a clutchy , indulgent and pretentious travelogue and diatribe against ... well , just stuff .


mixes likeable personalities , inventive photography and cutting , and wall-to-wall toe-tapping music to paint a picture of a subculture that is at once exhilarating , silly , perverse , hopeful and always fun .


occasionally funny , always very colorful and enjoyably overblown in the traditional almodóvar style .


a turgid little history lesson , humourless and dull .


-lrb- t -rrb- hose same extremes prevent us from taking its message seriously , and the stepford wives mentality does n't work in a modern context .

obvious politics and rudimentary animation reduce the chances that the appeal of hey arnold !


i admired it , particularly that unexpected downer of an ending .


this is a particularly toxic little bonbon , palatable to only a chosen and very jaundiced few .


a distant , even sterile , yet compulsively watchable look at the sordid life of hogan 's heroes star bob crane .


this bold and lyrical first feature from raja amari expands the pat notion that middle-aged women just wanna have fun into a rousing treatise of sensual empowerment .

the result is mesmerizing -- filled with menace and squalor .


it would be hard to think of a recent movie that has worked this hard to achieve this little fun .


a sensual performance from abbass buoys the flimsy story , but her inner journey is largely unexplored and we 're left wondering about this exotic-looking woman whose emotional depths are only hinted at .

mr. parker has brilliantly updated his source and grasped its essence , composing a sorrowful and hilarious tone poem about alienated labor , or an absurdist workplace sitcom .


an exciting and involving rock music doc , a smart and satisfying look inside that tumultuous world .

the movie has an avalanche of eye-popping visual effects .


might have been better off as a documentary , with less of mr. eyre 's uninspired dramatics and more of his sense of observation and outrage .


a lighthearted , feel-good film that embraces the time-honored truth that the most powerful thing in life is love .


life is a crock -- or something like it .

even if britney spears is really cute , her movie is really bad .


this delicately observed story , deeply felt and masterfully stylized , is a triumph for its maverick director .


a deliciously mordant , bitter black comedy .

intriguing and beautiful film , but those of you who read the book are likely to be disappointed .


it virtually defines a comedy that 's strongly mediocre , with funny bits surfacing every once in a while .


murder by numbers is like a couple of mediocre tv-movie - of-the-week films clumsily stuck together .

the smug , oily demeanor that donovan adopts throughout the stupidly named pipe dream is just repulsive .


subversive , meditative , clinical and poetic , the piano teacher is a daring work of genius .


this is a raw and disturbing tale that took five years to make , and the trio 's absorbing narrative is a heart-wrenching showcase indeed .

a work of astonishing delicacy and force .


this time kaufman 's imagination has failed him .


has a shambling charm ... a cheerfully inconsequential diversion .

the movie exists for its soccer action and its fine acting .


without a strong script and energetic acting , dogma films can produce the same sleep-inducing effects as watching your neighbor 's home videos .


... a haunting vision , with images that seem more like disturbing hallucinations .

the picture , scored by a perversely cheerful marcus miller accordion\/harmonica\/banjo abomination , is a monument to bad in all its florid variety .


while not as aggressively impressive as its american counterpart , `` in the bedroom , '' moretti 's film makes its own , quieter observations


being author wells ' great-grandson , you 'd think filmmaker simon wells would have more reverence for the material .

one hour photo is an intriguing snapshot of one man and his delusions ; it 's just too bad it does n't have more flashes of insight .


this is such a dazzlingly self-assured directorial debut that it 's hard to know what to praise first .


like its two predecessors , 1983 's koyaanisqatsi and 1988 's powaqqatsi , the cinematic collage naqoyqatsi could be the most navel-gazing film ever .

while mcfarlane 's animation lifts the film firmly above the level of other coming-of-age films ... it 's also so jarring that it 's hard to get back into the boys ' story .


well-written , nicely acted and beautifully shot and scored , the film works on several levels , openly questioning social mores while ensnaring the audience with its emotional pull .


proof that a thriller can be sleekly shot , expertly cast , paced with crisp professionalism ... and still be a letdown if its twists and turns hold no more surprise than yesterday 's weather report .

... -lrb- a -rrb- strained comedy that jettisons all opportunities for rock to make his mark by serving up the usual chaotic nonsense .


compelling revenge thriller , though somewhat weakened by a miscast leading lady .


what it lacks in originality it makes up for in intelligence and b-grade stylishness .

pray 's film works well and will appeal even to those who are n't too familiar with turntablism .


-lrb- newton -rrb- wanders through charlie completely unaware she needs to show some presence and star quality .


anyone who can count to five -lrb- the film 's target market ? -rrb-


leave it to rohmer , now 82 , to find a way to bend current technique to the service of a vision of the past that is faithful to both architectural glories and commanding open spaces of the city as it was more than two centuries ago .


if there 's a way to effectively teach kids about the dangers of drugs , i think it 's in projects like the -lrb- unfortunately r-rated -rrb- paid .

an exciting and involving rock music doc , a smart and satisfying look inside that tumultuous world .


this goofy gangster yarn never really elevates itself from being yet another earnestly generic crime-busting comic vehicle -- a well-intentioned remake that shows some spunk and promise but fails to register as anything distinctive or daring


if it 's possible for a sequel to outshine the original , then sl2 does just that .


while the mystery surrounding the nature of the boat 's malediction remains intriguing enough to sustain mild interest , the picture refuses to offer much accompanying sustenance in the way of characterization , humor or plain old popcorn fun .


nearly surreal , dabbling in french , this is no simple movie , and you 'll be taking a risk if you choose to see it .

technically , the film is about as interesting as an insurance commercial .


mr. parker has brilliantly updated his source and grasped its essence , composing a sorrowful and hilarious tone poem about alienated labor , or an absurdist workplace sitcom .


the tenderness of the piece is still intact .


if you 're not the target demographic ... this movie is one long chick-flick slog .


