Nanny Culture documentary review: not exactly Mary Poppins
Unexpected, intriguing, and gently amusing look at a British nanny abroad in Abu Dhabi, from the culture clash to the very familiar spoiled kids.
reviews by year
Moana movie review: the hero with a thousand faces finally has a female one
A wonderful mythology of demons and demigods. A heroine who embodies the bold spirit of her people. Another sweet, funny, exciting triumph from Disney.
Allied movie review: movie spies with delicious old-fashioned mystique
An elegant potboiler that judiciously balances psychological and physical suspense, one that feels like a romantic drama from WWII only recently rediscovered.
A Street Cat Named Bob movie review: pussyfooting around reality
This true story falls down a bizarre rabbit hole of gentle condescension about how to solve the problems of poverty and drug addiction.
The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble documentary review: stronger and (more danceable) together
This soul-refreshing documentary celebrates difference as a beautiful thing vital to making great art, and for making a better world for everyone.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie review: reparo movens ad imaginem
Forget about magical creatures: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them could use some help finding itself, and in figuring out who its protagonist is.
Moonlight movie review: the empathy machine in action (but only if you’re watching)
Luminous and plaintive, Moonlight is emotional virtual reality, transforming a unique human experience into something universal and unforgettable.
Bleed for This movie review: entirely bloodless
If there is something new to be said about boxing, Bleed for This doesn’t find it. Sucks all the energy out of a story that should have been a can’t-miss.
Arrival movie review: how to talk to aliens and expand your consciousness
Intelligent, intense, grownup science fiction that will thrill genre lovers and satisfy fans of moving human drama. A beautiful, thought-provoking film.
The Uncondemned documentary review: the horrors of Rwanda, on trial
Meet the dedicated young lawyers and activists who prosecuted and convicted the first person ever to go to prison for genocide and wartime rape.
