TORONTO – “Onwards and Sideways,” a world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, is a movie that is admittedly a tough sell. The premise is fairly straightforward: Tony (Ryan Ifans) and Emma (Laura Linney) meet each other in the lobby of a medical building. Coincidentally, they have both been diagnosed with Parkinson’s just minutes earlier. Their physician (well, Tony’s at least), Professor Ridge (Rory Kinnear), informs him they have “five good years left.” Over the next 115 minutes, and with an increasingly dramatic series of title cards, Tony and Emma’s lives intertwine as Paul Mayhew-Archer‘s screenplay checks on them every 12 months.

Continue reading ‘Onwards And Sideways’ Review: Laura Linney And Rhys Ifans Have Five Good Years In John Madden’s Parkinson’s Dramedy [TIFF] at The Playlist.

At this point, are Korean filmmakers more tapped into the zeitgeist of global inequality than anyone else? From Bong Joon-ho to Hwang Dong-hyuk to Park Chan-wook, the most striking narratives about surviving in this current economic environment have sprung from the imaginations of these auteurs from land on the far East Asian peninsula. Remarkably, one of their peers, Lee Chang-dong, has unleashed one of the most poignant depictions of these crises so far with “Possible Love,” which won the Silver Lion at the 2026 Venice Film Festival.

Continue reading ‘Possible Love’ Review: Lee Chang-dong’s Portrait Of Economic Disparity Is An Eulogy For The Working Class at The Playlist.

TORONTO – Something happened from script to screen with “Black in Black,” a world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, and whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Directed by Ron Murphy from a screenplay by Murphy and Nick Torokvei, “Black” has a smart premise, genuinely funny dialogue, and Christopher Walken’s undying charisma. And somehow, Murphy has squandered all that with a movie featuring the most uninspired and workmanlike execution you can imagine.

Continue reading ‘Back In Black’ Review: Christopher Walken & A Good Script Are Wasted In A Badly Directed Comedy [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – There has been much Sturm und Drang over the past few decades over the death of the studio romantic comedy. For the most part, these slick rom-com movies have sadly become a staple of streaming services and disappeared from theaters. Less discussed is the death of the indie romantic comedy. Flicks like “500 Days of Summer,” “Celeste and Jesse Forever,” and “The Big Sick” are simply not financed anymore, and when they are, independent distributors are scared to acquire them.

Continue reading ‘All That She Wants’ Review: Annie Murphy & Cooper Raiff Give The Indie Romantic Comedy A Much-Needed Jolt [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – Perhaps the best compliment you can give a play adapted into a film is that, on the big screen, it didn’t seem like it originated on the stage. Before watching “Prima Facie,” adapted by playwright Suzie Miller from her own source material and directed by Susanna White, we had completely forgotten this new movie was based on the acclaimed one-woman play that saw Jodie Comer win both Olivier and Tony Awards for her performance.

Continue reading ‘Prima Facie’ Review: Cynthia Erivo Captivates But Something Is Lost In This Stage-To-Screen Adaptation [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – In a massive year for LGBTQ+ movies from around the globe , “Ancestors” is sadly one of the few misses. And yet as the first 10 to 20 minutes unspool, you may think you’re witnessing a queer classic. That is the awkward juxtaposition of a movie with a great lead performance and a filmmaker, David Turpin, with a distinct vision that just can’t coalesce. But for a moment?

Continue reading ‘Ancestors’ Review: Éanna Hardwicke Mesmerizes But David Turpin’s Queer Drama Fades Fast [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – When Roshan Sethi is behind the camera, your movie is probably going to be pretty good. Anyone who saw “A Nice Indian Boy” or “7 Days” could tell you that. When the subject has anything to do with the medical profession, it might be somewhat inspired. That’s because the director and screenwriter is still a practicing physician – at least part-time – tapping into the background on the small screen to create the long-running medical drama “The Resident.” So when you sit down to watch “The Surgeon,” a thriller starring Michelle Yeoh as a doctor who finds herself in a decidedly life-threatening predicament, Sethi is gonna make sure you learn a thing or two about just how dangerous someone with in-depth knowledge of the human anatomy can be.

Continue reading ‘The Surgeon’ Review: Michelle Yeoh Cuts Up The Bad Guys In A Pretty Smart Thriller [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – Here’s the thing about Rebel Wilson’s new movie, “Girl Group.” While it’s a world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, it’s important to remember this isn’t a movie striving to stand alongside the works of Jean-Luc Godard or win the Palme d’Or. Granted, that doesn’t mean you should grade it on a curve, but it’s obvious that no one involved has any serious artistic aspirations beyond releasing a solid new original pop song and staging some fun and energetic music performances.

