2025 Staff Picks: FilmLike this list

25 items

• Sinners

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  Half gorgeous historical fiction (1930's Jim Crow South) and half bloody vampire action, we applaud the well-done color symbolism, incredible music, dance choreography, beautiful cinematography, and twice the number of Michaels B. Jordan than most…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Wicked

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  For those of us who have been waiting 20+ years for a film adaptation of the musical, the release of "Wicked Part 1" was a big deal. From the atmospheric cinematography to the standout performances, we are here for it (and ready for part 2!).…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Thunderbolts*

  *the New Avengers

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  "Thunderbolts*" reenergizes the lethargic Marvel Cinematic Universe with its assembly of a new rag-tag group of anti-heroes who have lived in the shadows of greatness. Full of good action, witty banter, and a unique villain, the movie exposes the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Lord of the Rings. The War of the Rohirrim

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  An animated prequel to "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings," this film tells the story of Helm Hammerhand and his daughter, Héra, Shieldmaiden of Rohan. I loved the story, characters, beautiful animation, and how it included Easter eggs of the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Heart Eyes

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  I am normally not the biggest slasher fan, but something about the balance of humor, romance, and outrageous plot twists made me love this unique and bloody genre-bender. It does its job perfectly, and the romance plot line is surprisingly…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Last Breath

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  We enjoyed this dramatic remake of the 2019 documentary of the same name from filmmaker Alex Parkinson, who recreates events that happened in 2012 off the coast of Scotland. While this is a dramatic narrative, a lot of what is shown is fairly…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Weapons

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  We were completely captivated! The film's unique storytelling truly stands out in the horror genre, making the viewing experience anything but ordinary. You’ll be fascinated by the intricate mystery and the well-developed characters, all of whom…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Substance

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  Featuring the talents of Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, we follow the story of a former A-list star who has been booted out by the industry due to her age. Distraught, she turns to a black-market drug promising youth and beauty in the form of an…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Conclave

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  When the Pope unexpectedly dies of a heart attack, the Sacred College of Cardinals holds a conclave to elect his successor. It falls to the reluctant, yet competent, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) to oversee the process, and he finds himself…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Complete Unknown

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  Timothée Chalamet immerses himself in the role of a young Bob Dylan in this biographical musical drama that focuses on the singer-songwriter’s arrival to New York City in 1961, his success as a folk artist, and then his controversial decision to “go…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Real Pain

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  Two estranged American cousins, marvelously played by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, go on a Jewish tour through Poland to honor their recently deceased grandmother. She wanted them to connect with their heritage and see the home she fled when…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• CODA

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  This coming-of-age film about a young girl who grapples with pursuing her passion for music or staying with her deaf family and continuing to be a bridge between the deaf and hearing world is easily one of our favorites made available on physical…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Penguin Lessons

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  In 1976, Tom Michell was an indifferent English teacher at St. George's College, a private boys’ school in Buenos Aires, Argentina. While on a short break in Uruguay, he rescued an oil-soaked penguin to impress a woman. The orphaned bird refused to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Materialists

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  Lending her own experience as a matchmaker, director Celine Song's sophomore feature film asks its audience about the realistic value and cost of love. We enjoyed this witty drama that has a keen eye for observation, provides thoughtful commentary…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• One of Them Days

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  Keke Palmer and SZA costar in this raunchy and outrageous buddy comedy about two best friends in LA who encounter a series of misadventures as they race against time to replace their lost rent money before they’re evicted. Palmer and SZA have great…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Mickey 17

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  As fans of "Parasite," we have been long awaiting this film’s release. We loved familiar political references combined with a strange world and dark humor. Robert Pattinson’s performance was hilarious and moving as a weird and pathetic guy who loses…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Black Bag

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  With a lineup of unfairly good-looking, stylish Brits, we had a blast watching this clever piffle of a spy-thriller. There’s some story about malware and moles, but mostly it’s about Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender reveling in their own amused…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Omni Loop

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  I had a wonderful, sad, introspective time watching Omni Loop. Far from being a time-traveling sci-fi romp, Omni Loop is a time-loop movie that is interested in the mundane, everyday life, and the importance of where we can find value. Mary-Louise…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Presence

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  We haven't been able to stop thinking about this devastating psychological drama since the credits rolled. It's a ghost story from the perspective of the ghost, and an excellent reminder that not all ghost stories are horror. The small cast gives…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Outrun

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  We enjoyed this emotionally candid and beautifully moving film that depicts the difficulty of staying sober and the ongoing journey of recovering from alcoholism. Touching on themes of connecting with nature, family, mental health, and…Read moreRead more of this annotation