Colleen (Andrea Riseborough) befriends and cares for her elderly neighbor, Elsie (Brenda Blethyn), whose nurse mistreats her in Dragonfly. Elsie's son, John (Jason Watkins), doesn't trust Colleen, though. The less you know about the plot beforehand, the better, because writer/director Paul Andrew Williams has more than a few twists up his sleeve. What begins as a slow-burning and tender drama with shades of Mike Leigh turns into a dark and gripping Hitchcockian thriller. The last 15 minutes takes major risks and will be divisive, but everything leading up to that feels nuanced, organic and engrossing as Colleen and Elsie gradually get to know each other. Brenda Blethyn and Andrea Riseborough give powerful and Oscar-worthy performances that ground the film in raw authenticity. Kudos to Williams for seeing and treating them as complex and flawed human beings. If you're a fan of both Mike Leigh and Hitchcock, you'll love Dragonfly. It could probably use a much stronger and less poetic and confusing title. At a running time of 1 hour and 38 minutes, Dragonfly is currently seeking distribution.

 

       Buddy (Bryan Cranston) moves his wife, Macy (Allison Janney), and teenage sons,  Derrick (Jack Champion) and Lester (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), from Ohio to New Jersey to run a local community theater in Everything's Going to Be Great. The screenplay by Steven Rogers is a clunky, overstuffed, unfunny and tonally uneven mess that bites off more than it could chew. Tragedy befalls the family when one of them dies and, soon enough, they move in with Macy's brother, Walter (Chris Cooper). The film doesn't seem interested in exploring grief in any profound or poignant way. The attempts at humor fall flat with very little wit and more awkward or cringe-inducing scenes instead, i.e. when Lester catches his mother having sex with Kyle (Simon Rex) at the theater. None of the characters truly come to life despite the fine ensemble cast which allows no one to shine or, more importantly, to rise above the weak screenplay. At a running time of 1 hour and 35 minutes, Everything's Going to Be Great opens on June 20th, 2025 in select theaters nationwide via Lionsgate.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 4




 

       Hiccup (Mason Thames), the son of Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), befriends and trains a dragon named Toothless despite that Vikings have been battling dragons for many years How to Train Your Dragon. Soon enough, he convinces his love interest, Astrid (Nico Parker), his best friend, Fishlegs (Julian Dennison), his village's blacksmith, Gobber (Nick Frost), to befriend Toothless, as well. Writer/director Dean DeBlois has made a live-action remake that remains loyal to the animated classic original which manages to be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it hits similar notes during the action scenes and the comedic ones. The dragon still looks adorable. On the other hand, it plays it too safely and doesn't take any risks, so it has nothing new or surprising to offer. The plot feels like it's just going through the motions and takes what seems like a while to get through the exposition scenes to the heart of the story: Hiccup's bond with Toothless. The CGI effects are terrific and the scenes of Hiccup riding Toothless as he flies above the ocean are exhilarating. The final battle scene is the only palpably thrilling part of the film, though, so it's too little, too late. At 2 hours and 4 minutes, How to Train Your Dragon is well-produced and occasionally exhilarating, but overlong, pedestrian and not as moving nor as powerful as the beloved original. It opens nationwide on June 13th, 2025 via Universal Pictures.

Number of times I checked my watch: 2

      Warren (Guy Pearce), a long-time prisoner, mentors a younger inmate, Mel (Vincent Miller), who just arrived from a juvenile detention center in Inside. Many other prisoners want Mel's roommate, Mark (Cosmo Jarvis), a vicious killer, dead, so Warren convinces Mel to kill him. Writer/director Charles Williams has made a gritty, bleak and intense prison drama that's only enlivened by the strong performances of Guy Pearce, Vincent Miller and Cosmo Jarvis. The screenplay itself feels a little too pedestrian, and uninspired with on-the-nose dialogue. It's also somewhat monotonous without enough comic relief or other form of levity, and the characters are mostly forgettable. The blandly titled Inside would be the inferior B-movie in a double feature with A Prophet or The Shawshank Redemption. At a running time of 1 hour and 43 minutes, Inside opens in select theaters on June 20th, 2025 via Quiver Distribution.

