The story of Shakespeare is eternally appealing, because we want to know what confluence of circumstances, or divine blessing, could produce such a towering figure.

What “The Big Sick” gets at is how America undermines traditions from other countries, and always has.

Surprise and outrage are two of the basic tools of comedy, and no one expects these sweet-looking sisters to sound like sailors.

John Anderson reviews "Sacred," a documentary exploring various world religions.

John Anderson reviews "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders.

“Call Me Francis” is unafraid to delve into Francis’ intellectual conflicts. But neither is it afraid to be funny. 

Ava DuVernay's "13th," a documentary about mass incarceration of African Americans nominated for an Oscar, is full of good words and bad images.

Thanks to the arcane rules behind the foreign-language Oscar, sentimentality usually reigns supreme.

Martin Scorsese's new film will be elusive to the many and beloved by the few.

Plenty of movies make you think. Far fewer allow you to think, which is something rather different. Take “Manchester by the Sea.”