Directed by: Nahnatchka Khan | Run Time: 106 minutes | Genre: Sci-Fi Horror Comedy

Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Julie Bowen, Kimberly Huie, Kelcey Mawema

Nahnatchka Khan might be best known for her rom-com Always Be My Maybe but the director's second feature film, Totally Killer, shows that Khan has excellent horror chops as well. This comedic slasher film combines 80s nostalgia, a pinch of sci-fi, and a tightly woven thriller plot into a fun romp that's perfect to kick off any Halloween watchlist. Kiernan Shipka is brilliant as ever in the lead role of Jamie, a teenager who finds her life turned upside down when a serial killer who traumatized her parents in their high school years returns with a vengeance in the present day. Through a typical sci-fi mishap, Jamie finds herself transported to the 80s, given the unique chance to stop the killer before he can start his bloody rampage. It's Back to the Future meets Halloween, with just the right amount of Stranger Things, and the result is a very fun movie that you don't want to miss. -- Remus Noronha

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Directed by: Bong Joon Ho | Run Time: 126 minutes | Genre: Sci-Fi Action

Cast: Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer

If you love Bong Joon Ho’s brilliant class warfare tragicomedy Parasite, you should definitely watch his 2013 genre-bender Snowpiercer. Set in an environmental apocalypse, on a train full of survivors speeding through the icy wastelands on an infinite loop, Snowpiercer investigates the same upstairs/downstairs dynamic but skews it through an escalated genre lens that elevates the class conflict to literal warfare. The folks who boarded the train’s economy section pre-apocalypse now starve in a post-apocalyptic slum, barely surviving, while those lucky enough to have been in the premium cabins feast and flourish in decadent disregard for the suffering next door. When the poorest citizens decide to fight their way to equity, battling cabin-to-cabin on a mission to take over the engine room, each new chamber offers a distinct look at the cruelties of upper-class indulgence, and Director Bong takes every opportunity to showcase it through his stunning and unconventional blend of style, story-telling, and sci-fi world-building. -- Haleigh Foutch

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Directed by: Christopher Nolan | Run Time: 169 minutes | Genre: Sci-Fi Drama

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Matt Damon

This 2014 sci-fi epic is Christopher Nolan’s ode to the endless universe beyond our planet and is hailed as his most impressive work (at least until Oppenheimer). Set in the future, Interstellar presents an Earth that is quickly becoming uninhabitable. Joseph Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, leads a team through a wormhole on a highly risky search for a new home for humanity, leaving his family behind. The story focuses both on Cooper’s expeditions and experiences as a father and a scientist that spans time and space. On its release, Interstellar was a huge box office and critical success and has been praised for exploring existential threats, humanity, family dynamics, trauma, and more, in a way that's immersive, scientifically accurate, and visually delightful. -- Remus Noronha

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Director: Zack Snyder | Run Time: 163 minutes | Genre: Sci-Fi Superhero Thriller

Cast: Billy Crudup, Malin Åkerman, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode

Zack Snyder was doing gritty superhero material long before his time in the DCEU. A case in point, his adaptation of the legendary DC Comics maxiseries Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins. The film is set in a world where the accidental birth of a genuine superhuman changed the course of history. Watchmen (2009) is primarily set in 1985, with a non-linear plot that ties together moments from across the timelines of this world's so-called heroes. When a veteran crimefighter called the Comedian is mysteriously murdered at the height of a period of anti-vigilante sentiment, outlaw and vigilante detective Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) picks up the case. The investigation leads Rorschach back to his former teammates in a Justice League-style superteam that's now disbanded, and it isn't long before a sinister conspiracy begins to surface. And all of it revolves around the enigmatic and all-powerful Doctor Manhattan (Billy Crudup). -- Remus Noronha

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Director: Matt Reeves | Run Time: 176 minutes | Genre: Superhero Noir Thriller

