‘The Odyssey’
Directed by Christopher Nolan, this adaptation of the Greek epic stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, a troubled hero finding his way home.
From our review:
Nolan’s love of movies and commitment to them — to what they can do, what they can be, what they should be — runs like an electric current through his filmography, lighting it, and oftentimes you, up. That passion is in every frame of his monumental adaptation of “The Odyssey,” one of the most Nolan of Nolan spectacles in its thematic concerns, formal playfulness, kinetic thrills and unabashed showmanship. Few directors close the divide between the art film and the blockbuster like Nolan does; fewer still give the audience something to not simply look forward to but also be excited by.
In theaters. Read the full review.
An adolescent romance grows up.
‘Heartstopper Forever’
Continuing the Netflix series “Heartstopper,” based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman, this romance film sees the central couple move from high school into adulthood.
From our review:
With a script by Oseman that is less idyllic than the series, the director Wash Westmoreland likewise guides their maturation with a gentle hand: Once-bright colors deepen, the series’ signature slide transitions feel more sophisticated. Kit Connor brings profound emotional weight to Nick’s anxious devotion, while Joe Locke imbues Charlie with a quiet resilience. Together, they create a bond so convincing that it survives even the script and score’s occasional habit of overexplaining what their faces already reveal.
Watch on Netflix. Read the full review.
Horsing around gets serious.
‘Horsegirls’
In this coming-of-age film directed by Lauren Meyerin, an autistic woman named Margarita (Lillian Carrier) finds independence in a competitive hobbyhorse team.
From our review:
Bursts of fantasy and flurried, slowed-down visuals of Margarita’s workout routine — like trotting on a treadmill — give an enchanted quality to her evolution. It’s a bit corny and cute, but the film balances out these feel-good elements with harder truths that contrast the heroine’s silliness and sincerity to create a weirdly dark and touching sense of humor.
In theaters. Read the full review.
‘The Kidnapping of Arabella’
A troubled young woman kidnaps a rebellious child whom she believes is her younger self and takes her on the road.
From our review:
“The Kidnapping of Arabella” plays like a comedy, though comedies about mental illness are, understandably, few and far between. It helps, though, that this sophomore feature by Carolina Cavalli is Italian: The long tail of Fellini can be sensed wagging through every quirky character and unwaveringly deadpan exchange.
In theaters. Read the full review.
A few pros in its corner.
‘They Fight’
Inspired by the documentary of the same name, this sports drama directed by Sheldon Candis follows Walter (André Holland), a formerly incarcerated boxer who takes up coaching a group of young boys.
From our review:
In one corner there’s a script that telegraphs its punches and leans too heavily on a traditional protagonist’s journey — will Walt beat his demons? In the other corner, there’s a wiry story that recognizes how the community … is the hero. The film’s nuanced moments are found in that encircling amity in which they all fight.
Compiled by Kellina Moore.
