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The Very Best

A Real Pain 2024

8/10

Two cousins bond as they trace their roots in this powerfully emotional dramedy

Two cousins bond as they trace their roots in this powerfully emotional dramedy.

Our take

A Real Pain is a deceptively simple film. There’s not a lot going on on the surface, but Eisenberg’s smart script and tight direction, coupled with Culkin’s firecracker performance fuel the film with heart and infectious energy. A Real Pain shines when it focuses on the cousins’ bondat once pained and precious—but it also works as a strong ensemble of realistic characters, and as a heartfelt tribute to the Holocaust victims of the region. Eisenberg does an excellent job of tying the characters’ flaws and emotions with the horrors of the past. It deals with heavy stuff, but there’s an impressive restraint at play here, even during Eisenberg and Culkin’s big moments. They’re moving (but never overly sentimental) and truly memorable.

Synopsis

Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

Storyline

Cousins Dave (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) go on a Holocaust remembrance tour in Poland in honor of their recently deceased grandmother while battling their personal demons along the way.

TLDR

For a very specific film fan, Eisenberg and Culkin finally being in a film together feels like a dream come true.

What stands out

Eisenberg may be the writer and director, but Culkin is the true standout. Culkin has an uncanny ability to make you tear up with the minutest movements and facial gestures. The guy’s gonna win an Oscar soon, no doubt.

Sugarcane 2024

7.3/10

This documentary about the horrors of an Indian residential school is beautifully shot and powerfully told

This documentary about the horrors of an Indian residential school is beautifully shot and powerfully told.

Our take

Everything about Sugarcane is arresting, whether it’s the epic shots of the sweeping reservation (“Canada is our land,” one native announces), the emotional moments shared by survivors of the abusive residential schools, or the damning discoveries they find in an investigation into the Catholic priests. Every second of it is sure to shock and infuriate. Not everything is tragic though. There are slivers of hope, especially from the independently assembled team leading the investigation. The police are apathetic and the suspects are evasive, but despite the deep trauma, pain, and violence the community of Sugarcane has gone through, they persist.

Synopsis

An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school ignites a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.

Storyline

The native community of the Sugarcane Reserve in Canada mount an investigation into the missing children and multiple abuses of a Catholic residential school.

TLDR

Be prepared to be infuriated.

What stands out

Sometimes it gets so intimate, I feel bad for watching. In some of the most private moments, I want the cameraman to stop filming, pull him away almost, to stop us from intruding.

Dinner in America 2022

7.5/10

A punk rock romance that, like the genre, is rough around the edges but actually sweet inside

A punk rock romance that, like the genre, is rough around the edges but actually sweet inside.

Our take

Admittedly, it’s hard to watch the first twenty minutes of Dinner in America. The slurs are gratuitous, the suburban families are superficially satiric, and it seemed at first glance the leads were, too. But when the punk singer and his awkward fan meet, and they start driving around the Midwest, there’s a charming chemistry formed between these two weirdos, portrayed with a dynamic back-and-forth between Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs. This chemistry makes their ridiculous character flaws work, too– as Simon’s random destructive quirks end up being the perfect response for Patty’s life and Patty’s deranged fan letters turn out to be the kind of lyrical genius Simon’s been looking for. There’s no denying that the film is brash and rough at the edges like its leads, and even with this, some viewers might still turn up their noses at the two. But the over-the-top humor, the memorable dialogue, and the surprising sweetness of Dinner in America makes for a scrappy, edgy romcom that might actually be punk.

Synopsis

An on-the-lam punk rocker and a young woman obsessed with his band go on an unexpected and epic journey together through the decaying suburbs of the American Midwest.

Storyline

After being on the run from the cops, punk rock singer Simon unexpectedly meets awkward misfit Patty, who happens to be a superfan of his band. This leads them to go on a journey to get what they’re owed in America’s decaying Midwestern suburbs.

TLDR

Look... As an adult, I would hate to actually meet these two. But if I watched this during my teenage punk/emo phase, I would be so down bad for the two of them.

What stands out

Okay, yes, this film has employed a lot of slurs, both from the leads and the antagonist suburban families. Yes, it’s bad to say these words. Don’t do it. But it’s clear that the film makes the distinction between saying the word and actually holding the mindset of looking down at the marginalized groups as subhuman, since the only time the leads ever say them is to self-consciously question whether the people looking down on them are right (Patty) and to sling them back to people looking down at them (Simon).

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara 2024

6.8/10

A searing but often uneven look into the dark side of fandom

A searing but often uneven look into the dark side of fandom.

Our take

Though it begins with the catfishing and hacking incident that affected thousands of Tegan and Sara fans, not to mention Tegan herself, Fanatical dips into the more general topic of fandom and explores both the good and bad of it. Tegan and Sara make for an excellent case study for two reasons. One is that they came into the social media world earlier than most pop stars, and two is that their fanbase back then was uniquely comprised of young queer people. They were vulnerable and eager to connect online, which “Fegan” or the Fake Tegan who catfished their fans, exploited to no end. The documentary does well both as an explainer of fandom and as an exploration of this unfortunate event. Where it fails is as a true crime documentary. Director Erin Lee Carr approaches some of the more unwilling interviewees with a strange sort of aggression, making the documentary feel uneven at times, if not outrightly biased.

