List
2023 Staff Picks: Movies
Our expert staff members look back at the year and share some favorite titles.
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Barbie
2023Get this itemStereotypical Barbie has an existential crisis. She journeys from Barbie Land to real world Los Angeles (with sidekick Ken along for the ride) to learn the truth about the universe. This box office hit is clever, subversive, meta, very pink, and loads of fun. Kudos to filmmaker Greta Gerwig and the entire cast. Suggested by Charles, Denise, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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Past Lives
2023Get this itemWe loved this film that explores such themes as destiny, choices, what ifs, and different versions of oneself. The story centers on childhood best friends, Nora and Hae Sung, who reconnect after 20 years, having been separated when Nora’s family emigrated from South Korea. The cinematography is beautiful, the soundtrack is exquisite, the characters are relatable, the acting is strong, and writer/director Celine Song hits every emotional beat with precision. Suggested by Chris, Katie, Paul, Rummanh, and Sharon.
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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
2023Get this itemBased on the beloved 1970 novel by Judy Blume, this dramedy follows 11-year-old Margaret Simon, whose life is upended when her family moves from New York City to a New Jersey suburb. It’s a terrific adaptation, and certainly one of the best coming-of-age movies in a long while. We recommend sharing this movie (and a box of tissues) with your friends! Suggested by Denise, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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Blue Beetle
2023Get this itemWatching this movie was a truly fun way to spend two hours. An alien scarab picks Jaime Reyes as its host, thus giving him all sorts of superpowers and of course evildoers in pursuit. I fell in love with the cast, the family vibe, and the heartwarming message at its core. Suggested by Sharon.
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Polite Society
2023Get this itemNida Manzoor's feature debut is a loving and keen tribute to sisterhood while successfully merging elements of a variety of film genres and subverting the common stereotypes found in films that feature South Asian characters. We had a blast watching this film. Suggested by Chris, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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The Unknown Country
2023Get this itemI think Lily Gladstone is a brilliant actor, and I couldn’t wait to see her in this independent movie about a young woman who, grieving the loss of her grandmother, accepts an invitation to reunite with her Oglala Lakota family, launching her on an unexpected journey from Minneapolis to the Texas-Mexico border. Incorporating real stories of people in places that are often overlooked, it’s one of the most thoughtful and genuine road-trip movies I’ve ever seen. Suggested by Sharon.
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Every Body
2023Get this itemAn eye opening documentary that shines a light on the too often ignored intersex community. Cohen’s empathetic storytelling makes this film a personal journey as she spotlights the lives of three charismatic and endearing intersex activists. A must watch. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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The Blue Caftan
2023Get this itemWe loved this powerful, philosophical, and tender movie from Morocco that explores the many types of love with quiet yet commanding performances from the cast. Suggested by Chris, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
2023Get this itemThe highly anticipated sequel to Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse. Miles Morales ventures into the Multiverse, joining Gwen Stacy and other Spider-People as a threat to their very existence looms large. If you’re a fan of the first installment, I think you’ll go crazy over this because it’s next-level amazing in action, animation, direction, creativity, voice talent, and so on. Suggested by Sharon.
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Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe
2023Get this itemAdapting a cherished novel for the big screen is a tricky thing, and unquestionably this was a labor of love for writer/director Aitch Alberto. She created a tender coming-of-age movie based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s much-lauded book about two Mexican-American teenagers grappling with their identity, sexuality, and complicated family relationships in 1987 El Paso, Texas. Suggested by Sharon.
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Cat Daddies
2023Get this itemAs a cat lover, I deeply enjoyed this documentary about men who love cats. From firefighters to social media influencers, it is heartwarming to watch the joy that pets can bring to someone’s life. Suggested by Brenna.
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Pretty Red Dress
2023Get this itemFrom emerging filmmaker Dionne Edwards, set in South London, this movie delves into such themes as masculinity, identity, gender, family love, and free expression. There is a red dress central to the story, and we see how the three main characters (father, mother and daughter) relate to that dress. The cast is very good, including an outstanding performance from Natey Jones, and then we have Alexandra Burke, who belts out some awesome Tina Turner tunes. Suggested by Sharon.
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A Man Called Otto
2023Get this itemI haven't read the book or seen the Swedish movie that this film is based on, but they must be very good because this adaptation tugged at my heart in so many directions. Tom Hanks still has it! Suggested by Mandy.
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Father of the Bride
2022Get this itemA remake of the original but with a Latine twist that stands on its own. Latine culture, specifically Cuban and Mexican, is organically incorporated in the movie. It's great to see Gloria Estefan and Andy Garcia on the screen as a couple with their individual storyline, in addition to the bride's story. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor among Thieves
2023Get this itemWe had a terrific time watching this film that surprised many of us. While we are not players of the popular game, it did not deter our love for the heartfelt story, enchanting characters, dazzling visual effects, and fun-filled, old-fashioned fantasy storytelling. We would absolutely welcome a sequel! Suggested by Lynnanne, Rummanah and Sharon.
