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In the past, I've curated a "top films" of the year list. In the spirit of turning new leaves, I'm using this year's list to amplify films that may not garner mainstream buzz but nonetheless made an indelible impression. These are films I shared with friends and revisited in my dreams. They span genres, techniques, and streaming services. Listed in alphabetical order, consider making one of these your next watch.
Expect to shed tears and experience complicated feelings for this documentary that doesn't spend one second telling us how these men came to be in prison. DAUGHTERS is a warm invitation to see the humanity in these fathers and the importance of connection and touch to the father-daughter bond.
DAUGHTERS is streaming on Netflix.
A discussion starter about how one can accept or defy societal expectations, A DIFFERENT MAN made me think as much as it made me laugh.
A DIFFERENT MAN is currently available to rent or buy on streaming services such as Fandango or Prime Video.
His decision to join the play eventually brings the whole family together in a way that a therapist's office never could. This uncluttered but very human story carries a touching reminder of the healing power of the arts and its ability to help us speak when our own words fall short.
GHOSTLIGHT streams on AMC+
At a time in my life while my parents are transitioning from independent living to needing constant care, this film felt like a gentle reminder to enjoy them while I can. One day I'll be the one sitting outside a door or bedside waiting to see if each breath is the last. Listen in to my podcast episode about this film.
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS streams on Netflix
This documentary comes from that revered tradition of documentaries that seem too far-fetched to be true. Nash'at gained this access by appealing to the ego of these officers, claiming he wanted to capture their story. During the year, he was often forced to stop. The men would change their mind or demand to see the footage before he continued. But eventually he would be allowed back, and Nash'at had to decide if he was willing to enter a situation that might mean his death any moment. Since he didn't speak the language, he didn't know how often he was being threatened until he was editing the film. Perhaps if he knew, Nash'at wouldn't have had the courage to stay. You can read my full review.
HOLLYWOODGATE is currently not available to steam, but its presence on the Oscar shortlist should prompt someone to pick it up.
Truth be told, at first, the movie seemed to be about a stupid guy doing stupid things. I wondered how they could possibly stretch this idea into a feature film. But then the story expands and transpires into a zero to hero tale that will surprise and delight even the most stoic viewer. All of the characters' failures eventually help him to ultimately win. Imagine if Evil Dead's Ash faced beavers instead of demons and you will catch a glimpse of the joy of this film.
HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS is currently available to stream on Tubi, Pluto, and Prime Video.
I SAW THE TV GLOW is a candy-coated, nightmare-fueled look at the pull of media on young people and their imagination. We have all been obsessed with particular shows that felt more real than our regular lives. Or maybe we just wish they were. The beauty of Schoenbrun's vision is that it's rather open-ended what's really going on. Whether you see it as a metaphor for the trans experience or a universal story of feeling like you don't fit in anywhere, I SAW THE TV GLOW is an unforgettable watch that seeps into your daydreams long after the credits roll.
Currently streaming on Max.
As an adult, Kid has become a street fighter paid to lose. Turns out, he's been living on scraps, just waiting for the right moment to push play on his ultimate plan -- to punish the people who stole his life of happiness from him. How he accomplishes this is the point of the film that I won't spoil. Another zero to hero film with jaw-dropping action sequences, MONKEY MAN is a triumphant directorial debut from Dev Patel.
MONKEY MAN currently streams on Prime
NICKEL BOYS is not yet available to stream
A pandemic has ravaged the souls of the world, turning people into zombies at first bite. Three brothers survive in a lavish, abandoned home that their parents helped them turn into a safe house. PÁRVULOS joins ranks with other Latin American films that have come out in the last few years, like WHEN EVIL LURKS (Demian Rugna) or PIGGY (Carlota Martinez-Pereda) – films that don't shy away from putting kids or animals in harm's way. Not that I'm advocating for more of that to happen, but these movies take chances that American directors often avoid, resulting in horror that can seem derivative or safe. By nature, horror needs to shock, scare, or disturb, removing safety guards. When directors like Ezban take chances, the genre stays alive. Go here to read my full review.
