Guilt, Rage, and Love – Examining Karyn Kusama’s DESTROYER and Claire Denis’ HIGH LIFE
Historically, the depiction of female emotion on film has been constrained by how palatable it is for the male gaze. Women can laugh, but... Read More
Film Festivals
Toronto Review: ‘Beautiful Boy’ (★★★)
Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet both give Oscar-worthy performances as a father and son dealing with the son’s drug addiction in this affecting true story Stories... Read More
Toronto Review: Nicole Kidman in ‘Destroyer’ (★★★½)
In Karyn Kusama’s gritty and grimy crime thriller Destroyer, Nicole Kidman plays Erin Bell, a grizzled LA detective only James Ellroy could love and gives... Read More
A Cry From the Heart: An interview with ‘Capernaum’ director Nadine Labaki
With CAPERNAUM, Nadine Labaki has captured the hearts of audiences across the globe. From Cannes (where the film nabbed the Jury Prize) to Sarajevo and... Read More
Toronto Review: ‘Widows’ (★★★½)
Steve McQueen’s twisty thriller finds room for a heist, family drama, racial politics and violence, and gender issues all led by a powerhouse performance from Viola... Read More
Toronto Review: ‘Consequences’
Looking back at childhood from the safe distance of adulthood, many of us find ourselves surprised to realize that our parents essentially had no idea... Read More
Toronto Review: ‘Capernaum’
There is a moment in Nadine Labaki’s CAPERNAUM which perfectly encapsulates the profound conundrum it presents. Her face crumpled with premature age and agony, Saoud (Kawthar Al Haddad),... Read More
Venice Film Festival Winners: ‘ROMA,’ Olivia Colman, Willem Dafoe – The Full List
Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA has won the Golden Lion from the Venice Film Festival, the second year in a row the top prize has gone to... Read More
Toronto Review: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in ‘A Star Is Born’ (★★★★)
The opening of A Star Is Born gives us Bradley Cooper as Jackson Maine, a country-fried rock star who can pack booze and pills as... Read More
Mill Valley Film Fest Lineup: Timothée Chalamet, Tributes and Spotlights, ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ to close
MVFF41 will feature Tributes and Spotlights on Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Kindergarten Teacher), Karyn Kusama (Destroyer), Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive... Read More
Frontrunner Friday: First Take on 2026 Oscar Winner Predictions 
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 136 – ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ (Warren Beatty, 2016) 
2026 Oscar Nomination Reactions from Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Wagner Moura and More 
AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 329 – 98th Oscar Nominations Reactions: For Good