Tu Dors Nicole
Dir. Stéphane Lafleur
Nicole is 22, just out of college, and adrift during her first summer as an “adult.” Tu Dors Nicole (“You’re…
Read My Lips
Dir. Jacques Audiard
In my own wished-for parallel universe, French actors Vincent Cassell and Emanuelle Devos are voted the sexiest actors alive. I…
Mustang
Dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven & Female director
Five orphaned sisters are put under house arrest by their uncle and grandmother after they are seen horsing around with…
Hello, My Name is Doris
Dir. Michael Showalter
Doris Miller is an unassuming sixty-something office worker whose life takes an unusual turn after her mother passes away. We…
The Devil's Backbone
Dir. Guillermo del Toro
Pan’s Labyrinth is often considered director Guillermo Del Toro’s best film, and rightfully so. But if you’re looking for a…
Another Year
Dir. Mike Leigh
This is a very nice movie about a lovely older couple named Tom and Gerri. It follows their lives for…
The Edge of Heaven
Dir. Fatih Akin
This is a hard movie to describe, but I’ll do my best without giving too much away. The movie takes…
Life is Sweet
Dir. Mike Leigh
Equal parts touching and comical, this portrait of a working-class family in a suburb just north of London features twin…
Homemakers
Dir. Colin Healey
This rough-hewn indie centers on Irene, the lead singer of an Austin punk band and all around mess of a…
The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Dir. Jeff Feuerzeig
Daniel Johnston sings what is possibly the most heartbreaking song I’ve ever heard about a cow. In this documentary, we’re…
Black Cat, White Cat
Dir. Emir Kusturica
A crazy, high-speed movie about double-dealing crooks and thieves living along the Danube River in Serbia. Such a description probably…
Green Room
Dir. Jeremy Saulnier
This is the follow-up film by the director of the (also) excellent and intense Blue Ruin. Like that film, Green…
Volver
Dir. Pedro Almodoóvar & Pedro Almodóvar
Pedro Almodovar’s films tend to swing wildly between comedy/farce and melodrama/tragedy. Volver somehow hits the sweet spot right in the…
The Interrupters
Dir. Steve James
This documentary is about a unique program in Chicago called CeaseFire whose sole aim is to stop violent deaths in…
Don’t Think Twice
Dir. Mike Birbiglia
Another slice-of-life story full of mild humor and affection from American comedian/director Mike Birbiglia. The members of the popular improv…
Nine Queens
Dir. Fabián Bielinsky
One of the best, twistiest con movies in recent memory. Seasoned con artist Marcos takes young Juan under his wing…