A REAL PAIN comes to Hulu in mid-December
Our hero, Terry, is in almost every frame of this film. He never fails to impress with how he deals with other humans. Humans are resources to him. They make the point that his MCMAP course had the motto "one mind, any weapon." He's not just a tough guy. He's a leader that tries to shepherd other people and gives them a chance to do the right thing. Like the best action heroes, REBEL RIDGE'S Terry never seeks the limelight or the rewards.
REBEL RIDGE streams on Netflix
This movie is just one big adrenaline rush. But there's plenty to chew on after the final credits. I enjoyed every minute. Part of the reason this movie works is that the characters feel grounded in reality, in spite of their foolish behavior. Who hasn't asked themselves, "How did I get into this situation?" I can't say too much about that point without giving away spoilers, but the emotions feel real and raw.
But there are so many little details that mark this film as eye candy. The fashion, the lighting, and even the barf-worthy buttery breakfast the old hippies make themselves gives the gruesome tale some much-needed quirk.
STRANGE DARLING is able to rent on multiple streaming sites.
Instead, his worst fears of being a lousy big brother repeat itself horrifically in a time loop purgatory existence in a secluded farmhouse. A movie for thinkers that may help you question the best way to make amends, Michael Felker knows how to use the camera to build intrigue in every shot.
THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT can by rented on Prime Video.
Ethan Hawke crafts a meditative look at the drive inside of Flannery O'Connor to spotlight the broken beauty of her Southern culture in all of its glorious hypocrisy. Mystics like O'Connor feel a fever to share their vision with those who come after. Call it their mark, call it their calling, but often art allows a haunted soul to cast out the demons driving them to despair.
As Flannery's physical body begins to break down, her will to complete one good story keeps her mind sharp and her spirit writhing. Her character arc is broken up by vignettes from the stories she creates, revealing connections between the two. Her stories intertwine with the sometimes bizarre moments from her life, and her writing allows her to try to make sense of it all somehow. And although she seems to despise the trappings of her Catholic upbringing, she can't seem to escape religion as the main inspiration for the conflicts and imagery that imbue her stories.
WILDCAT is available to rent on VOD.
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| A still from DAUGHTERS |
DAUGHTERS, directed by Angela Patton (Netflix)
A young Black girl stands in front of a mirror putting the finishing touches on her hairstyle and outfit. Cut to: another Black girl hugging her father with a ferocity only caused by a long absence. Cut to: a third girl hugging her father and sobbing with heaving gasps. This preview of things to come prepares the audience for a heart wrenching story of incarcerated fathers and daughters who will meet for a daddy-daughter dance.Expect to shed tears and experience complicated feelings for this documentary that doesn't spend one second telling us how these men came to be in prison. DAUGHTERS is a warm invitation to see the humanity in these fathers and the importance of connection and touch to the father-daughter bond.
DAUGHTERS is streaming on Netflix.
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| Sebastian Stan as EDWARD in A DIFFERENT MAN |
A DIFFERENT MAN, directed by Aaron Shimberg (A24)
This totally trippy gallows humor comedy has surprising emotional resonance. With ripples of FACE/OFF, THE DOUBLE, CYRANO DE BERGERAC, and BEING JOHN MALKOVICH all at once. Edward has a disfigurement of the face. He feels insecure, and this trait trickles into his whole life. After feeling a lack of hope, he stages his own suicide and has an elective surgery to make him normal. But this decision doesn't end up being the magic bullet he hoped for.A discussion starter about how one can accept or defy societal expectations, A DIFFERENT MAN made me think as much as it made me laugh.
A DIFFERENT MAN is currently available to rent or buy on streaming services such as Fandango or Prime Video.
