‘American Fiction’ Review: Cord Jefferson’s Bold and Broad Satire Finds Jeffrey Wright Giving One of the Best Performances of His Career | Toronto
“Only good things come with time,” a vicious comeback said by Thelonious ‘Monk’ Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) when getting into a heated argument with a fellow... Read More
Film Reviews
‘A Normal Family’ Review: The Kids Are Not Alright | Toronto
It is said in soccer that if the goalie needs to block the ball, that means the rest of the team already failed somewhere else.... Read More
‘Woman of the Hour’ Review: Anna Kendrick’s Directorial Debut Intelligently Examines the Convergence of Toxic Masculinity and Gender Prejudice | Toronto
In her impressive directorial debut Woman of the Hour, actress-turned-director Anna Kendrick builds on a horrifying true crime case to deliver an unflinching look at... Read More
‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ Review: Ilker Çatak’s Oscar Entry from Germany is a Brilliant and Powerful Reflection on Flawed Democracies | Toronto
One of the smartest, most satisfying films at the Toronto International Film Festival this year, Ilker Çatak’s The Teachers’ Lounge uses a German school as... Read More
‘Hajjan’ Review: Abu Bakr Shawky’s Follow-Up to ‘Yomeddine’ a Mostly Enjoyable Crowd Pleaser That Rings a Bit Hollow | Toronto
Egyptian-Austrian filmmaker Abu Bakr Shawky made quite the splash in 2018 with his debut feature film Yomeddine which became the first ever Egyptian debut film... Read More
‘The Critic’ Review: Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton Astound in a Period Portrait of a Cheeky Connoisseur | Toronto
The job of a critic is to provide recommendations for the general public based on a presumed strong understanding of art forms. In the present... Read More
‘North Star’ Review: Kristin Scott Thomas Gets Personal as She Tackles Family Dynamics and Loss in Directorial Debut Inspired by Her Own Life | Toronto
The absence of a parent in childhood or adulthood can be just as powerful and impactful as the presence of one. Losing multiple parents can... Read More
‘Knox Goes Away’ Review: Michael Keaton’s Dementia-Stricken Hitman Anchors a Focused Character Study | Toronto
A hitman with dementia trying to carry out one last job is the kind of premise that could easily go off the rails and devolve... Read More
‘Reptile’ Review: A Benicio del Toro and Alicia Silverstone Reunion Can’t Save Convoluted Crime Drama | Toronto
On his way to another showing of a property he is trying to sell, Will Grady (Justin Timberlake) gets an alert on his phone from... Read More
‘Fingernails’ Review: Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed’s Chemistry is the High Point in Christos Nikou’s Analog Dating Dramedy | Toronto
Christos Nikou opens his newest film with a quote, or a common consensus in the scientific community: that the first signs of heart problems can... Read More
2024 Camerimage Film Festival: Danish Oscar Entry ‘The Girl With the Needle’ Wins Golden Frog 
Interview: ‘Gladiator II’ Cinematographer John Mathieson on Reuniting with Ridley Scott and Continuing the Legacy and Lore 
Interview: Alan Menken and Glenn Slater on Creating the Songs and Score for ‘Spellbound’ and the “Perfectly” Cast Rachel Zegler 
2025 Oscar Predictions: BEST PICTURE and BEST DIRECTOR (November)