Drama

Human Factors begins on a rather ominous note: the camera slowly makes its way around the downstairs of Nina and Jan’s (Sabine Timoteo and Mark Waschke) vacation home as they and their kids, Max and…

Apple TV+’s latest gem Palmer, starring Justin Timberlake, Alisha Wainwright, June Squibb, Juno Temple, and Ryder Allen, is a delight. After 12 years in prison, high school football star Eddie Palmer (Timberlake) returns home to…

You might associate Mexico with pristine beaches. Turquoise seas. Lots of sunshine. A luxurious, exclusive all-expenses-paid hotel with various restaurants. Exotic cocktails. Maybe even a wedding on the beach. You could, of course, leave your…

In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you I am a Sam Cooke fan, and his inclusion as a character in One Night in Miami… is what initially drew my interest. Leslie Odom Jr.‘s…

The false promise that is the American Dream has been dissected over and over, by countless writers and filmmakers alike. Even so, as the illusionary powers of the American Dream evolve over time and the…

Sir Anthony Hopkins is a legend. The majesty of his onscreen presence is undeniable. With his voice and deep eyes, he automatically commands intellectual respect; unsurprisingly, he hasn’t been, or at least not to my…

First things first: don’t expect me to say anything original about the third entry of The Godfather franchise. Far greater minds than myself have reiterated its numerous flaws, especially how it pales in comparison to…

Over the years, many movies made reflect a growing trend amid studios looking to nab an easy profit. These are those productions that attempt to revive a classic tale or character but fail in attempting…

Mangrove is the first film in the five-part Small Axe anthology series directed by Steve McQueen and stars Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright, Rochenda Sandall, Jack Lowden, Alex Jennings, Sam Spruell and Malachi Kirby. When a group…

There’s something about the way Farewell Amor demands your attention that is unbelievably comforting. Maybe it’s because it functions as a triptych yet still seems formless and character-driven. Perhaps all the wonderful, reserved performances put…

Dirty God is the story of Jade, a twenty-something mom living in London, who is recovering from a vicious acid attack that left her permanently scarred. We meet Jade late in the story — after…

Ancient myth collides with modern society in Philippe Lacôte’s Night of the Kings, a film that takes place in the La MACA prison in Abidjan on the southern side of the Ivory Coast. The guards…

Ever since the release of Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity, there has been a renewed interest from studio heads and filmmakers in creating character-centered pieces set in space. One of the most prominent movies capitalizing off of…

Dialogue is one of the most prominent aspects when it comes to filmmaking. Lines such as “I’ll be back,” and “I am your father” have become nearly as notable as the movies they’re featured in…

Regina King makes everything better, doesn’t she? Lately, she’s been on another level, winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her beautiful performance in Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk and quickly moving on…

MovieBabble continues to be my not-so-subtle avenue to share my love for my hometown of Philadelphia, and what better way to continue that trend than to talk about a movie where Idris Elba rides a…

In case you weren’t already aware, Riz Ahmed is super talented. With Sound of Metal and Mogul Mowgli playing to overwhelmingly positive praise on the festival circuit, this is the sort of coming out party for…

The teenage experience is often depicted on screen as either excruciatingly idealized, where every 16-year-old is preened to perfection, or a never-ending slog without any light moments or laughter. Rocks is a joyful swerve away…

Much as its title would suggest, Supernova is a burst of emotions, a catastrophically gradual decline towards poignant devastation. Harry Macqueen’s film, which premiered at this year’s San Sebastián International Film Festival, tells the intimate,…

Diverting from the bubbly, fun theatrics of the stage musical-turned-film Mamma Mia! and the engaging, nuanced study of one of Great Britain’s most polarizing prime ministers, in the form of a Margaret Thatcher biopic, The…

People love to write movies about big, important events. I get it. World War II was important, we have a lot of World War II movies. Queen was important, so we got Bohemian Rhapsody. The…

Culture meets profession, as modernity collides with tradition in Bassam Tariq’s sophomore feature that premiered at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year. Mogul Mowgli is a film about a British-Pakistani rapper, Zed,…

I’ve learned something about myself over the last few years: I have a serious soft spot for grimy, street-level New York City movies. (“It’s almost another character in the movie!”) Anyone who frequents this website…

If you name your movie, “The Travelling Cat Chronicles”, you immediately have my attention. Just think of all the possibilities for a movie with that title! (Also, cats!!!) Although, the actual material isn’t as zany…

Gutterbug is the feature film debut of numerous folks, from director Andrew Gibson, who co-wrote the film with Chris Tobin, to the stellar supporting cast Justin Pietropaolo (Slim) and Hannah Mosqueda (Jenny). The film follows…

Lara, Jane-Ole Gerster’s sophomore feature, follows Lara Jenkins, a divorced mother on her 60th birthday. Not only is this her birthday, but it is also her son’s first solo concert as a pianist and composer.…

World War II was as far-reaching as its name would suggest. Not only did soldiers and civilians die, but their friends, families, and even hometown acquaintances were all affected by this devastating war. Summerland highlights…

The Killing of Two Lovers begins with an unbelievably harrowing moment, showing a painful closeup of David’s (Clayne Crawford) face as he stands over the bed with a cocked gun, pointing it at his wife…

There’s something about micro-budget, social realist, mumblecore adjacent independent films with an emphasis on naturalism and a kind empathy for deeply flawed and troubled characters that feels so invigorating. Canadian director, Kazik Radwanski’s deeply uncomfortable…

Biopics, or biographical films, are often difficult to pull off. They are often polarizing, especially among those who are experts or fans of the subject. Bohemian Rhapsody was revered in many ways, but historians and…