Synopsis

Tegan Quin (from Tegan and Sara) has been the victim of identity theft and an ongoing catfishing scam for over 15 years. While investigating, she shares for the first time, how she was ensnared in toxic fan culture that revealed the dark side of fame.

Storyline

Director Erin Lee Carr and Tegan Quinn, of the band Tegan and Sara, dive into the catfishing phenomenon that threatened (and continues to threaten) the musician’s life and relationships.

TLDR

To the people who grew up in 2000s online spaces, get ready for a whiplash-inducing blast to the past.

What stands out

The confrontations that happen near the end. They’re both unnerving and heartbreaking. But also, I wonder what’s preventing officials from tracking the real culprit with today’s technology. Decades ago, I’d understand why, but in an era when amateur detectives can use IP addresses to track people down, I’m curious why professionals are having a hard time pinning Fegan down.

Mr. Crocket 2024

6.2/10

Children’s TV becomes menacing mayhem in this campy horror flick

Children’s TV becomes menacing mayhem in this campy horror flick.

Our take

Parenting is tough. Of course, everyone should try to do a good job at it, and shouldn’t be abusive, but sometimes, especially when frustrated, some find themselves snapping. Sometimes, they would do anything just to make kids behave, even if it’s just to give them an iPad or place them in front of the television. Mr. Crocket takes this behavior as a portal for an evil entity. It’s a clever premise, with a campy execution of 90s aesthetics and Elvis Nolasco is especially menacing as the titular host, but while the film crafts a creeping sense of terror, it feels less terrifying when the film barely devotes time to the mother and son at the center. Mr. Crocket still manages to be a fun horror film to watch despite that.

Synopsis

A single mother thinks she's found the key to calming her child down – a VHS copy of a strange children's program named Mr. Crocket's World. However, a darker, bloodier secret waits to invade their home from inside the tape.

Storyline

While seemingly an innocuous children’s show, its mysterious, grinning host Mr. Crocket emerges from television sets to brutally kill parents and kidnap their young children. After snatching her son, a determined mother embarks on a quest to rescue him from the entertainer.

TLDR

Yep, I'm throwing my TV in the dumpster.

What stands out

The man himself. He’s like Mr. Roger if he transformed into Freddy Krueger around bad parenting.

Stree 2018

7.2/10

A vengeful spirit haunts the town’s menfolk in this supernatural horror comedy

A vengeful spirit haunts the town’s menfolk in this supernatural horror comedy.

Our take

You know how, instead of condemning sexual violence, some people patronizingly advise women to go home early, move in groups for safety, and make sure to lock the door for safety? Stree takes this usual advice and uses it instead as fictional ritual practices for the men in the small town of Chanderi to escape from the titular spirit. It’s a rather cheeky inversion, one that resolves in a familiar, though understandable, way. While Stree takes a more comedic, jumpscare approach, it does rightly point out that if half of the population acted like this spirit, then the fear the other half feels would undeniably be reasonable.

Synopsis

Set in the town of Chanderi, Stree is based on the urban legend of Nale Ba that went viral in Karnataka in the 1990s, and features Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao in pivotal roles.

Storyline

In the small town of Chanderi, the men there live in fear of the angry female spirit known as the Stree, who stalks and abducts men, leaving behind their clothes. Handsome village tailor Vicky doesn’t believe in its existence, at least, until he meets a beautiful, unnamed woman that other men can’t see.

TLDR

Stree did nothing wrong!!!

What stands out

Mild spoilers! I love that to solve everything, the whole town had to learn from the Stree’s story.

The Stones and Brian Jones 2023

7/10

A foundational member of The Rolling Stones gets his due in this uneven but enlightening documentary

A foundational member of The Rolling Stones gets his due in this uneven but enlightening documentary.

Our take

Though it’s a bit chaotic in structure—it’s chronological but all over the place—The Stones and Brian Jones is a compelling and crucial portrait of The Rolling Stones’ co-founding member and original leader. Jones’ life is typical of rock stars, from the misunderstood childhood and philandering habits to drug dependence and luxurious lifestyle, but director Nick Broomfield tries to paint more nuance into his character. We’re reminded, through interviews with past lovers and even letters from a family that disowned him, that he was also ambitious, insecure, sensitive, affectionate, gentle, and moody. Too often, Broomfield will relish in Jones’ tragedy, when he could’ve focused more on his musical prowess and technical knowledge, but it is overall a fair picture. It’s sympathetic to Jones of course, but Broomfield doesn’t forget to include excerpts from Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who ‘till now seem to harbor mixed feelings over Jones (he did have Jagger arrested after all). There’s drama and tension and a good deal of great music, which are always fun to watch.

Synopsis

A look at the relationships and rivalries within The Rolling Stones in their formative years, as well as the creative musical genius of Brian Jones, key to the success of the band.