Continue reading ‘Girl Group’ Review: Rebel Wilson Directs A Messy ‘Pitch Perfect’ Knockoff With Fun Musical Numbers [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – You may not recognize Caleb Hearon‘s name at first, but you’ve likely seen him scrolling through your social media feed or in the YouTube algorithm. He’s a popular stand-up comedian and podcast host, with the latter fueling his notoriety over the past two years. And while he’s had supporting roles in several films and television programs (most recently in “The Devil Wears Prada 2”), he’s never been at the center of a story such as “Trash Mountain,” a world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.

Continue reading ‘Trash Mountain’ Review: Caleb Hearon’s Screenplay & Zooey Deschanel Shine In A Funny But Familiar Dramedy [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO – At first, Alexandra Pechman’s “Magazine” is a bit of a flop. The characters seem slight. The dialogue is too awkward for even inherently awkward characters to speak out loud. There is barely a hint of dramatic tension, let alone humor, if that’s the intention (it was). Then, somewhat unexpectedly, just as you are about to give up on it, this 2026 Toronto International Film Festival premiere finds its bearings. And Pechman’s vision breaks through.

Continue reading ‘Magazine’ Review: An Intern Learns Life Lessons At A New York Literary Magazine [TIFF] at The Playlist.

TORONTO: After a few minutes, something might seem slightly off about Hermine Ryan (Naomi Watts). It’s 1964, and the Austrian-born housewife feels like she’s stuck in the prior decade. Her home is as immaculate as fashion magazine photo shoot. She cooks meatloaf for her hardworking husband Russell (Luke Evans), and her cookie recipe is beloved by the ladies in her church group (Debi Mazar leading the pack).

Continue reading ‘The Housewife’ Review: Naomi Watts Unleashes A Fury In An Uneven Hidden Nazi Drama [TIFF] at The Playlist.

Over the past few years, the Emmy nominations have been revealed and voters, consultants and television fans, have scanned the list with disappointment. Most assuming the eventual winners were obvious across the board. And, sure, there is always a category or two that seems up in the air, but for the most part, July and August have foretold a ceremony with no surprises. And then, there are actual surprises. In fact, there hasn’t been a televised Emmys this decade without at least one “upset” during the Primetime ceremony.

Continue reading Emmys 2026 Winner Predictions: ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Widow’s Bay’ &…’DTF St. Louis’? at The Playlist.

Within 24 hours, the Toronto International Film Festival’s blue carpet will be formally unveiled. Hundreds of locals will pack King Street for a chance to see or scream at a recognizable star of one movie after another. And new films such as the buzzworthy “I Play Rocky” will attempt to win the TIFF People’s Choice Award all in hopes of just gaining Oscar voters’ attention. But, as has been the case for almost two decades, a substantial number of AMPAS members have already started the race to Hollywood’s biggest night.

Continue reading ‘Wild Horse Nine,’ ‘La Bola Negra,’ Julianne Moore & Andrew Scott Dominate Telluride Oscar Buzz at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE – It’s been a long time since a secret screening gained this much attention at the Telluride Film Festival, but the scheduled “TBA” for Sunday night lived up to the hype. Long rumored, “You Can See Everything” is a documentary project shot over a three-year period by filmmakers Nathan Fielder (“The Rehearsal”) and Lance Oppenheim (“Some Kind of Heaven”) that centers on Elizabeth Holmes’ final days before she began an 11-year prison sentence in Federal prison.

Continue reading ‘You Can See Everything’ Review: Nathan Fielder Chronicles Elizabeth Holmes Final Days Before Prison, And Then… [Telluride] at The Playlist.

Watch out, “Hacks.” It looks like you’ve got serious competition for the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy Award. The second night of the Creative Arts Emmys saw Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay” take home eight trophies, including Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Betty Gilpin (her first trophy after four nominations). “DTF St. Louis” is now a surprise frontrunner for the Limited or Anthology Series Emmy after taking six Emmys to the expected frontrunner “Beef’s” three trophies.

Continue reading ‘Widow’s Bay’ Dominates Sunday Night Creative Arts Emmys 2026 As Shailene Woodley & ‘South Park’ Also Win [Complete List] at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE – Context is everything. If an audience is aware that “The Liberation” was “inspired” by a true story before it began, it might be viewed through a different lens. But director and screenwriter Guy Nattiv only hints at this important distinction with a dedication and video clip at the end of his opus. That might have been a mistake. Luckily for you, this review will at least provide some viewers a proper heads-up.

Continue reading ‘The Liberation’ Review: Carrie Coon And Bella Ramsey Impress In Guy Nattiv’s Cult Drama Where The Thrills Hit Too Late [Telluride] at The Playlist.