like those to rome , all roads in the banger sisters inevitably lead to a joke about hawn 's breasts , which constantly threaten to upstage the woman sporting them .

it 's getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that hollywood is n't laughing with us , folks .


this is a very fine movie -- go see it .


the movie exists for its soccer action and its fine acting .

but if it is indeed a duty of art to reflect life , than leigh has created a masterful piece of artistry right here .


a taut , intelligent psychological drama .

what it lacks in originality it makes up for in intelligence and b-grade stylishness .


it 's badly acted , blandly directed , and could have been scripted by someone who just graduated from elementary school .


leave it to rohmer , now 82 , to find a way to bend current technique to the service of a vision of the past that is faithful to both architectural glories and commanding open spaces of the city as it was more than two centuries ago .

a film of precious increments artfully camouflaged as everyday activities .


i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .


zhang yimou delivers warm , genuine characters who lie not through dishonesty , but because they genuinely believe it 's the only way to bring happiness to their loved ones .

a taut , intelligent psychological drama .


the character is too forced and overwritten to be funny or believable much of the time , and clayburgh does n't always improve the over-the-top mix .


whether seen on a 10-inch television screen or at your local multiplex , the edge-of-your-seat , educational antics of steve irwin are priceless entertainment .

this road movie gives you emotional whiplash , and you 'll be glad you went along for the ride .


there 's an audience for it , but it could have been funnier and more innocent .


before long , the film starts playing like general hospital crossed with a saturday night live spoof of dog day afternoon .


the character is too forced and overwritten to be funny or believable much of the time , and clayburgh does n't always improve the over-the-top mix .

plays less like a coming-of-age romance than an infomercial .


those outside show business will enjoy a close look at people they do n't really want to know .


strong setup and ambitious goals fade as the film descends into unsophisticated scare tactics and b-film thuggery .

every bit as bogus as most disney live action family movies are -- no real plot , no real conflict , no real point .


from spiritual rebirth to bruising defeat , vincent 's odyssey resonates in a profound way , comparable to the classic films of jean renoir .


-lrb- newton -rrb- wanders through charlie completely unaware she needs to show some presence and star quality .

when -lrb- de palma 's -rrb- bad , he 's really bad , and femme fatale ranks with the worst he has done .


a picture that extols the virtues of comradeship and community in a spunky , spirited fashion .


the best you can say about it is it 's so uninspired , it barely gives one pause when considering some of the other dreck out there right now .

murder by numbers is like a couple of mediocre tv-movie - of-the-week films clumsily stuck together .


smith 's approach is never to tease , except gently and in that way that makes us consider our own eccentricities and how they are expressed through our homes .


sensitive , insightful and beautifully rendered film .

what it lacks in originality it makes up for in intelligence and b-grade stylishness .


this film is so slick , superficial and trend-hoppy , that it 's easy to imagine that a new software program spit out the screenplay .


-lrb- davis -rrb- has a bright , chipper style that keeps things moving , while never quite managing to connect her wish-fulfilling characters to the human race .

the result is mesmerizing -- filled with menace and squalor .


... -lrb- a -rrb- strained comedy that jettisons all opportunities for rock to make his mark by serving up the usual chaotic nonsense .


i wish i could say `` thank god it 's friday '' , but the truth of the matter is i was glad when it was over .

a great ending does n't make up for a weak movie , and crazy as hell does n't even have a great ending .


what really surprises about wisegirls is its low-key quality and genuine tenderness .


an absorbing trip into the minds and motivations of people under stress as well as a keen , unsentimental look at variations on the theme of motherhood .

even with all those rough edges safely sanded down , the american insomnia is still pretty darned good .


could the whole plan here have been to produce something that makes fatal attraction look like a classic by comparison ?

credibility sinks into a mire of sentiment .


though the violence is far less sadistic than usual , the film is typical miike : fast , furious and full of off-the-cuff imaginative flourishes .


much of the way , though , this is a refreshingly novel ride .

it 's a bittersweet and lyrical mix of elements .


we are left with a superficial snapshot that , however engaging , is insufficiently enlightening and inviting .


it 's amazingly perceptive in its subtle , supportive but unsentimental look at the marks family .

for benigni it was n't shakespeare whom he wanted to define his career with but pinocchio .


just like hearst 's enormous yacht , it 's slow and unwieldy and takes a long time to reach its destination .


a richly imagined and admirably mature work from a gifted director who definitely has something on his mind .


strong setup and ambitious goals fade as the film descends into unsophisticated scare tactics and b-film thuggery .


a pro-fat farce that overcomes much of its excessive moral baggage thanks to two appealing lead performances .

much of the way , though , this is a refreshingly novel ride .


it 's hard to tell with all the crashing and banging where the salesmanship ends and the movie begins .


a candid and often fascinating documentary about a pentecostal church in dallas that assembles an elaborate haunted house each year to scare teenagers into attending services .


ritchie 's treatment of the class reversal is majorly ham-fisted , from the repetitive manifestos that keep getting thrown in people 's faces to the fact amber is such a joke .

with a story inspired by the tumultuous surroundings of los angeles , where feelings of marginalization loom for every dreamer with a burst bubble , the dogwalker has a few characters and ideas , but it never manages to put them on the same path .


a distant , even sterile , yet compulsively watchable look at the sordid life of hogan 's heroes star bob crane .


harsh , effective documentary on life in the israeli-occupied palestinian territories .

-lrb- but it 's -rrb- worth recommending because of two marvelous performances by michael caine and brendan fraser .


the angst-ridden , affluent slacker characters are more grating than engaging .


subversive , meditative , clinical and poetic , the piano teacher is a daring work of genius .

the movie has an avalanche of eye-popping visual effects .


it 's disappointing when filmmakers throw a few big-name actors and cameos at a hokey script .


theirs is a simple and heart-warming story , full of mirth that should charm all but the most cynical .

it 's a beautifully accomplished lyrical meditation on a bunch of despondent and vulnerable characters living in the renown chelsea hotel ...


