Veron The Reviewer

To Leslie is a 2022 drama film starring Andrea Riseborough as Leslie, a woman who won the lottery six years ago only to waste it all on drugs and alcohol. When the film opens, she is kicked out of the motel she has been staying in. Left without money and a place to stay, Leslie only has her son James to turn to. James allows her to stay with him, but makes it clear to her that she can stay only as long as it takes for her to come up with a plan, and that drinking is not allowed. Unfortunately, things quickly spiral out of control, and Leslie finds herself falling deeper and deeper into alcoholism... The film is very character-driven, with much of the film centering on Leslie and her downward spiral and constant struggles against alcoholism. Andrea Riseborough's performance as Leslie is raw and powerful, a very natural performance that depicts an authentic downward spiral, a real portrait of how alcoholism can ruin the life of the alcoholic and those around them, as well as how cath...

Till is a 2022 film about the real-life events surrounding the death of Emmett Till and its fallout, particularly its effect on his mother Mamie Till and how she was driven to pursue justice in the aftermath. This is not an easy film to watch, and will undoubtedly hit especially hard for anyone who has had to deal with racism and discrimination first-hand.  The movie starts off slow, with an introduction to Emmett and Mamie and their relationship, setting the stage for Emmett's upcoming trip to Mississippi and the tragedy that follows. For context, Emmett Till was the target of lynching, an unlawful killing, by Mississippi locals, and the film centers on Mamie Till as she comes to terms with her son's brutal murder and its aftermath, trying to raise awareness of just how horrific and widespread racism can get, in order to prevent what happened to her son from happening again. Whether you already know the story of Emmett Till or are learning about it for the first time, the film...