Storyline

Using a mix of exclusive interviews and archival footage, Nick Broomfield creates a portrait of The Rolling Stones co-founder and guitarist Brian Jones, who passed away just seven years after the iconic band was formed.

TLDR

Fans of classic rock and the turbulent decade of the ‘60s will find much to like here, but it might be too niche for everyone else.

What stands out

They’re there via short excerpts, but Jagger and Richards’ lack of input feels so heavy here, especially they are and continue to be the face of the band.

Babes 2024

7.5/10

This heartwarming tale of friendship and motherhood is packed with Ilana Glazer’s signature absurd and acerbic wit

This heartwarming tale of friendship and motherhood is packed with Ilana Glazer’s signature absurd and acerbic wit.

Our take

Babes tells the story of Eden (Ilana Glazer) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau), codependent best friends who are forced to reevaluate their relationship when Eden finally joins Dawn in becoming a mother. While Eden learns how to be more mature and independent, Dawn struggles to feel like herself again after two exhausting pregnancies. Burdened by these personal problems, they evaluate the boundaries of their friendship and ask themselves, what do they owe each other? It sounds like heavy stuff, but the script—co-written by Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz—has an uncanny ability to make even the most serious parts of the film feather-light. Glazer and Buteau are fiercely funny, charming, lovable, and relatable, and everything comes together seamlessly with Pamela Adlon, who makes her directorial debut with Babes, on the helm. Fans of Glazer’s Broad City and Buteau’s Survival of the Thickest will find much to laugh (and cry) at here.

Synopsis

After getting pregnant from a one-night stand, a single woman leans on her married best friend and mother of two to guide her through gestation and beyond.

Storyline

Two women’s lifelong friendship is put to the test when Eden tries motherhood for the first time, while Dawn struggles to recover from her two previous births.

TLDR

Watching this, I felt like I was blessed with five new episodes of Broad City.

What stands out

I’m in love with Glazer’s physical comedy.

Little Manhattan 2005

7.2/10

A precocious, sweet story of first love in the City

A precocious, sweet story of first love in the City.

Our take

At an older age, love can feel like it’s overrated, but watching Little Manhattan easily makes you remember the way love felt growing up, starting to explore all the feelings one had of the opposite gender, with childhood imagination and freedom from responsibilities making it seem so much more wonderful than it is now. Admittedly, it does suffer from a bit of the 2000s stereotypes and gender essentialism that stupid kids spouted, but as long as you remember the film comes from the perspective of a well-meaning, if a bit immature, 10-year-old boy, Little Manhattan feels like a charming recollection of how first love felt.

Synopsis

Ten-year-old Gabe was just a normal kid growing up in Manhattan until Rosemary Telesco walked into his life, actually into his karate class. But before Gabe can tell Rosemary how he feels, she tells him she will not be going to public school any more. Gabe has a lot more to learn about life, love, and girls.

Storyline

After joining a karate class, sixth-grader Gabe Burton suddenly finds his first love in a girl he’s known all his life: the third most beautiful girl in class Rosemary Telesco, whose parents are much richer and harmonious than his are.

TLDR

Ahh, young love.

What stands out

Look, maybe I’m super biased because I was a kid when this film was made, but I think Josh Hutcherson was (and still is!) so cute and it’s easy to acknowledge that Hutcherson gave a pretty good performance.

She Taught Love 2024

7/10

An actor and a sports agent falls in love at the wrong time in this familiar yet fresh romance drama

An actor and a sports agent falls in love at the wrong time in this familiar yet fresh romance drama.

Our take

She Taught Love has a familiar romance film plotline– a guy that’s lost meets a girl that sets him straight, and through a course of a connection, they challenge each other’s perspective to become better people– but there’s a naturalness to the conversations writer and male lead Darrell Britt-Gibson creates through his performance, casual, genuine moments that is pairs well with easy, relaxed vibe formed by director Nate Edwards. It’s gorgeously graded, meticulously framed, with slow zoom-ins and pans that gradually switch between aspect ratios to create a sense of openness or restriction, depending on the moment. And with Arsema Thomas’ unshakeable poise as female lead, She Taught Love feels elegant in a way not many indie romance films are.

Synopsis

Ever since getting off a prestigious cable television series, Frank Cooper has been coasting through life distracting himself with women, booze and blow, while auditioning to play stereotypical gang members and drug dealers. But the minute he meets Mali Waters, a sports agent living for the present, his whole world changes.

Storyline

After a successful cable television series, actor Frank Cooper has been coasting through life, distracting himself with vices while half-heartedly auditioning for stereotypical roles. However, after meeting sports agent Mali Waters, who’s currently facing her mortality, both of their worlds change.

TLDR

Look, you should strive to be better regardless of whether or not you're in a relationship. But it's still beautiful when two people work together to do better.

What stands out

This movie feels like a film, like it was actually shot in film, even if it probably isn’t, with depth and contrast that makes the colors look much richer. It’s a look that we’ve been missing from the digital landscape today.