... a weak , manipulative , pencil-thin story that is miraculously able to entertain anyway .


a great ending does n't make up for a weak movie , and crazy as hell does n't even have a great ending .

obvious politics and rudimentary animation reduce the chances that the appeal of hey arnold !


it 's -lrb- ricci 's -rrb- best work yet , this girl-woman who sincerely believes she can thwart the world 's misery with blind good will .


the level of maturity displayed by this 33-year-old first-time feature director is astonishing , considering her inexperience and her subject matter .


none of this violates the letter of behan 's book , but missing is its spirit , its ribald , full-throated humor .


i kept thinking over and over again , ' i should be enjoying this . '

any one episode of the sopranos would send this ill-conceived folly to sleep with the fishes .


this self-infatuated goofball is far from the only thing wrong with the clumsy comedy stealing harvard , but he 's the most obvious one .

the vampire thriller blade ii starts off as a wild hoot and then sucks the blood out of its fun -- toward the end , you can feel your veins cringing from the workout .


this is a very fine movie -- go see it .


its underlying mythology is a hodgepodge of inconsistencies that pose the question : since when did dumb entertainment have to be this dumb ?

` enigma ' is a good name for a movie this delibrately obtuse and unapproachable .


maguire is a surprisingly effective peter\/spider-man .


moore 's complex and important film is also , believe it or not , immensely entertaining , a david and goliath story that 's still very much playing itself out .


the acting is stiff , the story lacks all trace of wit , the sets look like they were borrowed from gilligan 's island -- and the cgi scooby might well be the worst special-effects creation of the year .


do n't expect any surprises in this checklist of teamwork cliches ...

others may find it migraine-inducing , despite moore 's attempts at whimsy and spoon feeding .


this is a film brimming with detail and nuance and one that speaks volumes about the ability of the human spirit to find solace in events that could easily crush it forever .


sunshine state lacks the kind of dynamic that limbo offers , and in some ways is a rather indulgent piece .

the picture , scored by a perversely cheerful marcus miller accordion\/harmonica\/banjo abomination , is a monument to bad in all its florid variety .


while the isle is both preposterous and thoroughly misogynistic , its vistas are incredibly beautiful to look at .


only an epic documentary could get it all down , and spike lee 's jim brown : all american at long last gives its subject a movie worthy of his talents .

a taut , intelligent psychological drama .


you 're better off staying home and watching the x-files .


i 'd give real money to see the perpetrators of chicago torn apart by dingoes .

might have been better off as a documentary , with less of mr. eyre 's uninspired dramatics and more of his sense of observation and outrage .


the cast is uniformly excellent and relaxed .


flavorful and romantic , you could call this how martha got her groove back -- assuming , that is , she ever had one to begin with .

do n't plan on the perfect ending , but sweet home alabama hits the mark with critics who escaped from a small town life .


one hour photo is an intriguing snapshot of one man and his delusions ; it 's just too bad it does n't have more flashes of insight .


unfortunately , the picture failed to capture me .

it 's fairly self-aware in its dumbness .


a lighthearted , feel-good film that embraces the time-honored truth that the most powerful thing in life is love .


leave these flowers unpicked -- they 're dead on the vine .

shadyac shoots his film like an m. night shyamalan movie , and he frequently maintains the same snail 's pace ; he just forgot to add any genuine tension .


barney has created a tour de force that is weird , wacky and wonderful .


a film of precious increments artfully camouflaged as everyday activities .

two generations within one family test boundaries in this intelligent and restrained coming-of-age drama .


ritchie 's treatment of the class reversal is majorly ham-fisted , from the repetitive manifestos that keep getting thrown in people 's faces to the fact amber is such a joke .


just like hearst 's enormous yacht , it 's slow and unwieldy and takes a long time to reach its destination .

we are left with a superficial snapshot that , however engaging , is insufficiently enlightening and inviting .


behind the snow games and lovable siberian huskies -lrb- plus one sheep dog -rrb- , the picture hosts a parka-wrapped dose of heart .


theirs is a simple and heart-warming story , full of mirth that should charm all but the most cynical .


it would be hard to think of a recent movie that has worked this hard to achieve this little fun .


everytime you think undercover brother has run out of steam , it finds a new way to surprise and amuse .

despite some gulps the film is a fuzzy huggy .


a turgid little history lesson , humourless and dull .

safe conduct , however ambitious and well-intentioned , fails to hit the entertainment bull 's - eye .


pray 's film works well and will appeal even to those who are n't too familiar with turntablism .


if you 're looking for comedy to be served up , better look elsewhere .

watching the film is like reading a times portrait of grief that keeps shifting focus to the journalist who wrote it .


what really surprises about wisegirls is its low-key quality and genuine tenderness .


even with all those rough edges safely sanded down , the american insomnia is still pretty darned good .


but it offers plenty to ponder and chew on as its unusual relationship slowly unfolds .

a picture that extols the virtues of comradeship and community in a spunky , spirited fashion .


it wo n't be long before you 'll spy i spy at a video store near you .


guided more by intellect than heart , his story flattens instead of sharpens .

a tv episode inflated past its natural length .


