Julia (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: 11 nominations
Befitting the culinary aesthetic favored by the brilliant chef it honors, Julia uses fresh, simple ingredients to create a sumptuous documentary feast.
Julia” is a delicious documentary that will leave you craving more. Directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West serve up a robust portrait of the late TV chef that’s both informative and entertaining. With interviews from those who knew her best and plenty of mouth-watering clips from her cooking shows, this film is a feast for the senses. And let’s not forget Julia Child’s infectious enthusiasm and trademark humor, which will have you laughing and smiling throughout. So grab some popcorn (or maybe some Coq au Vin) and settle in for a delightful cinematic meal. Bon appétit!
Production Company(ies)
Storyville Films, Imagine Documentaries, Storyville
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language/sexual reference, and some thematic elements
Year of Release
2022
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:NA
-
Runtime:1h 35m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 12, 2021 Limited
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Julia, documentary, Julia Child, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, archival footage, food cinematography, women, empowerment, fame, television, chef, cookbook author, personal photos, Julie Cohen, Betsy West, Sara Bernstein, Holly Siegel, Justin Wilkes, PG-13, sexual reference, brief strong language, thematic elements, Sony Pictures Classics, Dolby Digital, $399.7K, critic reviews, Financial Times, Guardian, Boston Globe, Seattle Times, Austin Chronicle, National Newspaper Publishers Association, Spirituality & Practice, Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Queerty, ButteredPopcorn, feminist perspective, audience reviews, MCU movies, horror movies, Netflix series, TV shows, streaming, news, Tomatometer
Worldwide gross: $493,080
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $493,080
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,744
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 53,771
US/Canada gross: $399,811
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $399,811
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,385
US/Canada opening weekend: $18,010
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,010
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,550
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Julia Child – Self
Julie Cohen – Director, Producer
Betsy West – Director
Sara Bernstein – Producer
Holly Siegel – Producer
Justin Wilkes – Producer
Director(s)
Julie Cohen, Betsy West
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Sara Bernstein, Julie Cohen, Holly Siegel, Betsy West, Justin Wilkes
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
11 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (103) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (99) | Rotten (4)
A robust documentary portrait of the late TV chef from directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West.
April 7, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Danny Leigh
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
Feels like a redundant tribute, with something very indulgent about the “foodie” rhapsodising.
April 7, 2022 | Rating: 2/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
“Julia,” a brisk documentary survey of Julia Child’s life, is warmly admiring. This makes sense, as there’s lots to admire.
November 24, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mark Feeney
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
“Julia” is full of irresistible clips and interviews with its subject, trilling and burbling with her trademark enthusiasm, reminding her viewers that anything was possible and that mistakes are how cooks learn.
November 24, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
Julia is a thorough documentary, concise in a way that’s ideal for the casual couch surfer. Like Child, the film’s a delight, but slightly unlike her, Julia doesn’t bring any new techniques to the table of biographical documentaries.
November 24, 2021
Jenny Nulf
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
A leader in America’s food movement is rightfully praised and immortalized in a doc that is a pleasure to watch. You can almost smell the Coq au Vin simmering on the stove.
November 23, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Dwight Brown
National Newspaper Publishers Association
TOP CRITIC
A tribute to Julia Child’s enthusiasm and her inimitable love of cooking.
April 27, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality & Practice
West’s film is a conventional potted biography, but its perceptive interviewees give us a sense of Child’s inner life. And it has a wealth of clips from her TV shows, in which she merrily plays up to her no-nonsense patrician persona.
April 14, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Edward Porter
Sunday Times (UK)
[Documents] her life chronologically with the help of those who knew her, plus lots of enjoyable archive footage and plenty of clips of Child herself…
April 8, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
Brian Viner
Daily Mail (UK)
Once a homophobe, the death of a close, gay friend to AIDS transformed Child into an ardent AIDS and queer rights activist. Its just one more reason to love a woman who transformed the way Americans look at food, and made cooking into entertainment.
March 13, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/4
David Reddish
Queerty
Julia is a fine biopic that shows a competence for documentary filmmaking even if the project itself fails to wow.
February 15, 2022 | Rating: B
Carson Timar
ButteredPopcorn
Julia is a crowd-pleaser with a feminist perspective.
January 6, 2022
Loren King
Newport This Week (RI)…
Plot
JULIA is a documentary that tells the story of Julia Child, the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Julia Child, the subject of the documentary, was a legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women.
Julie-Cohen.jpg
95%
Flee (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 92%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 3 Oscars
84 wins & 138 nominations total
Depicting the refugee experience through vivid animation, Flee pushes the boundaries of documentary filmmaking to present a moving memoir of self-discovery.
Flee is the kind of movie that will make you laugh, cry, and then cry some more. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that takes you on a journey of survival, self-acceptance, and the power of the human spirit. The animation is stunning, and the story is so gripping that you’ll forget you’re watching a documentary. It’s a must-see for anyone who wants to be moved and inspired. Just make sure you have a box of tissues handy.
