“Moonlight” (2016) – Magnificent LGBTQ Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Barry Jenkins Based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney Starring: Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders and Naomi Harris ‘Magnificent … More

“The Light Between Oceans” (2016) – Lovely Literature Adaptation

Writer/Director: Derek Cianfrance Based on the best-selling novel by M.L. Stedman Starring: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz ‘Powerful … More

“Arrival” (2016) – Awe-Inspiring Science-Fiction

Director: Denis Villeneuve Writer: Eric Heisserer (based on short story) Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker ‘Spellbinding Science-Fiction’ … More

“Southpaw” (2015) – Brilliant Boxing Drama

Director: Antoine Fuqua Writer: Kurt Sutter Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams and Forest Whitaker ‘Breathtaking Boxing Drama’ Is it just … More

“Room” (2015) – Magnificent Literary Masterpiece

Director: Lenny Abrahamson Writer: Emma Donoghue (based on novel) Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay and William H. Macy ‘A Moving … More

“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” (2018) – Spectacular Mission Impossible Sequel

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ When it comes to the most … More

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (2015) – Captivating Coming-of-Age Comedy

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Writer: Jesse Andrews (based on novel) Starring: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler and Olivia Cooke ‘A Breath of … More

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” (2014) – Delicious Indian Cooking Drama

Director: Lasse Hallstrom Written by Steven Knight (based off novel by Richard C. Morais) Starring Helen Mirren, Om Puri and … More

“Boyhood” (2014) – Meaningful Childhood Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Richard Linklater Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette ‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’ About halfway through Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood”, … More

“Star Trek: Into Darkness” (2013) – Spectacular Star Trek Sequel

Director: J.J. Abrams Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch ‘Spectacular … More

“The Way Way Back” (2013) – Captivating Coming-of-Age Drama

Writers/Directors: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash Starring: Liam James, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and Maya Rudolph ‘Captivating Drama’ We’re all … More

“The Wolverine” (2013) – Wonderful Wolverine Blockbuster

Director: James Mangold … More

“The Spectacular Now” (2013) – Spectacular Romantic Drama

Director: James Ponsoldt Writer: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley and Brie Larson ‘Spectacular Romantic … More

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist” (2013) – Remarkable Terrorism Drama

Director: Mira Nair Writer: William Wheeler (based on Mohsin Hamid’s novel) Starring: Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson and Liev Schreiber ‘Riveting … More

“Her” (2013) – Meaningful Technology Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Spike Jonze Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson and Amy Adams ‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ You rarely ever see movies that … More

“Despicable Me 2” (2013) – Dazzling Animated Sequel

Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud Writers: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt ‘Spectacular … More

“The Butler” (2013) – Brilliant Butler Biopic

Director: Lee Daniels Writer: Danny Strong (based on article by Wil Haygood) Starring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and Alex Pettyfer … More

“Skyfall” (2012) – Spectacular Bond Sequel

Director: Sam Mendes Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan Starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes ‘Brilliant Bond … More

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012) – Meaningful Adolescence Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Stephen Chbosky Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller ‘Meaningful Masterpiece’ “Why do nice people choose the wrong people … More

“Lincoln” (2012) – Powerful President Biopic

Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Tony Kushner (based on novel by Doris Kearns Goodwin) … More

“Hitchcock” (2012) – Brilliant Hitchcock Biopic

Director: Sacha Gervasi Writer: John J. McLaughlin (based off book by Stephen Rebello) Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson … More

“Flight” (2012) – Powerful Alcohol Addiction Drama

Director: Robert Zemeckis Writer: John Gatins Starring Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle ‘Astonishing Alcoholism Drama’ It’s not often that … More

Why “The Dark Knight” is the Greatest Comic-Book Movie Ever Made

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Heath Ledger ‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ “The Dark Knight” is written and directed … More

“Argo” (2012) – Captivating Hostage Crisis Thriller

Director: Ben Affleck Starring: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin and John Goodman ‘Captivating CIA Thriller’ “Argo” is directed by Ben Affleck. … More

“My Week with Marilyn” (2011) – Magnificent Marilyn Monroe Biopic

Director: Simon Curtis Starring Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh ‘Magnificent Monroe Biopic’ “My Week with Marilyn” is directed by … More

