

Claire Shaffer
Posts

‘The Five Demands’ Review: Occupying a College for Racial Justice
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action, a documentary recalls the occupation of City College 50 years ago.

‘Sin La Habana’ Review: A Long Way From Home
In Kaveh Nabatian’s new drama, an Afro-Cuban dancer tries to bring his girlfriend to Canada through a sham marriage.

‘Stay Awake’ Review: Becoming Their Mother’s Caretakers
This story of a small-town family impacted by addiction succeeds in humanizing its characters but falters when it tries to include a coming-of-age tale.

‘The Restless’ Review: The Painful Cycles of Mental Illness
Joachim Lafosse’s film is an intimate but flawed portrayal of the effect a man’s bipolar disorder has on his family.

‘Judy Blume Forever’ Review: The Y.A. Author Who Went There First
The documentary, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, features Blume narrating the milestones of her life and career, along with interviews of her famous fans.

‘Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman’ Review: This Giant Frog Needs Your Help
An enigmatic adaptation of a short story collection by Haruki Murakami, this animated film is set shortly after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

‘Rye Lane’ Review: A Lively Modern Rom-Com With a British Accent
Raine Allen-Miller’s feature debut revives the genre with exuberant performances and a vibrant South London setting.

‘The Innocent’ Review: A Heist With a French Accent
A light, enjoyable confection of a film that is built upon an amusingly absurd premise.

‘99 Moons’ Review: On-Again, Off-Again
Instead of an engaging erotic romance, the film delivers a dull narrative of two lovers caught in a cycle of getting together and falling apart.

‘Hannah Ha Ha’ Review: Making Ends Meet
The directors Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky offer a warm examination of what it means to do meaningful work in a world that undervalues it.