843 Contributions by: Renee Cuisia (Page 8)

Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She’s also seen You’ve Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it’s one of the greatest films out there.

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106. Documentary Now!, 2022

Fans of sketch comedy, documentaries, and the always-hilarious duo of Bill Hader and Fred Armisen are in for a treat with Documentary Now!, a delightful miniseries that both satirizes and pays tribute to the non-fiction format. Each episode parodies a particular documentary and tone, bringing the comedians and their ever-revolving roster of guest stars to different eras, regions, costumes, accents, and more.

With SNL veterans Hader and Armisen at the helm, this mockumentary is sure to amuse and impress even the most stoic among us, if not for the show's humor, then for its sharp attention to detail and endlessly creative references.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Helen Mirren, Irving Azoff

Rating: TV-14

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107. Work in Progress, 2021

This underrated, semi-autobiographical series follows Abby (Abby McEnany), a queer person struggling with OCD and depression. She navigates life's ups and downs with humor that is both offbeat and sympathetic, but things quickly take a turn for the romantic when Abby's sister sets her up with Chris, a trans man 20 years her junior.

Relatable, hilarious, and frank, the miniseries is a tender gem of a show. It's also effortlessly relevant, which checks out: creator and star Abby McEnany mines inspiration from her own experience as a queer artist, while executive producer Lilly Wachowski (The Matrix) reportedly made a big push for authentic trans representation.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Abby McEnany, Celeste Pechous, Julia Sweeney, Karin Anglin, Theo Germaine

Rating: TV-MA

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108. Vigil, 2023

	
Vigil is a murder mystery/political thriller set in the depths of British waters, particularly in the nuclear-powered missile submarine HMS Vigil. When a navy officer dies and a fishing trawler disappears at the same time and place, Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) is sent in to investigate the case.

While Vigil mostly dove under the radar when it first came out last year, the BBC production is drawing in new audiences as it streams on Peacock. Watching it, it’s easy to forget that this isn’t a box-office production, because it looks and sounds every bit like one. It’s got a massive budget, an epic scale, a thrilling political premise, and talented actors across the board—what’s not to love?Genre: Crime, Drama
Actor: Adam James, Amir El-Masry, Anjli Mohindra, Chris Jenks, Connor Swindells, Dougray Scott, Gary Lewis, Martin Compston, Paterson Joseph, Romola Garai, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans, Stephen Dillane, Suranne Jones
Rating: TV-MA

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109. My Mad Fat Diary, 2015

	
Sixteen-year-old Rae Earl struggles with many things, among them: severe mental illness, a distorted body image, and less-than-ideal home life. In an attempt to redefine herself and pursue the teenage dream she’s always wanted, she reconnects with her estranged friend Chloe and the cool new people she’s met in Rae’s absence. As Rae gets to know this group more, she embarks on a coming-of-age journey that is, at turns, hilarious, awkward, and painfully real.

Set in ‘90s-era UK and scored to the unbeatable, headbanging tunes of English rock, My Mad Fat Diary is also an effective throwback of a show. It’s sure to be nostalgic to those who grew up in that era, while also doubling as a finely-aged portrait of a simpler time to the rest of us. Elevated, too, by diary doodles come to life and Rae's unflinching witticisms, the series is a gem for anyone who has struggled to come to terms with their teenage self.Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Actor: Ciara Baxendale, Claire Rushbrook, Dan Cohen, Darren Evans, Ian Hart, Jodie Comer, Nico Mirallegro, Sharon Rooney
Rating: TV-MA

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110. Miracle Mile, 1988

Before anything else, Miracle Mile is a romance. It begins with a meet-cute so adorable, it convinces lovebirds Harry and Julie to stick to each other in the next moments of the film, which couldn’t be more different than the first. Where the opening scene is sweet and lovely, the ones that follow it are fraught and bleak and eerily existential. At this point, the film transforms into its true self: an apocalyptic nightmare. When Harry receives word that a nuclear attack is incoming, the news spreads like wildfire and all hell breaks loose in this film that makes you question reality and humanity.

It's one of the smoothest shifts in cinematic history, but even with panic swirling and violence erupting, love is still there. Harry and Julie’s quest to save and savor the bond they’ve formed is genuinely moving, and it effectively grounds this out-of-this-world film about the end.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller

Actor: Alan Berger, Alan Rosenberg, Annie Wood, Anthony Edwards, Brian Thompson, Claude Earl Jones, Danny De La Paz, Denise Crosby, Diane Delano, Earl Boen, Edward Bunker, Howard Swain, Jenette Goldstein, John Agar, Jordana Capra, Kelly Jo Minter, Kurt Fuller, Lou Hancock, Lucille Bliss, Mare Winningham, Mykelti Williamson, O-Lan Jones, Peter Berg, Raphael Sbarge, Richard Biggs, Robert DoQui, Steve De Jarnatt

Director: Steve De Jarnatt

Rating: R

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111. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, 2022