-lrb- but it 's -rrb- worth recommending because of two marvelous performances by michael caine and brendan fraser .


smith 's approach is never to tease , except gently and in that way that makes us consider our own eccentricities and how they are expressed through our homes .


you 'll be more entertained getting hit by a bus .


the principals in this cast are all fine , but bishop and stevenson are standouts .

a work of astonishing delicacy and force .


it virtually defines a comedy that 's strongly mediocre , with funny bits surfacing every once in a while .


it would be hard to think of a recent movie that has worked this hard to achieve this little fun .

its underlying mythology is a hodgepodge of inconsistencies that pose the question : since when did dumb entertainment have to be this dumb ?


an experience so engrossing it is like being buried in a new environment .


despite the premise of a good story ... it wastes all its star power on cliched or meaningless roles .


while not as aggressively impressive as its american counterpart , `` in the bedroom , '' moretti 's film makes its own , quieter observations


an enchanting film that presents an audacious tour of the past and takes within its warm embrace the bounties of cultural artifacts inside st. petersburg 's hermitage museum .

it could change america , not only because it is full of necessary discussion points , but because it is so accessible that it makes complex politics understandable to viewers looking for nothing but energetic entertainment .


life is a crock -- or something like it .


despite some gulps the film is a fuzzy huggy .

hilarious , touching and wonderfully dyspeptic .


before long , the film starts playing like general hospital crossed with a saturday night live spoof of dog day afternoon .


for benigni it was n't shakespeare whom he wanted to define his career with but pinocchio .

though the controversial korean filmmaker 's latest effort is not for all tastes , it offers gorgeous imagery , effective performances , and an increasingly unsettling sense of foreboding .


a distant , even sterile , yet compulsively watchable look at the sordid life of hogan 's heroes star bob crane .

you can feel the heat that ignites this gripping tale , and the humor and humanity that root it in feeling .


birot is a competent enough filmmaker , but her story has nothing fresh or very exciting about it .


mr. parker has brilliantly updated his source and grasped its essence , composing a sorrowful and hilarious tone poem about alienated labor , or an absurdist workplace sitcom .

by presenting an impossible romance in an impossible world , pumpkin dares us to say why either is impossible -- which forces us to confront what 's possible and what we might do to make it so .


the editing is chaotic , the photography grainy and badly focused , the writing unintentionally hilarious , the direction unfocused , the performances as wooden .


the only thing in pauline and paulette that you have n't seen before is a scene featuring a football field-sized oriental rug crafted out of millions of vibrant flowers .

but that 's just the problem with it - the director has n't added enough of his own ingredients .


this is a very fine movie -- go see it .


with its hints of a greater intelligence lurking somewhere , the ring makes its stupidity more than obvious .

i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .


a pro-fat farce that overcomes much of its excessive moral baggage thanks to two appealing lead performances .


this cuddly sequel to the 1999 hit is a little more visually polished , a little funnier , and a little more madcap .

gollum 's ` performance ' is incredible !


any one episode of the sopranos would send this ill-conceived folly to sleep with the fishes .


a feel-good picture in the best sense of the term .

an amusing , breezily apolitical documentary about life on the campaign trail .


a great ending does n't make up for a weak movie , and crazy as hell does n't even have a great ending .


but hard-to-believe plot twists force the movie off track in its final half hour .

pumpkin sits in a patch somewhere between mirthless todd solondzian satire and callow student film .


behind the snow games and lovable siberian huskies -lrb- plus one sheep dog -rrb- , the picture hosts a parka-wrapped dose of heart .


there 's an audience for it , but it could have been funnier and more innocent .


from spiritual rebirth to bruising defeat , vincent 's odyssey resonates in a profound way , comparable to the classic films of jean renoir .

what it lacks in originality it makes up for in intelligence and b-grade stylishness .


somehow we 're meant to buy that this doting mother would shun her kids , travel to one of the most dangerous parts of the world , don fatigues and become g.i. jane .


collateral damage is , despite its alleged provocation post-9 \/ 11 , an antique , in the end .

ritchie 's treatment of the class reversal is majorly ham-fisted , from the repetitive manifestos that keep getting thrown in people 's faces to the fact amber is such a joke .


it 's a good film -- not a classic , but odd , entertaining and authentic .


every bit as bogus as most disney live action family movies are -- no real plot , no real conflict , no real point .

anyone who can count to five -lrb- the film 's target market ? -rrb-


-lrb- two -rrb- fairly dull -- contrasting and interlocking stories about miserable scandinavian settlers in 18th-century canada , and yuppie sailboaters in the here and now .

i kept thinking over and over again , ' i should be enjoying this . '


at its best early on as it plays the culture clashes between the brothers .


men in black ii has sequel-itis something fierce .

you 'll be more entertained getting hit by a bus .


this is a film brimming with detail and nuance and one that speaks volumes about the ability of the human spirit to find solace in events that could easily crush it forever .


any one episode of the sopranos would send this ill-conceived folly to sleep with the fishes .

suffers from rambling , repetitive dialogue and the visual drabness endemic to digital video .


pray 's film works well and will appeal even to those who are n't too familiar with turntablism .


thurman and lewis are hilarious throughout .

and in this regard , on guard delivers .


if melville is creatively a great whale , this film is canned tuna .


it 's fairly self-aware in its dumbness .


this is a very fine movie -- go see it .


ostensibly celebrates middle-aged girl power , even as it presents friendship between women as pathetic , dysfunctional and destructive .

it wo n't be long before you 'll spy i spy at a video store near you .


a candid and often fascinating documentary about a pentecostal church in dallas that assembles an elaborate haunted house each year to scare teenagers into attending services .


intriguing and beautiful film , but those of you who read the book are likely to be disappointed .

it will delight newcomers to the story and those who know it from bygone days .


its underlying mythology is a hodgepodge of inconsistencies that pose the question : since when did dumb entertainment have to be this dumb ?


those outside show business will enjoy a close look at people they do n't really want to know .

a picture that extols the virtues of comradeship and community in a spunky , spirited fashion .


to imagine the life of harry potter as a martial arts adventure told by a lobotomized woody allen is to have some idea of the fate that lies in store for moviegoers lured to the mediocrity that is kung pow : enter the fist .


even if britney spears is really cute , her movie is really bad .

the title 's lameness should clue you in on how bad the movie is .


this bold and lyrical first feature from raja amari expands the pat notion that middle-aged women just wanna have fun into a rousing treatise of sensual empowerment .


stephen earnhart 's homespun documentary mule skinner blues has nothing but love for its posse of trailer park denizens .


the director 's twitchy sketchbook style and adroit perspective shifts grow wearisome amid leaden pacing and indifferent craftsmanship -lrb- most notably wretched sound design -rrb- .

might have been better off as a documentary , with less of mr. eyre 's uninspired dramatics and more of his sense of observation and outrage .


ms. fulford-wierzbicki is almost spooky in her sulky , calculating lolita turn .


the comic performances are all spot on , especially lee ross 's turn as ken .