Production Company(ies)
Final Cut for Real Sun Creature Studio Vivement Lundi
Distributor
NEON / Participant
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for thematic content, disturbing images and strong language
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:2.40 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 23m
-
Language(s):Danish, English, Dari, Russian, Swedish
-
Country of origin:United States, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 2021 Limited
Genre(s)
Documentary/Animation
Keyword(s)
Flee, documentary, animation, Amin Nawabi, refugee, Afghanistan, self-discovery, directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, produced by Natalie Farrey, Monica Hellstrøm, Signe Byrge Sørensen, Charlotte de la Gournerie, written by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, PG-13, strong language, disturbing images, thematic content, box office gross $338.2K, reviewed by David Stratton, Paul Byrnes, Mark Kermode, Tara Brady, Kevin Maher, Leslie Felperin, Ben Turner, Sarah Ward, Javier Ocaña, Harris Dang, Carlos Bonfil, starring Daniel Karimyar, Milad Eskandari, Elaha Faiz, Rashid Aitouganov, Georg Jagunov, Mikhail Belinson
Worldwide gross: $646,021
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $702,617
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,670
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 76,621
US/Canada gross: $339,754
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $369,519
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,411
US/Canada opening weekend: $24,794
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $26,966
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,404
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $3,400,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $3,697,863
Production budget ranking: 1,956
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $1,991,299
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$4,986,545
ROI to date (est.): -88%
ROI ranking: 1,944
Milad Eskandari – Voice
Elaha Faiz – Voice
Rashid Aitouganov – Voice
Georg Jagunov – Voice
Mikhail Belinson – Voice
Jonas Poher Rasmussen – Director, Writer
Natalie Farrey – Producer
Monica Hellstrøm – Producer
Signe Byrge Sørensen – Producer
Charlotte de la Gournerie – Producer
Amin Nawabi – Writer
Director(s)
Jonas Poher Rasmussen
Writer(s)
Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Amin Nawabi
Producer(s)
Natalie Farrey, Monica Hellstrøm, Signe Byrge Sørensen, Charlotte de la Gournerie
Film Festivals
Sundance, Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 3 Oscars
84 wins & 138 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (192) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (188) | Rotten (4)
The loss of his cultural roots, the discrimination and danger he faced on his journey west, the strange new culture and language he has to assimilate – all are part of the refugee experience vividly brought to screen…
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Flee is a remarkable achievement. It takes a difficult topic and makes it very engaging.
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
This is a triumph-of-the-human-spirit story as dramatic as the most finely wrought melodrama, with flashes of vintage newsreels reminding us that it is all “real”.
February 13, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Kermode
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
The sense of catharsis and the heartfelt voiceover, however, offset the roughhewn aesthetics.
February 11, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
All but the hardest of hearts will shatter. It’s a film that ends in tears of joy.
February 11, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Flee tells a remarkable story of displacement and survival that justifies its eclectic, genre-blending approach.
February 10, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Leslie Felperin
Financial Times
TOP CRITIC
An original format, it finds its stride quickly and we lose ourselves in this animated world, albeit never far away from the horrific reality of what it means to be a refugee.
June 27, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Ben Turner
The Pink Lens
Innovative, sincere, heartbreaking, harrowing and poetic in tandem, and also simply astonishing.
June 25, 2022
Sarah Ward
Concrete Playground
The Danish director [Jonas Poher Rasmussen] conquers the truth of the story through the fabrication of drawing. [Full review in Spanish]
June 15, 2022
Javier Ocaña
El Pais (Spain)
Flee is a gripping story of survival, an emotionally satisfying tale of past traumas and self-acceptance and a beautiful piece of animation. Highly recommended.
June 5, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Harris Dang
The AU Review
Flee owns a novel narrative that isn’t easily dismissed… [Full review in Spanish]
June 2, 2022
Carlos Bonfil
La Jornada
A valuable document, but it’s also just that, a document that missed the opportunity to become something else. [Full review in Spanish]
May 31, 2022
Erick Estrada
Cinegarage…
Plot
Flee is a documentary/animation film that follows Amin Nawabi, a child refugee from Afghanistan, as he recounts his extraordinary journey and grapples with a painful secret that threatens to derail his life.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The cast of Flee includes Daniel Karimyar, Milad Eskandari, Elaha Faiz, Rashid Aitouganov, Georg Jagunov, and Mikhail Belinson.
Jonas-Poher-Rasmussen.jpg
95%
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 93%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 7 nominations
An affecting profile of screen legend Rita Moreno, Just a Girl is at once a sharp critique of the industry’s crushing inequities and a beautiful homage to an artist who never backed down despite the odds.
Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It is a documentary that will make you want to stand up and applaud this incredible woman. At 89 years old, Moreno is still a force to be reckoned with, radiating star charisma and vitality. The film is a fascinating study of a true trailblazer, and Moreno’s transparent and energetic spirit shines through every scene. Sure, it may be a bit of a vanity project, but who cares? Moreno deserves to bask in the spotlight and receive all the flowers Hollywood has to offer. Don’t miss this inspiring and entertaining documentary!
Production Company(ies)
Act III Productions, Artemis Rising Foundation Maramara Films,
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, some strong language including a sexual reference, and suggestive material.
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Stereo
-
Aspect ratio:16:9 HD
-
Runtime:1h 30m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 2021 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 16, 2021
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Rita Moreno, documentary, EGOT, Academy Award, West Side Story, Hollywood, sexism, abuse, Marlon Brando, depression, Puerto Rican, immigrant, Broadway, ethnic minority, screen legend, producer, Brent Miller, Mariem Pérez Riera, director, Mariem Pérez Riera, critic, reviewed by Emma Fraser, Leslie Felperin, Claudia Puig, Adam Graham, Justin Chang, Tatiana Tenreyro, Cody Dericks, David Reddish, Matthew Pejkovic, Brian Viner, Michael Clark, Betty Jo Tucker, PG-13, box office, gross USA, budget, Roadside Attractions, MPAA rating, documentary, English, stereo, sound mix, starring Rita Moreno, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Norman Lear, George Chakiris, Morgan Freeman, Eva Longoria, producer, directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, written by Mariem Pérez Riera
Worldwide gross: $264,626
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $287,809
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,861
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 31,386
US/Canada gross: $264,626
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $287,809
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,469
US/Canada opening weekend: $84,366
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $91,757
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,963
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Self
Norman Lear – Self
George Chakiris – Self
Morgan Freeman – Self
Eva Longoria – Self
Director(s)
Mariem Pérez Riera
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Brent Miller, Mariem Pérez Riera,
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 7 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (112) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (107) | Rotten (5)
Hollywood still has much work to do, but Moreno rightly gets her flowers.
December 6, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Emma Fraser
Little White Lies
TOP CRITIC
Overall, she emerges just as vampish, feisty and fun as you’d expect, and as a gracious giver of speeches at ceremonies where she collects endless lifetime achievement awards, her biggest side-hustle next to acting.
