kikuo’s internal desire, that makes his story worthwhile.

A beautifully crafted documentary that’s a celebration of the profound ways in which women like Sara Shahverdi can – and do – change the world around them.

The Ice Tower is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story that casts a hypnotic spell, expertly blending cinema and fairytale to captivating effect.

John Early's unique sensibility bursts onto the big screen with huge laughs in this loving recreation of '80s-'90s Lifetime movies that's just as heartfelt as it is hilarious.

Those who exist within the warm bubble of environmentalism will surely connect the dots between the tidbits the filmmakers present. But those who take the film’s paean to critical thinking at face value will be left disappointed, searching for answers.

There are flashes throughout of the filmmaker at his absolute best, enough to remind audiences why Gray remains one of America’s most compelling storytellers, but taken as a whole, Paper Tiger ultimately feels like a lesser entry in his filmography, let alone the crime genre, which he has dabbled in on more than one occasion.

Mungiu trusts the audience to arrive at their own conclusions as he casts the film out into dark, uncertain waters, with us unsure where exactly it is headed next, yet continuing forward all the same, much like people and society themselves, regardless of whether we are ready for it or not.

The Christophers may not be Soderbergh operating at his peak, nor does the film build to a satisfying or impactful conclusion. Regardless, Coel and McKellen make this creative endeavour worthwhile.

The film’s relentless narrative is expertly performed by a cast of newcomer talent who empathetically portray its heavy subject matter with deliberate psychological intensity.