-lrb- davis -rrb- has a bright , chipper style that keeps things moving , while never quite managing to connect her wish-fulfilling characters to the human race .


i kept thinking over and over again , ' i should be enjoying this . '


it 's a good film -- not a classic , but odd , entertaining and authentic .

though the violence is far less sadistic than usual , the film is typical miike : fast , furious and full of off-the-cuff imaginative flourishes .


if this dud had been made in the '70s , it would have been called the hills have antlers and played for about three weeks in drive-ins .


it 's disappointing when filmmakers throw a few big-name actors and cameos at a hokey script .

the angst-ridden , affluent slacker characters are more grating than engaging .


for benigni it was n't shakespeare whom he wanted to define his career with but pinocchio .


... a polished and relatively sincere piece of escapism .

a love for films shines through each frame and the era is recreated with obvious affection , scored to perfection with some tasty boogaloo beats .


technically , the film is about as interesting as an insurance commercial .

i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .


... a polished and relatively sincere piece of escapism .


this road movie gives you emotional whiplash , and you 'll be glad you went along for the ride .

it 's one of the saddest films i have ever seen that still manages to be uplifting but not overly sentimental .


like its two predecessors , 1983 's koyaanisqatsi and 1988 's powaqqatsi , the cinematic collage naqoyqatsi could be the most navel-gazing film ever .


we are left with a superficial snapshot that , however engaging , is insufficiently enlightening and inviting .

being author wells ' great-grandson , you 'd think filmmaker simon wells would have more reverence for the material .


after making several adaptations of other writers ' work , armenian-canadian director atom egoyan broached an original treatment of a deeply personal subject .


do n't plan on the perfect ending , but sweet home alabama hits the mark with critics who escaped from a small town life .

this is a film brimming with detail and nuance and one that speaks volumes about the ability of the human spirit to find solace in events that could easily crush it forever .


nearly surreal , dabbling in french , this is no simple movie , and you 'll be taking a risk if you choose to see it .


the title 's lameness should clue you in on how bad the movie is .


i whole-heartedly recommend that everyone see this movie -- for its historical significance alone .


the impact of the armenian genocide is diluted by too much stage business in the modern day .

sucking all the ` classic ' out of robert louis stevenson 's treasure island and filling the void with sci-fi video game graphics and disney-fied adolescent angst ...


harsh , effective documentary on life in the israeli-occupied palestinian territories .


it 's -lrb- ricci 's -rrb- best work yet , this girl-woman who sincerely believes she can thwart the world 's misery with blind good will .


i did n't laugh at the ongoing efforts of cube , and his skinny buddy mike epps , to make like laurel and hardy 'n the hood .


the acting is stiff , the story lacks all trace of wit , the sets look like they were borrowed from gilligan 's island -- and the cgi scooby might well be the worst special-effects creation of the year .

its underlying mythology is a hodgepodge of inconsistencies that pose the question : since when did dumb entertainment have to be this dumb ?


reign of fire may be little more than another platter of reheated aliens , but it 's still pretty tasty .


by presenting an impossible romance in an impossible world , pumpkin dares us to say why either is impossible -- which forces us to confront what 's possible and what we might do to make it so .


what will , most likely , turn out to be the most repellent movie of 2002 .


i did n't laugh at the ongoing efforts of cube , and his skinny buddy mike epps , to make like laurel and hardy 'n the hood .

-lrb- t -rrb- hose same extremes prevent us from taking its message seriously , and the stepford wives mentality does n't work in a modern context .


more a load of enjoyable , conan-esque claptrap than the punishing , special-effects soul assaults the mummy pictures represent .

everything that has to do with yvan and charlotte , and everything that has to do with yvan 's rambunctious , jewish sister and her non-jew husband , feels funny and true .


if melville is creatively a great whale , this film is canned tuna .


too timid to bring a sense of closure to an ugly chapter of the twentieth century .

but that 's just the problem with it - the director has n't added enough of his own ingredients .


a work of astonishing delicacy and force .


this is cool , slick stuff , ready to quench the thirst of an audience that misses the summer blockbusters .

while not as aggressively impressive as its american counterpart , `` in the bedroom , '' moretti 's film makes its own , quieter observations


to imagine the life of harry potter as a martial arts adventure told by a lobotomized woody allen is to have some idea of the fate that lies in store for moviegoers lured to the mediocrity that is kung pow : enter the fist .


it 's a beautifully accomplished lyrical meditation on a bunch of despondent and vulnerable characters living in the renown chelsea hotel ...

barney has created a tour de force that is weird , wacky and wonderful .


safe conduct , however ambitious and well-intentioned , fails to hit the entertainment bull 's - eye .


though the violence is far less sadistic than usual , the film is typical miike : fast , furious and full of off-the-cuff imaginative flourishes .

the tenderness of the piece is still intact .


a soggy , cliche-bound epic-horror yarn that ends up being even dumber than its title .


everything that has to do with yvan and charlotte , and everything that has to do with yvan 's rambunctious , jewish sister and her non-jew husband , feels funny and true .

this delicately observed story , deeply felt and masterfully stylized , is a triumph for its maverick director .


the cast is uniformly excellent and relaxed .

an experience so engrossing it is like being buried in a new environment .


