‘Garden State’ (2004) makes melancholy feel so good
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): A great soundtrack, melodrama, quirky folks and a smoothly understated romance make this a coming-of-age gem.
Family Drama
‘Garden State’ (2004) makes melancholy feel so good
Rowling’s stark ‘Casual Vacancy’ (2012) bridges Potter and Strike
Throwback Thursday (Book review): The “Harry Potter” scribe doesn’t have answers for folks in a non-magical world, but she does show observant compassion.
‘Ghostwatch’ (1992) a little-known but highly influential found footage horror film
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This Halloween 1992 BBC movie was a hugely controversial cultural phenomenon in Britain.
Utterly generic nature leaves ‘Night Swim’ all wet
Movie review: Although it features good actors, this horror film stays in the shallow end of the pool.
‘Trust Exercise’ (2019) a masterful triptych about broken adult-child trust
Book club book report: Via traumatized, reflective victims, Choi pens a sharp back-door analysis of how abusers maintain industry power.
‘What a Girl Wants’ (2003) gives viewers what they want: Firth and Bynes
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This cute culture-clash comedy stands as Bynes’ best film, as a teenager tracks down her absent father.
‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ (2019) introduces young readers to the genre
Book club book report: Despite its basic nature, Holly Jackson’s debut novel is a page-turning whodunit for adults, too.
‘Crazy/Beautiful’ (2001) adds earthy appeal to the ‘troubled teen’ subgenre
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This is one of Kirsten Dunst’s many standout turns from the era, and Jay Hernandez and Bruce Davison are also crazy-good.
According to me, ‘According to Greta’ (2009) is Duff’s best film
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): A stellar supporting cast helps make this into a heartfelt movie about a teen with mental health issues.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ expands Godzilla lore
TV review: If you want more than just monsters from your “Godzilla” stories, “Monarch” adds a substantial dose of humanity. Plus monsters.