Category: Oscars Month

• April 2, 2021

  Minari

  This beautiful little family story is full of humor, warmth, and hardship, that stumbles in the end for me. The film follows the Yi family, Korean immigrants who after working for years finally buy their own land Arkansas in the 1980’s. The way this Korean family struggles with the locals, money, and their own dreams…
• March 18, 2021

  The Father

  This deeply affecting film features powerful performances and nimble, skillful direction that create an empathetic portrait of memory loss. Roger Ebert once said, “movies are like machines that generate empathy.” That could not be more true of this film. It puts us in the shoes of an aging man, played by Anthony Hopkins, suffering from…
• March 12, 2021

  The United States Vs. Billie Holiday

  This movie is all over the map, but it is anchored by some stunning cinematic flourishes and a truly phenomenal performance by Andra Day. In the 1940’s, the singer Billie Holiday endures drug addiction, abusive men, and a targeted campaign against her by the U.S. government. Andra Day plays Billie Holiday as a defiant woman…
• February 26, 2021

  Pieces of a Woman

  If you’re looking for a harrowing emotional experience look no further than this Netflix drama. The film stars Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf as a couple dealing with a deeply traumatic incident that shakes them and their family to their core. Im being somewhat cagey in my description because I experienced this film without knowing…
• February 20, 2021

  Nomadland

  A woman living out of her van travels the country in search of inner peace in this lovely collection of moments anchored by Frances McDormand’s performance. The film opens with two titles explaining that there was a factory town in Empire Nevada. The factory shut down in 2011, and within six months the town was…
• February 13, 2021

  Judas and the Black Messiah

  Part thriller, part biopic, and part historical tragedy this enthralling film features two unforgettable performances and incredible story telling that has a lot to say about the world then and now. I think it helps to have a little history before stepping into the movie especially if your only experience with the Black Panthers is…
• February 24, 2019

  BlacKkKlansman

  An unbelievable true story, some incredible filmmaking, and a sledgehammer of a political message combine to create one of the best films of the year. The film follows the story of Ron Stallworth, the first black police officer on the Colorado Springs police force. He works undercover and one day responds to an ad placed…
• February 20, 2019

  A Star is Born

  Great performances, some really wonderful directorial flourishes and a great soundtrack elevate the film, but aren’t able to make it soar. The story is a classic. A legendary star on the decline finds and elevates a young ingenue. Her star rises as his collapses. Their love holds them together through it all. The film is…
• January 30, 2019

  Green Book

  With two powerhouse performances, this film is a joyful emotional success that is a pleasure to watch again and again. It doesn’t preach nor dictate. It tells the story of these two men and their relationship and lets the emotions flow. The direction offers little beyond getting out of the lead actors’ way as they…