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis

More than 80 years have passed since Batman made his comic book debut, which makes it quite surprising that it was only in 2022 that we finally got a Batman movie that leaned into his status as the "world's greatest detective." Matt Reeves' The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader, is that movie. With a neo-noir thriller plot that's more Zodiac than Adam West, Battinson's debut won acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The film follows a younger Batman who is not quite at the beginning of his career but isn't a grizzled veteran yet either. When a serial killer known as the Riddler (Paul Dano) begins targeting Gotham's corrupt elite, Batman takes up the case, diving deep into the darkness of his city. With an ensemble cast, a gripping mystery, and eloquent cinematography, The Batman is easily one of the best movies of 2022, and ranks among the best superhero movies of all time. -- Remus Noronha

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Directors: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois | Run Time: 98 minutes | Genre: Animated Fantasy Adventure

Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill

One of the best animated films of the 2010s, How to Train Your Dragon was a commercial and critical success that spawned a multimedia franchise. The animated feature follows young Viking Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), who lives on the island of Berk, which is frequently attacked by dragons. His father, chieftain Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), expects Hiccup to grow into a macho warrior like himself, but destiny has other things in store for the young boy. The society of Berk is built on their hatred of the dragons and Stoick pushes Hiccup to take dragon-fighting lessons. But after he shoots down a feared dragon, Hiccup discovers that he can't bring himself to kill it. So begins an unlikely tale of friendship that changes Hiccup's whole world and brings dragons and humans closer together. It's a heartwarming coming-of-age story with a brilliant infusion of fantasy, perfect for both kids and adults alike. -- Remus Noronha

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Directors: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein | Run Time: 134 minutes | Genre: Fantasy Heist-Comedy

Cast: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant

Ahead of its release, hopes were high that Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves might capture the fun and excitement of the beloved tabletop role-playing game that it's based on. When it came out, however, we were pleasantly surprised to find that it did that and more. The film follows an unlikely alliance of adventurers who take on an epic quest, worthy of the greatest Dungeon Masters. Beyond the plot (which is quite enjoyable in itself), what makes Honor Among Thieves such a perfect adaptation is its humor, energy, and totally immersive visuals. It's a great ride with an engaging story that's equally perfect for die-hard fans of the game and those who are just looking for a fun movie to watch. -- Remus Noronha

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Director: John Krasinski | Run Time: 97 minutes | Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Horror Thriller

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou

2018's A Quiet Place is regarded as one of the most unique horror films of the last decade, so you can imagine how impressive it is when we say that the movie's 2021 sequel A Quiet Place II is perhaps even better. The post-apocalyptic movie picks up where the first film left off and expands the world of the franchise in exciting new ways. Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe are back as the Abbott family, with Djimon Hounsou and Cillian Murphy entering the world as exciting new characters. Blunt and Simmonds are brilliant once again as the mother-daughter duo and Murphy's performance shows exactly why he's one of the best actors working in the industry right now. With tense thrills and a better understanding of the franchise's monsters, this is a horror movie sequel that's a truly worthwhile watch.-- Remus Noronha

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Run Time: 146 min | Genre: Sci-Fi Action | Director: Colin Trevorrow

Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill

The final film in the Jurassic World trilogy, Jurassic World Dominion brings back favorite characters from the most recent films as well as the OG flicks, making for a truly epic finale. Taking place four years after Jurassic Kingdom, the heart of the film involves Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen (Chris Pratt) secretly raising Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), protecting her from those who are after her due to her unique DNA. When Maisie finds herself in danger, the two set off to rescue her, eventually connecting with Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), and Alan Grant (Sam Neill), who are attempting to investigate and expose a conspiracy at Biosyn’s labs. With action, humor, and – of course – a whole lot of dinosaurs, Jurassic World Dominion can veer into silly territory at times. However, it’s a fun and reasonably feel-good watch if you don’t think too hard about the logistics or compare it to the first Jurassic Park. – Taylor Gates

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Director: Gerard Johnstone | Run Time: 102 minutes | Genre: Science Fiction Horror

Cast: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng, Jenna Davis, Amie Donald