“Margin Call” (2011) – Fantastic Financial Crisis Drama

Writer/Director: J.C. Chandor Starring: Kevin Spacey, Zachary Quinto and Paul Bettany ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ It’s one thing for a financial … More

“A Separation” (2011) – Mesmerizing Iranian Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Asghar Farhadi Starring: Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, and Sareh Bayat ‘Magnificent Masterpiece’ Certain decisions are difficult to make. Especially … More

“Challengers” (2024) – Remarkable Tennis Romance Drama

Director: Luca Guadagnino Starring: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O’ Connor … More

“Saltburn” (2023) – Sensational Social Class Satire

Writer/Director: Emerald Fennell Starring: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elrodi, Rosamund Pike … More

Why “Past Lives” Was My Favorite Film of 2023

Do you remember the time when you fell in love with your first crush? Memories of crushes have shaped my … More

“Past Lives” (2023) – Mesmerizing Korean Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Celine Song Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro … More

“Oppenheimer” (2023) – A Breathtaking Historical Biopic

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt … More

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg … More

“Maestro” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Bradley Cooper Starring: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer … More

“The Holdovers” (2023) – Movie Review

Director: Alexander Payne Starring: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da’ Vine Joy Randolph … More

“BlackBerry” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Matt Johnson Starring: Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, Matt Johnson … More

“Anatomy of a Fall” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Justine Triet Starring: Sandra Huller, Milo Machado-Graner, Samuel Theis … More

“The Whale” (2022) – Movie Review

Director: Darren Aronofsky Starring: Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau and Sadie Sink … More

“A Man Called Otto” (2022) – Movie Review

Director: Marc Foster Starring: Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino, Truman Hanks … More

“Joyland” (2022) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Saim Sadiq Starring: Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq … More

“The White Tiger” (2021) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Ramin Bahrani Starring: Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Rajkummar Rao ‘Captivating Class Satire’ Few countries across the world … More

“Spencer” (2021) – Movie Review

Director: Pablo Larraín Writer: Steven Knight Starring: Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall and Sally Hawkins ‘Dazzling Diana Biopic’ It isn’t simple to … More

“The Power of the Dog” (2021) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Jane Campion Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee ‘Wonderful Western’ It’s hard to forgive a genre in … More

“The Last Duel” (2021) – Movie Review

Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Jodie Comer, Matt Damon and Adam Driver ‘Mesmerizing Medieval Epic’ Testimonies of bravehearted women … More

“House of Gucci” (2021)- Movie Review

Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver and Al Pacino ‘Giorgio-eus Biopic’ Versace fashion-designer families Scarfaced by Goodfellas criminal … More

“CODA” (2021) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Sian Heder Starring: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin ‘Powerful Disability Drama’ Silenced stories of celebrities without hearing … More

“The Trial of Chicago 7” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Aaron Sorkin Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne and Mark Rylance ‘Captivating Courtroom Drama’ Few court cases in American … More

“Sound of Metal” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Darius Marder Co-writer: Abraham Marder Starring: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci ‘Powerful Disability Drama’ Hearing impairment is … More

“Pieces of a Woman” (2020) – Movie Review

Director: Kornél Mundruczó Writer: Kata Webér Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Burstyn ‘Heartbreaking Homebirth Drama’ It is never … More

“Nomadland” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Chloé Zhao Based on Jessica Bruder’s book Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathaim and Linda May ‘A Mesmerizing Docudrama’ Imagine … More

“Mank” (2020) – Movie Review

Director: David Fincher Writer: Jack Fincher Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ When discussing … More

“Hamilton” (2020) – Movie Review

Director: Thomas Kail Writer: Lin-Manuel Miranda Starring: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. and Jonathan Groff ‘A Must-See Musical’ Broadway musicals … More

“The Disciple” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Chaitanya Tamhane Starring: Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid and Sumitra Bhave ‘Mesmerizing Music Drama’ Over the past decade or so, … More

“Da 5 Bloods” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Spike Lee Co-writers: Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo and Kevin Willmott Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors and Clarke Peters … More

“Bo Burnham: Inside” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Bo Burnham Starring: Bo Burnham ‘Spectacular Stand-up Special’ Never has it been more challenging for comedians with hectic routines … More

