
R.J. LaForce

Why Nomadland Would be a Worthy, Definitive Best Picture Winner for 2021
Chloe Zhao’s lyrical, masterful film about those forgotten on the fringes of American society has ratcheted up the momentum to be the favorite going into “Hollywood’s biggest night.” And it should be.

Robert Redford’s Impact: Four Films to Watch
He was “one of the lions,” as Meryl Streep put it, an American touchstone who changed filmmaking and opened the gates for new generations of storytellers, becoming a central force in independent cinema. To understand the impact his films have had – on previous generations, on our culture, on so many other films – we’ve

The Back-to-College Binge Watch Playlist
Remember when you could sleep until noon, stumble to class in pajamas, and stay up until 2am watching weird art films? Fall is when many of us become wistful about that bumpy chapter of extended adolescence, when you start to discover who you truly are and make some truly regrettable choices. In honor of all

Eddington is a pandemic parable. But what is it trying to say?
Set in May 2020 in a fictional New Mexico town, Pedro Pascal and Joaquin Phoenix’s new film Eddington draws some parallels to two of the biggest breakout shows of the past decade: The Last of Us and The Walking Dead. It’s a story about a virus that’s less about death and more about exposing the living.

A Watercooler Watch: Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything
Before social media and podcasts, there was one undeniable truth about news-making interviews: if a story mattered, Barbara Walters would be the one to tell it. Landing a one-on-one with her didn’t just mean publicity, it meant you had become part of a national conversation. But while the interview signified that you had made it,

A Need-to-Know Guide to The Buccaneers
Was life in the Gilded Age all that gilded? In the HBO Max series, penned by Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes, the focus is on the class divide between America’s old money aristocrats and new money industrialists, and the often exhausting rules of “society.” Apple TV’s The Buccaneers, which just returned for its second season,

A Watercooler Guide to The Phoenician Scheme: Wes Anderson’s Oil-Baron Fever Dream
Wes Anderson films are easy to spot, but not always easy to describe. Watching them feels like stepping inside a handcrafted diorama of history: symmetrical, stylized, and slightly sentimental. From the wry narration and sharp color palettes to his signature whip pans and deadpan dialogue, Anderson crafts cinematic worlds where emotions are bottled then uncorked

A Need-to-Know Guide to And Just Like That…
It’s been a two year wait, but Carrie Bradshaw and her tribe of fabulous fifty-somethings are finally back with their third season. You’d be forgiven if you lost track of the Sex and the City sequel and its storylines. But with summer’s planes, trains, and automobiles and rained-in weekends, And Just Like That might be

Bring Her Back
A psychological horror film with standout performances, Bring Her Back isn’t just about summoning the dead, it’s about confronting the parts of ourselves we lose in the process. The Philippou brothers have crafted a film that dares to ask whether the true horror lies in what we’re willing to do in the name of love.

Outer Banks
A suspenseful and seductive class drama set against the sea grass swept barrier islands of the Carolinas, Outer Banks has hooked audiences with its attractive cast, bombastic personalities, and search for a buried treasure. Watch it as a scripted follow-up to Too Hot To Handle.

I Know This Much Is True
A heavy dose of tragedy, I Know This Much is True is a sociological drama that peels back several layers to examine the forces that collide to make us who we are.

Oprah Talks COVID-19
If you need a bit of hope, or want to see how coronavirus is from someone asymptomatic but positive, this is a game changing show.

Better Call Saul
The show may play out against some bleak backdrops, but Bob Odenkirk will draw you in and keep you engrossed throughout this gripping saga.

Last Week Tonight
The show manages to call out hypocrisies and sound alarm bells, but does so with levity and punchlines, giving your head – and stomach – a way to process it all.

The Curse of Oak Island
Part history lesson, part treasure hunt, The Curse of Oak Island will inspire your inner Hardy Boys fan. For the audience, just sharing so many of the highs and lows of the team’s successes and disappointments has built a bond.

Itaewon Class (Itaewon Keullasseu)
A colorful, ultimately inspiring tale for budding entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, and empire-builders. It also works as a vicarious adventure in Seoul.

Chrissy’s Court
If you’re looking for something funny that you can watch on the go, this is the show for you. Quibi may be gone, but you can still it on Roku Originals.

Baghdad Central
An addictive six-episode thriller set in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq — told from the point of view of a Baghdad police inspector. Upends assumptions and stereotypes while dropping you into the daily drama of life in an occupied city.