One of the first movies released in 2023, M3GAN has already established itself as a horror favorite. The story follows Gemma (Allison Williams), a brilliant roboticist who unexpectedly becomes her niece Cady's (Violet McGraw) guardian after Cady's parents die in an accident. Struggling to connect with the young girl, Gemma introduces Cady to M3GAN, an AI-powered robot that Gemma has been developing to be the ultimate toy. As you might imagine, things quickly start to go wrong once Cady forms an unhealthy bond with the hyper-advanced robot, who has plans of her own. On the one hand, M3GAN is a story about trauma, parenting, and corporate greed. But what makes it so fun is that it's also a campy killer robot story that's thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. — Remus Noronha

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Director: Anthony Fabian | Run Time: 115 minutes | Genre: Period Comedy Drama

Cast: Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Lucas Bravo

Here's something for when you want a healthy dose of warmth and wholesomeness. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris follows the titular character (played by Lesley Manville), a cleaning lady in 1950s London, who goes on a trip to France, where she hopes to purchase the Dior dress of her dreams. Manville’s Mrs. Harris is a delightful character who brings light to the lives of all she meets on her quest. But while the film is fundamentally optimistic, it never veers so far as to become saccharine, presenting a fair balance of darkness that just makes its positive notes all the more poignant. For a quiet, beautiful, and charming story, look no further than this joyful movie.— Remus Noronha

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Director: George Miller | Run Time: 108 minutes | Genre: Fantasy Romantic Drama

Cast: Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba

One of the most criminally underrated movies of 2022, Three Thousand Years of Longing is an epic, grandiose story that's equal parts surreal and touching. Tilda Swinton stars as a scholar who buys a strange memento while on a trip to Istanbul. Predictably, she attempts to clean it and accidentally unleashes the djinn who has been trapped within (played by Idris Elba). You do see where this is going, don't you? The George Miller film isn't just a rehash of Alladin, however. For one thing, it's based on the short story "The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye" by A. S. Byatt, not The Arabian Nights. Unlike most characters who encounter a genie, Swinton's pragmatic scholar does not immediately wish for riches or fame. Instead, she accuses the djinn of being a trickster and claims that wishes are more trouble than they are worth. And so, he begins to tell her his story, a tale of betrayal, ambition, and love that stretches across three millennia. With an almost fable-like quality, and interspersed with fascinating insights into the "science" of djinn and the "cold fire" that gives them form, Three Thousand Years of Longing is a wonderful experience that blends the worlds of fantasy and imagination with that of hard reality, ultimately showing how even the most beloved fantasies must come to a bittersweet end.— Remus Noronha

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Director: Joseph Kosinski | Run Time: 130 minutes | Genre: Action Drama

Cast: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer, Monica Barbaro

With legacy sequels all the rage these days, it was really only a matter of time before someone attempted one for Top Gun. And thankfully, Top Gun: Maverick (2022) is a worthy addition to this legendary story. Picking up over 30 years after the original film, Maverick follows Tom Cruise's titular pilot as he faces the end of an era. With drones and automation replacing pilots in warfare, people like Maverick are becoming obsolete, a fact that he is constantly reminded of. But when he's given a chance to train a special squadron to undertake a secret mission, Maverick sees it as a chance to prove that he's still got some fight left in him. Cruise is as delightful as ever and Miles Teller puts on a brilliantly layered performance as Rooster, the son of Maverick's dead best friend Goose (Anthony Edwards). The real highlight of the movie, however, is Val Kilmer, who reprises his fan-favorite role as Maverick's rival-turned-friend Iceman one last time, in a touching performance that's a fitting farewell for an iconic character and the unforgettable actor who brought him to life. — Remus Noronha

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Director: Stanley Donen | Run Time: 113 minutes | Genre: Romantic-Comedy Mystery Thriller

