Costner and company know the importance of visual and sonic storytelling. In this film, the score, landscapes, and set pieces guide the stories along when the dialogue is limited, helping us to connect to the overall experience emotionally.

Palm Trees and Power Lines is eerie, provocative, and thought-provoking.

The film is a genuine pleasure to watch, especially for fans of either or both of the leading actors.

Amrum doesn't fully confront all the questions it poses, instead serving as a meditation on the ways a child might respond to a world he doesn't fully understand.

Ultimately, Dead Man’s Wire succeeds as a comedy but often falters in its deeper social commentary. Though it lacks the critical bite that could make it one of Van Sant’s best, it sits comfortably among his most entertaining.

Though the script fails to follow through on some of its promises, the subtext is there and Elordi, Edgar-Jones, and the rest of the cast give quietly devastating performances as their dreams manifest in ways they cannot predict.

Black Cab has a pitch-perfect combination of Goodison's surreal direction and Gazelle Twin's ethereal score.

Alice, Darling is a respectful and piercing character study that also serves as an excellent showcase for Kendrick's talents.

Inside Out 2 leans more towards greatness than redundancy & though it falls short of being one of Pixar's best, it's a worthy addition to the library.

This isn’t a film that relies on gimmicks and shock value. Instead, first-time feature directors Johnson and Merrick masterfully craft a story that relies on social media and technology to the benefit of the script. And thanks to a well-framed story and clever structure, everything comes together by the film’s end, revealing the answers from clues that just may have been there the entire time.

While more could have been done to develop Dinklage and MacLaine's characters, or explore the outcome which comes in the film's sudden and succinct conclusion, American Dreamer does a tremendous job of exploring one man's American dream, the lengths he must go to achieve it, and what is waiting for him once he reaches that goal.

If One Fine Morning offers no great revelations, it is full of echoes, parallels, and sparks that leave the viewer activated beyond its runtime, perhaps engaging with the world a little more thoughtfully than they were before watching.

The Wrecking Crew has finally put Momoa and Bautista on screen together and, thankfully, it largely lives up to the potential of the acting duo.

Gold isn't a gut-punch, but it lulls to sleep before spearing with a jagged branch.

Though the movie's final act somewhat stumbles through its attempt at a big twist, it proves to be a refreshing approach to the formula.

The result is a fun, exciting animation that keeps us hooked throughout. Yes, there is the occasional lull in the story, but it doesn’t linger before picking back up with some new story turn or action sequence.

Even if some of the finer points of the plot don’t make sense and the pacing starts and stops, the best way to enjoy Silver Haze is not to think about it, but to feel it.

It's a fresh and exciting take on a familiar storyline, with bouts of tension and energy. It raises the bar for crime thrillers thanks to the incredible cast and performances throughout. Eenie Meanie has something for everyone, with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion that stays with you hours after the credits roll.

The Ballad of Wallis Island is effortless in its execution and breezy in its pacing, which makes its emotional undertones all the more surprising and affecting.

The Tragedy of Macbeth is a visually stunning and faithful Shakespearean adaptation fueled by captivating performances from its stars.

Eslyn has full control of every element of the filmmaking process and the team to execute that vision. Fenton's production design fits the film perfectly and every little touch works to build out this world. Duplass and Brown are an unlikely, but deeply successful, duo.

It All Came True isn't a typical gangster movie. It's a lighthearted musical comedy that happens to feature a couple of sinister details, like the fact that Humphrey Bogart's character, Chips Maguire, is trying to keep a low profile after committing a murder.

The strength of the story rests firmly in Derbez's sensitive portrayal and his touching moments with each student, proving that Sergio does know how to spark a genuine excitement for education by tapping into a child's personal interests.

Yes, God, Yes is an achingly honest and entertaining-as-hell journey through one teen's burgeoning sexuality and personal reckoning with Catholicism.

Upholding genre tropes whilst subverting them, Son is an unsettling fever-dream drenched in unspeakable acts that leave viewers on edge until the end.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the MCU getting back to basics - a solid superhero movie, grounded in heart, but with little flashiness.

This is not a biopic of an artist so much as a human artwork, capturing the many questions he provokes and the contradictory answers that define him.

Bolstered by fabulous performances by its lead cast, Passages delicately and intimately explores a love affair that goes awry because of one person’s decisions.

From a superhero perspective, Vogt's movie recaptures that sense of primordial awe that many of today's blockbusters have lost touch with, simply by setting themselves in worlds so obviously distant from everyday life. Whatever its impact upon release, The Innocents seems destined to be remembered, and hopefully the industry will find room for more movies just like it.

Theater Camp won't be for everyone, but thespians and drama geeks will find themselves right at home, and even laymen may find more than a few laughs.

