Movies

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The Boy and the Heron is Hayao Miyazaki’s triumphant swan song

Miyazaki's outdone himself one last time—The Boy and the Heron is a heart-wrenching, whimsical, and brilliant tale of grief and resilience.

By January 19, 2024

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With a knockout cast and screenplay, The Iron Claw tackles American entertainment head-on

The real villain of Durkin’s tale is not Fritz or the NWA, but what they symbolize: A hyper-masculine ideology that pushes boys and men to the brink, making perfect fodder for the American entertainment industry.

By January 13, 2024

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Boys in the Boat brings a Depression-era underdog story to the sport of rowing

The team's underdog status brings a sweetness to the film that is just enough to make you forget that you don’t know most of the rowers’ names.

By December 27, 2023

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Dolls and desires: Unraveling the layers of girlhood in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla

Sofia Coppola's adaptation of Priscilla Presley's memoir exposes the glamorized lures of love and belonging that infiltrated her girlhood.

By November 28, 2023

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In her visually stunning thriller Saltburn, Emerald Fennell boldly interrogates facade

Saltburn is a stirring investigation of external beauty and the insidiousness that foments beneath it.

By November 27, 2023

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Killers of the Flower Moon exploits Osage suffering for shock value

Killers illuminates an overlooked history, but ultimately, the film still sees a white director prioritizing the perspective of a white perpetrator.

By November 17, 2023

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Anatomy of a Fall is an autopsy of a marriage story

Anatomy of a Fall starts like a murder mystery, but gradually it discloses the more intimate, painful details of a family.

By November 15, 2023

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Saw X brings you grotesque gore in 4k, but falls slightly flat 

Fan or not, Saw X will make you absolutely squirm in your seats, especially if you can handle it in 4K.

By October 25, 2023

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Dumb Money is a smart movie about the stock market and the power of Reddit

If you mix up Jimmy Buffett and Warren Buffett, or if you’re simply in the mood for a good underdog story, Dumb Money will be right up your alley.

By September 18, 2023

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My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is a sincere tribute to Greece, family, and Windex

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 retains the charm and character of the first two films, while diving deeper into the darker themes of grief and belonging. 

By September 11, 2023

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Bottoms: In defense of “ugly, untalented gays”

Brought to life with a hearty dose of queer teen drama, hilarious antics, and endless quotable lines, Bottoms is sure to become an instant classic.

By and September 8, 2023

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Barbie: A hot pink return to monoculture

This summer, however, pink has dominated in both the box office and the zeitgeist—so much so that it may have temporarily revived the Anglo-American monoculture. 

By August 29, 2023

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Oppenheimer plays with fire

In Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan is begging us to learn from our past.

By August 29, 2023

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse weaves a perfect web of story, style, and sound

Woven into Across the Spider-Verse's colorful animation and humor is a deft exploration of the complexities of morality and destiny.

By August 1, 2023

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Let Carmen dance you through darkness

A story of unlikely companionship, Carmen urges its audience to question what family means when blood runs out.

By May 25, 2023

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The Origin of Evil is tacky, timely, and true

The beauty of The Origin of Evil, and of Filmfest DC writ large, lies in its capacity to create kinship within hardship.

By May 23, 2023

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Renfield is a bloody good time!

Renfield embodies everything that one would hope for in a hilariously horrifying film. 

By April 30, 2023

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AIR is the perfect sneakerhead movie

The film, shot with the precision and smoothness of Michael Jordan’s own jumper, masterfully honors both the shoe line and the player.

By April 16, 2023

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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is fun for normal people, too!

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves is a hilarious fantasy heist movie that satisfies both lifelong D&D fans and those who know nothing about the game.

By and April 7, 2023

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Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania has too much goop

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) fails on nearly every front where its predecessors triumph. 

By March 26, 2023