James Rutherford4 days ago'The Broken Circle Breakdown': A Poignant Belgian Drama About Love, Loss and the Power of Music'The Broken Circle Breakdown' is a poignant and emotionally charged Belgian drama that delves into the complexities of love, loss...
James RutherfordMay 21'American Gangster': The Gritty Tale of a Crime Kingpin's Rise to Power in 1970's-Era Harlem'American Gangster' (2007) is a gritty crime thriller starring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, an American drug trafficker operating...
James RutherfordMay 13'Emily the Criminal': A Taut and Gripping Crime Thriller Imbued With Timely Social Commentary 'Emily the Criminal' is a taut crime thriller starring Aubrey Plaza as Emily Benetto, a Los Angeles-based artist struggling under the weight
James RutherfordMay 8'Climax': Gaspar Noé's Jaw-Dropping Account of a French Dance Troupe's Descent into MadnessClimax (2018) is a scorching cinematic experience about a French dance troupe that converges within an abandoned school to rehearse for...
James RutherfordMay 1'Charlie Wilson's War': A Savvy Rendition of Early U.S. Intervention in the Afghan–Soviet WarCharlie Wilson's War (2007) is a razor-sharp Cold War-era comedy-drama starring Tom Hanks as Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson, an...
James RutherfordApr 23'I, Daniel Blake': A Penetrating Condemnation of the United Kingdom's Social Welfare SystemI, Daniel Blake (2016) is a penetrating British drama about a middle-aged carpenter named Daniel Blake (Dave Johns) stuck in a cycle of...
James RutherfordApr 17'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang': A Satiric Action-Comedy About a Disparate Duo Embroiled in a Murder Mystery"Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is a lively neo-noir action comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. as Harry Lockhart, a New York-based crook who stumbles
James RutherfordApr 9'Tár': An Intensive Rendering of a World-Renowned Musical Composer's Precipitous Fall from GraceTár is a remarkably assured psychological drama starring Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, a world-renowned musical composer and chief...
James RutherfordApr 1'Talk Radio': A Riveting Depiction of a Caustic Radio Personality Teetering on the Edge of NeurosisTalk Radio (1988) is scathing drama-thriller starring Eric Bogosian as Barry Champlain, a controversial radio personality in Dallas,...
James RutherfordMar 26'Bacurau': An Exhilarating Neo Western-Thriller About a Rural Brazilian Village Under SiegeBacurau (2019) is an exhilarating and deeply resonant neo western-thriller from Brazil about a near-future village in the state of...
James RutherfordMar 19'Nope': The Uncanny Tale of a Brother-and-Sister's Fervent Attempts to Photograph a U.F.O.Nope (2022) is a strikingly ambitious science-fiction horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya as Otis "OJ" Haywood Jr., proprietor of a...
James RutherfordMar 12'Primal Fear': A Formidable Legal Thriller Detailing the Defense of an Alter Boy Accused of MurderPrimal Fear (1996) is an arresting legal thriller starring Richard Gere as Martin Vail, a preeminent Chicago defense attorney celebrated...
James RutherfordMar 6'Wild Tales': A Spanish-Language Anthology of Darkly Comical Tales of Human BehaviorWild Tales (Relatos Salvajes) (2014) is a blistering Spanish-language dark comedy from Argentina delivered as an anthology of six...
James RutherfordFeb 26'Aftersun': A Deeply Emotive Drama About a Father-and-Daughter's Milestone Shared ExcursionAftersun (2022) is a deeply emotive human drama starring Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio as Calum and Sophie, a father-and-daughter duo on...
James RutherfordFeb 20'Life Is Beautiful': A Charming and Bittersweet Tale of Devotion, Adversity and Inspired IngenuityLife Is Beautiful (La Vita è Bella) (1997) is an uncommonly charming and deeply poignant Italian film starring Roberto Benigni as Guido...
James RutherfordFeb 14'The Killing of a Sacred Deer': The Ominous Tale of a Young Man's Sinister Campaign of RetributionThe Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) is an ominous and engrossing horror-thriller starring Colin Farrell as Dr. Steven Murphy, a...
James RutherfordFeb 6'Skyfall': A Sleek Entry in the James Bond Oeuvre Detailing the Hunt for a Master CyberterroristSkyfall (2012) is a sleek and captivating entry in the James Bond oeuvre starring Daniel Craig as the eminent spy, his third appearance...
James RutherfordJan 28'EO': A Surrealistic Odyssey About a Gray Donkey Languidly Trekking Across Eastern EuropeEO (2022) is a surrealistic Polish-Italian drama that follows a circus donkey named "EO" on a journey across Eastern Europe, experiencing...
James RutherfordJan 22'O Brother Where Art Thou?': A Madcap Comedy About 3 Escaped Convicts in Search of Hidden TreasureO Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) is a madcap period comedy starring George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson as Everett, Pete...
James RutherfordJan 16'Dune': A Monumental Cinematic Adaptation of Frank Hebert's Legendary Science Fiction NovelDune (aka Dune: Part One) (2021) is a monumental science-fiction epic starring Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, gifted young heir to...
James RutherfordJan 910 for ’22: My Favorite Films from the Year of the Tiger1. Fire of Love Fire of Love is an American-Canadian documentary film detailing the lives of Katia and Maurice Kraft—French...
James RutherfordJan 1'Small Axe': An Extraordinary Anthology Series Depicting London's West Indian Community 1969-1982Small Axe (2020) is an unprecedented series of five films depicting London's West Indian community between 1969 and 1982. Originally...
James RutherfordDec 28, 2022'Knives Out': A Devilishly Entertaining Investigation into the Demise of a Famed Mystery NovelistKnives Out (2019) is a highly spirited mystery-thriller that follows the complex investigation into the death of famed mystery novelist...
James RutherfordDec 19, 2022'We Are the Best!': The Delightful Tale of Three 13-Year-Old Swedish Girls Forming a Punk BandWe Are the Best! (Vi Är Bäst!) (2013) is a delightful Swedish film about a trio of 13-year-old girls who form their own punk rock band in...