This week, our critics have delved into a fascinating array of films that stretch beyond the typical multiplex fare. From a genre-bending tale set in the Jim Crow South to a chilling reimagining of a classic fairy tale, these movies offer unique perspectives and bold storytelling. Here’s a glimpse into the eight films sparking conversation:
Dancing with demons.
‘Sinners’
Michael B. Jordan takes on the roles of twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who return to their roots and establish a juke joint.
From our review: Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” is a vibrant cinematic experience – a passionate ode to life, love, and the magic of movies. Set against the backdrop of Jim Crow Mississippi, this genre-defying and imaginative film brims with compelling performances, dancing vampires, and profound reflections on love and history. It masterfully blends comedic and dramatic elements.
Queer connections and cultural clashes.
‘The Wedding Banquet’
Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, and Han Gi-chan portray queer friends who devise a fake marriage to navigate their personal challenges. Their plan takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of one of their grandparents (Yuh-Jung Youn), who insists on a traditional wedding celebration.
From our review: “The Wedding Banquet” is initially charming and then surprisingly poignant, ultimately allowing its strengths to overshadow its minor flaws. Much of its success lies with the talented cast, particularly Gladstone, who delivers a performance that is both grounded and brilliantly funny, and Youn, who brings a fresh and delightful spin to the familiar archetype of the no-nonsense grandmother.
The allure of nostalgia.
‘The Legend of Ochi’
A young girl, played by Helena Zengel, forms an unlikely bond with a misunderstood creature in this nostalgic adventure film directed by Isaiah Saxon.
From our review: The film’s familiar plot elements, reminiscent of classic ’80s movies – misunderstood creatures, divorced parents, a disaffected young protagonist, and a hero’s journey – are readily apparent. However, this is intentional. “The Legend of Ochi” serves as a loving tribute to a style of filmmaking that is increasingly rare.
A tomb with a view.
‘The Shrouds’
In David Cronenberg’s latest offering, Karsh (Vincent Cassel), grieving the loss of his wife (Diane Kruger), invents a burial shroud that allows viewers to witness the decomposition process of their loved ones.
From our review: While the film features its share of perplexing scenes (a Cronenberg trademark), along with narrative twists and red herrings that don’t always cohere, it consistently explores the interplay between reality and fantasy, fetishism and desire, and the point at which love transforms into obsession and stalking. It’s a darkly reimagined classic fairy tale.
A classic fairy tale gets a nasty face-lift.
‘The Ugly Stepsister’
This reimagining of the Cinderella story centers on Elvira (Lea Myren) as she endures a series of brutal beauty treatments in her quest to win over the Prince.
From our review: Similar to last year’s “The Substance,” this visceral folk horror compels us to confront – in unflinching and often disturbing detail – the physical suffering inherent in the pursuit of aesthetic conformity. Yet, director Emilie Blichfeldt’s adaptation of Cinderella is far from preachy. Slyly humorous and visually stunning (thanks to Marcel Zyskind’s lush cinematography), the film seamlessly transitions between the grotesque and the gorgeous, the repulsive and the magical.
Schemes of her father.
‘Invention’
Directed by Courtney Stephens, this experimental film blends fiction and nonfiction as it follows a young woman (Callie Hernandez) who inherits a peculiar healing machine from her father.
From our review: The film interweaves video clips of Hernandez’s real father promoting treatments on television and sharing his theories on cellular communication. Stephens also incorporates moments where she and the actors break the fourth wall. While the significance of these meta elements for those outside the production may be debatable, “Invention” is undoubtedly committed to forging its own unique path.
A French biopic missing that je ne sais quoi.
‘The President’s Wife’
Catherine Deneuve stars as Bernadette Chirac, the former French first lady, in this highly fictionalized biopic directed by Léa Domenach.
From our review: Bernadette teams up with her chief of staff, Bernard Niquet (Denis Podalydès), to revitalize her political career. The duo’s scheming and easy camaraderie provide much of the film’s lighthearted humor, though some of it may be too culturally specific for non-French audiences to fully appreciate. While Deneuve delivers a compelling portrayal, blending vulnerability and feigned indifference, the film’s overt feminist message somewhat diminishes its comedic impact, resulting in a more conventional celebratory portrait.
Pop star romance with off-the-charts style.
‘Queens of Drama’
This musical romance, directed by Alexis Langlois, follows two singers as they vie for superstardom and become entangled in a passionate and turbulent love affair.
From our review: Langlois’s debut showcases significant stylistic ambition, featuring playful visual flourishes, a deliberately gaudy color palette, and numerous knowing nods (including one to French feminist writer Monique Wittig). However, it doesn’t quite possess the genre fluency of “Love Lies Bleeding” and “I Saw the TV Glow,” nor does it generate the intense romantic connection that its volatile central couple warrants.
