Film Reviews
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
After a trio of films set in London (Match Point, Scoop and Cassandra’s Dream), Woody Allen’s European tour continues with Vicky Cristina Barcelona, his first film shot in Spain: it’s a wispy romantic comedy about two young American women and their month-long stay in the capital of Catalonia...
Mamma Mia! The Movie
Run, don't walk to your local cinema. Mamma Mia! The Movie is the perfect remedy for summer heat waves and mediocre blockbusters...
Wall-E
Who could ever have dreamed that video and sound clips from Hello, Dolly!, one of the most notorious white-elephant movies of the late 1960s, would be used without irony and to profound emotional effect in one of the most beautiful and imaginative films of the first decade of the 21st century? That film is Pixar's Wall-E, a true work of cinematic art that also happens to be wildly entertaining...
Get Smart
Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, creators of the classic 1960s TV series Get Smart, are credited as consultants on the new big-screen movie based on that show. But it's hard to believe that they actually had anything to do with this largely witless mess of a film, directed by Peter Segal...
The Last Mistress
Based on Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly’s scandalous 19th century novel, The Last Mistress is a tame costume drama that raises nary an eyebrow as it follows the turbulent, 10-year relationship of the handsome dandy Ryno de Marigny and his intensely jealous lover, Vellini...
Encounters at the End of the World
Encounters at the End of the World is the latest chapter in Werner Herzog’s continuing exploration of the natural wonders of life on earth as seen through the prism of his own skewed, sympathetic, but skeptical sensibility...
Sex and the City
Carrie and the girls return in the big-screen version of Sex and the City, and the old adage that “bigger is better” should be amended to “Mr. Big is not always better” -- at least where our heroine is concerned...
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Harrison Ford's terrific combination of authority, charisma, and humor have made him the ideal hero for the Indiana Jones films, so it's great to have him back for the latest installment in the series. Almost 20 years have passed since Ford last played the intrepid professor-archaeologist-adventurer, but the part still suits him as well as the iconic hat Indy always wears...
It’s a Free World...
It's a Free World....tackles another hard-hitting, timely subject that's typical of Loach, showing how unscrupulous people use the swelling Eastern European immigrant population ...
Across the Universe
Have you ever gone to a barbeque with no condiments, buns, drinks, plates, forks, or drinks? "Across the Universe" is like that. Its got the meat, but not much else...
Sunshine
In "Sunshine," the crew of the Icarus II is given the task of reigniting the Sun as the fate of a now-frozen Earth hangs in the balance. After discovering the distress signal of Icarus I, the original last hope of mankind, the crew takes it upon themselves to investigate....
Mr. Brooks
Say what you want, but Kevin Costner kills… movies, that is. Creating a special subgenre of abysmal and mediocre-at-best films, Costner’s oeuvre continues to be bogged down by some of the most awesomely bad titles of the past decade or so...
Bug
All you Ashley Judd naysayers out there need to find another scapegoat! In the exceptionally creepy little gem “Bug,” Judd finally returns to form with a nervy, fearless performance...
Spider-man 3
"Spiderman 3" is a blockbuster with baggage—three villains, a soap opera plot with the girlfriend...and a jazz dance number. This Spidey's not on Broadway yet, but this edition of his adventures leaves a sour aftertaste ...
The Last Mimzy
Timothy Hutton and Joely Richardson star as concerned parents in the kid-friendly (but enjoyable for adults) film "The Last Mimzy"...
Grindhouse
"Grindhouse," the new Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino flick, allegedly pays homage to the exploitation double-features of the '70s & '80s (a subject upon which I wrote a best-selling book: "For One Week Only: The World Of Exploitation Films")...
Amazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" has a rather simple and straightforward story about one man's crusade against abolition, so making a movie about him should be quite easy. Perhaps in this case it was too easy, because it quickly turns into a sort of biopic-by-numbers....
The Hoax
Part thriller, part black comedy, "The Hoax" is based on the real story of Clifford Irving who managed to convince publishers that he, an obscure and uncelebrated writer, had been chosen by Howard Hughes to write his autobiography. Richard Gere stars in this delightful romp from director Lasse Hallström ("Chocolat"). ...
300
I've never seen a movie that was more of an homage, nay, a love letter, to all things outlandishly masculine. There is more screaming, stabbing, blood spattered, and all around self-congratulation for being the butchiest, most epic guys on the block in "300" than perhaps any movie to date. At the same time, it also manages to be a visual work of art rarely seen in mainstream American cinema...
