Monthly Archives: December 2023

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

Rose
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Comedy, Drama | Directed by Niels Arden Oplev
Niels Arden Oplev’s drama about two sisters, one of whom is a woman with schizophrenia, on a bus tour of France brims with genuine feeling.


Sofie Grabol in “Rose.”
By NATALIA WINKELMAN

Ferrari
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Biography, Drama, History | Directed by Michael Mann
The director’s portrait of the Italian racecar impresario roars to life on the road, but home is a torment. Adam Driver stars with Penélope Cruz and Shailene Woodley.


Adam Driver as the auto maker Enzo Ferrari. All the world wants something from Ferrari, who in turn only seems to care about his racecars.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Occupied City
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Documentary, History, War | Directed by Steve McQueen
In his four-and-half-hour documentary, the British director Steve McQueen charts the fate of Amsterdam’s Jewish population during the Nazi occupation.


“Occupied City” doesn’t use archival imagery to recreate a sense of Nazi-era Amsterdam; instead the documentary surveys a staggering 130 addresses as they exist today in the city.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

The Crime Is Mine
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Comedy, Crime | Directed by François Ozon
In this showbiz screwball, an aspiring actress and her lawyer best friend spin a murder accusation into a shot at fame.


Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Rebecca Marder in “The Crime Is Mine.”
By BEATRICE LOAYZA

The Teachers’ Lounge
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Drama | Directed by Ilker Çatak
An idealistic teacher in a German school meets reality, and it’s messier than she could have imagined.


Leonie Benesch as Carla Nowak in “The Teachers’ Lounge.”
By ALISSA WILKINSON

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

All of Us Strangers
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Fantasy, Romance | Directed by Andrew Haigh
Playing a man alienated from himself and looking for answers, Andrew Scott makes this film sing.
By ALISSA WILKINSON

— Of Possible Interest —

Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire
PG-13 | Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi | Directed by Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder creates a space opera that’s bloated but rarely buoyant.
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
PG-13 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi | Directed by James Wan
The Atlantean hero-king returns as a new father, a bit worse for wear. But this sequel feels like a film for grown-ups who like fun.
By ALISSA WILKINSON

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

Godard Cinema
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Documentary | Directed by Cyril Leuthy
This documentary looks at the work of Jean-Luc Godard, who sought with each new work to confound assumptions about how movies could look and sound.


Jean-Luc Godard, the filmmaker and subject of the documentary “Godard Cinema.”
By BEN KENIGSBERG

American Fiction
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Comedy, Drama | Directed by Cord Jefferson
The first film from the director Cord Jefferson stars Jeffrey Wright as an author who becomes a pseudonymous success writing a potboiler he loathes.


Erika Alexander and Jeffrey Wright in “American Fiction.”
By AMY NICHOLSON

— Of Possible Interest —

Wonka
PG | Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical | Directed by Paul King
Timothée Chalamet stars as the chocolatier in this musical origin story, playing a wide-eyed innocent instead of an eccentric mad-hatter.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
PG | Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family | Directed by Sam Fell
This sequel is in many respects a cover song, a repeat of the beats and characters of “Chicken Run.”
By ALISSA WILKINSON

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

Concrete Utopia
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Tae-hwa Eom
Love thy neighbor is far from mind when disaster strikes a Seoul apartment complex in this blackhearted social satire.


Park Bo-young in “Concrete Utopia.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Anselm
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Documentary | Directed by Wim Wenders
The history and thought of the artist Anselm Kiefer is threaded throughout this exceptional documentary from Wim Wenders.


A scene from the documentary “Anselm.”
By ALISSA WILKINSON

Origin
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Drama, History | Directed by Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay’s new feature film, adapted from the Isabel Wilkerson book “Caste,” turns the journalist into a character who examines oppression.


Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as the journalist Isabel Wilkerson in “Origin.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Music | Directed by Beyoncé, James B. Merryman, Mark Ritchie
The concert film offers a comprehensive look at a world-conquering tour and rare insight into the process of one of the world’s biggest stars.


Beyoncé in July on the Toronto stop of her Renaissance tour.
By WESLEY MORRIS

— Of Possible Interest —

Our Son
R | Drama | Directed by Bill Oliver
A simple yet engaging melodrama, starring Billy Porter and Luke Evans, explores what it means for two fathers to divorce.
By BEATRICE LOAYZA


Park Bo-young in “Concrete Utopia.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Concrete Utopia
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Tae-hwa Eom
Love thy neighbor is far from mind when disaster strikes a Seoul apartment complex in this blackhearted social satire.


Park Bo-young in “Concrete Utopia.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Anselm
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Documentary | Directed by Wim Wenders
The history and thought of the artist Anselm Kiefer is threaded throughout this exceptional documentary from Wim Wenders.


A scene from the documentary “Anselm.”
By ALISSA WILKINSON

Origin
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Drama, History | Directed by Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay’s new feature film, adapted from the Isabel Wilkerson book “Caste,” turns the journalist into a character who examines oppression.


Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as the journalist Isabel Wilkerson in “Origin.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Music | Directed by Beyoncé, James B. Merryman, Mark Ritchie
The concert film offers a comprehensive look at a world-conquering tour and rare insight into the process of one of the world’s biggest stars.


