Review of Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s spinning top family saga which has fine lead performances, but overindulges to its detriment.

A self-interview mentioning my earliest movie experiences, my first foreign film, taking a film class with Baird Whitlock (who shares a name with a Joel and Ethan Coen character, being an AFI volunteer amidst future Oscar and Tony winners and favorite film and music podcasts.

Reviews of Pixar’s metaphor for a 13-year-old Canadian/Asian girl’s adolescence, Adrian Lyne’s belated return to the erotic thriller genre and Sean Baker’s Texans hanging out (in multiple senses) followup to THE FLORIDA PROJECT.

Matt Reeves reactivates the Caped Crusader in a two hour film wearing a baggy three hour epic suit.

Reviewing Joe Wright’s overlooked CYRANO, plus the fifth SCREAM and HERE BEFORE—a character study of a mother convinced the little girl next door is the reincarnation of her deceased daughter.

Discussing the animated documentary FLEE and Paul Thomas Anderson’s deservedly praised LICORICE PIZZA.

Review of Jennifer Lopez’s return to the romantic comedy genre.

Overview of the Academy Awards Best Picture nominations plus some observations on other categories.

Discussion of Woody Allen’s RIFKIN’S FESTIVAL, the first episode of W. Kamau Bell’s docuseries WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY and how to regard quality of work and public plaudits while being aware of problematic/toxic behavior at the same time.

Discussing Pedro Almovodar’s very good showcase for Penelope Cruz, plus hit and/or miss social commentary fare from Adam McKay and Michael Showalter.