Personal Best: ITOL’s Favorite Films of 2022

A year’s end inspires memories, contemplation, aspirations—and for critics, talk about which films we loved and which ones we missed. As 2022 winds down, the ITOL team raises a toast to our personal favorites, from a mother’s fight for justice and a father-daughter sojourn to fierce pursuits of agency, pleasure, identity, and power. The films below (more than 50, with links to our writers’ reviews … Continue reading Personal Best: ITOL’s Favorite Films of 2022

GFF2022 Review: The Worst Person in the World

Year: 2021 Runtime: 128 minutes Director: Joachim Trier Writer: Joachim Trier Starring: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Herbert Nordrum By Calum Cooper Existential crises were an oddly recurring theme in 2021’s filmography. That might not be surprising, given the current state of the world, but there were many thoughtful, gripping films (or comedy specials in Bo Burnham’s case) that explored the simultaneous beauty and anxiety … Continue reading GFF2022 Review: The Worst Person in the World

ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 10-6

Good news everyone, there’s only 177 days left of 2020! Did you check out our picks for numbers 15-11? Well, if not then you can find them here. We’re not going to lie, picking our top 15 films of the year (so far) has been tough especially seeing how release dates of certain films have been delayed and how we’ve been trapped inside for months. However, we’re pleased that the ITOL team have come together to create our top 15 films from the last 6 months. Please let us know which films make your top 15 list and what films are you looking forward to catching later this year! Continue reading ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 10-6

ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 15-11

Gosh, isn’t 2020 over yet?! Wait, we’re only just over halfway through? *Sighs heavily and inhales deeply* Okay, okay…at least there’s only 178 days left of 2020. Anyway, picking our top 15 films of the year (so far) has been tough especially seeing how release dates of certain films have been delayed and how we’ve been trapped inside for months. However, the ITOL have come together to create our top 15 films from the last 6 months. Please let us know which films make your top 15 list and what films are you looking forward to catching later this year! Continue reading ITOL Top 15 Films of 2020 (So Far), Numbers 15-11

ITOL 2019 Round-up: Booksmart

Staring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, Olivia Wilde’s comedic coming-of-age film “Booksmart” follows two overachievers who attempt to cram years of high school fun into one night. Yet, their friendship will be tested when they are confronted with the changes and obstacles that come with graduation and growing up.

One of the main messages of this film revolves around the importance of experience and breaking out of your comfort zone. Best buds, Molly and Amy both seem to have wasted the fun times of high school by relentlessly studying so they decide to turn the night before graduation into the ultimate high school experience. Continue reading ITOL 2019 Round-up: Booksmart

ITOL 2019 Round-up: The Farewell

How do you say good-bye to a beloved member of the family? Worse yet, what if they don’t know that their time is short? “The Farewell” (2019) addresses this situation with humor and gentle ruefulness that is never maudlin. Young Billi (Awkwafina) resides in America but stays in close touch with her Chinese grandmother, or Nai Nai (Shuzhen Zhao). Continue reading ITOL 2019 Round-up: The Farewell