The 2026 Emmy Awards are here. Well, the Creative Arts Emmy categories are, at least. The Television Academy began two nights of pre-Primetime Emmy Award ceremonies this weekend, and Bad Bunny dominated the night. “The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny” won seven Emmys, including Outstanding Variety Special (Live), which means the Puerto Rican icon is now halfway to EGOT with his first Emmy win. Bunny’s episode of “Saturday Night Live” also won Outstanding Makeup For A Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program.

Continue reading Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Dominates Saturday Night Creative Arts Emmys 2026 [Complete List] at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE: From what you’ve read or seen so far, Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut” doesn’t seem like one of those movies you simply don’t want to spoil, but you’d be wrong. Dancing around the arc Eisenberg has written for Mona Friedman (Julianne Moore) in a review such as this is not only necessary to experience the film’s unexpected cinematic flourishes, but may require the delicate talents of a community theater director such as the film’s infamous Jerry (Paul Giamatti).

Continue reading ‘The Debut’ Review: Julianne Moore Is Transformative In Jesse Eisenberg’s Brilliant Musical Comedy [Telluride] at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE: A painter may excel in oils, but struggle in watercolors. A guitar player may thrive with rock music, but stumble in the country realm. For a documentary filmmaker, one of the most difficult creative transitions is transitioning into fictional waters. Even the most visionary documentarians can find themselves at odds with such narratives, and for every director who succeeds, there are often 10 more whose aspirations come up short. Jennifer Peedom has spent almost two decades chronicling the exploits of man versus the elements in non-fiction films.

Continue reading ‘Tenzing’ Review: A Mount Everest Legend Gets His Due In A Moving But Predictable Biopic [Telluride] at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE: We’re not sure we can purely put into words what Andrew Scott has accomplished with his portrayal of Ian Charleson in “Elsinore.” A new drama that finds Scott playing a man grappling with his own existential fate while also delivering one of the most celebrated performances of “Hamlet” in modern times. At a minimum, Scott needs to make us believe this man who is dying from AIDS is pulling off an otherworldly moment on the London stage weeks before his passing.

Continue reading ‘Elsinore’ Review: Andrew Scott Gives The Performance Of A Lifetime As An Actor Who Gave the Performance Of His Life [Telluride] at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE – It goes without saying that Fyodor Dostoevsky is considered one of the greatest writers in human history. “Crime and Punishment,” ‘The Brothers Karamazov,” and “The Idiot” are just a few of his seminal works that still resonate over 145 years after his death. Much has been written about his life, but his second wife, Anna, eventually penned two books about her husband, and her personal diaries chronicled many of their exploits, especially the four years they trekked all over Germany to avoid his creditors back in Russia.

Continue reading ‘The Idiot(s)’ Review: Aimee Lou Wood Comes Close To Saving A Messy Dostoevsky Biopic [Telluride] at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE – We are unabashed fans of Andrew Haigh. Whether it’s “Weekend,” “All of Us Strangers,” or “45 Years,” we have often found his films emotionally nuanced and remarkably grounded. He’s an auteur whose themes and characters may resonate with you for weeks on end. That’s why we’re somewhat perplexed over Haigh’s latest drama, “A Long Winter,” a loose adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s short story originally set in Spain.

Continue reading ‘A Long Winter’ Review: The Vultures Are Circling In Andrew Haigh’s Middling Drama [Telluride] at The Playlist.

TELLURIDE – There is a moment toward the end of Mike Leigh‘s latest gem, “Tender Loving Care,” when Amy (Kate O’Flynn) is crouched at the bedside of her ailing father. Geoff (Paul Jesson) is likely in the early stages of dementia, but Amy and her mother Birdie (Marion Bailey) are singing songs to him to keep him engaged and their own spirits up.

Continue reading ‘Tender Loving Care’ Review: Kate O’Flynn Sparks In Mike Leigh’s Sublime Family Drama [Telluride] at The Playlist.

The Venice Film Festival is in full effect, and the Toronto International Film Festival is just a week away. Smack in the middle of the two red carpet wonders is the Telluride Film Festival, the annual Labor Day weekend event that brings together filmmakers, actors, cinephiles, a few billionaires (or three or four), and Oscar voters to formally kick off awards season. Oh yes, Telluride has more AMPAS members in attendance actually seeing movies than any other festival in the world.

Continue reading ‘The Debut,’ ‘Elsinore,’ ‘Tender Loving Care’ Among 2026 Telluride Film Festival World Premieres [Complete List] at The Playlist.

The number one movie of the weekend was never in question. With the summer box office almost over, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” took in another $22 million for $891 million in the U.S. and $2.3 billion so far. The Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios blockbuster has now surpassed “Titanic” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” for the No. 3 ranking on the all-time global box office chart. The bigger question this weekend was what movie would take the second spot.

Continue reading ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Tops Box Office For Fifth Straight Weekend As ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ Takes $15.4 Million at The Playlist.