Cast: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy

When Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn have top billing on a movie, that's reason enough to want to watch it. The sizzling chemistry between these two Hollywood legends is the engine that runs this film but make no mistake, Charade (1963) has a lot more going for it. There's plenty of comedy and romance, yes, but also a plot filled with twists of Hitchcockian proportions. Hepburn stars as Regina "Reggie" Lampert, an interpreter planning on divorcing her rich husband, who happens to meet a mysterious American (Grant) while on holiday in the French Alps. There's an instant spark between them, but that's as far as that goes. She soon returns to her home in Paris, only to find that it has been stripped bare and that her husband, Charles, had been killed while trying to leave the country. At his funeral, three strangers show up, who all seem less than distraught. Later, she is called into the American embassy, where she's informed that her husband served in WWII alongside these three men and another now-deceased soldier. They were entrusted with a large sum of gold that they stole and ran, but Charles double-crossed the others and made off with all of it. Now his surviving co-conspirators—and the United States government—are after the money, and they're all convinced Reggie has it.

As she attempts to evade her pursuers and locate the loot, she reunites with the American she met on holiday, who offers to help. The only problem? He keeps changing his name and his reasons for helping her, until both Reggie and the audience have no idea what to believe. Part screwball comedy, part mystery thriller, Charade is an engaging story that keeps you hooked right to the very last scene. — Remus Noronha

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Director: Jordan Peele | Run Time: 130 minutes | Genre: Neo-Western Sci-Fi Horror

Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea

How did this movie not get an Oscar? Showcasing brilliant cinematography (courtesy of Hoyte van Hoytema), mind-blowing visuals, and a sharp, well-crafted script that flips everything you know about UFOs on its head, Jordan Peele's Nope (2022) is one of the best horror films of recent years. In fact, even calling it a "horror film" seems limiting when you consider the story and its execution. The film follows two sibling horse-wranglers, the quiet, almost-stoic Otis "OJ" Haywood Jr. (Daniel Kaluuya) and his more enterprising and sociable sister Emerald "Em" Haywood (Keke Palmer). As they try to keep their failing family ranch afloat, OJ and Em discover a strange, possibly alien presence that's marked their lands as its hunting ground. Meanwhile, an incident with a monkey in the 90s leads a theme park owner to think he could possibly tame this impossible predator. Nope isn't just a good horror movie, it's everything you need for a true cinematic experience. And for those who couldn't catch it in the theaters, streaming it at home is your next best shot. Either way, you don't want to miss this spectacular piece of filmmaking! — Remus Noronha

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Director: Nikyatu Jusu | Run Time: 99 min | Genre: Horror Thriller

Cast: Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls, Morgan Spector

Anna Diop stars in Nanny from writer/director Nikyatu Jusu in her feature directorial debut. Diop plays Aisha, a woman caring for the child of a wealthy family in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Nanny co-stars Michelle Monaghan and Morgan Spector as Aisha’s wealthy employers, along with Sinqua Walls, who gives a layered performance as Malik, Aisha’s love interest. Grounded in the realities of immigrant life in New York City, Nanny blends thrilling drama with psychological suspense as the haunting film swerves through hallucinations that greatly alter Aisha’s journey towards a nightmarish American Dream. – Yael Tygiel

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Director: Jonathan Lynn | Run Time: 97 minutes | Genre: Black Comedy Mystery

Cast: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Lee Ving

An ensemble cast, a strange invitation, and a murder in a mansion. No, it isn't Glass Onion, it's Clue. Featuring a mix of characters from the game and new ones created for the film, Jonathan Lynn's take on the classic mystery board game is one of those few game adaptations that actually succeed in translating the fun of the original article. Getting back to the plot, the film follows six strangers who converge at a secluded New England mansion. Each of them is given a pseudonym to mask their identity and they are all being blackmailed by a seventh guest, Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving), who gives them all weapons (taken straight out of the board game) and suggests that they kill the butler, Wadsworth (Tim Curry). The lights go out and we, along with the guests, are launched into a wild ride full of murder and mayhem. The film was originally released with three different endings but luckily, the version on Prime Video combines all three. -- Remus Noronha

