Alex Welch

Moonlight is a complex, haunting coming-of-age story unlike anything else this year.

Even though the use of one particular plot device ends up feeling unnecessary and Will Forte can often appear miscast in the lead role, A Futile and Stupid Gesture still conjures up enough real emotions and inventive moments to feel like a worthwhile addition to Hollywood’s often tired biopic subgenre.

Paddington 2 goes all in on the charm and wit established in the first film and comes up with yet another winner.

With a funny set of side characters and a lovably kindhearted lead, Ferdinand finds a way to promote being kind to others without becoming an afterschool special. Granted, it doesn’t ever go out of its way to be very unique or surprising, but for what it sets out to do, Ferdinand is altogether successful. Even if that means it doesn’t end up being much more that.

Father Figures is a baffling film, one that never seems to ever get a handle on what it is or what it wants to be. It’s one thing to make a movie about characters stuck in arrested development, unsure of where they’re going, but it’s another for the writing and editing to also feel that way. In short, Father Figures is just a straight-up mess.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle brings audiences back to its classic fictional world with a fun, updated new twist on its well-worn story. So even if some of its subplots and emotional throughlines don’t quite click, the action-packed fun and humor should still make it worth your price of admission.

Featuring several stunning performances by its stars, with Jacob Tremblay shining brightest of them all, Wonder ends up being a much better and wiser film than its trailers or premise let on.

The Bad Moms sequel suffers from an uneven script and the addition of too many new, superfluous characters.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is Martin McDonagh’s most emotional and profound film to date.

Wonderstruck is another emotional and visually gorgeous outing from director Todd Haynes.