Film-Forward

Musical

Emilia Pérez | NYFF 2024

A ridiculous, beautiful, heartbreaking, and hilarious musical best enjoyed with an open mind.

Joker: Folie à Deux

Just for its musical aspects, and the exquisite staging in which they are choreographed and intelligently conceived , the sequel is a bold artistic success.

Kneecap

An electric musical biopic with songs that viewers will immediately want to add to their Spotify playlists.

Lost Soulz

A hip-hop road movie musical full of good vibes and great music.

Música

Perhaps one of the year’s most visually distinct films via its unorthodox approach to musical storytelling.

The Color Purple

At first, it’s difficult to not think of Whoopi Goldberg’s incredible debut, but Fantasia Barrino proves a marvelous screen presence with her authentic, powerful turn.

My Love Affair with Marriage

Signe Baumane’s original and smart semi-autobiographical animated musical is different and not afraid to be itself.

Flora and Son | TIFF 2023

With a main character spouting piss, spit, and vinegar, as well as raunchy talk, John Carney’s latest has an edge—and an R rating.

Dicks: The Musical | TIFF 2023

The best way to enjoy this four-letter-word-filled frolic is probably to be inebriated. (This reviewer could have used a drink while watching it.)