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Director: Frank Capra | Run Time: 131 minutes | Genre: Christmas Fantasy Drama

Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers

Widely regarded as one of the most influential films ever made, It's a Wonderful Life is a timeless classic. The story follows George Bailey (James Stewart), a down-on-his-luck banker who spends a lifetime putting the needs of others ahead of his own. Faced with absolute ruin one Christmas Eve, George resolves to commit suicide. However, thanks to the prayers of his loved ones, a guardian angel is sent to save George from this horrible fate. The angel, Clarence (Henry Travers) shows George what the world would be like if he was never born, leading him to a profound realization about the value of every kind deed. While It's a Wonderful Life is a Christmas movie through and through, it's a great watch no matter when you see it. The film presents a sentimental and touching portrait of a genuinely good man and the wonderful, wonderful life that he leads. Whether you're looking for a Holiday season watch or just a really good movie, It's a Wonderful Life is an experience everyone should have at least once. — Remus Noronha

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Director: Clive Barker | Run Time: 93 minutes | Genre: Horror

Cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, and Ashley Laurence

Clive Barker’s name has become synonymous with the horror genre, just as his first feature-length film Hellraiser has become a symbol for leather-wearing, sadomasochistic, pain-worshippers. Both descriptors are fitting, though there’s so much more to Barker’s original 1987 film than mere fetishism. There’s a deep mythology here, a rather original one that started with Barker’s novella “The Hellbound Heart” and was carried on in numerous sequel films, comic books, novels, video games, and more. And it all started with Hellraiser, a film that explores the linked sensations of pain and pleasure on a number of levels. The main players are Larry Cotton and his second wife Julia, who cheated on him with his brother Frank shortly after they were married. This sets up one of the most bizarre yet rich mythologies in cinema history: Julia’s obsession with Frank continues well after his death and is rejuvenated when Frank himself is resurrected. However, Frank needs fresh blood to return to his full health, blood that Julia is happy to supply by luring men back to Frank’s abandoned childhood home and sacrificing them. And yet, as horrible as this is, it’s mundane compared to the arrival of the Cenobites, beings from another dimension obsessed with carnal experiences elucidating the extremes of pain and pleasure. Their design and presence is fantastic in the truest sense of the word and the practical effects on display here are just as terrifying today as they were in 1987. If you haven’t seen the original or any of the sequels, Hellraiser is the perfect place to start. If you’re not careful, this movie will tear your soul apart. – Dave Trumbore

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Director: Nia DaCosta | Run Time: 91 minutes | Genre: Horror

Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, Vanessa Williams, Tony Todd

Legacy horror sequels, now there's a fad that's really tricky to get right. Whenever filmmakers attempt one, it can either be a valuable addition to the canon that elevates the whole or a horrible cash grab that'll be hated by fans. Nia DaCosta's Candyman is most definitely the former. The 2021 film is the fourth in the series and quite possibly the best, going further than even the 1992 original. With brilliant performances by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, and Colman Domingo, as well as a gripping script penned by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and DaCosta, the movie takes the Candyman myth and breathes new life into it. Abdul-Mateen II plays Anthony McCoy, an artist with a past tied to the events in 1992. As he seeks out inspiration for his art, he is introduced to the legend of the Candyman, which sets him on a dangerous path. There's a sense of intense foreboding to the story, not because it makes you afraid of potential jumpscares or gore but because right from the beginning, you can see where the story is going and you really hope you're wrong. Candyman is a tragedy but also a new origin story, one that ties together all the past origins of the Candyman with an important message about racial discrimination, systemic violence, and the power of stories to help the oppressed fight back against their oppressors. There are levels to this movie, never just about gentrification or violence or even Candyman the myth. Peele and DaCosta actually manage to turn narrative and storytelling into a supernatural force of vengeance. But don't let us spoil it for you, check out the movie yourself. Fair warning though, you're going to be thinking about this film long after the credits roll. -- Remus Noronha

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