Number of times I checked my watch: 2

      Duvo (Daniel Fernando do Prado Dorea Lima), a gangster, lives in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro where he communicates with his guardian angel, Phil (Phillipe Augusto da Silva Souza) in Kites. He tries to start a kite festival after the annual festival gets canceled. The screenplay by writer/director Walter Thompson-Hernandez is a provocative, poignant and poetic blend of magical realism, suspense and drama. Kites isn't a conventional gangster film which makes it all the more bold. In a way, the plot feels experimental, but without going over-the-top with the concept of guardian angels communicating with people. It's gritty and has tragic elements since Phil happens to be Duvo's friend who died from gang violence, but it also shows some chance for joy and freedom through the metaphor of kite-flying. Even in a dark tunnel, there can be a small light that provides some hope and a chance to escape the darkness. At a running time of 1 hour and 25 minutes, Kites is currently seeking distribution.

Number of times I checked my watch: 1

      The Last Dive is a profoundly moving, captivating and well-edited documentary biopic on Terry Kennedy, a sailor who has developed a unique friendship with a manta ray he named Willy Wow for nearly two decades. Director Cody Sheehy follows Terry, who's now in his 80s, as he sails his boat, Erotica, desperately searching for Willy Wow off the coast of San Benedicto Island in the Pacific Ocean. Every great documentary should feel like a narrative while finding the right balance between entertaining the audience and provoking them intellectually. It's an extra bonus if it's edited in a way that feels cinematic. The Last Dive accomplishes those feats with flying colors. You'll forget that you're watching a documentary because the story of Terry's life and his bond with Willy Wow are so thoroughly fascinating. It's equally moving and inspirational to hear from Terry how Willy Wow has managed to help him to heal his past trauma. On top of that, the underwater cinematography looks stunning and the music score is very-well chosen without being intrusive. The Last Dive is one of the best documentaries since Man on Wire. At a running time of 1 hour and 28 minutes, The Last Dive is currently seeking distribution.

Number of times I checked my watch: 1

      John (Jake Ryan) befriends Lilith (Skye Alyssa Friedman), a rebellious girl in his Catholic school who causes him to question his faith in Lemonade Blessing. Writer/director Chris Merola has made a bittersweet, funny and witty coming-of-age story. There's some refreshingly honest and unflinching scenes that tackle teen angst, sex and religion. John looks a lot like Max Fischer from Rushmore, and the film has somewhat of a similar quirky tone at times. Lemonade Blessing is the kind of teen dramedy that's not afraid to push the envelope a little and to be unconventional. Kudos to Merola for giving John and Lilith unique personalities which helps to humanize them and make them interesting and engaging characters. The ending, which won't be spoiled, feels thought-provoking and surprisingly poignant without being preachy or schmaltzy. At a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, Lemonade Blessing is currently seeking distribution. It would be a great double feature with Our Time, an underseen coming-of-age film from 1974, and Saved!.

Number of times I checked my watch: 1




 

       Little Trouble Girls is a poignant, nuanced and poetic coming-of-age story about a 16-year-old girl, Lucija (Jara Sofija Ostan), who experiences a sexual awakening when she joins her Catholic high school choir and befriends a classmate, Ana-Marija (Mina Švajger). The screenplay by writer/director Urška Djukić and co-writer Maria Bohr doesn't chart new territory in the coming-of-age genre, but it nonetheless feels engrossing with exquisite cinematography that, in turn, become part of its substance. Jara Sofija Ostan, who resembles Adèle Exarchopoulos from Blue is the Warmest Color, delivers a natural and convincingly moving performance that grounds the film in authenticity from start to finish. Little Trouble Girls isn't as powerful as Young Hearts or Show Me Love, but it's close enough. At a running time of 1 hour and 28 minutes, Little Trouble Girls is currently seeking distribution.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 89




 