December 1, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Leslie Felperin
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The documentary is rich in archival clips, but mostly it’s just rich in her — and Moreno is tons of fun.
June 22, 2021
Claudia Puig
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
Director Mariem Pérez Riera never gets in the way of her subject and lets viewers feel Moreno’s spirit, her vibrancy and her energy.
June 21, 2021 | Rating: B+
Adam Graham
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Even in a film that makes no bones about presenting its subject in a flattering, softening light, this 89-year-old stage and screen legend has refreshingly few qualms about saying exactly what she thinks.
June 21, 2021
Justin Chang
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The new documentary Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It reiterates many of those anecdotes, but it doesn’t tell us much that Moreno hasn’t divulged already in her 2013 memoir or in countless interviews over the years.
June 21, 2021 | Rating: C+
Tatiana Tenreyro
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
Its title may seem overly lengthy, but by the end of the film, it’s clear why that phrase truly applies to Moreno.
July 7, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Cody Dericks
Next Best Picture
At 89, Morenos petite frame still radiates star charisma and vitality. Viewers will come away from this film feeling like Moreno didnt just live life; she earned it.
March 13, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
David Reddish
Queerty
Works due to the transparent and energetic spirit of Moreno herself.
February 1, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Matthew Pejkovic
Matt’s Movie Reviews
A fascinating study of a remarkable woman, a true trailblazer.
December 10, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Brian Viner
Daily Mail (UK)
Starting with the opening scene where Moreno is planning her own annual themed birthday party, it doesn’t take long to figure out the film is going to be more of a vanity project than a warts-and-all objective analysis.
October 25, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/5
Michael Clark
Epoch Times
You’ll be entranced with everything. Family, talents, and acting. The most revealing I have seen. I loved it all. Don’t miss a scene!
October 18, 2021
Betty Jo Tucker
ReelTalk Movie Reviews…
Plot
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It is a documentary about the life and career of Rita Moreno, who overcame poverty, racism, and sexism to become a celebrated and beloved actor and the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rita Moreno is one of the rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award Winners of our time.
Mariem-Pérez-Riera.jpg
95%
In the Heights (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 94%
Awards & Nominations: 10 wins & 46 nominations
Lights up for In the Heights, a joyous celebration of heritage and community fueled by dazzling direction and singalong songs.
Casting, choreography, songs, and story all come together In the Heights to offer pure joy in modern movie musical form.
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros., 5000 Broadway Productions, Likely Story
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Washington Heights, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive references
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Atmos IMAX 6-Track Dolby Digital Dolby Surround 7.1
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:2h 23m
-
Language(s):English, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2021 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 10, 2021
Genre(s)
Musical
Keyword(s)
Worldwide gross: $45,175,167
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $47,827,687
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,353
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,215,669
US/Canada gross: $29,975,167
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $32,601,193
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,249
US/Canada opening weekend: $11,504,710
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $12,512,600
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 882
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $55,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $59,818,370
Production budget ranking: 679
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $32,212,192
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$44,202,875
ROI to date (est.): -48%
ROI ranking: 1,680
Anthony Ramos – Usnavi
Melissa Barrera – Vanessa
Leslie Grace – Nina Rosario
Corey Hawkins – Benny
Olga Merediz – Abuela Claudia
Jimmy Smits – Kevin Rosario
Director(s)
Jon M. Chu
Writer(s)
Quiara Alegría Hudes
Producer(s)
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman, Mara Jacobs
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
10 wins & 46 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (362) | Top Critics (73) | Fresh (342) | Rotten (20)
After a decade of torturous singalongs, Jon M. Chu’s dazzling adaptation breathes new life into a storied American tradition.
September 21, 2021
Charles Bramesco
Inside Hook
TOP CRITIC
The choreography (by Christopher Scott) is always terrific and there’s that unstoppable energy which, given the film’s running time, might eventually have you shouting: “Stop. Stop with the unstoppable energy! I’m over it!” But, you know, what the hell.
July 29, 2021
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
Ramos instantly secures his future as a leading man, but every single member of the cast is giving it their all, infusing their vocals and movements with life.
July 29, 2021
Esther Zuckerman
Thrillist
TOP CRITIC
While the individual musical sequences range from the exciting to the charming, the film drags in spots. Despite that it’s a must for musical lovers…
June 29, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
With its big-hearted, vibrant celebration of community, hope and heritage, In the Heights is a movie that’s infused with life and verve.
June 26, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Wenlei Ma
News.com.au
TOP CRITIC
The musical numbers here tend to be over-edited and visually cluttered — and there’s clutter too in Miranda’s lyrics, which are clever if you think it’s clever to rhyme “falling hard” with “calling card” in a love duet.
June 24, 2021 | Rating: 2/5
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
In the Heights recaptures the old Hollywood magic of cinematic musicals.
May 30, 2022
Jessie Gender
Jessie Gender YouTube Channel
Comes closer than any film in recent memory to recapturing the elusive charm that made the musical genre the pinnacle of cinematic excellence for so many decades.
May 20, 2022
John Paul King
Washington Blade
A kaleidoscopic blast of cinematic energy that is as perfect a “welcome back to cinemas” as Hollywood could have given us.
May 10, 2022 | Rating: 8/10
Dan Bayer
Next Best Picture
Rich with Latinx pride, its a joyful cinematic experience full of love, music, and celebration of community and life. The film honors our heritage in a way that would make our Abuelos and Abuelas proud.
April 22, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
David Gonzalez
Reel Talk Inc.
While the characters, their backstories and motivations may be thinly drawn, everything about them comes alive once the yapping stops and the songs begin.
March 25, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
It is a love letter to those that doubt their worth and belonging in spaces that often are denied to them. It holds a mirror to those that feel invisible in the eye of representation and celebrates them loud and proud.