anyone who can count to five -lrb- the film 's target market ? -rrb-


you can feel the heat that ignites this gripping tale , and the humor and humanity that root it in feeling .

what really surprises about wisegirls is its low-key quality and genuine tenderness .


credibility sinks into a mire of sentiment .


k-19 may not hold a lot of water as a submarine epic , but it holds even less when it turns into an elegiacally soggy saving private ryanovich .


behind the snow games and lovable siberian huskies -lrb- plus one sheep dog -rrb- , the picture hosts a parka-wrapped dose of heart .


the title 's lameness should clue you in on how bad the movie is .


a love for films shines through each frame and the era is recreated with obvious affection , scored to perfection with some tasty boogaloo beats .


creepy but ultimately unsatisfying thriller .


never -lrb- sinks -rrb- into exploitation .


a work of astonishing delicacy and force .

a taut , intelligent psychological drama .


i 'd give real money to see the perpetrators of chicago torn apart by dingoes .


well-written , nicely acted and beautifully shot and scored , the film works on several levels , openly questioning social mores while ensnaring the audience with its emotional pull .

but it offers plenty to ponder and chew on as its unusual relationship slowly unfolds .


it 's best to avoid imprisonment with the dull , nerdy folks that inhabit cherish .

if this dud had been made in the '70s , it would have been called the hills have antlers and played for about three weeks in drive-ins .


the powers team has fashioned a comedy with more laughs than many , no question .


this delicately observed story , deeply felt and masterfully stylized , is a triumph for its maverick director .

it could change america , not only because it is full of necessary discussion points , but because it is so accessible that it makes complex politics understandable to viewers looking for nothing but energetic entertainment .


a boring , formulaic mix of serial killers and stalk 'n' slash .


it uses an old-time formula , it 's not terribly original and it 's rather messy -- but you just have to love the big , dumb , happy movie my big fat greek wedding .

a tough go , but leigh 's depth and rigor , and his skill at inspiring accomplished portrayals that are all the more impressive for their lack of showiness , offsets to a notable degree the film 's often-mined and despairing milieu .


it 's getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that hollywood is n't laughing with us , folks .


an experience so engrossing it is like being buried in a new environment .

a picture that extols the virtues of comradeship and community in a spunky , spirited fashion .


despite the premise of a good story ... it wastes all its star power on cliched or meaningless roles .


this version incarnates the prophetic book in a way even its exacting author might admire .

a highly intriguing thriller , coupled with some ingenious plot devices and some lavishly built settings . .


the two leads are almost good enough to camouflage the dopey plot , but so much naturalistic small talk , delivered in almost muffled exchanges , eventually has a lulling effect .


in the process , they demonstrate that there 's still a lot of life in hong kong cinema .

the level of maturity displayed by this 33-year-old first-time feature director is astonishing , considering her inexperience and her subject matter .


this film is so slick , superficial and trend-hoppy , that it 's easy to imagine that a new software program spit out the screenplay .


absorbing and disturbing -- perhaps more disturbing than originally intended -- but a little clarity would have gone a long way .

-lrb- t -rrb- hose same extremes prevent us from taking its message seriously , and the stepford wives mentality does n't work in a modern context .


ms. fulford-wierzbicki is almost spooky in her sulky , calculating lolita turn .


the level of maturity displayed by this 33-year-old first-time feature director is astonishing , considering her inexperience and her subject matter .

though the film 's scenario is certainly not earthshaking , this depiction of fluctuating female sexuality has two winning lead performances and charm to spare .


while the mystery surrounding the nature of the boat 's malediction remains intriguing enough to sustain mild interest , the picture refuses to offer much accompanying sustenance in the way of characterization , humor or plain old popcorn fun .

proof that a thriller can be sleekly shot , expertly cast , paced with crisp professionalism ... and still be a letdown if its twists and turns hold no more surprise than yesterday 's weather report .


it 's amazingly perceptive in its subtle , supportive but unsentimental look at the marks family .


the charms of willful eccentricity , at least as evidenced by this latest cinematic essay , are beginning to wear a bit thin .


maguire is a surprisingly effective peter\/spider-man .


the angst-ridden , affluent slacker characters are more grating than engaging .

-lrb- newton -rrb- wanders through charlie completely unaware she needs to show some presence and star quality .


-lrb- davis -rrb- has a bright , chipper style that keeps things moving , while never quite managing to connect her wish-fulfilling characters to the human race .


while the isle is both preposterous and thoroughly misogynistic , its vistas are incredibly beautiful to look at .

subversive , meditative , clinical and poetic , the piano teacher is a daring work of genius .


too timid to bring a sense of closure to an ugly chapter of the twentieth century .


if this movie were a book , it would be a page-turner , you ca n't wait to see what happens next .

a well-made and often lovely depiction of the mysteries of friendship .


with its hints of a greater intelligence lurking somewhere , the ring makes its stupidity more than obvious .


to imagine the life of harry potter as a martial arts adventure told by a lobotomized woody allen is to have some idea of the fate that lies in store for moviegoers lured to the mediocrity that is kung pow : enter the fist .

it virtually defines a comedy that 's strongly mediocre , with funny bits surfacing every once in a while .


i whole-heartedly recommend that everyone see this movie -- for its historical significance alone .


somehow we 're meant to buy that this doting mother would shun her kids , travel to one of the most dangerous parts of the world , don fatigues and become g.i. jane .

taken individually or collectively , the stories never add up to as much as they promise .


an exciting and involving rock music doc , a smart and satisfying look inside that tumultuous world .


a hideous , confusing spectacle , one that may well put the nail in the coffin of any future rice adaptations .

even if britney spears is really cute , her movie is really bad .


you 're better off staying home and watching the x-files .

overall , the film misses the brilliance of jelinek 's novel by some way .


if it 's possible for a sequel to outshine the original , then sl2 does just that .


