Linda Cook, reporter, film critic.

Hot on the heels of a terrific @goldenglobes, the @AWFJ #MovieOfTheWeek celebrates some of the year's best awards contenders — @A24's @singsingmovie, #September5Movie, @EmiliaPerezFilm, #Sugarcane and @thebrutalistmov among them. Read @AWFJ reviews: awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

Award-winning @thebrutalistmov is #BradyCorbet's sweeping @A24 epic about a Budapest architect in post-WWII America. Complex indictment of the capitalistic American dream; stunning performances from Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce et al. @dcarson_critic reviews: awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

Doc-like, gripping @ParamountPics drama, #TimFehlbaum's #September5, recreates both the shocking Palestinian terrorist massacre of Israeli athletes at the Berlin '72 summer Olympics — and the lost era of objective journalism. @JenniferMerin reviews: awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

We'd like to welcome the new members of @AWFJ for 2025! Congrats to: Sonya Alexander, Adrian Horton, Christina Jeurling-Birro, Monique Jones, & Kayla McCulloch! Read about them here: awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

AWFJ's @susangranger reviews #SixTripleEight, the Kerry Washington-led narrative based on real life WW2 (s)hero Major Charity Adams & the famed 6888th Army corps unit. She gives it an "inspirational, historically significant 7" out of 10. Read why here: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/3…

What!? A biopic starring a CGI chimp as mega-star Robbie Willams? Featuring mo-cap by actor Jonno Davies (as Williams), critic @dcarson_critic says #BetterMan "stirs the soul in this fresh, innovative way to present a musical biopic". Full review here: awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

In her review of Mike Leigh's #HardTruths, critic @dcarson_critic calls Marianne Jean-Baptiste's performance "magnificent" and "courageous". Read why she and so many other critics around the world have lauded her work in the role: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/3…

We light this flame in prayer that the flames devastating Los Angeles will be extinguished soon and that all who have been burned by them will be able to restore their wellbeing. Love and light to all.

18 years running... AWFJ's EDA Awards honor female creatives in non-gender specific awards categories and in unique Female Focus categories designated for women only. Read all about it - full list of award winners here! awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

Congratulations to #TheBrutalist, #Dahomey, #TheSeedoftheSacredFig, #TheSubstance and all winners of AWFJ's 18th-annual EDA Awards, representing professional women critics’ collective perspectives on movies and cinema culture. See the full list here. awfj.org/2024-eda-award…

In "Diane Warren: Relentless," filmmaker Bess Kargman offers an intimate look into the songwriter's life and her endearing yet brash personality. @portcortlandia reviews. #DianeWarren #DianeWarrenRelentless awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

An erotic thriller related from the female lead's perspective, #BabygirlMovie hit a "frustrating" note for our critic @susangranger for what it leaves out behind the role play. More in her review. awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

Those who still associate Pamela Anderson with #Baywatch and discount her talent are in for a "surprise treat" with #TheLastShowgirl, a drama reveals the hardscrabble Las Vegas lives behind the razzle-dazzle, says @dcarson_critic. More in her review: awfj.org/blog/2025/01/0…

AWFJ's @dcarson_critic reviews #WallaceAndGromit #Vengeancemostfowl, saying it delights from start to finish. How? Read her take: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/2…

AWFJ's January SPOTLIGHT is actor and indie filmmaker @VivianKerr. We include an interview discussing her path to directing & producing, & she offers advice for other women seeking more artistic freedom & autonomy: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/3…

Read @dcarson_critic's review on #AgentOfHappiness, directors Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó’s documentary profiling the Bhutanese society in which Gross National Happiness, not Gross National Product, is measured: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/2…

Powerful directorial debut for #JackHuston: the #FallingForwardFilms' drama #DayOfTheFight. Washed-up boxer, out of prison, hopes one last bout will make things right for his family. Super cast: Michael Pitt, @perlmutations, Joe Pesci. @AprilMac reviews: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/0…

AWFJ's @valeriekalfrin reviews #Gladiator2, saying it doesn't live up to its predecessor, but there's still much to enjoy. Read more here: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/0…

A woman named Ghost lives underground in #2073film, the new docufiction work from Asif Kapadia. @nadine_whitney says the intriguing concept is supposed to be a call to action, but it’s clumsy and patronizing instead. Read more: awfj.org/blog/2024/12/1…

Costa Rica’s International #Oscar selection, #MemoriesOfABurningBody from director #AntonellaSudasassi is a fascinating documentary about memory, aging and womanhood. @jen4green says the film is specific, but the themes are universal. awfj.org/blog/2024/12/1…