Film-Forward

American

Punching Henry

A meta comedy about a singing comedian named Henry Phillips, played by comedian Henry Phillips, who in real life sings as part of his act.

Frank & Lola

Their relationship may be rotten, but the revenge it inspires is so very sweet.

Daughters of the Dust

Julie Dash’s layered, poetic, and timeless film garnered lavish praise when it came out in 1991. It has now been rereleased on its 25th anniversary,

Trash Fire

With more than a touch of Grand Guignol horror, this indie desperately wants to be a midnight movie,

Moonlight

Barry Jenkins’s film is like three short films strung together to tell one sweeping story.

The Birth of a Nation

Perhaps no other film this year arrived with as much expectation and coverage as Nate Parker’s directorial debut.

Little Sister

Familiar works such as Garden State and even Donnie Darko come to mind as Little Sister rolls on, albeit with a looser, more determinedly madcap feel.

Certain Women

A quiet, female-focused triptych of tales that keeps its scope quite modest.

Blue Jay

Gen X has officially arrived at movie middle age, with all the loss, regret, and reckoning that entails.