Norman Gidney

Roher is profoundly lucky to have been around when Navalny’s harrowing story needed to be told, and so are we.

Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul is a wicked read of religion and a showcase of comic talent.

Benson and Moorhead have crafted yet another lo-fi sci-fi masterpiece.

Call Jane is dripping with amazing actors giving solid performances, but only Banks is given a chance at Oscar bait. Weaver’s Virginia is a sagacious activist with long hair, always reminding the group to keep the goal in mind, but we are cheated of heavier moments with her. What is here is wonderful, but it could have used a few moments of gravity.

This classically styled thriller plays on universal themes of alienation to deliver a punchy diversion with macabre tints and a love of the genre.

Emergency is a sharp, farcical comedy with a message.

I think what sets Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It apart from other end-of-life docs is that this one is just so honest, so forthcoming, and so remarkably detailed. Mariem Pérez Riera has perfectly captured an American icon at the moment we need her the most.

Anchored by an iconic turn from Cobb, in her first lead role, and consistently daring choices from both star and director, We Are All Going to the World’s Fair is one hell of a trip.

Writer-director duo Albert Birney and star Kentucker Audley take us on a whimsical journey that bends timelines and genres, resulting in a consistently absurd, hilarious adventure.

Jockey is a solid piece of work that reflects on who we are and what we leave behind, as well as the prices we pay to get there.

Through a bracing pastiche of methods, we are taken on a harrowing journey that must have A-list directors, this very minute clamoring for option rights. It is beautiful and gripping; Flee is a must-see.

The real torpedo that sank this ship was that the source material wasn’t all that good, to begin with.

A kaleidoscopic look at a marginalized community, Queer Japan is required viewing for anyone in the community as well as their allies.

Delgado’s script is keenly aware of the world she is sharing. With the utmost humanity, each frame conveys the lives of those living in limbo, working for the mere hope of something better.

A good-natured comedy that, while not always funny, remains as sincere as The Book of Mormon. No, really, that is a massive compliment.

House of Cardin is a solid, encyclopedic documentary of one of the greatest designers of our time. He deserves to be celebrated, no question there. But this doc wants to inform rather than reveal, to celebrate rather than investigate. C’est la vie.

Ultimately affirming Feels Good Man is a fun, feel-good doc.

While it would be impossible to end A Thousand Cuts on a positive note, Diaz holds fast on her subject and Ressa’s determination to fight for what she believes in. This lights a path towards hope and the belief that truth and justice will ultimately prevail in a climate where lies spread faster than facts.

Horror movies usually aim to scare, entertain, and teach us. Amulet mostly does all three. Very nicely done.

Despite minor misgivings, it is a thoroughly engaging horror film with more on its mind than simply building to a climax. This is a poignant observation on aging and death that is supported by a trio of knockout performances and a female-heavy production.

With the endearing true story of Jack & Yaya and the power of documentary film, I am given hope that we will unite because of diversity.

Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen not only leaves us with the hope that things will improve, but it also shows us how much better the industry is when everyone is included, represented, and respected. Here’s to a brighter, more diverse future for all trans actors.

What is most frustrating about 15 Years is just how much it gets right while so narrowly missing the mark.

The Garden Left Behind is a melancholy but strangely optimistic look at the struggles that some in the Trans community face every single day. It’s not a perfect film, but it is a movie with a message of tolerance and understanding. For that, it should be praised.

While the first act is slow but promising, the second and third acts don’t move any faster.

This masterful documentary from David France weaves high-stakes storytelling and investigative reporting to expose the ongoing situation, resulting in an unforgettable film.

Cronenberg has created a mind-bending trip of a movie with more to say than your average actioner and is supported by spectacular performances and make-up and practical effects that seal the deal. Brace yourself. Possessor is brilliant.

While informative, I never leaned forward and engaged with the events documented.