March 7, 2022 | Rating: 7.5/10
Josie Melendez
Full Circle Cinema…
Plot
In the Heights centers on a variety of characters living in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, on the northern tip of Manhattan. At the center of the show is Usnavi, a bodega owner who looks after the aging Cuban lady next door, pines for the gorgeous girl working in the neighboring beauty salon and dreams of winning the lottery and escaping to the shores of his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Nina, a childhood friend of Usnavi’s, has returned to the neighborhood from her first year at college with surprising news for her parents, who have spent their life savings on building a better life for their daughter. Ultimately, Usnavi and the residents of the close-knit neighborhood get a dose of what it means to be home.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
NA
Jon-M.-Chu.jpg
95%
The Father (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 92%
Awards & Nominations: Won 2 Oscars
34 wins & 157 nominations total
Led by stellar performances and artfully helmed by writer-director Florian Zeller, The Father presents a devastatingly empathetic portrayal of dementia.
The Father is a film that will leave you feeling disoriented, sad, and maybe even a little scared. But don’t worry, Anthony Hopkins is here to guide you through it with his remarkable performance. It’s like King Lear, but even better (according to one critic). The way the film distorts and disorients is both impressive and harrowing, and it’s definitely not a movie you’ll want to watch twice in a row. But if you’re up for a mind-bending, gaslight thriller that will leave you questioning your own perceptions, then The Father is the film for you. Just don’t forget to take a break afterwards.
Production Company(ies)
Les Films, du Cru Film4 Orange Studio
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited), Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Blythe House, 23 Blythe Road, West Kensington, London, Greater London, England, UK
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for some strong language, and thematic material
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 37m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United Kingdom, France
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 2021 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2021
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, Olivia Williams, directed by Florian Zeller, written by Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Anupama Chopra, Deborah Ross, Esther Zuckerman, Guy Lodge, Tara Brady, Kevin Maher, directed by Philippe Carcassonne, Simon Friend, Jean-Louis Livi, Victor Livi, David Parfitt, Christophe Spadone, PG-13, dementia, Alzheimer’s, father-daughter relationship, memory loss, identity, reality, emotional, heartbreak, empathetic, poignant, devastating, vulnerable, powerful, immersive, nonlinear, disorienting, gaslight thriller, psychological, chamber drama, actor’s showcase, Anthony Hopkins’ best performance, Olivia Colman’s fantastic performance, visual parallels, symbolism, empathy, understanding
Worldwide gross: $23,962,107
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $26,061,349
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,608
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,842,023
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Olivia Colman – Anne
Mark Gatiss – The Man
Imogen Poots – Laura
Rufus Sewell – Paul
Olivia Williams – Catherine
Director(s)
Florian Zeller
Writer(s)
Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller
Producer(s)
Philippe Carcassonne, Simon Friend, Jean-Louis Livi, Victor Livi, David Parfitt, Christophe Spadone
Film Festivals
Sundance, Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Won 2 Oscars
34 wins & 157 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Writing Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (287) | Top Critics (67) | Fresh (281) | Rotten (6)
The film seamlessly blends genuine fear with overwhelming sadness.
September 4, 2021
Anupama Chopra
Film Companion
TOP CRITIC
[Anthony Hopkins] is absolutely remarkable here. I read the screenplay, available online, out of curiosity, and what he brings to the words on the page is beyond and beyond and beyond. Hopkins has played King Lear (twice) but this is his real King Lear.
July 29, 2021
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
The way Zeller and his production designer Peter Francis orchestrate these changes are almost imperceptible, but nevertheless disorienting and utterly crucial to the narrative.
July 29, 2021
Esther Zuckerman
Thrillist
TOP CRITIC
Without resorting to exploitative, amped-up mystery or obfuscation, Zeller and co-writer Christopher Hampton have fashioned a sort of gaslight thriller in which the mind is both predator and prey.
July 2, 2021
Guy Lodge
Film of the Week
TOP CRITIC
The Father distorts and disorients in keeping with its protagonist’s increasingly confused view of the world.
June 15, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Tara Brady
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
It’s a film that disquiets on a cellular level.
June 14, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Kevin Maher
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It is not just a film that you watch, it is a film that you experience – mind, body, and soul.
May 13, 2022 | Rating: 9/10
Dan Bayer
Next Best Picture
Capped by one of the most harrowing speeches youll see all year, The Father belongs in that special category of films that are brilliant but may require a bit of a break before you see them again
March 2, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
James Luxford
City AM
It’s an incredibly accomplished, well-structured chamber drama, aided in its translation to English by playwright and screenwriter Christopher Hampton.
February 12, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Not only is the film absolutely affecting, but the sheer confidence that it carries would be impressive for any film much less a directorial debut.
February 12, 2022
Carson Timar
Filmotomy
The film does what Christopher Nolan keeps trying and failing at, which is to ever so gingerly reach into our minds and tweak out the corners and meaty pieces of our perceptions, before we even notice what’s being done
January 14, 2022
Jason Adams
My New Plaid Pants
Extraordinary. [Full review in Spanish]
December 7, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
William Venegas
La Nación (Costa Rica)…
Plot
Having just scared off his recent caregiver, Anthony, an ailing, octogenarian Londoner gradually succumbing to dementia, feels abandoned when concerned Anne, his daughter, tells him she’s moving to Paris. Confused and upset, against the backdrop of a warped perspective and his rapid, heart-rending mental decline, Anthony is starting to lose his grip on reality, struggling to navigate the opaque landscape of present and past. Now, as faded memories and glimpses of lucidity trigger sudden mood swings, dear ones, Anthony’s surroundings, and even time itself become distorted. Why has his younger daughter stopped visiting? Who are the strangers that burst in on Anthony?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Anthony Hopkins delivers one of the best performances of his storied career in The Father.
Florian-Zeller.jpg
95%
CODA (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 93%
Awards & Nominations: Won 3 Oscars
61 wins & 133 nominations total
CODA’s story offers few surprises, but strong representation and a terrific cast — led by Emilia Jones’ brilliant performance — bring this coming-of-age story vividly to life.
Well-written, well-acted, and thoroughly heartwarming without being heavy-handed about it, CODA simply works.