I would love to spend more time with this ensemble. While the story deviations can prove a bit frustrating, the movie is its own thing, and I suspect it'll be a crowd-pleaser.

It's an underdog story — sorry, under-goat story — for a new generation that is ready for a new, more inclusive kind of game.

Though various endings may differ in effective execution or feeling deserved by the closing credits of the two-hour film, some of which among the Shelby clan are guaranteed to be divisive, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is still an entertaining, action-filled, worthwhile return to the story for those who have been missing a recitation of “in the bleak midwinter” over the past several years.

The story is solid and its characters are fleshed out enough that Girl Happy can be considered a plentiful experience, if not the final remnant of Presley's ambitious vitality in his late 1960s films.

It's a lighthearted, empathetic film that multiple generations of family can see together and all find something worth taking with them.

Thanks to the stellar acting and nonstop pace of the story, iHostage transcends a few underdeveloped characters to create an intense story based on scarily true events.

Sisi & I wanders through its beautiful settings and complicated relationships with alternating ease and nervousness, showcasing surprising takes on these historical figures’ lives.

F9 returns to the heights of Lin's best Fast & Furious franchise films, combining big heart and bigger action while deepening its themes of family.

The film and its character dynamics are intoxicating and wildly enjoyable, almost uncomfortably so due to the nature of their entanglements. If it had been less concerned with its twists, Saltburn could have been immaculate.

There is some great comedy in this, and the performances go hand in hand with the script and production. With early conversations leaning into the goofiness, it permits us not to take everything else too seriously, leading to being surprised by some oddly genuine moments and decent dramatic acting.

Though it can't quite break out of the Disney mold, Encanto is greatly aided by a unique story, a delightful cast of characters, and a vital message.

Dream Scenario is at its best when it’s centering Paul and his inner world, and how his actions and events affect his family.

As a first-time director, Hart has certainly shown his aptitude for evoking a strong lead performance and working in tandem with his technical team to create rhythm and tone, making me excited about what he will do next.

What the documentary lacks in depth it makes up for with style, creativity, and entertainment value.

Roberts' film succeeds where much contemporary coverage failed because of how invested it is in the difference between laughing with him, as the audience is taught to do, and laughing at him.

Fortunately, the acting, action, and pacing of the story override the film's issues to make The Killer an extremely fun and engaging assassin movie.

The film is an effective, thrilling, frightening horror, perfect for those who enjoyed Bird Box and are thrilled by the prospect of more.

It's a B-movie that completely understands what it is, and even if it doesn't get a wide release, it's destined to be a cult classic for both horror and war movie fans.

Cocaine Bear is exactly what one would imagine from its title, yet the carnage and shocking scenes yield an experience that soars beyond expectations.

[Elordi] and Isaac's fierce onscreen chemistry is more than enough to keep Frankenstein electrifying even when the story is stalling.

Ansari has brought his familiar comedic charm to a solid, original story, and the end result is an all-around good time.

Hell Hole is a really rewarding experience for horror genre fans who have longed to see a crazy body horror outing in the vein of The Thing.

Hustle succeeds in being exactly the movie it sets out to be: A glimpse inside what it takes to get into, and stay in, the very competitive NBA.

To enjoy After Blue, one should be open to an experience that overtakes the senses. Despite the long runtime, it offers a wholly unique experience.

Bottoms nearly has it all and even where it falls short, it is still far bolder than much of anything released by major studios in the last few years.

Sure, the script takes wild liberties that bear no resemblance to historical accuracies, but with Vikander and Law leading this wonderful ensemble, it’s a rather welcomed addition that will keep your eyes glued to the screen from start to finish.

From the opening scenes, The Woman in Cabin 10 hooks us and doesn’t let go.

It’s the little moments and details that turn it into something more profound and lovely.

Even if it can't quite sustain the highs it reaches early on, On the Count of Three's success relative to its ambition is truly impressive, and those who aren't turned off by its very premise won't regret seeking it out.

From its compelling topic choice, a star-making lead role, stellar ensemble cast, and crafty execution, Música is a must-see.

It's the kind of eccentric true story that seems tailor-made for a movie, and McAvoy brings it to life with plenty of high-spirited energy.

Driven by the emotional drama that is constantly bubbling to the surface, the film handles the unsettling feelings of its characters and tension-building with ease, leaving the audience with a complex, compelling story.

In some ways, the film's hollowness allows it to circle back upon itself and become a pure expression of adrenaline.

Concrete Utopia is one of the best thrillers of the year.

This may not be scary, but the effects are great, and the comedy really lands, too.

If Sloan and Mastroianni made Gazer with only their limited resources and spark to create something new, it bodes well for the filmmakers' futures and whatever their next project will be.