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| Keith Kupferer as DAN (center) in GHOSTLIGHT |
GHOSTLIGHT, directed by Alex Thompson & Kelly O’Sullivan (IFC)
A construction worker named Dan gets fired from his job for losing his temper. Rather than tell the truth to wife Sharon and daughter Daisy, he sneaks away during the day to rehearse for a stage production of Romeo and Juliet. Truth be told, the family could all use therapy for a tragedy that remains unnamed until at least halfway through the movie. But like many of us, Dan finds it easier to channel his pain in portraying a fictional character.His decision to join the play eventually brings the whole family together in a way that a therapist's office never could. This uncluttered but very human story carries a touching reminder of the healing power of the arts and its ability to help us speak when our own words fall short.
GHOSTLIGHT streams on AMC+
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| Natasha Lyonne as RACHEL, Elizabeth Olsen as CHRISTINA, Carrie Coon as KATIE in HIS THREE DAUGHTERS |
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, directed by Azazel Jacobs (Netflix)
In this focused family drama set in one set piece, three daughters gather to wait as their father lives his final days. Three extremely talented actresses play roles that showcase the variety of ways humans respond to moments like these: busying in details, indulging in substances, being present. For most of the film, the honored father is off screen, more of an idea than a person. These estranged sisters gather, fight, and forgive, like only siblings can.At a time in my life while my parents are transitioning from independent living to needing constant care, this film felt like a gentle reminder to enjoy them while I can. One day I'll be the one sitting outside a door or bedside waiting to see if each breath is the last. Listen in to my podcast episode about this film.
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS streams on Netflix
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| A still from HOLLYWOODGATE |
HOLLYWOODGATE, directed by Ibrahim Nash'at (Rolling Narratives)
HOLLYWOODGATE captures a nation in chaos from the most unexpected perspective of all – behind enemy lines. In 2021, American forces pulled out all troops in Afghanistan, leaving $7.12 billion worth of equipment behind. Egyptian-German filmmaker Ibrahim Nash'at follows a Taliban regiment run by a high-ranking air force official named Malawai Mansour over the course of a year, as they take ownership of the recently abandoned CIA base in Kabul, nicknamed Hollywood Gate (for its American origin)This documentary comes from that revered tradition of documentaries that seem too far-fetched to be true. Nash'at gained this access by appealing to the ego of these officers, claiming he wanted to capture their story. During the year, he was often forced to stop. The men would change their mind or demand to see the footage before he continued. But eventually he would be allowed back, and Nash'at had to decide if he was willing to enter a situation that might mean his death any moment. Since he didn't speak the language, he didn't know how often he was being threatened until he was editing the film. Perhaps if he knew, Nash'at wouldn't have had the courage to stay. You can read my full review.
HOLLYWOODGATE is currently not available to steam, but its presence on the Oscar shortlist should prompt someone to pick it up.
 |
| Ryland Brickson Cole Tews as JEAN KAYAK in HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS |
HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS, directed by Mike Cheslik (Vinegar Syndrome)
An homage to the past too bizarre to explain, this wordless film depicts the journey of a drunken fool to become the world's greatest fur trapper, able to capture the titular hundreds of beavers in order to win the girl of his dreams.Truth be told, at first, the movie seemed to be about a stupid guy doing stupid things. I wondered how they could possibly stretch this idea into a feature film. But then the story expands and transpires into a zero to hero tale that will surprise and delight even the most stoic viewer. All of the characters' failures eventually help him to ultimately win. Imagine if Evil Dead's Ash faced beavers instead of demons and you will catch a glimpse of the joy of this film.
HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS is currently available to stream on Tubi, Pluto, and Prime Video.
 |
| A still from I SAW THE TV GLOW |
I SAW THE TV GLOW, Directed by Jane Schoenbrun (A24)
Nostalgia for the haze of youth reigns supreme. When Owen meets Maddy, they bond over their mutual love of the TV show The Pink Opaque. They quickly become secret friends who don't acknowledge each other at school. It's only in the world of The Pink Opaque that they find their true reality and destiny. But when Owen learns that Maddy plans to run away from home, he has to decide if he's willing to leave his old life behind.I SAW THE TV GLOW is a candy-coated, nightmare-fueled look at the pull of media on young people and their imagination. We have all been obsessed with particular shows that felt more real than our regular lives. Or maybe we just wish they were. The beauty of Schoenbrun's vision is that it's rather open-ended what's really going on. Whether you see it as a metaphor for the trans experience or a universal story of feeling like you don't fit in anywhere, I SAW THE TV GLOW is an unforgettable watch that seeps into your daydreams long after the credits roll.