“Waves” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Trey Edward Shults Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Sterling K. Brown and Taylor Russell ‘A Powerful Family Drama’ Family tragedy … More

“The Report” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Scott Z. Burns Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening and Jon Hamm ‘Powerful Political Thriller’ When it comes to the … More

“Pain and Glory” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Glorious Achievement’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved … More

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Few filmmakers in the world have … More

“Official Secrets” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Gavin Hood Co-writers: Gregory and Sara Bernstein Starring: Keira Knightley, Matt Smith and Ralph Fiennes ‘A Tense Political Thriller’ … More

“Marriage Story” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Noah Baumbach Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Laura Dern ‘Mesmerizing Marriage Masterpiece’ It is always hard to move … More

“The Mustang” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre Co-writers: Mona Fastvold and Brock Norman Brock Starring: Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Mitchell and Bruce Dern ‘A … More

“The Last Black Man in San Francisco” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Joe Talbot Co-writer: Rob Richert Starring: Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors and Rob Morgan ‘Powerful Gentrification Drama’ Gentrification is a … More

“Honey Boy” (2019) – Movie Review

Director: Alma Har’el Writer: Shia LaBeouf Starring: Noah Jupe, Shia LaBeouf and Lucas Hedges ‘A Powerful Memoir’ Few actors in … More

“Leave No Trace” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Debra Granik Co-writer: Anne Rosellini Starring: Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie ‘Deeply Moving Drama’ Imagine living a life of … More

“Green Book” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Peter Farrelly Co-writers: Nick Vallelonga and Brian Hayes Currie Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali and Linda Cardellini ‘Powerful Period … More

“Eighth Grade” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Bo Burnham Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton and Emily Robinson ‘Astonishing Adolescence Drama’ Perhaps, no time in a person’s … More

“Ben is Back” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Peter Hedges Starring: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges and Courtney B. Vance ‘Powerful Drug-Addiction Drama’ Imagine being the mother of … More

“Phantom Thread” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Few filmmakers in the world … More

“Lady Bird” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Greta Gerwig Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf and Lucas Hedges ‘Captivating Coming-of-Age Drama’ There is no time in a … More

“The Glass Castle” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Co-writer: Andrew Lanham Starring: Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts ‘Astonishing Adaptation’ When it comes … More

“Call Me By Your Name” (2017) – Movie Review

Director: Luca Guadagnino Writer: James Ivory (based on novel by Andre Aciman) Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg … More

“Southside With You” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Richard Tanne Starring: Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers ‘Remarkable Romantic Drama’ Let me start off by saying that I’m … More

“Moonlight” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Barry Jenkins Based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney Starring: Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders and Naomi Harris ‘Magnificent … More

“Lion” (2016) – Movie Review

Director: Garth Davis Writer: Luke Davies (based off novel by Saroo Brierley) Starring: Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara … More

“The Light Between Oceans” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Derek Cianfrance Based on the best-selling novel by M.L. Stedman Starring: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz ‘Powerful … More

“Room” (2015) – Movie Review

Director: Lenny Abrahamson Writer: Emma Donoghue (based on novel) Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay and William H. Macy ‘A Moving … More

“The Wolverine” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: James Mangold … More

“The Spectacular Now” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: James Ponsoldt Writer: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley and Brie Larson ‘Spectacular Romantic … More

“Her” (2013) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Spike Jonze Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson and Amy Adams ‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ You rarely ever see movies that … More

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Stephen Chbosky Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller ‘Meaningful Masterpiece’ “Why do nice people choose the wrong people … More

“Lincoln” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Tony Kushner (based off novel by Doris Kearns Goodwin) … More

“Life of Pi” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Ang Lee Writer: David Magee (based off novel by Yann Martel) Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu ‘Beautiful Book … More

“Flight” (2012) – Movie Review

Directed by Robert ZemeckisWritten by John GatinsStarring Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle ‘Astonishing Alcoholism Drama’ It’s not often that … More

“A Separation” (2011) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Asghar Farhadi Starring: Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, and Sareh Bayat ‘Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ Certain decisions are difficult to make. Especially … More

“Challengers” (2024) – A Sports Classic