Production Company(ies)
Vendôme Pictures, Pathé Films, Picture Perfect Federation
Distributor
Apple TV+
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for strong sexual content and language, and drug use
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 51m
-
Language(s):American, Sign, Language, English
-
Country of origin:United States, Canada, France
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 2021 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2021
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Eugenio Derbez, Daniel Durant, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, directed by Sian Heder, written by Sian Heder, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Deborah Ross, Richard Brody, Mara Reinstein, Jocelyn Noveck, Becca James, Mark Feeney, Tatat Bunnag, Carlos Boyero, Luis Martínez, Joe Lipsett, Chris McCoy, Don Shanahan, produced by Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi, Patrick Wachsberger, Jérôme Seydoux, PG-13, CODA, child of deaf adults, coming-of-age story, family drama, fishing boat, choir club, singing, music school, deaf cast, American Sign Language, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Sundance Film Festival, Apple Films, tear-jerker, emotional engagement, love, authenticity, heartwarming
Worldwide gross: $1,608,201
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,749,090
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,449
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 190,740
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Troy Kotsur – Frank Rossi
Marlee Matlin – Jackie Rossi
Eugenio Derbez – Bernardo Villalobos
Daniel Durant – Leo Rossi
Ferdia Walsh-Peelo – Miles
Director(s)
Sian Heder
Writer(s)
Sian Heder
Producer(s)
Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi, Patrick Wachsberger, Jérôme Seydoux
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
Won 3 Oscars
61 wins & 133 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Picture Winners, Oscar Best Writing Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Winners, Oscar Winners
All Critics (284) | Top Critics (63) | Fresh (267) | Rotten (17)
Coda is a Mort (‘Middle Of Road Tearjerker’) and if that’s what you like, you will like this.
March 31, 2022
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
The sense of calculation makes the journey feel like a lockstep march; the movie’s sense of a story that’s dictated rather than observed makes its good feelings feel bad.
February 24, 2022
Richard Brody
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
No theatrics, no gimmicks – just a wonderful coming-of-age gem that aims directly at the heart and hits the bullseye.
December 28, 2021
Mara Reinstein
Us Weekly
TOP CRITIC
If there’s a flaw to “CODA” – the title stems from the term “child of deaf adult” — it may be that it wears its brimming heart on its sleeve to such an extent that it occasionally nears that fine line into formula.
September 1, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Jocelyn Noveck
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
A coming-of-age story meant to move. And while the beats of the film may be predictable, it’s no less affecting.
August 24, 2021
Becca James
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Ruby is an underdog worth rooting for, and Jones is terrific. She’s like a cross between the young Winona Ryder and the young Kate Winslet. The comparison flatters all three.
August 20, 2021 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mark Feeney
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
CODA works well to deliver effective drama, music and some comedy with character conflicts that are relatable.
July 1, 2022
Tatat Bunnag
Bangkok Post
A foreseeable story that’s adamant to be kind and only threat is sweetening the characters and the situations they go through, and makes it clear that the ending, too, will be conveniently happy. [Full review in Spanish]
June 8, 2022
Carlos Boyero
El Pais (Spain)
What hurts the most is the almost algorithmic…mechanisms of tabletop drama.
[Full review in Spanish]
May 12, 2022 | Rating: 2.5/5
Luis Martínez
El Mundo (Spain)
A feel good triumph and standard coming of age narrative. The opportunities afforded the deaf cast are cause for celebration, even if their stories would have been more exciting to see compared to the familiar YA romance of the hearing protagonist
April 25, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Joe Lipsett
Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast
CODA is a classic story of intergenerational conflict spiced up with a culture clash narrative between the deaf and hearing communities. The execution is nearly flawless
April 13, 2022
Chris McCoy
Memphis Flyer
Heart sometimes beats prestige and we couldn’t be more OK with that.
April 9, 2022
Don Shanahan
Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast…
Plot
Gloucester, Massachusetts. As a Child of Deaf Adults and the only hearing person in her family, high school senior Ruby Rossi always has a lot on her plate. Indeed, trying to juggle back-breaking work on her father’s fishing boat, schoolwork, social life, and the family’s expectations can be too much for a teenager. But do her parents know Ruby loves to sing? When Ruby signs up for the school choir, singing becomes a passion, and suddenly, the talented young girl finds herself at a crossroads: should Ruby spread her wings and follow her dreams, or should she keep fighting everyday battles as a member of the proud Rossi clan?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Emilia Jones, who plays the lead role of Ruby Rossi, learned American Sign Language and how to sing for her role in CODA.
Sian-Heder.jpg
95%
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 97%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
11 wins & 59 nominations total
Another gorgeously animated, skillfully voiced entry in the Disney canon, Raya and the Last Dragon continues the studio’s increased representation while reaffirming that its classic formula is just as reliable as ever.
Raya and the Last Dragon is a visually stunning adventure that takes you on a journey through a world rich with lore and details. The message of putting aside differences and finding common ground is delivered with spectacular visuals and a lively voice cast, led by Awkwafina. Plus, it’s refreshing to see a Disney film with a darker tone and a message that goes beyond just “believe in yourself.” Overall, it’s a fun and exciting film that will leave you wishing you could live in the world of Kumandra.