	
There are only two main characters in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande: Nancy, a retired teacher who was recently widowed, and Leo, an adept sex worker with a mysterious past. They're almost always in one place and work on a single goal: pleasure. But despite the seeming monotony, the movie is crackling with wit and sensuality every step of the way. It doesn't waste any time getting to the heart of the matter. Nancy and Leo go back and forth about their past, with Nancy divulging much about the stigma of aging and Leo about the stigma of sex work. They also dive into the shame attached to pleasure, ultimately revealing more than just their naked bodies to each other and to the audience.Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Actor: Daryl McCormack, Emma Thompson, Isabella Laughland, Lennie Beare, Les Mabaleka
Director:  Sophie Hyde
Rating: R

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112. Daughters, 2024

There are three threads in Daughters that directors Natalie Rae and Angela Patton weave beautifully together. The first thread follows the incarcerated men who gather every week to talk about fatherhood, mostly, because of the program that they’re in, but also: masculinity, race, systemic poverty, social mobility, and the skewed prison system in America. The discussions are raw and enlightening. “This isn’t normal, that we’re all in here,” one of the men wisely says, and it feels special to witness that moment of shared empowerment. The second thread follows the daughters, whose ages range from 5 to 15. In line with the film’s honesty, it shows us girls who miss their fathers and girls who don’t; girls who know everything about them and those who can’t even remember their faces. One is oblivious, the other suicidal. This part is enlightening in a different way: you hope the kids are too young to realize what’s going on, but that’s almost never the case. The final thread is where the two others meet: it offers the most heartbreaking parts of the film, but also the most beautiful. Both parties dress up, take pictures, move on the dancefloor, and say their inevitable goodbyes, and all this is captured in the same darklit, grainy color as the film cameras the fathers and daughters are given to document the dance. The direction and editing is artistic, but never in a gratuitious way. Instead, like other parts of the film, it’s filled with gentleness and empathy.

Genre: Documentary

Director: Angela Patton, Natalie Rae

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113. Dark Winds, 2023

Even without doing the important and long overdue work of uplifting Native American voices, Dark Winds manages to be an intriguing mystery, layered with complex performances and bolstered by the majestic expanse of the American Southwest (in the ‘70s no less!). Finally released from the shackles of supporting roles, Zahn McClarnon shines here; he’s in top form as the gritty but softhearted police officer who protects his tribe from encroaching federal forces. The mysteries that propel the show are compelling too; they have the same beats as any you’d expect from a crime thriller, but they’re seeped deep into Native American mysticism, making them intriguing and wholly unique.

Genre: Crime, Drama

Actor: Eugene Brave Rock, Jessica Matten, Kiowa Gordon, Noah Emmerich, Rainn Wilson, Zahn McClarnon

Rating: TV-MA

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114. Black Doves, 2024

I would be okay if Black Doves was just a straightforward spy thriller; Knightley and Whishaw have enough charm, enigma, and kick-ass competence to make it work. But beyond the show’s cool and slick demeanor lies a wealth of other gems. It’s a heartwarming friendship tale for one, and a heartbreaking romance for another. It also manages to be funny at the right times, thanks to Sam’s bumbling accomplices, while evoking Christmas cheer. It sounds like a random mishmash of things, but Black Doves effortlessly blends its many tones and genres. Knightley and Whishaw ground the show’s ambition with their affecting performance as two cold-blooded killers who depend on each other’s trust and friendship. It also helps that there’s a depth to the deaths in Black Doves. There’s a nuance here that’s missing in most crime and action thrillers. Bodies are still dispensable, but you know why and how they’ve reached that point. If you want something smart and gripping that isn’t Die Hard to put on this holiday season, this could be it.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery

Actor: Andrew Buchan, Andrew Koji, Ben Whishaw, Keira Knightley, Sarah Lancashire

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115. Betty, 2021

Betty follows a group of young girls unapologetically taking up space in the boys club that is skateboarding. It’s an impressive showcase of skill and an important testament to the need for inclusion, but perhaps more than anything else, it’s an affecting story of sisterhood. It’s about female friendships and how strong the bonds can get at this particular age when you’re still figuring out your place in this world. Kirt, Janay, Honeybear, and later on, Indigo, and Camille, have an effortlessly tight bond that’s made all the more apparent by their natural chemistry with each other. While still retaining an endearing sense of cool, they show us that they can achieve anything, whether it’s breaking up with your boyfriend or breaking barriers, together.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Ajani Russell

Rating: TV-MA

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116. Yellowjackets, 2021

When a girls soccer team is left stranded in the wilderness, things quickly descend from worrisome to outright, delightful, and sometimes unbearably weird. It’s a classic tale of survival injected with fresh mystery and drama, and as you watch these girls navigate humanity in all its extremes—from the primal urge to live to the existential need to bond—you’re left feeling both wildly entertained and deeply disturbed all at once.

Though Yellowjackets has drawn comparisons to beloved stories like Lost and Lord of the Flies, its unique pulse on the female experience is arguably its own thing: a sure and instant classic in the making.

