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| From left: Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, and Emily Blunt in "A Quiet Place: Part 2" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
5) A Quiet Place: Part 2 - Writer-director John Krasinski returns with a masterful follow-up to his 2018 horror smash, which follows Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and her three children as they venture out from the safety of their home to find survivors of an alien invasion. All of the performances are strong, but the standouts are Millicent Simmonds, who portrays Blunt’s daughter, and Cillian Murphy, who plays a survivor who takes in the Abbotts. Krasinski offers a thrilling narrative that expands the ideas of the first movie, introducing us to intriguing aspects of the world within the story, while also providing plenty of emotional character moments. And, we can’t forget the nerve-shredding opening sequence that shows how the invasion unfolded in the Abbotts’ hometown. This is a superb second chapter that will get you more than excited for the potential third installment, and if that one comes to pass, Krasinski could end of up making a rare trilogy where each entry is a superb achievement.
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| Anthony Ramos in "In the Heights" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
4) In the Heights - Musicals have always begged to be seen on the big screen, and director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway show was a great way to go back to the movies after a long hiatus. The film tells the story of a group of people in Washington Heights who work hard to follow their dreams. Anthony Ramos is terrific in the lead role, and Leslie Grace and Olga Merediz are the standouts in a strong supporting cast. Seeing this movie in a theater is the best way to appreciate the technical craft that went into creating it, with all of the energy bursting off the screen and treating you to something wondrous. Between the acting, sweeping story, dancing, singing, cinematography, and art direction, this is a movie that immerses you in its endearing narrative and gorgeous visuals, bringing you an experience that will make you feel as though you never left the movies.
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| Jim Henson and Frank Oz in "Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
3) Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street - One of the best movies of the year so far is also the most heartwarming. Director Marilyn Agrelo delivers a documentary that tells the story of how “Sesame Street” was conceived and includes insightful interviews from the writers, producers, and artists who had a hand in bringing the show to life. Through this film, we’re given a humorous and emotional view into one of America’s landmark television shows, a show that resonated with both children and adults. When you learn about how this show came to be and how it evolved over time, you’ll see why it has lasted for over 50 years and continues to make an impact on modern audiences. Despite there being a long history with “Sesame Street,” this documentary is still able to depict many details about the hard work that went into bringing this groundbreaking show to countless homes, where it has always been welcome.
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| Clayne Crawford in "The Killing of Two Lovers" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
2) The Killing of Two Lovers - Writer-director Robert Machoian’s tense drama begins with a quiet bang, and then becomes more unsettling from there. He tells the story of David (Clayne Crawford) who becomes more and more jealous of his ex-wife, Nikki (Sepideh Moafi), after he learns that she’s been dating a new man, Derek (Chris Coy). The three central performances provide an abundance of nerve-racking apprehension as their confrontations become more and more strained. Each interaction has an electricity to it that makes you wonder how these characters are going to reconcile their differences, and you’ll be on edge as the characters continue to collide in their small town. This accomplishment is helped by Oscar Ignacio Jimenez’s cinematography that provides an up-close-and-personal feel of the animosity within this love triangle. You’re given a full sense of the stress that’s ingrained between David, Nikki, and Derek, and Machoian will keep you riveted as he brings you along this rocky and startling journey.
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| Rachel Sennott in "Shiva Baby" Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com |
1) Shiva Baby - Writer-director Emma Seligman makes a stunning feature directorial debut with her comedy-drama, which follows Danielle (Rachel Sennott), a college senior who accompanies her parents to a shiva, where she experiences many uncomfortable encounters and inquisitions with friends and family. Through her humorous and heart-rending performance, Sennott makes her sense of unease palpable as she tries to make it through a seemingly inescapable gathering. At barely 75 minutes, there’s so much anxiety built into each scene, and you’ll be recoiling many times from the awkwardness that ensues between Danielle and her acquaintances. Despite the brief time that we spend with Danielle, Seligman has us understand the depth of the main character’s situation and makes full use of the claustrophobic setting to deliver a film with enough suspense to fill a movie that’s twice as long. This is a movie that will have you squirming all of the way through, but you won’t be able to get enough of it.
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