Film critic Dwight Brown gives Backrooms 3.5 stars, calling it a tightly woven psych-horror thriller that seduces audiences slowly before pulling the rug out with claustrophobic dread, cryptic dimensions and a colossal performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Movies
Movies: a space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to African and African Americans.
Posted inMovies
Earth, Wind & Fire documentary opens 2026 Tribeca Film Festival
Film critic Dwight Brown reviews the new Earth, Wind & Fire documentary directed by Questlove, finding a well-crafted but familiar music doc that shines brightest when it lets the music and the band members tell their own story.
Posted inMovies
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Film critic Dwight Brown reviews The Devil Wears Prada 2, finding a polished but redundant sequel that recaptures the original’s style without its shine, carried by strong chemistry but hampered by plodding direction and emotionally detached characters.
Posted inMovies
Review: Michael Is a Polished but Incomplete Portrait of a Singular Artist
Film critic Dwight Brown reviews Michael, the sanitized but entertaining biopic of Michael Jackson that highlights his singular talent, groundbreaking music and the family dynamics that shaped his rise to stardom.
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Cringey 2026 Oscars Snub the Heck Out of ‘Sinners’
“Sinners” earned historic Oscar nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards, securing several major wins while also facing notable snubs.
Posted inArts + Culture
Black Europe Film Festival returned to Minneapolis for second year
The Black Europe Film Festival Minneapolis hosted its second annual event, showcasing diaspora films centered on Afro-Pasts and Afro-Futures.
Posted inMovies
Black voices come alive at Sundance 2026
Black voices at Sundance 2026 delivered powerful films exploring family, history, and resistance as the festival prepares to leave Park City.
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How Many of These Black Movies Have You Seen?
From classics to modern hits, this ultimate Black movie list highlights 30 must-watch films that center Black stories, culture, and legacy.
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Best of the Best 2025
The best films of 2025 delivered powerful performances, smart directing and unforgettable storytelling across genres, formats and global cinema.
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10 Best Films 2025
These 10 standout films rose above the rest in 2025, offering unforgettable performances, daring direction, and stories that linger long after the credits roll.
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Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good is a dazzling and emotional conclusion to the Wicked film duology. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver standout performances as Elphaba and Glinda, backed by Jon M. Chu’s visionary direction and sweeping production elements. The movie blends spectacle, heart and a surprising new twist that makes this chapter stand out from the original.
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Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein offers grand design and stellar visuals but little of the terror or tension that defines the classic story. Despite its ambition, this version feels more art gallery than horror film.
Posted inNews
A House of Dynamite
“Object remains inbound!” Those aren’t the words you want to hear when a nuclear missile is headed your way. By suggesting that if there was an impending nuclear attack, things might not go as planned. That the world’s strongest military force and most formidable super power might flounder. It’s feasible enough to be intriguing. The […]
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The Smashing Machine
Dwayne Johnson surprises in a stripped-down, affecting performance as MMA legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s Smashing Machine. The film deglamorizes the sport, digs into addiction and relationships, and finds real stakes far beyond the cage.
Posted inOdds and Ends
What’s worth spending a weekend away from sports?
The 23rd Twin Cities Black Film Festival runs Oct. 10–12, with screenings at the Capri Theatre and Hotel Indigo. Founder Natalie Morrow spotlights a packed slate of Black filmmakers and says this year doubles as a crucial fundraiser to power the festival’s future.
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One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another blends counterculture myth, political satire, and a father-daughter chase. Teyana Taylor blazes; Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn spar with a wobbly tone. The set-pieces stun, but the story never fully locks in.
Posted inTelevision
The Lost Bus – 2025 Toronto International Film Festival
Paul Greengrass turns the 2018 Paradise wildfire into a blistering survival tale as Matthew McConaughey’s school bus driver races to evacuate kids through walls of fire. The film’s immersive effects and taut editing deliver an anxious, high-impact ride, grounded by sturdy work from McConaughey and America Ferrera.
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Black Films Help 2025 Toronto International Film Festival Celebrate its 50th Anniversary
At TIFF 50 Black films left their mark. Highlights include DaCosta’s Hedda, Mkhwanazi’s Laundry, Davies’ My Father’s Shadow, and Davis’ Youngblood.
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Love, Brooklyn
Love, Brooklyn, an indie dramedy set in Fort Greene blending love, community, and gentrification, with nuanced performances and a strong soundtrack.