Production Company(ies)
Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,
Distributor
Walt Disney
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Disney+), Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Hanoi, Vietnam
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some violence, action and thematic elements
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:IMAX 6-Track Dolby Atmos
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 48m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 2021 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2021
Genre(s)
Fantasy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
Raya and the Last Dragon, Disney, animated, fantasy, adventure, PG, Kumandra, dragons, Druun, warrior, trust, voice cast, Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Benedict Wong, directed by Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada, produced by Osnat Shurer, Peter Del Vecho, written by Adele Lim, Qui Nguyen, box office, gross USA, $54.7M, Dolby Atmos, scope, 2.35:1, reviewed by Roxana Hadadi, Mark Kermode, Amy Nicholson, Stephen Romei, Richard Roeper, Simran Hans, Jimmy Cage, Rafael Motamayor, David Nusair, James Luxford, Mat Brunet, Jeffrey Harris, audience reviews, beautiful animation, positive message, family-friendly, Aladdin, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Mulan, Asian-inspired, epic, adventure, fantasy world, Southeast Asian culture, folklore
Worldwide gross: $130,423,032
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $141,848,966
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 860
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 15,468,808
US/Canada gross: $54,723,032
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $59,517,137
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 993
US/Canada opening weekend: $8,502,498
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $9,247,374
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 980
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Awkwafina – Sisu (Voice)
Izaac Wang – Boun (Voice)
Gemma Chan – Namaari (Voice)
Daniel Dae Kim – Benja (Voice)
Benedict Wong – Tong (Voice)
Director(s)
Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada
Writer(s)
Adele Lim, Qui Nguyen
Producer(s)
Osnat Shurer, Peter Del Vecho
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
11 wins & 59 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (291) | Top Critics (51) | Fresh (272) | Rotten (19)
As an overall throwback, and as a return to the streamlined storytelling upon which Disney built its supremacy, Raya and the Last Dragon is a welcome expansion of the Disney universe.
March 21, 2021
Roxana Hadadi
Pajiba
TOP CRITIC
The message is that you have to put aside differences and learn to trust and find common ground. It feels like it’s hitting the right notes, with spectacular visuals.
March 11, 2021
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
There’s a darkness here that I think is lacking in a lot of modern Disney films, and I respect that its message isn’t just “believe in yourself.”
March 10, 2021
Amy Nicholson
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
I left the cinema thinking that the world is not quite like it is at the end of this movie, but we might all be happier if it was.
March 9, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Stephen Romei
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Awkwafina leads a lively voice cast in a visually arresting adventure.
March 9, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Richard Roeper
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
There is an incandescence and a buoyancy to the animation that elevates the formula.
March 7, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Simran Hans
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON creates a pretty adventure world and a nice, colorful group of heroes. Overall, however, the film is a bit too stuck in familiar patterns to really excite more.
April 8, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Jimmy Cage
Jimmy Cage Movie Reviews (YouTube)
With stunning visuals, energetic and kinetic action sequences and an expansive world rich with lore and details, this was Disney’s most exciting film in years.
April 1, 2022
Rafael Motamayor
Collider
…a distressingly ineffective misfire thats rarely as engaging (or entertaining) as one mightve anticipated.
March 22, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
Raya and The Last Dragon hums along to a familiar rhythm, but its what it does in between these beats that makes it so entertaining.
March 1, 2022 | Rating: 3/5
James Luxford
City AM
Raya and the Last Dragon is an epic adventure that brings Disney to a new and exciting direction, all while taking advantage of their strongest assets.
February 16, 2022 | Rating: 9/10
Mat Brunet
AniMat’s Review (YouTube)
It’s a film with a clunky first half but finds more of a groove later in the second. Raya and the Last Dragon displays a cornucopia of amazing visuals, and the animators have created a lavish fantasy world inspired by Southeast Asian culture and folklore.
February 14, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Jeffrey Harris
411mania…
Plot
In a fantasy world threatened by sinister monsters known as the Druun, a lone warrior named Raya must track down the last dragon to save humanity and learn the importance of trust along the way in Raya and the Last Dragon.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Awkwafina voices the character Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon.
Don-Hall.jpg
95%
Quo Vadis, Aida? (2021)
95%RT Audience Score: 89%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
33 wins & 46 nominations total
Quo Vadis, Aida? uses one woman’s heartbreaking conflict to offer a searing account of war’s devastating human toll.
Quo Vadis, Aida? is a film that will leave you breathless, heartbroken, and in awe of the strength and resilience of its main character, Aida. While the subject matter is heavy and harrowing, director Jasmila banić manages to infuse the film with urgency and hope, making it a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the devastating impact of war on innocent civilians. Aida’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are still heroes who will fight to protect their loved ones and their community. Don’t miss this unforgettable triumph of a film.
Production Company(ies)
Deblokada Produkcija Coop99 Filmproduktion, Digital Cube
Distributor
Super LTD
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
MPAA / Certificate
Approved
Year of Release
2021
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 42m
-
Language(s):Serbo-Croatian, Bosnian, English, Dutch, Serbian
-
Country of origin:Austria, Bosnia And Herzegovina, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, The Netherlands, Turkey
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 2021 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 15, 2021
Genre(s)
Drama/War
Keyword(s)
Drama, War, Bosnia, United Nations, Srebrenica, Translator, Serbian army, UN camp, Human toll, Rescue, Death, Jasmila Zbanic, Damir Ibrahimovich, Jasna Đuričić, Izudin Bajrovic, Boris Ler, Dino Bajrovic, Johan Heldenbergh, Raymond Thiry, Written by Jasmila Zbanic, Produced by Damir Ibrahimovich, Jasmila Zbanic, Directed by Jasmila Zbanic, Reviewed by David Stratton, Sandra Hall, A.A Dowd, Tim Hayes, David Parkinson, Peter Rainer, Sarah Ward, Dan Bayer, Hannah Brown, Jim Schembri, Andiee Paviour, MPAA rating, Box office performance, Budget, Critic reviews, Producer names, Actor names
Worldwide gross: $820,622
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $892,514
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,623
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 97,330
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Izudin Bajrovic – Nihad
Boris Ler – Hamdija
Dino Bajrovic – Sejo
Johan Heldenbergh – Colonel Karremans
Raymond Thiry – Major Franken
Director(s)
Jasmila Zbanic
Writer(s)
Jasmila Zbanic
Producer(s)
Damir Ibrahimovich, Jasmila Zbanic
Film Festivals
Venice, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
33 wins & 46 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (76) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (76)
The achievement of Zbanic’s compelling, deeply moving film is to give faces and personalities to the victims. And towering above them all is the character of Aida as she tenaciously fights to save her men.
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
It’s so harrowing that you have to remind yourself to breathe. But you won’t forget it, which is exactly the way Zbanic wants it.