Currently streaming on Max.
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| Dev Patel as KID in MONKEY MAN |
MONKEY MAN, directed by Dev Patel (Universal Pictures)
Dev Patel plays "Kid." Kid has memories of growing up loved and protected by his mother. She knit in his bones the stories and prayers of the Hindu people, especially the Hanuman, who thought the sun was a mango and tried to eat it. His thoughtless action burns him to a crisp and returns him to a low state. He forgets his power and purpose and becomes the lowest of the low. Eventually he rises from the ashes, reborn, and claims his rightful place again.As an adult, Kid has become a street fighter paid to lose. Turns out, he's been living on scraps, just waiting for the right moment to push play on his ultimate plan -- to punish the people who stole his life of happiness from him. How he accomplishes this is the point of the film that I won't spoil. Another zero to hero film with jaw-dropping action sequences, MONKEY MAN is a triumphant directorial debut from Dev Patel.
MONKEY MAN currently streams on Prime
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| Brandon Wilson as TURNER, Ethan Herisse as ELWOOD in NICKEL BOYS |
NICKEL BOYS, directed by RaMell Ross (Amazon MGM Studios)
One of those movies I may never watch again but what a revelation! RaMell Ross confidently directs a first person perspective story that makes use of his skills as a documentary filmmaker. After he's unfairly sent to an abusive reform school called Nickel Academy, a sensitive boy named Elwood meets and befriends Turner. Together, they try to navigate and survive a system determined to see them fail. Told mostly through alternating first-person perspectives of Elwood and Turner, Ross allows us to experience the pair's emotions without voyeurism. Instead, we walk in their steps, which proves less vomit-inducing but unsettling nonetheless. What could have become just another Black trauma story becomes a sensory experience that doesn't allow viewers to stay on the sidelines.NICKEL BOYS is not yet available to stream
PÁRVULOS, directed by Isaac Ezban
Isaac Ezban crafts a unique coming of age tale of zombies, family, and hope against all odds. A longtime fan of Twilight Zone-esque weird science fiction, Ezban shifts wheelhouses slightly to emulate the monster movies of old.A pandemic has ravaged the souls of the world, turning people into zombies at first bite. Three brothers survive in a lavish, abandoned home that their parents helped them turn into a safe house. PÁRVULOS joins ranks with other Latin American films that have come out in the last few years, like WHEN EVIL LURKS (Demian Rugna) or PIGGY (Carlota Martinez-Pereda) – films that don't shy away from putting kids or animals in harm's way. Not that I'm advocating for more of that to happen, but these movies take chances that American directors often avoid, resulting in horror that can seem derivative or safe. By nature, horror needs to shock, scare, or disturb, removing safety guards. When directors like Ezban take chances, the genre stays alive. Go here to read my full review.
