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This French-language film from 2019 ranks among the New York Times’ Top 100 Movies of the 21st Century. It’s deeply emotional, with truly exceptional performances. For me, it unfolds as a bit of a slow burn, which is the only reason I didn’t rank it higher. " France, 1770. Marianne, a painter, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a young woman who has just left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride to be and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, to paint her secretly."

This new Chris Pratt film had a lot of potential. The premise is intriguing, but the slow and somewhat difficult opening makes it hard to fully invest at first. Fortunately, the ending redeems much of that early struggle and ultimately makes the experience worthwhile. While the concept is undeniably cool and the finale delivers, the film as a whole doesn’t quite live up to its potential. It’s not a complete waste of time, but despite its strong premise and solid ending, it ultimately falls short of being a truly good movie. " In the near future, an advanced AI judge tells a captive detective that he's on trial for the murder of his wife. If he fails to prove his innocence within 90 minutes, he'll be executed on the spot."

This 2009 film is labeled a “sports movie,” though I put that in quotes because it’s about much more than just baseball. While the sport is central to the story, the film focuses more deeply on life in the Dominican Republic, and other baseball-loving nations, where young men dream of making it to America, earning a spot in the MLB, and transforming their families’ futures. The ending is particularly powerful, leaving you reflecting on many current MLB players and what they may have endured to reach that level. It adds a layer of realism and perspective that stays with you after the credits roll. The acting is solid, though not extraordinary. Still, if you’re in the mood for a different kind of sports film, one that explores cultural challenges and personal sacrifice as much as athletic ambition, this movie is worth watching. " Like many young men in the Dominican Republic, 19-year-old Miguel "Sugar" Santos (Algenis Perez Soto) dreams of winning a slot on an American baseball team. Indeed, his talents as a pitcher eventually land him a slot on a single-A team in Iowa, but culture shock, racism and other curveballs threaten to turn Sugar's dream sour."

This 1985 German film is widely regarded as a classic, and I can understand why. Overall, I found it to be a very strong film, with an especially powerful and impactful ending. The story is haunting and emotionally intense, leaving a lasting impression long after it ends. That said, the filmmaking style wasn’t entirely to my taste. At times, the visuals felt overly artistic, and a few scenes seemed more stylistic than necessary, which slightly detracted from the overall experience for me. However, I can easily see how others might view those same choices as strengths rather than weaknesses. In the end, I did enjoy the film and appreciate its craftsmanship, but I’m not sure the average moviegoer would thoroughly enjoy it. Its heavy themes, deliberate pacing, subtitles, and artistic approach make it a challenging watch, one that demands patience and emotional investment. " The invasion of a village in Byelorussia by German forces sends young Florya (Aleksey Kravchenko) into the forest to join the weary Resistance fighters, against his family's wishes. There he meets a girl, Glasha (Olga Mironova), who accompanies him back to his village. On returning home, Florya finds his family and fellow peasants massacred. His continued survival amidst the brutal debris of war becomes increasingly nightmarish, a battle between despair and hope."

I honestly don’t know how to rate this movie. I loved the ending, but the experience of watching it felt strange. It centers on a group of young boys hazing each other, yet it’s labeled as a horror/drama, which feels a bit misleading. The tone leans more unsettling and psychological than traditionally “horror.” I’m not sure what audience would actively choose to watch this kind of story… but somehow, I did. " A socially awkward tween endures the ruthless hierarchy at a water polo camp, his anxiety spiraling into psychological turmoil over the summer."

Pleasantly surprised by this Sydney Sweeney film based on a true story. I didn’t think she would fit the role at first, and it took a little while to fully get on board, but she really grew into it as the film progressed. By the end, she completely won me over. It tells an incredible, largely untold story that I hadn’t heard before. While there are a few dull moments scattered throughout, for the most part it held my attention. It could have delivered more of an emotional punch. " Christy Martin never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia, until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim. Flaunting a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles start to unfold outside of it as she confronts family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death."

I realized I don't like the comedy/horror mix all that much. I also didn't believe Tom Hanks could be in any bad roles but here we are in this 1989 film. " Settling in for some time off in his suburban home, Ray Peterson's (Tom Hanks) vacation becomes a horror when the Klopeks, a suspiciously odd family, move in down the block. Enlisting the aid of his paranoid buddy, Art (Rick Ducommun), and his militia-man neighbor, Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), Ray sends his son and wife (Carrie Fisher) away on a trip while he investigates the Klopeks. When a neighbor disappears, Ray and his cohorts risk their lives to save their cul-de-sac from the clutches of evil."

Denzel Washington was solid in this 1998 crime/horror film, but overall it felt way too slow-paced. It was honestly pretty easy to lose interest throughout. I wouldn’t recommend it. The ending was decent, but not enough to make sitting through the whole movie feel worth it . " After witnessing the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas), whom he arrested, police detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington), and his partner, Jonesy (John Goodman), are soon investigating another murderer whose mode of operation is eerily similar to Reese's. In the course of the investigation, Hobbes meets theology professor Gretta Milano (Embeth Davidtz), who introduces him to the world of the occult and the possibility that an evil spirit is behind the killings."

This is a 2000 comedy/crime film starring George Clooney. I liked the concept, but at times it felt a little too playful and silly for my taste. Overall, I still enjoyed it, but seeing it ranked as one of the New York Times’ Top 100 movies of the century felt like a bit of a shaky take to me. " Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) is having difficulty adjusting to his hard-labor sentence in Mississippi. He scams his way off the chain gang with simple Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and maladjusted Pete (John Turturro), then the trio sets out to pursue freedom and the promise of a fortune in buried treasure. With nothing to lose and still in shackles, their hasty run takes them on an incredible journey of awesome experiences and colorful characters."

Super entertaining, but honestly not a very good film. It’s pretty ridiculous at times, and the acting was overall weak. It’s the type of movie that keeps your attention while you’re watching, but not something I’d ever rewatch or recommend. I did like the plot idea, but I feel like they tried to do too much with it instead of keeping it simple and letting the concept speak for itself. " Lucy's tropical island homecoming turns deadly when her family's clever chimpanzee, Ben, becomes rabid. With her father away and no help coming, paradise becomes a prison as Lucy and her friends fight for survival against a pet they once trusted."

Without having read the book, I thought this movie was pretty solid going in with no expectations. That said, there were a few scenes that felt really unrealistic, especially the ending, which honestly shouldn’t have been included. If the finale had been handled better, this easily could’ve been an 8/10. I also didn’t think Sydney Sweeney was all that great, which is not surprising because I usually don't enjoy her performances. On the other hand, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar absolutely carried the acting and were the standout parts of the film. " Hoping for a fresh start, a young woman becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy couple who harbour sinister secrets."

This 2015 sci-fi/drama has a really awesome concept, but I can’t help feeling like it would’ve been done much better if it were made today. The technology aspect felt a little limited, and I wish the plot had been more intense instead of focusing so heavily on the mother/daughter dynamic. It kind of reminded me of The Substance , just not nearly as bold or daring. This was also featured on the top NYTimes top movies of the century. " In a future where opulence overshadows economic hardship, Gwen and her daughter Jules try to hold on to their joy."