There’s something nostalgic about sitting in a movie theater as the lights dim and the previews roll, a tub of popcorn in your lap. Going to the movies has always been one of my favorite pastimes. Many of my favorite memories have been at the movies: watching Yentl with my father on one of our father-daughter dates, laughing with my brother while watching Space Balls and The Three Amigos. Gasping in awe with my friends as lifelike dinosaurs appeared onscreen in Jurassic Park, holding my husband’s hand while watching The Matrix, engrossed in a plot unlike any I’d ever seen before. Going to the movies was an escape, a little dose of magic.

And then there are the films themselves. I crave stories that transport you to another world, real and well-written tales with character development, meaningful dialogue, beautiful cinematography, and compelling plots. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I’m tired of superhero movies dominating the big screen (Marvel, I’m speaking to you). Don’t get me wrong: I appreciate spectacle, but I desire depth more than explosions. The movies that speak to me most are the ones that leave me feeling something in my soul or thinking about human nature long after I’ve left the theater.

That said, I recently saw two movies that brought something deeper to the surface, both with Jewish themes, and both surprisingly refreshing in their own way.

David Corenswet as Superman (IMDb)

The New Superman: A Hero with Heart

First up, yes, a superhero movie. I know I just said I was over them, but Superman has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up watching the original film with Christopher Reeve, an actor I’ve always admired. When I later learned that Superman was created by two Jewish teenagers, both sons of Jewish immigrants, I felt a new connection to the character. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who grew up in Cleveland, invented Superman in response to the social and political turmoil of the late 1930s. Superman was a champion for the American way of life and a defender of good during a time when Nazism was on the rise in Europe.

 So when my husband suggested we catch the latest version, I agreed.

This new installment isn’t just a reboot of the original; it is a continuation, layered with modern themes, particularly around immigration and identity. Some have criticized it for being “too woke,” but to me, it simply felt relevant. The political undertones and images of detainment camps and families being separated were just present enough to make you think without pulling you out of the story.

While the action scenes tended to lose me (I may have zoned out once or twice), I found myself deeply engaged during the quieter moments, especially those between Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Their relationship has always been one of my favorites in comic book lore. But what stood out even more was Superman’s inner conflict, his relationship with his birth parents, and the way he grappled with his dual identity serving humankind while being “outside” of it. David Corenswet, the first Jewish actor to portray the superhero, brought a tenderness and wholesomeness to the role that reminded me of Reeve’s portrayal.

A bonus? Much of the movie was filmed in Cincinnati and Cleveland, including a few scenes at Union Terminal, one of my favorite buildings in the city. Look for the Easter egg inside the Hall of Justice when Lois Lane confronts the Justice Gang. The iconic Art Deco building was the original inspiration for the comic book portrayal of the Hall!

“Bad Shabbos” courtesy of Tribeca Fest

Bad Shabbos: Dysfunction at Its Funniest

Then we saw Bad Shabbos, a much smaller, lesser-known film that I had first learned about from my mother when it premiered at our local Jewish and Israeli Film Festival back in February. From the opening scene, I had a smile on my face that lasted until the closing credits. My husband actually had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard at certain moments. What unfolded was a comedy deeply rooted in Jewish family life, centered around a comically dysfunctional Shabbat dinner.

When David (Jon Bass) brings his non-Jewish fiancée Meg (Meghan Leathers) to his parents’ home for Shabbat dinner to introduce her parents to his family, an unexpected death throws their evening into hilarious turmoil. The family dynamic was chaotic but familiar, and the humor – the awkward, cringy situations and over-the-top arguments – was almost Seinfeld-esque in nature. Yet the film, while exaggerated, felt incredibly real. I felt like I was part of the family as I watched scenes that so capably portrayed Jewish traditions: the table set for Shabbat, the family gathering after a long week, the recited prayers over the candles, the brisket simmering in the oven, and the braided challah (which later serves as a comedic tool). Each member of the fictional family also reminded me of someone in my own family.

I wondered periodically, through bursts of laughter, if the humor struck a chord with me only because I was Jewish. Would non-Jewish audiences fully appreciate this film? Regardless of the answer, Bad Shabbos was the perfect film to see in a time when the world feels so heavy to me. Seeing our culture and humor reflected on screen was a comfort, a joy, a much-needed laugh.

Why These Two Movies Mattered

While neither film was perfect, both moved me in different ways. “Superman” took me back to my childhood and gave me hope that good can conquer evil, and “Bad Shabbos” celebrated the beautifully messy reality of family bonds, faith, and tradition.

Going to the movies is so rewarding when we discover films that connect us, thrill us, or simply make us laugh. And this past week, I was lucky enough to find two.

Editor’s Note: “Bad Shabbos” is currently playing at the Mariemont Theater, and “Superman” is available in theaters and on VOD.