With an excellent ensemble cast and intense character dynamics, Knock at the Cabin is a high-stakes horror that delights in the doubt and confusion that arises.

The film is so well put together, constructed with such warmth, that it does paper over its own indulgence.

The result is a solid entry into the body horror genre.

What makes Carolina Caroline so magical is the way it transcends its clichés to tell an engrossing story.

Ultimately, the film is successful in having its cake and eating it too. It is both a tense political thriller and a crackling satire of drunken power. The comedy of the first two-thirds becomes the horror in the last, as these people’s willful ignorance of danger becomes terrifying in its potential repercussions.

While X could have dug a bit deeper into certain aspects of the story, the film’s twists, layered themes, and intriguing character dynamics blend together to make it one of the best horror films of the year so far.

The Half of It puts a queer YA spin on a classic romance story, but Wu makes it her own - delivering a charming, sweet and altogether heartfelt movie.

Companion wants to surprise you, but has no real interest in trying to outsmart you.

Audiences may not have much of an appetite after watching the film, but the experience, like Slowik’s promise to his own guests, will be one they won’t soon forget.

A Haunting in Venice is standard Hercule Poirot mystery fare that is given a boost thanks to the stunning visuals and supernatural happenings.

For those with even a general interest in gaming and looking for a charming twist on the theater industry, Grand Theft Hamlet is still worth a watch.

Ralph Bates gives a phenomenal interpretation of Victor Frankenstein himself, but it's David Prowse's musclebound monster that steals the show. It jumps through a lot of the same hoops as the Universal version, but it does stand out compared to other interpretations.

Palestine 36 is beautifully shot and researched, and peppered with historical touches.

At its heart, it is Holt and Swindells’ performances that give the story its warmth and soul — qualities essential to any Christmas movie.

Beau is Afraid will make one feel alongside its title character in a way few films do, and it's a torturous and glorious ride.

It's one of Adams' best performances in a career full of them, messy and feral and unwiedly, just like Nightbitch itself.

While the story leaves something to be desired, The Sparrow in the Chimney is a memorable family drama with plenty of layered symbolism that will keep you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

It is the type of film that asks for a deeper engagement than it is willing to offer, but Hadžihalilović may just be pulling us into her conception of image-making as a process of self-actualization. If that is the case, the film does well to break from Andersen's tragic tale for something a bit more existential.

With bi-erasure and transphobia both ballooning, I Wish You All The Best comes with a strong message of hope: that you, too, can be an awkward, flailing teen. That awkwardness is not exclusive to those who fit a traditional mold, and that we all deserve a chance to mess up.

Gulner, who has five other writing credits but directs here for the first time, is a sturdy filmmaker with a solid feel for pace and tone. With The Beldham, she has crafted a clever piece of writing whose ending recontextualizes the whole film in a magnetic flash.

Full of action sequences and an incredibly moving score to pair, this could be the kind of war drama that audiences have been missing. It’s heavy on the violence and anti-war messaging, and contains a beautiful story about survival, humanity, and doing the right thing even when there are countless obstacles in the way.

I’m Still Here is an evocative, nuanced portrait of family and the lasting imprint of politics.

The film makes up for some of the missed storytelling opportunities with its stylish, exciting action sequences, and its swift pacing, all of which combined make for a fun, overall enthralling time.

The film is infectiously exuberant, with kinetic energy that never lets up. Paired with its lighthearted tone, Honor Among Thieves is a wildly good time at the movies.

While the pacing dawdles just a bit in a few places, The Outside Story is an unexpectedly warm film that asks its audience to engage with their own surroundings in the hopes that they, like Charles, might find something worthwhile.

Though following a familiar formula that's running the risk of wearing thin, Kung Fu Panda 4 still finds heart in the reliable Dreamworks franchise.

Enhanced by an all-in performance from Watts and impressive behind-the-camera work, Infinite Storm is a ride that's both engrossing and emotional.

The film's tone and performances are in lockstep, creating a familiar but effective vibe, making MK Ultra a no-frills thriller reminiscent of classic 70s paranoia.

There may be few miracles in The Wonder, but it's clear that Pugh is one unto herself.

Though Togo is headed straight for a streaming service, it's still feels like a very cinematic experience. Director Ericson Core (who also served as the movie's cinematographer), excels at portraying the brutal conditions Leonhard and his team endured during the serum run.

The film offers an inspiring and remarkable story of hope, creativity, and adaptability, through the eyes of Mats and his alter ego, Ibelin.

Moviegoers looking for something romantic and entertaining to catch on Valentine's Day weekend (or even later on in February) won't go wrong with The Photograph.