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The Choral
When the world is on fire, thank goodness there’s art to temporarily remind us of the beauty of life. This is the heart of The Choral, a WW1 period piece that evokes universal truths about art and the horrors of war. Ralph Fiennes delivers another memorable performance as the arrogant conductor tasked with the impossible. …
Is This Thing On?
Stand-up comedy is one-man’s idea of therapy in Is This Thing On?, a movie that speaks to the importance of holding onto what you love even as responsibilities mount. Will Arnett gives a career-defining performance in this funny and heartfelt movie about overwhelmed, middle-aged adults. Highly Recommended.
The Friend
How a pet and its new owner finding each other in The Friend is very familiar ground, but it works because the story is told with empathy and sensitivity. Naomi Watts and Bill Murray are touching as a professor and her mentor, who both accept a Great Dane into their lives. A charming little drama. …
Cloud (2024, Japanese, director Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
As a crime thriller, Cloud has plenty of intrigue, hidden motivations and shocking violence to satisfy fans of the genre. However, writer-director Kiyoshi Kurosawa elevates the material by turning it into a puzzle that ultimately reveals a bleak message about the universal nature of criminality. A brilliant film. Highly recommended.
Continue reading Cloud (2024, Japanese, director Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
The Housemaid
If you enjoy watching well-made movies about beautiful people doing all the wrong things, The Housemaid is for you. The trio of Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney and Brandon Sklenar make this trashy psychosexual thriller a blast. Recommended.
Hamnet
Hamnet is a poetic film, one that uses the language of cinema to speak to us about art, life and the disparate impact they have on us. It’s also a beautifully made film with memorable performances throughout, featuring Jessie Buckley at her peak. One of the best films of the year. Highly recommended.
Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2 has a lot going for it, including splendid animation, excellent voice acting, sight gags and witty movie references. The central mystery is more convoluted and less involving than before, but the wacky new characters make for an entertaining watch. Recommended.
The Thing With Feathers
Cumberbatch is in peak form in The Thing With Feathers, where he brings the emotional turmoil of the widowed father to gut-wrenching life. The film’s literal depiction of grief and despair, as well as Dad’s battle to overcome both, is as audacious as it is honest. Recommended.
Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good is a morose conclusion to this duology, which has been theme park filmmaking at its worst. What saves it are the heartfelt performances of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and a handful of good songs. Dorothy deserved better. Mildly recommended.
Detroit Cineaste 