Beyoncé in July on the Toronto stop of her Renaissance tour.
By WESLEY MORRIS

— Of Possible Interest —

Our Son
R | Drama | Directed by Bill Oliver
A simple yet engaging melodrama, starring Billy Porter and Luke Evans, explores what it means for two fathers to divorce.
By BEATRICE LOAYZA

A scene from the documentary “Anselm.”
By ALISSA WILKINSON

Origin
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Drama, History | Directed by Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay’s new feature film, adapted from the Isabel Wilkerson book “Caste,” turns the journalist into a character who examines oppression.


Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as the journalist Isabel Wilkerson in “Origin.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Music | Directed by Beyoncé, James B. Merryman, Mark Ritchie
The concert film offers a comprehensive look at a world-conquering tour and rare insight into the process of one of the world’s biggest stars.


Beyoncé in July on the Toronto stop of her Renaissance tour.
By WESLEY MORRIS

— Of Possible Interest —

Our Son
R | Drama | Directed by Bill Oliver
A simple yet engaging melodrama, starring Billy Porter and Luke Evans, explores what it means for two fathers to divorce.
By BEATRICE LOAYZA

Food! Glorious Food!

Woman Who Threw Food at Chipotle Employee Sentenced to Work Fast-Food Job
A judge reduced Rosemary Hayne’s jail sentence after she agreed to work in a fast-food restaurant for 20 hours a week for 60 days.
By Rebecca Carballo

A GOOD APPETITE
This Vegetarian Main Is Ready to Shine on Your Holiday Table
Layers of buttery phyllo surround a silky spiced vegetable stew in this showstopping dish.
By MELISSA CLARK

Cookies!

12 gluten-free holiday cookies to spread the joy far and wide


Chocolate-Raspberry Truffle Sandwich Cookies.
By Becky Krystal and Kari Sonde

12 holiday cookie recipes to savor and share this season

By Becky Krystal

7 Brilliant Cookies to Keep Your Holidays Bright
Make one or make them all.

Technicolor Cookies | Sam Seneviratne | NYT Cooking https://www.youtube.com/embed/t2RPXn1b7Ec?si=dss8-l1babJOwaYr

Gingerbread Blondies | Melissa Clark | NYT Cooking https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ja83fMcBa2E?si=MafWxjz3fDLbiycg

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies | Vaughn Vreeland | NYT Cooking https://www.youtube.com/embed/vUEgs7iDwC0?si=QCF0h9I57qsa8A_q

Lemon Butter Curls | Yewande Komolafe | NYT Cooking https://www.youtube.com/embed/KCkjYbGR8y4?si=mJbXlkvoomJgl-9M

Rainbow Rave Cookies | Sohla El-Waylly | NYT Cooking https://www.youtube.com/embed/3K0iTSsTQhw?si=MnLYfm_NjgUD5wuB

Matcha Latte Cookies | Eric Kim | NYT Cooking https://www.youtube.com/embed/cBSHebMz_Uk?si=OJUKbwArDXGoSIZY

Neapolitan Checkerboard Cookies | Sue Li | NYT Cooking https://www.youtube.com/embed/KyY9ZHIazV0?si=QcWqJN2qU108ALCP

Beth Dimino is in My Bubbie’s Kitchen: Pignoli Cookies https://www.youtube.com/embed/NvSxuOFEhxo?si=fQUQzagO9GBJ8HeQ

The History of the Chocolate Chip Cookie – Depression vs WW2 https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVDVbu0d4i8?si=L5Zvgdgv0gDLGOd-

Trying the BEST & CLASSIC German Christmas Snacks & Candy!! https://www.youtube.com/embed/V0_sgR4Hc7o?si=81co0m5vIavfp5hw

Gift Lists

If your gifting includes those in the jet set, here’s a gift list for you:

If existential angst over the impermanence of all things is destroying your holiday spirit, here’s a gift list for you!

If you have people (or families) you hate, here’s the gift link for you!

Here’s a slightly more reasonable gift list for people or families you don’t hate!

If you haz too much monies and want to blow it over the holidays, here’s a list for you!

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

Eileen
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Mystery, ThrillerDirected by William Oldroyd
Thomasin McKenzie and Anne Hathaway star in a period thriller that brings cathartic nastiness to a cold New England Christmas.


Thomasin McKenzie, right, with Anne Hathaway in “Eileen.”
By ALISSA WILKINSON

Silent Night
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | ActionDirected by John Woo
John Woo’s latest is as violent and merciless a revenge thriller as you can imagine.


Joel Kinnaman in “Silent Night.”
By GLENN KENNY

American Symphony
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Documentary, Biography, MusicDirected by Matthew Heineman
This portrait of the musician Jon Batiste and the author Suleika Jaouad follows an artistic couple through ambition and adversity.


From left, Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste in a moment at home.
By BEN KENIGSBERG

Bad Press
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | DocumentaryDirected by Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, Joe Peeler
The battle to claw back press freedoms is the nerve-racking subject of this civic-minded documentary.


Angel Ellis in the documentary “Bad Press.”
By NICOLAS RAPOLD

— Of Possible Interest —

What’s It Like to Work With Hayao Miyazaki? Go Behind the Scenes.
The anime master is a creature of habit who talks every day with his longtime producer, and keeps it more hands off with his regular composer.
By CARLOS AGUILAR

Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now
A rom-com in space, a coming-of-age quest and a high-tech birthing plan are among the films worth checking out this month.
By ELISABETH VINCENTELLI