February 23, 2022 | Rating: 4.5/5
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
banić supplies the material with an urgency familiar to the docudramas of Paul Greengrass, except with a strong current of despair and outrage that doesn’t always poke through that filmmaker’s meticulously detailed you-are-there accounts.
December 3, 2021
A.A. Dowd
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
For much of the story the focus is on Aida’s face, behind which maternal courage is corralling an escalating fury.
December 3, 2021
Tim Hayes
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
This study in chaos and calculation not only makes for harrowingly compelling viewing, but it also exposes the apathy of an international community that simply turned the other way.
December 3, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
[Writer-Director Jasmila banić] has said in interviews that her purpose here is to invite people to come together. In its own fervent and sorrowful way, I think her film succeeds in that improbable mission
April 23, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor
TOP CRITIC
Unlucky not to win the Best International Feature Oscar in 2021, Quo Vadis, Aida? is a taut, rigorous, resonant, unshakeably potent balancing act.
June 25, 2022
Sarah Ward
Concrete Playground
Essential viewing because of just how powerfully it uses visual storytelling to make its audience understand every aspect of this unimaginable tragedy, without ever feeling dour or heavy-handed.
May 13, 2022 | Rating: 9/10
Dan Bayer
Next Best Picture
This film will make you think about what you would have done in this situation and what anyone can do when faced with cruelty and injustice.
February 25, 2022
Hannah Brown
Jerusalem Post
As well as serving as a testament to the events that lead to the killings, the film also has a focused political agenda…In several scenes that will have you gasping in disbelief we see the UN as a model of staggering incompetence and military impotence.
February 18, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Jim Schembri
jimschembri.com
Fiction meets horrific fact in a white-knuckled personalisation of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre.
February 18, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Andiee Paviour
Nobody’s Reading This But Me
A vital film about a heartbreaking page in history, Zbanic has made an unforgettable triumph.
February 12, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review…
Plot
During the Bosnian War, a UN translator named Aida must navigate the Serbian army’s takeover of her town and decide whether to risk everything to save her family and fellow citizens.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Jasna Đuričić plays the lead role of Aida Selmanagic in Quo Vadis, Aida?
Jasmila-Zbanic.jpg
95%
Honey Boy (2019)
95%RT Audience Score: 92%
Awards & Nominations: 10 wins & 41 nominations
Honey Boy serves as an act of cinematic therapy for its screenwriter and subject — one whose unique perspective should strike a chord in audiences from all backgrounds.
Honey Boy is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but instead of screaming in terror, you’ll be crying your eyes out. It’s a heart-wrenching portrayal of a father-son relationship that will leave you feeling both devastated and hopeful. Shia LaBeouf’s raw and unfiltered voice shines through in this deeply personal film, and the performances from all the actors are nothing short of remarkable. It’s a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll, and a reminder that sometimes the most painful stories are the ones that need to be told.
Production Company(ies)
Amazon Studios, Stay Gold Features, Kindred Spirit
Distributor
Amazon Studios
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
The Pink Motel & Cadillac Jack’s Diner, 9457 San Fernando Road, Sun Valley, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual material and drug use
Year of Release
2019
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 33m
-
Language(s):English, Spanish
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2019 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2020
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Honey Boy, Shia LaBeouf, directed by Alma Har’el, written by Shia LaBeouf, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Nell Minow, Chris Stuckmann, David Stratton, Wenlei Ma, Paul Byrnes, Donald Clarke, Brian Eggert, Taylor Baker, Cate Young, Nikki Baughan, produced by Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Anita Gou, Chris Leggett, Alma Har’el, R MPAA rating, abusive father, alcoholic father, television star, Otis, Lucas Hedges, Otis (22), Noah Jupe, Otis (12), Byron Bowers, Percy, Laura San Giacomo, Dr Moreno, FKA Twigs, Shy Girl, dysfunctional relationship, inherited trauma, therapy, autobiographical, redemption arc, child stardom, substance abuse, father-son relationship, coming-of-age, addiction, rehab, Dolby Atmos, Scope (2.35:1), Amazon Studios
Worldwide gross: $3,400,977
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,929,674
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,238
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 428,536
US/Canada gross: $3,012,615
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,480,940
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,910
US/Canada opening weekend: $301,065
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $347,867
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,490
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Lucas Hedges – Otis (22)
Noah Jupe – Otis (12)
Byron Bowers – Percy
Laura San Giacomo – Dr. Moreno
FKA Twigs – Shy Girl
Director(s)
Alma Har’el
Writer(s)
Shia LaBeouf
Producer(s)
Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Anita Gou, Chris Leggett, Alma Har’el
Film Festivals
Sundance, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
10 wins & 41 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (238) | Top Critics (65) | Fresh (225) | Rotten (13)
Sometimes painful to watch, but it is also a moving depiction of a man’s struggles to understand and perhaps forgive.
October 4, 2021
Nell Minow
AWFJ Women on Film
TOP CRITIC
The movie feels very raw. LaBeouf’s voice is very unfiltered through this movie… You can tell that he’s working through things as he writes the movie.
June 17, 2020 | Rating: B
Chris Stuckmann
ChrisStuckmann.com
TOP CRITIC
…a very personal and painful statement from LaBeouf and it’s to Har’el’s credit that she gives it some context and focus, as well as extracting wonderful performances from all the actors…
March 3, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4
David Stratton
The Australian
TOP CRITIC
Honey Boy, despite its heavy subject, is a deeply empathetic and generous drama that strikes at the heart of complex parent-child relationships and inherited trauma.
February 28, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Wenlei Ma
News.com.au
TOP CRITIC
A movie that could easily have crashed and burned. That it does not has something to do with the shared intensity of character and performance. All three main actors share the stage as equals and the level of commitment is remarkable.
February 26, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Paul Byrnes
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
It works as therapy. It works as an acting showcase. But the dips and flips we demand from narrative art are missing throughout.
December 11, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
By the final frames of Honey Boy, it becomes achingly apparent that the film is at once a work of auto-fiction and confessional.