while not as aggressively impressive as its american counterpart , `` in the bedroom , '' moretti 's film makes its own , quieter observations

the film hinges on its performances , and both leads are up to the task .


i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .


a tv episode inflated past its natural length .

it would be hard to think of a recent movie that has worked this hard to achieve this little fun .


i enjoyed the ride -lrb- bumps and all -rrb- , creamy depth , and ultimate theme .


none of this violates the letter of behan 's book , but missing is its spirit , its ribald , full-throated humor .

watching the film is like reading a times portrait of grief that keeps shifting focus to the journalist who wrote it .


though it is by no means his best work , laissez-passer is a distinguished and distinctive effort by a bona-fide master , a fascinating film replete with rewards to be had by all willing to make the effort to reap them .


the latest installment in the pokemon canon , pokemon 4ever is surprising less moldy and trite than the last two , likely because much of the japanese anime is set in a scenic forest where pokemon graze in peace .

from spiritual rebirth to bruising defeat , vincent 's odyssey resonates in a profound way , comparable to the classic films of jean renoir .


a tv episode inflated past its natural length .


taken individually or collectively , the stories never add up to as much as they promise .

like those to rome , all roads in the banger sisters inevitably lead to a joke about hawn 's breasts , which constantly threaten to upstage the woman sporting them .


while the isle is both preposterous and thoroughly misogynistic , its vistas are incredibly beautiful to look at .


birot is a competent enough filmmaker , but her story has nothing fresh or very exciting about it .

this is a particularly toxic little bonbon , palatable to only a chosen and very jaundiced few .


reign of fire may be little more than another platter of reheated aliens , but it 's still pretty tasty .


kinnear gives a tremendous performance .

this is a very fine movie -- go see it .


a lighthearted , feel-good film that embraces the time-honored truth that the most powerful thing in life is love .


the title 's lameness should clue you in on how bad the movie is .


not every animated film from disney will become a classic , but forgive me if i 've come to expect more from this studio than some 79-minute after-school `` cartoon '' .


it 's -lrb- ricci 's -rrb- best work yet , this girl-woman who sincerely believes she can thwart the world 's misery with blind good will .


` enigma ' is a good name for a movie this delibrately obtuse and unapproachable .

k-19 may not hold a lot of water as a submarine epic , but it holds even less when it turns into an elegiacally soggy saving private ryanovich .


but if it is indeed a duty of art to reflect life , than leigh has created a masterful piece of artistry right here .


i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .

proof that a thriller can be sleekly shot , expertly cast , paced with crisp professionalism ... and still be a letdown if its twists and turns hold no more surprise than yesterday 's weather report .


leave it to rohmer , now 82 , to find a way to bend current technique to the service of a vision of the past that is faithful to both architectural glories and commanding open spaces of the city as it was more than two centuries ago .


offers enough playful fun to entertain the preschool set while embracing a wholesome attitude .


even if britney spears is really cute , her movie is really bad .


zhang yimou delivers warm , genuine characters who lie not through dishonesty , but because they genuinely believe it 's the only way to bring happiness to their loved ones .


others may find it migraine-inducing , despite moore 's attempts at whimsy and spoon feeding .

the charms of willful eccentricity , at least as evidenced by this latest cinematic essay , are beginning to wear a bit thin .


in the process , they demonstrate that there 's still a lot of life in hong kong cinema .


an amusing , breezily apolitical documentary about life on the campaign trail .

theirs is a simple and heart-warming story , full of mirth that should charm all but the most cynical .


being author wells ' great-grandson , you 'd think filmmaker simon wells would have more reverence for the material .


safe conduct , however ambitious and well-intentioned , fails to hit the entertainment bull 's - eye .

life is a crock -- or something like it .


... a polished and relatively sincere piece of escapism .


the saturation bombing of reggio 's images and glass ' evocative music ... ultimately leaves viewers with the task of divining meaning .


-lrb- but it 's -rrb- worth recommending because of two marvelous performances by michael caine and brendan fraser .


unless you are in dire need of a diesel fix , there is no real reason to see it .


with youthful high spirits , tautou remains captivating throughout michele 's religious and romantic quests , and she is backed by a likable cast .


this formulaic chiller will do little to boost stallone 's career .

we miss the quirky amazement that used to come along for an integral part of the ride .


this is a raw and disturbing tale that took five years to make , and the trio 's absorbing narrative is a heart-wrenching showcase indeed .


what really surprises about wisegirls is its low-key quality and genuine tenderness .

while the isle is both preposterous and thoroughly misogynistic , its vistas are incredibly beautiful to look at .


the weight of water uses water as a metaphor for subconscious desire , but this leaky script barely stays afloat .


the smug , oily demeanor that donovan adopts throughout the stupidly named pipe dream is just repulsive .

absorbing and disturbing -- perhaps more disturbing than originally intended -- but a little clarity would have gone a long way .


at its best early on as it plays the culture clashes between the brothers .


this is a film brimming with detail and nuance and one that speaks volumes about the ability of the human spirit to find solace in events that could easily crush it forever .

everything that has to do with yvan and charlotte , and everything that has to do with yvan 's rambunctious , jewish sister and her non-jew husband , feels funny and true .


the character is too forced and overwritten to be funny or believable much of the time , and clayburgh does n't always improve the over-the-top mix .


everything you loved about it in 1982 is still there , for everybody who wants to be a kid again , or show it to their own kids .


a tough go , but leigh 's depth and rigor , and his skill at inspiring accomplished portrayals that are all the more impressive for their lack of showiness , offsets to a notable degree the film 's often-mined and despairing milieu .

the movie exists for its soccer action and its fine acting .


