"You grow up around something, and it feels like nothing."

Wanuri Kahiu's Rafiki is a tale of love and loss that asks how we can be happy in a society that will not accept us for who we are. Following the story of Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) and Ziki (Sheila Munyeva), the daughters of two rival politicians who fall in love, this film is both a celebration of that...

Sara Colangelo's The Kindergarten Teacher is an incredibly intriguing look at a character willing to do anything to evade a life of mundaneness. Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance as Lisa, the titular kindergarten teacher, is a powerful one that captivates you for the film's entire runtime. While Gyllenhaal's character does not always necessary make...

For a thriller, The Wedding Guest sure doesn't have very much going on. Its characters lack motivation, its plot points are convoluted and don't always add up, and worst of all, it is simply boring. Dev Patel is about the only redeeming quality in this hot mess, and even he isn't enough to save this film. The beginning...

Believe the rumours - Alfonso Cuarón's Roma is just about as great as everyone says is. This immersive film places you right in the heart of Mexico City, following the life of a young maid and housekeeper named Cleo (a role performed with extraordinary authenticity by Yalitza Aparicio). Her relationship with the family she works for and lives...

Joel Edgerton's Boy Erased isn't always the easiest to watch - it often deals with pretty heavy subject matter, but the film is ultimately a rewarding one. Lucas Hedges gives what is easily his best performance yet as a Jared, a young boy sent to gay conversion therapy by his parents. Every complex and complicated emotion comes through...

Colette is the latest addition to Keira Knightley's repertoire of period pieces, and it's a good one. Its quick pace keeps it engaging throughout its entirety, and Keira Knightley shines as Colette (giving a particularly Oscar-worthy performance at the end of the film). Colette's character development is a fascinating one to watch, as she...

Louis Garrel's A Faithful Man is an oddball comedy-drama that is an ode to the French New Wave. The film opens with a man named Abel (played by Garrel) discovering something shocking about his girlfriend, Marianne (Laetitia Casta) that causes their relationship to dissolve. Too many specifics will ruin the hilarious surprises of this film, but...

Damien Chazelle's return with First Man takes the story of one of the most historic figures in America and puts his own beautiful spin on it. The visual style, sound design, and overall sensory experience created for the audience is what keeps this film afloat. Neil Armstrong is made into a complex and reserved character by Ryan Gosling's...