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On the Come Up
2023Get this itemI was excited to learn that the adaptation of Angie Thomas' bestselling book is also Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut. The story follows 16-year-old Bri Jackson, a gifted rapper who’s trying to break out with the right song at the right time. Lathan plays Bri’s mother, newcomer Jamila Gray has the lead role, and the always reliable Da'Vine Joy Randolph is Aunt Pooh. It’s an empowering musical journey. Suggested by Sharon.
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BlackBerry
2023Get this itemConsidering that I owned a Blackberry for years, I always wondered how and why they fell out of fashion. This movie answered that question while offering an entertaining ride that I did not want to get off of. Suggested by Paul.
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The Velvet Queen
2022Get this itemIn this stunning, meditative documentary, acclaimed wildlife photographer Vincent Munier and writer/traveler/adventurer Sylvain Tesson go to the Tibetan highlands in pursuit of the incredibly elusive snow leopard. Respectful of the amazing creatures and gorgeous landscapes, they patiently observe their surroundings, reconnect to nature, and reflect on the impact of humankind. I’ll talk up this doc, any chance that I get. Suggested by Sharon.
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Living
2023Get this itemAcclaimed author Kazuo Ishiguro wrote the screenplay, adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 movie Ikiru, which in turn was inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s novella The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Set in 1953 London, veteran actor Bill Nighy plays a longtime civil servant who makes changes to his life after he receives a devastating medical diagnosis. It got two well-deserved Oscar nominations: Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Utama
2023Get this itemBolivia’s entry for the 95th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, this is an eco-drama by first-time director Alejandro Loayza Grisi that’s as heartbreaking as it is beautiful. The plot revolves around an elderly Quechua couple who live in the high plains of the Andes, grazing a small herd of llamas--something they’ve done for decades. However, an unusually long drought might force them to abandon their home for the city. Cinematographer Barbara Alvarez is at the top of her profession, and you’ll be in awe of the visually gorgeous work. Suggested by Chris and Sharon.
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Asteroid City
2023Get this itemIs there any other American filmmaker with a style as idiosyncratic as Wes Anderson's? Droll, melancholic, and lovingly ornamented, this movie is its own cosmic thing and entirely of the Anderson universe. I want to live in its color palette. Suggested by Chris.
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The Inspection
2023Get this itemInspired by his own experiences as a young, gay Black man who joined the Marines after his mother kicked him out of the house at age 16 and who then spent 10 years homeless, filmmaker Elegance Bratton’s movie is authentic and impactful. We’re pleased that this independent movie earned national critical acclaim. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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EO
2023Get this itemIf you’re like me, you’ve been waiting ages for another mystical, transporting movie with a donkey protagonist to appear. Sure, there’s Bresson’s Au Hasard Balthazar, but that was more than 50 years ago. But this movie is sublime, magical even, and infused with something rare and hooved. Suggested by Chris.
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A Thousand and One
2023Get this itemInez, recently released from Rikers Island, kidnaps her six-year-old son from the foster care system and spends the next ten years raising him. This debut feature film from A.V. Rockwell has stunning performances, thought-provoking themes, and a masterful depiction of New York City between 1994 and 2005. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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No Bears
2023Get this itemThe Iranian director Jafar Panahi is one of my heroes. His recent films like are enigmatic metanarratives that fold in and out of themselves, with fiction becoming documentary, becoming a critique of the director and even the audience itself. Suggested by Chris.
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Blue Jean
2023Get this itemBlue Jean is a stirring and powerful movie debut by Georgia Oakley that captures a slice of British queer history in the 1980s. It takes a nonjudgmental and nuanced approach of self-acceptance, intergenerational solidarity, and sapphic power. Rosy McEwen gives a restrained and excellent performance as the titular character. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Scarlet
2023Get this itemThis finely crafted film about a widowed Frenchman returning from the frontlines of WWI to raise his daughter cast a spell on me, poised somewhere between a folktale and a coming-of-age story of liberation. Suggested by Chris.
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Full time
2023Get this itemThis movie depicts the never-ending sprint that can be felt by commuters everywhere. We follow Jules, a young single mother whose hardships only increase, in this lean, social-realist drama, which is presented as a gritty, heart-pounding thriller with amazing, naturalistic cinematography and an adrenaline-pounding electronic score. Suggested by Chris and Rummanah.
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Missing
2023Get this itemFull of twists, turns, and misdirections, a teen at home has to figure out what happened to her mom who disappeared while on vacation in Columbia with her new boyfriend. The movie uses computer screens, smart phones, and tablets to show what’s happening. But, you’ll be kept guessing about who’s telling the truth until the very end. Suggested by Michelle, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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Il buco
2022Get this itemThis uncanny historical film tells the story of a 1961 exploration of a southern Italian cave. But how it recreates this is rich and strange, without dialogue and almost entirely from the perspective of nature itself. Subtle, engrossing, and a reminder of the medium’s endless possibilities. Suggested by Chris.
