The type of mature, methodical filmmaking contained within Ted Kennedy scandal drama Chappaquiddick is a lost art. The story of the senator’s car crash off a bridge in 1969 that claimed the life of Mary Jo Kopechne, a campaign worker, is told with a sure hand. With precise pacing, artful performances and patient tonal shifts,…

In a world where people fight to be extraordinary, we’re taught to defy convention. But sometimes in film — as is the case with The Miracle Season — sticking to tried-and-true just works. While Miracle Season won’t make any best-of lists this year, it’s certainly never disappointing. It does go through the sports drama motions,…

Annihilation is the type of frustrating film that presents so much potential, and squanders it during the big reveal. This female-led sci-fi picture is impeccable in its casting, but director Gareth Edwards fails to provide proper closure to an evolving story. Based on the novel series Southern Reach, it revolves around a group of female…

The life of First Nations activist and artist Beau Dick is immortalized in this beautiful, provocative film. Like the cultural landmark pieces he created, his life story is as beautiful, magnetic and moving as can be expected. Maker of Monsters is one of the best documentaries to come about in recent memory, and limited showings…

After a beloved video game and two average-to-middling movies, Tomb Raider is back as a reboot iteration. It’s part of a adaptation lexicon that churns out embarrassingly bad films based on beloved game characters, and manages to be the best ever. Star Alicia Vikander brings new life to the role, while raising the overall quality…

Midnight Sun is a romantic drama that exemplifies the best qualities of the genre. It’s a humorous, moving and deeply satisfying film — One that takes the characters from the page and turns them into living, breathing people in front of your very eyes. The screen takes great care to focus on and celebrate the…

As queer culture has become more mainstream, steamy gay sex scenes, passionate forbidden affairs and other things that were previously taboo are hitting screens. But not until this thoughtful, beautiful portrait of a young man’s struggle to come out have we seen a truly honest, heartfelt attempt to provide insight into the LGBTQ community. Love,…

Thoroughbreds is the type of film that will ostracize a fair bit of its audience, but those who love it will champion the madcap filmmaking. First-time director Cory Finley takes this pitch-black film and somehow manages to inject it with some unexpected laughs and triumphs. The film explores the friendship between two loner girls, and…

Jennifer Lawrence had made a career out of her bold choice in roles. Though espionage thriller Red Sparrow never quite comes full circle, it’s a hell of a showcase for Hollywood’s ‘it’ girl. Dominika Egorova has her ballet dreams ripped away with one terrible accident, and is left with an impossible choice from her domineering…

The inherent problem with making a sequel is the follow-up won’t only be compared to similar films, but faces the scrutiny of rabid fans of the original. A decade in the making, Strangers 2 might have fared better against backlash regarding the tropes and cliches of horror films if it stood on its own. But…