Starter For 10
"Starter for 10" is ultimately saved by its fresh, young cast and a catchy soundtrack of great music from the '80s, including The Cure and The Smiths. The new wave songs provide an atmosphere of charm to the film which neatly complements the conviction within the performances of the actors...
Premonition
In "Premonition," Turkish-born German director Mennan Yap manages to create some truly tense moments as Linda (Sandra Bullock) skids across fluctuating time bands in a desperate struggle to rewrite the future and save her husband’s life. The film creates moments of suspense and anticipation, but winds up failing to tie off the loose ends and create a digestible, credible story...
Wild Tigers I Have Known
Young director Cam Archer got a couple big names to back his first full-length feature, "Wild Tigers I Have Known", an overambitious coming-of-age story of gender identity confusion...
God Grew Tired of Us
"God Grew Tired of Us" is a powerful documentary following the trials and tribulations of a group of Lost Boys from Sudan as they relocate to America...
Pan's Labyrinth
For people going to see "Pan's Labyrinth" thinking they'll view a sweeping fantasy epic, Guilllermo del Toro's latest might surprise you. Unlike most recent fantasy films, "Pan's Labyrinth" is dark, brutal, disconcerting, and even heart-wrenching...
Half Nelson
If you loved "Take the Lead," "Stand and Deliver" and "Dead Poets Society," you may hate "Half Nelson." For once a school movie beats the inspirational rap and gives us a walking mess of a teacher, leaving the stout orations and triumphant clichés to shabbier talents...
The Science of Sleep
"The Science of Sleep"--French director Michel Gondry's first feature based on his own material--easily surpasses both of his collaborations with screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Part biography, part fantasy, and part romance, Gondry's loving vision of how the creative mind sees things, "Sleep" might be the most enjoyable movie of the year so far...
A Scanner Darkly
Richard Linklater's brilliant adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel "A Scanner Darkly" opens July 7. Rush to see it. Not since "Dazed and Confused" has indie auteur Linklater seized on the drug issue with such zeal. But while "Dazed" was a lighthearted look at stoner life in the '70s, this is a much more serious take on the government's attempt to eradicate a fictional drug...
The Groomsmen
Groomsmen. Ever stopped to wonder what qualifies these men to groom? In Edward Burns' "The Groomsmen," the writer/director/producer looks into the matter, and his findings aren't encouraging...
Superman Returns
It's all about suspension of disbelief. A film like this is a success when you can get really into it and don't care about all the absurd stuff. Anyway, Bryan Singer hit one out of the park with "Superman Returns."...
Man Push Cart
"Man Push Cart" is a somber yet ennobling independent film that will follow you around for days after seeing it, especially if you happen to be in Manhattan...
Thank You for Smoking
Ever wondered what kind of person lobbies for cigarettes? Here to help us visualize the answer is Jason Reitman's feature debut, "Thank You for Smoking," and not a moment too soon...
Hard Candy
Can a film make pedophilia, poisoning, and genital torture boring? That isn't the question that "Hard Candy" sets out to answer, but it does so--with a resounding yes...
Aquamarine
In "Aquamarine," a bouncy beachside comedy for youth and connoisseurs of young skin, girl meets boy but girl isn't redeemed by boy's love. For this, she–who happens to be a mermaid--has a pair of adoring females to do the hard lifting. So you tell me: did Betty Friedan die in vain?...
Iceberg
The Belgian co-directors of "Iceberg," former circus performers, create a seafaring slapstick comedy in which some gags work and some gags don't...
Water
It's been an age since humanist, universal storytelling hit the screen. Now along comes "Water," and not a moment too soon. Cinema buffs will detect in it "Pather Panchali" reincarnated. Only the purists will mind that this soul is dipped in chutney...
Cold Showers / Douches Froides
You may need a cold shower after watching the steamy scenes in Antony Cordier's French film "Cold Showers/Douches froides"...
Looking For Comedy In The Muslim World
"Looking For Comedy..." -- Clues that we're in for a dud come from the opening self-referential scene when ur-ethnic Brooks gets turned down by director Penny Marshall...
Firewall
"Firewall" -- It's a sentiment that sums up the movie all too well. I didn't hate it. I just didn't care about it. "Firewall" plays like an action-movie greatest hits package....
The Tenants
Snoop Dogg fans beware. "The Tenants" may not be what you'd expect from a movie co-starring your favorite Rhythm & Gangsta MC. It's a bookish drama about class, color and creativity that's as confining as its tenement setting...