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Women Talking
2023Get this itemThe Oscar Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay for director Sarah Polley, this movie, based on the novel by Miriam Toews, tackles numerous social dynamics among a group of religious women who have been abused by men in their community and have gathered to discuss their future: whether to stay, fight, or flee. With an outstanding ensemble, the film skillfully and sensitively addresses many contemporary themes, including women’s roles in society, religious freedom, sexual liberation, and even gender identity. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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She Said
2023Get this itemTerribly overlooked by the Oscars, this investigative journalistic film is based on the groundbreaking New York Times article written by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, whose work and research led to several women breaking silence concerning the abuses of Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein. The film shows how powerful men are enabled and devastated women silenced. The movie balances the arduous work of investigative journalism and its impact on the journalists' social lives. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning. Part One
2023Get this itemIn this seventh installment of the Mission Impossible films series, agent Ethan Hunt and his team pursue a sentient rogue AI called “The Entity” that can control everything. As ever, Tom Cruise delivers awesome edge-of-your-seat action. Suggested by Sharon.
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Broker
2023Get this itemWe’re big fans of filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda and thoroughly enjoyed this drama about two men who find homes for orphaned infants. We also loved seeing actor Song Kang Ho in a role very different from the character he played in Parasite. Here, the story is gently told, but nonetheless it is very impactful and hits you in the heart. Suggested by Chris and Sharon.
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Being Thunder
2023Get this itemOne of my favorite under-the-radar picks, this independent documentary is a portrait of Sherente Mishitashin Harris, a two-spirit genderqueer teenager from the Narragansett tribe in Rhode Island, focusing on their activism and efforts for more gender inclusivity in the traditionally female competitive fancy shawl dance. It’s revealing, insightful, moving, and joyful. Suggested by Sharon.
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Decision to Leave
2022Get this itemThis staggering neo-noir romantic detective thriller from South Korea is a slow burn for sure, with an obsessive love at its center. I was totally riveted by the twisty, multilayered storytelling, plus the first-rate actors and superb cinematography. Suggested by Sharon.
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Cinema Sabaya
2023Get this itemIn this debut feature film from Israeli director Orit Fouks Rotem, the story concentrates on a group of women, Arab and Jewish, who meet once a week at a community center to participate in the new Women’s Videography Project. They learn how to make short documentaries and in the process share their history, opinions, dreams, differences, fears, and joys. I found the movie to be moving and hopeful. Suggested by Sharon.
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Return to Seoul
2023Get this itemThis movie surprised us from its prickly protagonist to overturning many preconceived assumptions about the effects of adoption on adoptees. It" reminds us that the search for identity is never smooth and allows us to become comfortable with uncertainty. Suggested by Chris and Rummanah.
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The Blackening
2023Get this itemWe enjoyed this Black horror comedy that plays with several tropes of the horror drama and offers social commentary. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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Emily
2023Get this itemAs a big fan of Emily Bronte, I eagerly anticipated this film and thoroughly enjoyed it. O'Connor's directorial debut is less concerned with a faithful biography of the famed writer, rather envisions a writer who is trying to carve out her own path. I loved how O'Connor cleverly incorporates key moments of Bronte's masterpiece Wuthering Heights into the story. Suggested by Rummanah.
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How to Blow up A Pipeline
2023Get this itemI was riveted by this lean eco-thriller that does not offer any easy answers to the timely topic of climate justice. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Black Panther, Wakanda Forever
2023Get this itemWe appreciated director and writer Ryan Coogler's acknowledging the loss of the incredible Chadwick Boseman. The characters and we as viewers mourn the loss of beloved King T'Challa, but we cheered as the women of Wakanda took center stage and gave the story a new direction. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.
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The Quiet Girl: An cailín ciúin
2023Get this itemThis beautiful and compassionate film from Ireland is based on the novella Foster by Claire Keegan. We were moved by its realism, meditative quality, and its celebration of human kindness. Suggested by Chris, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (DVD)
2023Get this itemThere’s a mutagenic ooze that leaks into the sewers, and we get humanoid mutant turtle brothers Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello, as well as their adoptive father/martial arts instructor, a rat named Splinter. They partner with intrepid high-school journalist April O'Neil to save New York City from a villainous mutant named Superfly. I couldn’t be happier with this reboot of the Turtle Series--the story, the humor, the voice talent, the animation, etc. Suggested by Sharon.
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Oppenheimer
2023Get this itemI loved this film because of the performance given by Cillian Murphy. Yes, all the standard Christopher Nolan type goods were delivered, but Cillian Murphy took this film to the next level. Suggested by Paul.
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Aftersun
2022Get this itemWe loved this intimate and realistic film that unspools a naturally and deceptively simple story of a father-daughter holiday vacation. The film does an incredible job in playing with the notion of memory and searching for a hidden clue to make sense of the present. Haunting and tender. Suggested by Chris, Rummanah, and Sharon.
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