       Long Live the State is a well-edited and mildly engaging albeit conventional, overlong and shallow documentary about The State, an American comedy troupe that formed back in 1988. Matthew Perniciaro interviews its members such as  Michael Ian Black, Kevin Allison,   Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio and Michael Showalter, among others, when they embark on a reunion tour in 2024. He includes archival footage and photos which help the audience to get a sense of how the troupe formed and what they're humor is like. It's a decent introduction to The State though, but there's nothing here that's profound, moving or very revealing that elevates the film from mediocrity. If you're not an avid fan of The State or, especially, if you're not into their sense of humor, this doc probably won't be very entertaining or funny for that matter. At a running time of 1 hour and 50 minutes, Long Live the State is currently seeking distribution.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 3




 

       Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore is a captivating, heartfelt and illuminating warts-and-all documentary biopic about Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress best known for CODA and Children of a Lesser God which won her an Oscar. Director Shoshannah Stern, who's also deaf, interviews Marlee Matlin and manages to capture her warmth, candidness, intelligence,  emotional maturity, perseverance and courage. Matlin has been through a lot including drug abuse, but she has also learned a lot and isn't afraid to look at her traumas head-on through introspection. Stern is lucky to have such an introspective subject because a lot of what Matlin opens up about so candidly makes the film transcendence. You'll learn about her accomplishments (and failures, too) that she has done for the deaf community, and you'll also get a sense of what her mind is like as a deaf person---it's not quiet at all like some people believe, but always racing thoughts.

       Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore isn't a dry, hagiographic doc; it's very thorough and revealing. Ultimately, it humanizes Matlin so that you see her in a way that's relatable and even inspirational. She doesn't let her handicap get in the way of her determination to speak her mind or to follow her dreams. She's a complete human being who's infallible, vulnerable and sensitive, just like you and I. At a running time of 1 hour and 36 minutes, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore opens on June 20th, 2025 at IFC Center via Kino Lorber.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 1

      Natchez is a provocative, eye-opening and well-shot documentary about Natchez, a city in Mississippi with antebellum houses. The harsh reality is that slaves actually built those houses, but the city's white residents choose to omit that part of their city's history. Its black residents refuse to omit it though, including Deborah Cosey, the first black member of the city's Pilgrimage Garden Club. Director Suzannah Herbert opts for a laissez faire approach by merely showing what the residents of Natchez say (or don't say) about its history without analyzing what they're saying or picking a side, so this is a fair and balanced documentary. It's also somewhat disturbing and enraging that a tragic part of history can be even considered to be whitewashed by adults who should know better. So, in a way, Natchez is about the importance of truth and, above all, democracy, in a country with a very dysfunctional democracy. At a running time of 1 hour and 26 minutes, Natchez is currently seeking distribution.

Number of times I checked my watch: 1

      Nobu is a well-edited, but shallow, hagiographic and sugar-coated documentary biopic on Nobu Matsuhisa. If you're expecting to learn about Nobu beyond his work as a chef and restaurateur, you'll be disappointed. Director Matt Tyrnauer focuses too much on how Nobu runs his restaurants and what makes him and his food so iconic. Even other celebrity chefs sing his praise. There's no doubt that he's very talented and skilled, but what about his life outside of work? What about his childhood, family and emotional struggles? Nobu barely scratches its subject's surface and seems like more of an advertisement for his restaurants, Nobu and Matsuhisa. Sure, it will make you hungry, but that's easy given the many shots of the food preparing. By the end, you'll learn too little about Nobu himself. Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros, Jiro Dreams of Sushi and, more recently, Marcella, are examples of much more illuminating, unflinching and engrossing documentaries that are also concurrently mouth-watering. At a lengthy running time of 1 hour and 50 minutes, Nobu opens on June 27th, 2025 at Angelika Film Center via Vertical.

