All Movies
‘Writing With Fire’: Film captures resolve of female journalists in IndiaOscar-nominated documentary “Writing With Fire” shows how a team of reporters overcomes caste and gender biases to bring light and justice to India.
Oscar is only a start: A world of best performances from the past yearAhead of the Oscars ceremony on Sunday, the Monitor’s film critic shares his choices for the performances that transported audiences in the past year.
In Pixar’s ‘Turning Red,’ a panda and puberty steal the showThe latest Pixar film, “Turning Red,” covers familiar ground in the exploration of identity, but also experiments with more directly addressing puberty.
First LookBest movies of 2021? British 'Oscars' offer a sneak preview.The British Academy Film Awards gave the best picture prize to the western “The Power of the Dog." The sci-fi epic “Dune” won five awards.
Time travel + Ryan Reynolds = Fairly fun ‘The Adam Project’“The Adam Project” draws on its sci-fi predecessors and the charm of its leading man to take viewers on a mostly entertaining ride.
‘The Batman’: Gritty storytelling propels latest Gotham caperBatman’s many incarnations range from campy caped crusader to dark knight. Does the latest, brooding version offer something new?
Oscar hopeful ‘Lunana’: A yak, a classroom, and a transformative journeyIn the Oscar-nominated international film “Lunana,” from Bhutan, a teacher’s unexpected assignment offers him life-changing vistas.
‘The Automat’ is a valentine to pie and nickel coffeeThe documentary “The Automat,” about the Horn & Hardart chain, is an ode to a bygone restaurant and the community (and pie) it offered.
First LookOscar nominees for 2021 show staying power of streaming servicesNetflix’s “The Power of the Dog” has the most Academy Award nominations with 12 nods, including best picture, best director, and recognition for all of its top actors. Director Jane Campion is the first woman to be nominated twice for best director.
Oscar contender ‘A Hero’ explores the complexities of doing the right thingShould people be praised for simply doing the right thing? This year’s Oscar contender from Iran, “A Hero,” asks viewers to consider societal labels.
‘The sky doesn’t collapse.’ A filmmaker explores gay life in Kenya.A documentary about a gay couple in Kenya explores universal themes of love and commitment in a repressive society.
Hollywood is taking steps to diversify behind the camera. How is it going?For the TV and film industries, one area of progress is an increase in initiatives that help underrepresented groups train and network.
From ‘King Richard’ to ‘Gunda’: The 10 best films of 2021Monitor film critic Peter Rainer’s list of 2021’s best movies includes those that graced both big and small screens – and features some up-and-comers.
‘National Champions’ asks: Should college athletes be paid?How far would you go to stand up for a principle? The film “National Champions,” about whether to pay college athletes, weighs the trade-offs of taking a firm stance.
Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’: A remake that’s a rethink, tooDirector Steven Spielberg mostly succeeds in his update of “West Side Story,” giving it new energy and authenticity, says the Monitor’s film critic.
‘Encanto’: A tale of family and fitting in, set to musicAs the Monitor’s review notes, Disney’s cheery “Encanto,” about comparing oneself to others, seems tailored for today’s social media-minded teens.
Venus, Serena, and their father: ‘King Richard’ biopic is an aceA top-notch performance by Will Smith and an inspirational story combine for sheer pleasure in the biopic “King Richard,” says the Monitor’s film critic.
A foodie delight, ‘Julia’ shows how one chef influenced AmericaFew people on the planet were more interested in food than Julia Child, says the Monitor’s film critic. Judging from the documentary “Julia,” he adds, few people are as interesting.
What more is there to say about Princess Diana? ‘Spencer’ offers a fable.Kristen Stewart delivers a fierce performance in “Spencer,” a film that intends to impart a more profound view of Princess Diana than a biopic could.
‘Nomadland’ director brings her vision to Marvel’s ‘Eternals’Chloé Zhao pivots from her indie roots to make a big-budget Marvel film, “Eternals.” Can she make these heroes soar?
