Howie Movshovitz

The new movie Vermiglio is about a family in northern Italy at the end of World War II. It’s won many awards around the world, and was Italy’s selection for the 2025 foreign language Oscar. The film had only a short run in American theaters, but is now available on the Criterion Channel. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz teaches film at CU-Denver. He says it’s one of the most beautiful films he’s seen in a long time.

A remake of the 1958 Bonjour Tristesse , once again finds the setting on the Riviera. Bonjour Tristesse, which means “Hello Sadness” in French, features characters who are sexually liberated – at least partly and in the terms of movies of 1958. For KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, who teaches film at CU-Denver, the new movie has its moments, but maybe not enough of them.

The 10th annual ACT Human Rights Film Festival will run through Sunday in Fort Collins. The festival aims to show films that address human rights situations all over the world. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz says he finds three films in the festival exceptionally touching.

KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz says the new documentary Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story paints a fascinating picture of a great talent.

A 2024 documentary No Other Land is about life in a West Bank village repeatedly destroyed by Israeli forces. The picture is a joint Israeli-Palestinian project filmed over a period of about five years. For KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, who teaches film at CU-Denver, the movie reveals a rare humanity.

British writer and director Mike Leigh has been nominated many times for Oscars in the United States; his 1996 Secrets and Lies won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. He’s considered one of the world’s great filmmakers. Like many of his films, Leigh’s latest, Hard Truths shows a character in deep personal trouble. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz says Hard Truths is one more Mike Leigh masterpiece.

‘Tis the season, for many things, and among them are movies that mark the holiday season. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz wants to mention two films made during World War II that celebrate the holidays, but are also touching and exceptional entertainments.

The 47th Denver Film Festival opens today with a lineup of 188 films total, 115 of them feature-length documentaries or dramatic films. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz said he’s seen some of the movies in the festival and has a few suggestions.

The new movie Lee, starring Kate Winslet, tells about the life of famed American photographer and war correspondent Lee Miller. Miller lived an astonishing life from the 1920s into the ‘70s, but KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz, says the story never quite jells, although the film often looks rich and full.

The 51st Telluride Film Festival ended on Monday evening. Compared to other famous festivals, like Cannes or Berlin, Telluride is tiny – it runs for just four days over Labor Day weekend. Telluride does not reveal its schedule in advance. The audience comes on trust – many say it’s simply the best festival in the world. KUNC film critic Howie Movshovitz agrees.