Number of times I checked my watch: 3




 

        Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac (Logan Lerman) embark on a road trip to a farmhouse at an idyllic town for a weekend getaway in Oh, Hi. She ties him to their bed and holds him hostage because he won't commit to a relationship with her. The screenplay by writer/director Sophie Brooks begins with a witty and darkly comedic first act before quickly taking a nosedive into a contrived, undercooked, preposterous and shallow mess with no surprises. The plot doesn't go far dark enough nor does it delve deep enough into Iris and Isaac's relationship. Brooks also has a poor command of exposition because she includes a brief prologue that flashes forward to provide the audience with an unsubtle hint that Iris will do something bad during their getaway. Why give away even a hint of the dark turn that will arise? That means that the audience knows more than Iris and Isaac do before it happens. That also means that it's not very shocking or surprising when it happens. Once she ties him to the bed, the film becomes more like the inane and silly Teaching Mrs. Tingle rather than Misery. Not a single scene rings true. Moreover, the third act is weak, lazy and can be easily predicted from a mile away. Even Faithful starring Chazz Palminteri and Cher has more laughs, witty banter, quips and insights about relationships. At a running time of 1 hour and 34 minutes, Oh, Hi opens nationwide on July 25th, 2025 via Sony Pictures Classics.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 2

      Balthazar (Jaeden Martell) suspects that Solomon (Asa Butterfield) could be plotting a mass shooting at a school, so he catfishes him and confronts him in Our Hero, Balthazar. Writer/director Oscar Boyson and co-writer Ricky Camilleri have made a captivating, provocative, audacious and heartfelt satire with a plot that's unafriad to go to dark and unexpected places and to deal with sensitive, timely topics. The less you know about the plot beforehand, the better because you'll probably won't be able to guess what happens after Balthazar meets Solomon in person. The filmmakers have a pretty great command of tone and don't waste too much time with unnecessary subplots or excessive exposition. Jaeden Martell and Asa Butterfield give career-best performances while finding the emotional truth of their complex roles. To be fair, the third act feels a little rushed with an ending that's somewhat aburpt, but leaves enough room for interpretation. Kudos to the filmmakers for trusting the audience's emotions and intelligence without veering into preachy or sappy territory. At a running time of 1 hour and 31 minutes, Our Hero, Balthazar is currently seeking distribution.

Number of times I checked my watch: 1




 

       Relay. Ash (Riz Ahmed), a fixer, uses a relay service to communicate with his client, Sarah  (Lily James), a scientist who wants to blow the whistle on the biotech corporation that she worked for. She has evidence that one of their products is highly carcinogenic. Sam Worthington and Willa Fitzgerald play the corporate mercenaries who attempt to silence her. Despite a premise that sounds like it could be a taut thriller, Relay comes up short in terms of suspense and intrigue. The screenplay by Justin Piasecki just goes through the motions until a twist that can be seen from a mile away. The cinematography is decent and Riz Ahmed does his best to breathe life into his role, but he's undermined by a shallow screenplay that treats his character as a plot device. The same can be said for the other characters. Alan J. Pakula would've probably made a much more intelligent and psychologically gripping thriller out of this plot. Or perhaps Tony Scott would've turned it into an exhilarating action-packed thriller like Enemy of the State. Then there's All the President's Men, Erin Brokovitch and The Insider. All of those films are far superior to Relay which is often inert, contrived and ultimately forgettable much like The Amateur. At a running time of 1 hour and 52 minutes, Relay opens on August 22nd, 2025 via Bleecker Street.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 3




 

       Steve Zahn plays Jason, a father who shares joint custody of his teenage daughter, Claire (Audrey Zahn), with his ex-wife, Deb (Rosemarie Dewitt) in She Dances. He agrees to drive her and her friend, Kat (Mackenzie Ziegler), to a dance competition, and they bond along the way as he's still grieving the death of his son. In a less engaging subplot, he and his business partner/best friend, Brian (Ethan Hawke), try to sell their distillery. Writer/director Rick Gomez and co-writer Steve Zahn have made a surprisingly understated, tender, funny and genuinely heartfelt father/daughter story. It has moments that are sweet without being cloying. The dialogue also avoids stiltedness and has just enough wit and comic relief, i.e. when Jason gets lost at the dance competition's venue. He and Claire both feel true-to-life because the screenplay provides enough of a window into their heart, mind and soul. One of the best scenes is one when they sit down and candidly talk about their thoughts and feelings while showing signs of introspection, a very important tool in life. There are no villains here nor does there need to be; just emotionally wounded human beings trying their best to heal from their trauma. Kudos to the filmmakers for the refreshingly un-Hollywood third act and for seeing and treating the characters as complex human beings. At a running time of 1 hour and 28 minutes, She Dances is currently seeking distribution.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 1