 |
| Kieran Culkin as BENJI, Jesse Eisenberg as DAVID in A REAL PAIN |
A REAL PAIN, directed by Jesse Eisenberg (Searchlight Pictures)
Two mismatched cousins go on a pilgrimage to Poland in honor of their deceased grandmother, who I believe was a concentration camp survivor. Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin each dig into their respective roles with equal zest. Somewhere between a road trip movie and an opposites attract family comedy, this film perfectly captures how easily perfect strangers become friends through shared travel experiences. Somewhat languidly paced, the script seems in no rush to make a particular point or reach a tidy conclusion, leaving room for reflection. The title hints at the different ways pain manifests in people. Trigger warning: talk of attempted suicide.A REAL PAIN comes to Hulu in mid-December
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| Aaron Pierre as TERRY in REBEL RIDGE |
REBEL RIDGE, directed by Jeremy Saulnier (Netflix)
What should have been a simple bike ride to deliver bail money for his cousin's release gets interrupted by a corrupt cop who seizes the money, claiming suspected drug funds. Terry remains cool and tries to work the system, keeping true to his goal of getting the cousin bailed out before he gets murdered. But at every turn, he finds barriers and people who believe they hold the cards. Saulnier knows how to grow tension while also giving needed moments of rest and reprieve. The plot itself is an asset, but so is the dialogue -- the way the characters speak adds flavor, drops just enough information, and keeps things moving.Our hero, Terry, is in almost every frame of this film. He never fails to impress with how he deals with other humans. Humans are resources to him. They make the point that his MCMAP course had the motto "one mind, any weapon." He's not just a tough guy. He's a leader that tries to shepherd other people and gives them a chance to do the right thing. Like the best action heroes, REBEL RIDGE'S Terry never seeks the limelight or the rewards.
REBEL RIDGE streams on Netflix
 |
| Willa Fitzgerald as THE LADY in STRANGE DARLING |
STRANGE DARLING, directed by J.T. Mollner (Miramax)
STRANGE DARLING uses the nonlinear structure of Quentin Tarantino as a tool of entrapment. The narrative is doled out in six parts, starting with 3. We begin with a woman running in the woods, terrified, blood dripping down her ear. She's iconically dressed in cherry red nurse's scrubs and Doc Martens. Her demeanor recalls every final girl ever known to horror fans. Over the course of six parts, we discover why she's running, who she's running from, and why. Loyalties will be tested, perceptions will be messed with, and senses will be overloaded.This movie is just one big adrenaline rush. But there's plenty to chew on after the final credits. I enjoyed every minute. Part of the reason this movie works is that the characters feel grounded in reality, in spite of their foolish behavior. Who hasn't asked themselves, "How did I get into this situation?" I can't say too much about that point without giving away spoilers, but the emotions feel real and raw.
But there are so many little details that mark this film as eye candy. The fashion, the lighting, and even the barf-worthy buttery breakfast the old hippies make themselves gives the gruesome tale some much-needed quirk.
STRANGE DARLING is able to rent on multiple streaming sites.
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| Riley Dandy as SIDNEY, Adam David Thompson as JOSEPH in THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT |
THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT, directed by Michael Felker (Magnolia Pictures)
Innovative and lovingly shot. A lo-fi science fiction horror dive into sibling relationships. When it comes to family, regret can be a powerful motivator. In hopes of making up for the mistakes of his past, a big brother makes plans to help his sister make some easy money, pull off a simple burglary, and hide out until things chill out.Instead, his worst fears of being a lousy big brother repeat itself horrifically in a time loop purgatory existence in a secluded farmhouse. A movie for thinkers that may help you question the best way to make amends, Michael Felker knows how to use the camera to build intrigue in every shot.
THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT can by rented on Prime Video.
 |
| Maya Hawke as FLANNERY O'CONNOR in WILDCAT |
WILDCAT, directed by Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke crafts a meditative look at the drive inside of Flannery O'Connor to spotlight the broken beauty of her Southern culture in all of its glorious hypocrisy. Mystics like O'Connor feel a fever to share their vision with those who come after. Call it their mark, call it their calling, but often art allows a haunted soul to cast out the demons driving them to despair.
As Flannery's physical body begins to break down, her will to complete one good story keeps her mind sharp and her spirit writhing. Her character arc is broken up by vignettes from the stories she creates, revealing connections between the two. Her stories intertwine with the sometimes bizarre moments from her life, and her writing allows her to try to make sense of it all somehow. And although she seems to despise the trappings of her Catholic upbringing, she can't seem to escape religion as the main inspiration for the conflicts and imagery that imbue her stories.
WILDCAT is available to rent on VOD.
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