Culture | Movies
Not quite a rom-com, 鈥楳aterialists鈥� is messy but enthrallingCeline Song鈥檚 follow-up to 鈥淧ast Lives鈥� is another film that focuses on the nature of love. 鈥淢aterialists,鈥� our critic observes, poses the question, What kind of life do its people deserve?
A family caught in Oct. 7 Hamas attack documents its journey in 鈥楬olding Liat鈥�鈥淗olding Liat鈥� won best documentary at the Berlin film festival. Ahead of its U.S. premiere at the Tribeca Festival this week,聽the Monitor spoke with director Brandon Kramer.
One more 鈥楳ission鈥� 鈥� should you choose to accept itIs this really the end for 鈥淢ission: Impossible鈥�? Our reviewer isn鈥檛 so sure, but he says the eighth and perhaps final installment of the franchise that began in 1996 has something indispensable going for it: the fearlessness of its Hollywood star.
From Paris to Pemberley: French 鈥楯ane Austen Wrecked My Life鈥� revels in romanceThis year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen鈥檚 birth. An engaging new French film, 鈥淛ane Austen Wrecked My Life,鈥� invokes the great writer and revels in romance and humanity.
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鈥楾he Friend鈥� gives Naomi Watts a terrific co-star. Yes, he鈥檚 a Great Dane.鈥淭he Friend鈥� is about animals, and humans, and grief, and understanding. The Monitor鈥檚 critic says the film, based on an award-winning book, is 鈥渇or dog lovers, and for people who love intelligent movies about dog lovers.鈥�
Wit and wonder fuel 5-star 鈥楾he Ballad of Wallis Island鈥�The Monitor鈥檚 film critic offers his highest rating to 鈥淭he Ballad of Wallis Island,鈥� which pulses with humor as it explores the landscape of nostalgia 鈥� and love.
Rebels with a robot: 鈥楻ule Breakers鈥� celebrates Afghan girls who dared to dreamA celebration of the bravery and ingenuity of the Afghan girls robotics team contrasts with the reality of Afghanistan鈥檚 women under Taliban repression.
As the Oscars near, there鈥檚 still time to see these best performancesOur film critic loves a great performance. His top acting picks for 2024 include stars who are up for Academy Awards 鈥� and those who he argues should be.
鈥業 didn鈥檛 know I needed it.鈥� Why neighborhoods rally to save movie houses.This Oscar season, our reporter explores the quirky ecosystem of cinephiles and their efforts to save community movie theaters. Can independent cinema survive Netflix?
A documentarian鈥檚 take on the magic of moviegoing (audio)Community movie houses have proved surprisingly resilient and adaptive despite challenges. Avid patrons play a starring role. Anne Continelli, a Massachusetts-based filmmaker, is working on a documentary about communities saving their cinemas.
After LA fires, the Oscars decreed the show must go on. Here鈥檚 why.How do you calibrate an Oscars ceremony after a natural disaster? Other award shows are balancing the glitz with compassion 鈥� which is resonating at a time when Los Angeles is rebuilding.聽
The new 鈥楥aptain America鈥� explores a different kind of patriotism鈥淏rave New World鈥� introduces a Black Captain America to the big screen. In doing so, it doesn鈥檛 shy away from exploring the complex legacy Black Americans have with the flag.聽
Grab your hat and pack the marmalade: Paddington is headed to PeruPart of Paddington鈥檚 charm is that he always sees the best in people 鈥� and helps them see the best in themselves, too.
鈥楨milia P茅rez鈥� topped the Oscar nominations. Not everyone is happy about that.With a baker鈥檚 dozen nominations, including the first for an openly transgender actress, 鈥淓milia P茅rez鈥� has emerged as the Oscar front-runner.
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