How one rom-com trope finds the romance in a breakup Sarah Gorr | February 12, 2024 Of all the romcom tropes, “the amicable breakup” might be the most misunderstood & powerfully cathartic.
The Iron Claw lets Zac Efron shine but pulls its punches Sarah Gorr | December 21, 2023 Sean Durkin’s biopic about the Von Erich wrestling dynasty features stellar performances in a script that can’t quite find its footing.
Nebraska at 10: Alexander Payne’s love letter to the Midwest Sarah Gorr | November 16, 2023 Long overshadowed by Sideways, we’re giving this understated dramedy its due for depicting Midwest with the specificity Hollywood rarely gives it.
Fair Play is a slick, sexy, and polarizing debut Sarah Gorr | September 28, 2023 Netflix’s newest is a fierce and feminist erotic thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Jules is an alien fantasy with heart, but no art Sarah Gorr | August 11, 2023 The Ben Kingsley vehicle is a sentimental flick aimed squarely at the AARP crowd, but lacks style and craft.
Happiness for Beginners offers only stale misery Sarah Gorr | July 24, 2023 Netflix’s latest rote original is yet another marker on the streaming service’s increasingly long trail of apathetic content production.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’s action stuns Sarah Gorr | July 5, 2023 Despite a script bogged down by the extended set-up of its villain, Tom Cruise and company remain unmatched thrillmasters.
A decade on, The Purge series is more frightening than ever Sarah Gorr | May 31, 2023 The dystopian portrait of the United States now feels ironically naïve, a reality that makes it more deeply unnerving than when it first hit theatres.
You Hurt My Feelings turns a little betrayal into big laughs Sarah Gorr | May 24, 2023 Nicole Holofcener finds hilarity in insecurity with this exploration of marriage, creativity, and honesty.
Interview: Jim Penola on expressing his appreciation of Karyn Kusama through podcasting Sarah Gorr | May 12, 2023 The man behind the podcast An Invitation discusses how his appreciation of the director fueled his intensive dive into her films.
Beau Is Afraid is a hilarious epic that revels in the absurdity of fear Sarah Gorr | April 13, 2023 Ari Aster’s latest leaves the straightforward horror genre behind for something far, far weirder.
Tiny Beautiful Things celebrates the beauty in learning from a messy life Sarah Gorr | April 6, 2023 Hulu brings Cheryl Strayed’s old advice column to life in this refreshing, if messy, adaptation.
Rye Lane earns itself a spot in the rom-com canon Sarah Gorr | March 31, 2023 Hulu’s newest rom-com argues that the genre is far from dead with one of the sweetest stories we’ve seen.
The Magician’s Elephant is a modern fairy tale turned empty adaptation Sarah Gorr | March 15, 2023 An inoffensive albeit empty mystery box, Netflix’s children’s fantasy never reaches the heights it aims for.
Alice, Darling presents an unflinching depiction of emotional abuse Sarah Gorr | January 20, 2023 Mary Nighy’s directorial debut has Anna Kendrick giving a career-best performance.
The Seven Faces of Jane is a messy flop Sarah Gorr | January 11, 2023 Seven directors work together to create a film that feels like a freshman year film school project.
Babylon is an epic Hollywood tale worthy of its title Sarah Gorr | December 18, 2022 Hollywood never tires of talking about itself, but Damien Chazelle’s Babylon is entertaining as hell.
Nanny illustrates the horror of the American Dream with West African folklore Sarah Gorr | November 23, 2022 Nikyatu Jusu’s Sundance debut uses an immigrant story to reveal America’s darkest horrors.
Netflix’s Slumberland is a CGI snoozefest Sarah Gorr | November 19, 2022 This twist on Little Nemo is a muddled and sloppy mess.
TIFF: Autobiography questions the value of loyalty in the name of tyranny Sarah Gorr | September 21, 2022 Makbul Mubarak’s debut Autobiography delves deep to examine loyalty & family under dictatorship
Spin Me Round’s stacked cast delivers big laughs Sarah Gorr | August 18, 2022 Jeff Baena and Alison Brie’s latest collaboration’s big laughs make up for its unevenness.