Moana
The family-friendly animated Disney film Moana, directed by Don Hall and Christ Williams, follows Moana, the determined daughter of a Polynesian chief who is chosen by the ocean to reunite a mystical relic with a goddess to save her people. The film features music by Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, and received critical attention for its music, animation, and stellar voice cast.
Moonlight
Moonlight, based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney, was written and directed by Barry Jenkins. The film follows Chiron through three stages of his life, from his difficult childhood to his teen years and then his adult life as a closeted drug dealer living near Atlanta. The film recently won Best Motion Picture at the Golden Globes.
A Man Called Ove
The Swedish film A Man Called Ove is a comedy-drama written and directed by Hannes Holm, and adapted from Fredrik Backman’s book of the same name. The film follows 59-year-old Ove, a recently widowed man who is suicidal. When Pravaneh and her family move in across the street and accidentally knock down Ove’s mailbox, an unexpected friendship occurs. The friendship helps Ove’s life turn around.
Hell or High Water
This neo-Western crime thriller directed by David Mackenzie follows divorced dad Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and his ex-con brother Tanner (Ben Foster) who rob banks, and the two Texas Rangers, Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham), who are on the case.
Allied
The World War II romantic thriller Allied, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Steven Night, follows Max Vatan, a Canadian Air Force intelligence officer who is partnered with French Resistance Fighter Marianne Beausejour to assassinate the German ambassador stationed in Casablanca. The two pose as a married couple, but the real feelings they develop for each other are a danger to the mission.