Genre: Drama, History, Horror, Mystery

Actor: Christina Ricci, Ella Purnell, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Juliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey, Sammi Hanratty, Sophie Nélisse, Sophie Thatcher, Steven Krueger, Tawny Cypress, Warren Kole

Rating: TV-MA

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117. Years and Years, 2019

	
In Years and Years, showrunner Russel T Davies (Doctor Who) takes our worst fears in 2019 and makes us live through them in shocking detail through the Lyons family, a likable and relatable bunch who bond through the joys and horrors of a quickly changing nation. It amplifies heated issues like the growing conservatism in the UK and the threat of world war ignited by China and the US, as well as global warming, depleting species, and our growing reliance on AI and tech. As one review puts it, Years and Years feels very much like Black Mirror, but with more heart and hope. It’s both fascinating and frightening, especially since the predictions Davies makes aren’t too far off from the unstable reality we’re living in now.Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, War & Politics
Actor: Anne Reid, Emma Thompson, Jessica Hynes, Lydia West, Maxim Baldry, Rory Kinnear, Russell Tovey, Ruth Madeley, T'Nia Miller
Rating: TV-MA

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118. Undeclared, 2003

If you mention "coming-of-age show" and "Judd Apatow" in one breath, chances are people will think you're talking about Freaks and Geeks, the highly revered series about a group of friends trying and failing to fit into high school. Despite being a commercial bust, it cemented Apatow as a tragicomic giant and launched the careers of Seth Rogen and James Franco (among many others) as the figures to watch out for a slapstick good time. But there is another series that falls into this category: the little-known but brilliant Undeclared, which also follows a group of young people (Rogen included!) trying their best to figure things out.

Undeclared is set in college, however, and its main protagonist is Steven Karp (Jay Baruchel), a freshman who has a year to decide what he's majoring in; until then, his status is undeclared. He's joined by his roommates and the girls next door, and together they experiment—with class, ideologies, fraternities, and each other. The sky's the limit for these newly independent adults, and as such, Apatow doesn't hold back in his humor and subject matter. Undeclared captures that weird mix of apathy and ambition and awkwardness that college makes you feel, making it perfectly relatable for many of us.

It's also worth mentioning that a great deal of comedians, both established and up-and-coming at the time, make cameos here, including Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, and pre-dental-surgery Amy Poehler.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Carla Gallo, Charlie Hunnam, Jay Baruchel, Monica Keena, Seth Rogen, Timm Sharp

Rating: TV-14

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119. Trying, 2022

Trying is a realistic but charming take on couples venturing to build a life and stable future for themselves. Heavy themes are tackled here, like infertility, infidelity, and parenthood, but the immensely likable couple that is Nikki and Jase guide us through the murky ups and downs of them all. Their heart and humor aren’t just comforting to watch, they're also inspiring in a TV age obsessed with heavy dramatics. Like Ted Lasso, Abbott Elementary, and other well-meaning shows like it, Trying is a bit of lighthearted fare that we’d do well to indulge in every now and then.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Esther Smith, Imelda Staunton, Oliver Chris, Ophelia Lovibond, Rafe Spall

Rating: TV-14

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120. Three Girls, 2017

	
Sexual assault and trafficking are never easy to depict onscreen, especially when they’re based on true events, but Three Girls strikes a balance between realism and empathy. It’s gritty but never gratuitous, critical but never preachy. You can tell the cast and crew took their time to carefully tell this important tale, which continues to be overlooked by authorities in Manchester. As a result, Three Girls can be difficult and frustrating to sit through, but that only speaks to the quality of its acting and storytelling. Three Girls is a must-watch, but you’d be forgiven for not wanting to put it on a second time.Genre: Crime, Drama
Actor: Ace Bhatti, Adam Karim, Adrian Harris, Amanda Hale, Antonio Aakeel, Bo Bragason, Brian Fletcher, Deka Walmsley, Ezra Faroque Khan, Jackie Clune, Jamie Ballard, Jason Hughes, Jay Sajjid, Jessica Fostekew, Jill Halfpenny, Jonas Khan, Katherine Pearce, Katy Carmichael, Kerrie Hayes, Lesley Sharp, Lisa Riley, Liv Hill, Maggie Service, Marc Danbury, Marc Geoffrey, Maxine Peake, Molly Windsor, Naomi Radcliffe, Nick Moss, Paul Hickey, Paul Kaye, Pearce Quigley, Peter Singh, Philip Hill-Pearson, Ria Zmitrowicz, Robert Gwilym, Ross Anderson, Rupert Procter, Salman Akhtar, Simon Cook, Simon Nagra, Steffan Rhodri, Tebraiz Shahzad, Tom Prior, Tristan Sturrock, Vincenzo Pellegrino, Vineeta Rishi, Waleed Akhtar, Wasim Zakir
Director:  Philippa Lowthorpe
Rating: NR

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