 

       Jerry (Nick Offerman), a self-proclaimed "sovereign citizen" who's anti-government, lives with his 15-year-old son, Joe (Jacob Tremblay), whom he's indoctrinated into his radical movement that gets them into trouble with the law in Sovereign. They clash with a police chief, John (Dennis Quaid), who has a rocky relationship with his son, Adam (Thomas Mann). Writer/director Christian Swegal has made a provocative, gripping and genuinely heartfelt thriller. The screenplay wisely doesn't ask the audience to judge Jerry and Joe; just to experience them as they travel around preaching about their right-wing extremist movement. Jerry comes across as a selfish, unhinged and rebellious man who's got psychological issues. He's a bad role model and a terrible father. It's only a matter of time before his son, Joe, comes to his senses and begins to stand up to his father while trying to distance himself from the sovereign citizen movement. Kudos to Swegal for not sugar-coating anything and for having the guts to include a very bleak, un-Hollywood ending that won't be spoiled here. Sovereign can also be seen as psychological horror, especially because it's based on a true story. Jacob Tremblay shines in one of the best performances of his career. You might not even recognize him because he disappears into his role while effectively finding its emotional truth, so this is a truly transformative role for him. At a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, Sovereign opens on July 11th, 2025 in select theaters nationwide via Briarcliff Entertainment.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 2

      After the death of his twin, Roman (Dylan O'Brien) meets Dennis (James Sweeney) at a support group for twinless twins and begins a sexually-charged relationship with him in Twinless. However, Dennis has a secret that he's hiding from him which will threaten their relationship if Roman finds out. Writer/director James Sweeney has made a funny and engaging romantic comedy that's also a heartfelt exploration of grief. The third act, though, takes a bit of a nosedive with rushed scenes that skip over too many key moments, so the ending doesn't feel organic or plausible. Moreover, the audience knows sooner than Roman does about Dennis' secret, so the beat doesn't quite land when Roman discovers the truth. The screenplay doesn't do an adequate job of making Dennis likable after he reveals his secret because it doesn't show whether or not he's truly remorseful or if he truly understands the consequences of his selfish actions. That said, Dylan O'Brien exudes charisma as Roman and does a great job sinking his teeth into the emotional complexities of his role. He has palpable chemistry with James Sweeney which elevated the film and helps the audience to want Roman and Dennis to stay together at least as friends. At a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, Twinless opens on September 5th, 2025 via Roadside Attractions.

Number of times I checked my watch: 2

      Underland is a mesmerizing and exhilarating documentary about the wonders and mysteries in caves, storm drains and laboratories located beneath the Earth's surface. Director Robert Petit has made a film that's unlike anything you've seen before. What ensues is an often breathtaking experience that gets trippy at times and will make you feel like you're watching 2001: A Space Odyssey. Petit keeps the film focused on the images beneath the surface which speak louder than words, although the soothing voice of Sandra Hüller's narration does guide the audience a little on their journey. Underland remains focused on the images and sounds underground without any backstories of the scientists. It's best to watch this one-of-a-kind documentary on the big screen, especially in IMAX where it would feel even more immersive. At a running time of 1 hour and 19 minutes, Underland is currently seeking distribution.

Number of times I checked my watch: 1




 

       Videoheaven is a documentary about the history of video stores. Director Alex Ross Perry tells the history through clips from a wide variety of films from Walking and Talking to Ghost World that feature scenes with video stores. The archivist clearly worked very hard to find and ensemble the film clips. Movie buffs will be initially engaged by trying to predict which film the next clip will be from or if and when a clip of a film they're expecting to be included will show up. Beyond a trip down memory lane for those who grew up renting movies at video stores, Videoheaven doesn't offer much to the audience. It's ultimately a tedious and exhausting endurance that doesn't justify its nearly 3-hour running time. At 2 hours and 53 minutes, Video Heaven opens on July 2nd, 2025 at IFC Center via Cinema Conservancy.  

Number of times I checked my watch: 4




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