February 22, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Episode 53: Honey Boy / Earthquake Bird / Ford v Ferrari
December 1, 2021 | Rating: 60/100
Taylor Baker
Drink in the Movies
There’s nothing better in Hollywood than a redemption arc, and LaBeouf gave us one. But a redemption arc only works if you stay redeemed, and Shia did not.
November 5, 2021
Cate Young
Thirty, Flirty + Film
A surprising, moving portrait of a father and son relationship.
October 4, 2021
Cate Marquis
AWFJ Women on Film
Honey Boy is a searing, intimate exploration of the devastation that can be wrought by dysfunctional relationships.
October 4, 2021
Nikki Baughan
AWFJ Women on Film
Har’el elicits deeply felt performances from her stars, and you’ll come away from the film with renewed empathy and respect for an actor who had been dismissed by many as a punchline.
October 4, 2021
Betsy Bozdech
AWFJ Women on Film…
Plot
From a screenplay by Shia LaBeouf, based on his own experiences, award-winning filmmaker Alma Har’el brings to life a young actor’s stormy childhood and early adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father through cinema and dreams. Fictionalizing his childhood’s ascent to stardom, and subsequent adult crash-landing into rehab and recovery, Har’el casts Noah Jupe and Lucas Hedges as Otis Lort, navigating different stages in a frenetic career. LaBeouf takes on the daring and therapeutic challenge of playing a version of his own father, an ex-rodeo clown and a felon. Artist and musician FKA Twigs makes her feature-film debut, playing neighbor and kindred spirit to the younger Otis in their garden-court motel home. Har’el’s feature narrative debut is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between filmmaker and subject, exploring art as medicine and imagination as hope.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Shia LaBeouf wrote the screenplay for Honey Boy while in rehab, and also plays the role of his own father in the film.
Alma-Har’el.jpg
95%
Collective (Colectiv) (2020)
95%RT Audience Score: 90%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
35 wins & 52 nominations total
Collective presents a darkly effective overview of the cycle of political corruption and public cynicism that takes hold when government abrogates its responsibility to the people.
Collective is the kind of documentary that will make you want to stand up and fight against corruption, but also make you want to curl up in a ball and cry. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave you feeling both outraged and inspired. The film does an incredible job of shining a light on the failures of the Romanian health system, while also celebrating the power of investigative journalism. It’s a must-watch for anyone who cares about the truth and the people who fight for it. Plus, it’s just really well-made. Highly recommend.
Production Company(ies)
Alexander Nanau Production, Samsa Film, HBO Europe,
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Bucharest, Romania
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2020
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 49m
-
Language(s):Romanian, English
-
Country of origin:Luxembourg, Romania
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 20, 2020 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2020
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, political corruption, investigative journalism, Romania, Alexander Nanau, Hanka Kastelicová, Bernard Michaux, Bianca Oana, Antoaneta Opris, Magnolia Pictures, 2019, 1h 49m, TOMATOMETER, 133 Reviews, AUDIENCE SCORE, 100+ Ratings, genre, box office performance, budget, MPAA rating, reviewed by critics, produced by, directed by, written by, starring
Worldwide gross: $200,041
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $228,280
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,911
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 24,894
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
– Alexander Nanau – Writer
– Antoaneta Opris – Writer
– Hanka Kastelicová – Producer
– Bernard Michaux – Producer
– Alexander Nanau – Producer
Director(s)
Alexander Nanau
Writer(s)
Alexander Nanau, Antoaneta Opris
Producer(s)
Hanka Kastelicová, Bernard Michaux, Alexander Nanau, Bianca Oana
Film Festivals
Sundance, Venice, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
35 wins & 52 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (133) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (132) | Rotten (1)
If the film were merely a hymn to the everyday heroism of the press, it would risk becoming one-dimensional… So it’s a good thing Nanau gives some space to a couple of memorable figures who represent different sides of the story.
April 7, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/5
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Collective is eye-opening, elegiac, and essential. It suggests, or at least hopes, that the only thing more powerful than political corruption is the collective voice of those trying to stop it.
April 2, 2021 | Rating: 3.5/4
Max Weiss
Baltimore Magazine
TOP CRITIC
This distressing documentary has relevance way beyond Romania, making it a must-watch for awards season and beyond.
March 11, 2021
Anna Smith
Deadline Hollywood Daily
TOP CRITIC
[A] staggering portrait of institutional corruption…
February 7, 2021
Kathleen Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
It plays like a political thriller. But it’s also a deeply moving testament to both the power and the necessity of investigative journalism…
January 27, 2021
Stephanie Zacharek
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
[It] digs deeper through the morass of power, corruption and lies. You keep waiting for someone to say, ‘Forget it, Jake, it’s Bucharest.’
November 23, 2020 | Rating: 4.5/5
David Fear
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
The three storylines are never tied together as well as they could be, even though each is effective on its own.
May 13, 2022 | Rating: 7/10
Dan Bayer
Next Best Picture
I mean this with all sincerity: the best movie about journalism since Spotlight. Incendiary, maddening, urgent, about as close to perfect as you can get.
March 11, 2022
Cory Woodroof
Williamson Home Page
Your outrage over bureaucratic red tape and its indifference to human life will be renewed and refreshed and intensified.
September 13, 2021
Witney Seibold
Critically Acclaimed Podcast
From its muted palette to its forensic storytelling, there is nothing showy about this documentary about failures in the Romanian health system, but the results are rivetting
August 20, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Jane Freebury
Jane Freebury
Too good to be ignored. [Full review in Spanish]
August 18, 2021
Fernanda Solórzano
Letras Libres
Collective is absolutely essential viewing.
July 6, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
James Marsh
South China Morning Post…
Plot
After a deadly nightclub fire, the mysterious death of the owner of a powerful pharmaceutical firm, and the quiet resignation of a health minister, a team of journalists uncovers shocking, widespread corruption in the political system in the documentary film “Collective.”
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels does not provide any goofy, funny, or odd comments about the film Collective or anyone in the cast.
Alexander-Nanau.jpg