Remembrances ⭐️
James Earl Jones 1931-2024
A giant of stage and screen, he was much more than the voice of Darth Vader and CNN.
Festival Reports
Brief reviews of 11 new films from the trenches of the Toronto International Film Festival, including "The Apprentice," "Anora," "The Substance" and "Nightbitch."
Events
The critically acclaimed Ken Loach drama followed by a panel discussion on immigration issues with Joe Kennedy III, Marcela García, Wilfred Cherazard, and moderator Ty Burr
Festival Reports
I'm reposting my WaPo TIFF run-up article from this past weekend because I'm at the airport right now about to embark for Toronto and will soon dive into my five-movies-a-day routine until next Wednesday, with occasional forays to the surface for air and to send out
Good Movies 📽
On Bert Williams, early Black film, and the road not taken.
Weekly Digest
Some notes on Paul Thomas Anderson's best movie (yes, I'm starting an argument here) and a heartbreaking Netflix documentary.
Good Movies 📽
An emotional powerhouse about a father-daughter dance in prison, Angela Patton and Natalie Rae's documentary is one of the year's finest.
Events
Come see and discuss PTA's masterpiece with me this Thursday at the West Newton Cinema
What to Watch
This weekend's best streaming bets: "First Man," "Little Men," "The Woman King," "The Aristocrats" and more.
Directors
The Watch List celebrates the Master of Suspense on his 125th birthday. What's your favorite Hitch?
A guide to movies in theaters and on demand, plus pop culture observations, from a film critic with 40 years in the business.
Newly on demand: "The Bikeriders," "Dandelion," "Daddio," "Ghostlight," "Janet Planet," "Tuesday," and the classic thriller "Leave Her to Heaven." Plus: "The Instigators" reviewed and "The Conversation" revisited.
For the inauguration of August, a late-period comedy-drama from one of the cinema's greatest masters.
Lily Gladstone takes center stage in a reservation-set dramatic thriller, a festival favorite streaming on Apple TV+.
Plus: The Watch List turns three! And, for paid subscribers, reviews of "Twisters" and "National Anthem"
For your weekend viewing pleasure, 10 good movies on Amazon, plus choice picks for other VOD plaforms.
You'll be hearing and reading a lot about "The Shining," of course, but it's Duvall's work with Robert Altman that will last.
Come to a screening and discussion of "Cinema Paradiso: The Director's Cut" Thursday July 11th at the West Newton Cinema.
Happy 66th birthday to the hardest working man in the film business.
My Washington Post reviews of new release movies for the week.
A stark, stunning documentary portrait of a Russian rebel artist. Plus: Weekend movie recommendations for streaming platforms.
The best guy-in-a-car movie of all time? Discuss.
Maybe it’s time to rethink the way we think about muses.