-lrb- t -rrb- hose same extremes prevent us from taking its message seriously , and the stepford wives mentality does n't work in a modern context .


it 's getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that hollywood is n't laughing with us , folks .


if there 's a way to effectively teach kids about the dangers of drugs , i think it 's in projects like the -lrb- unfortunately r-rated -rrb- paid .


the editing is chaotic , the photography grainy and badly focused , the writing unintentionally hilarious , the direction unfocused , the performances as wooden .


kinnear gives a tremendous performance .


this is such a dazzlingly self-assured directorial debut that it 's hard to know what to praise first .


this film is so slick , superficial and trend-hoppy , that it 's easy to imagine that a new software program spit out the screenplay .


the makers have forsaken the entertaining elements of the original and , instead , rehash old jokes and leave any life at the doorstep .

not every animated film from disney will become a classic , but forgive me if i 've come to expect more from this studio than some 79-minute after-school `` cartoon '' .


-lrb- but it 's -rrb- worth recommending because of two marvelous performances by michael caine and brendan fraser .


this time kaufman 's imagination has failed him .

what will , most likely , turn out to be the most repellent movie of 2002 .


a well-made and often lovely depiction of the mysteries of friendship .


after making several adaptations of other writers ' work , armenian-canadian director atom egoyan broached an original treatment of a deeply personal subject .

it 's -lrb- ricci 's -rrb- best work yet , this girl-woman who sincerely believes she can thwart the world 's misery with blind good will .


guided more by intellect than heart , his story flattens instead of sharpens .


though the film 's scenario is certainly not earthshaking , this depiction of fluctuating female sexuality has two winning lead performances and charm to spare .

a deliciously mordant , bitter black comedy .


this goofy gangster yarn never really elevates itself from being yet another earnestly generic crime-busting comic vehicle -- a well-intentioned remake that shows some spunk and promise but fails to register as anything distinctive or daring


compelling revenge thriller , though somewhat weakened by a miscast leading lady .

a picture that extols the virtues of comradeship and community in a spunky , spirited fashion .


while benigni -lrb- who stars and co-wrote -rrb- seems to be having a wonderful time , he might be alone in that .


never -lrb- sinks -rrb- into exploitation .

the result is mesmerizing -- filled with menace and squalor .


sucking all the ` classic ' out of robert louis stevenson 's treasure island and filling the void with sci-fi video game graphics and disney-fied adolescent angst ...


the picture , scored by a perversely cheerful marcus miller accordion\/harmonica\/banjo abomination , is a monument to bad in all its florid variety .

if you 're looking for comedy to be served up , better look elsewhere .


sensitive , insightful and beautifully rendered film .


this delicately observed story , deeply felt and masterfully stylized , is a triumph for its maverick director .


it virtually defines a comedy that 's strongly mediocre , with funny bits surfacing every once in a while .


the title 's lameness should clue you in on how bad the movie is .

you 're better off staying home and watching the x-files .


after making several adaptations of other writers ' work , armenian-canadian director atom egoyan broached an original treatment of a deeply personal subject .


barney has created a tour de force that is weird , wacky and wonderful .

well-written , nicely acted and beautifully shot and scored , the film works on several levels , openly questioning social mores while ensnaring the audience with its emotional pull .


ostensibly celebrates middle-aged girl power , even as it presents friendship between women as pathetic , dysfunctional and destructive .


it will delight newcomers to the story and those who know it from bygone days .

moore 's complex and important film is also , believe it or not , immensely entertaining , a david and goliath story that 's still very much playing itself out .


do n't expect any surprises in this checklist of teamwork cliches ...


chicago is sophisticated , brash , sardonic , completely joyful in its execution .

a lighthearted , feel-good film that embraces the time-honored truth that the most powerful thing in life is love .


in the process , they demonstrate that there 's still a lot of life in hong kong cinema .


say this for the soundtrack , it drowns out the lousy dialogue .

without a strong script and energetic acting , dogma films can produce the same sleep-inducing effects as watching your neighbor 's home videos .


a film that takes you inside the rhythms of its subject : you experience it as you watch .


technically , the film is about as interesting as an insurance commercial .


... a weak , manipulative , pencil-thin story that is miraculously able to entertain anyway .

this is a particularly toxic little bonbon , palatable to only a chosen and very jaundiced few .


never -lrb- sinks -rrb- into exploitation .


-lrb- but it 's -rrb- worth recommending because of two marvelous performances by michael caine and brendan fraser .

though it is by no means his best work , laissez-passer is a distinguished and distinctive effort by a bona-fide master , a fascinating film replete with rewards to be had by all willing to make the effort to reap them .


but hard-to-believe plot twists force the movie off track in its final half hour .


at its best early on as it plays the culture clashes between the brothers .

the cast is uniformly excellent and relaxed .


it 's fairly self-aware in its dumbness .


but in imax 3-d , the clichés disappear into the vertiginous perspectives opened up by the photography .

what it lacks in originality it makes up for in intelligence and b-grade stylishness .


what will , most likely , turn out to be the most repellent movie of 2002 .


it 's so underwritten that you ca n't figure out just where the other characters , including ana 's father and grandfather , come down on the issue of ana 's future .

despite the premise of a good story ... it wastes all its star power on cliched or meaningless roles .


offers enough playful fun to entertain the preschool set while embracing a wholesome attitude .


the tug-of-war at the core of beijing bicycle becomes weighed down with agonizing contrivances , overheated pathos and long , wistful gazes .


whether seen on a 10-inch television screen or at your local multiplex , the edge-of-your-seat , educational antics of steve irwin are priceless entertainment .


you might not want to hang out with samantha , but you 'll probably see a bit of yourself in her unfinished story .

the principals in this cast are all fine , but bishop and stevenson are standouts .


... -lrb- a -rrb- strained comedy that jettisons all opportunities for rock to make his mark by serving up the usual chaotic nonsense .


suffers from rambling , repetitive dialogue and the visual drabness endemic to digital video .

the tug-of-war at the core of beijing bicycle becomes weighed down with agonizing contrivances , overheated pathos and long , wistful gazes .


while not all transitions to adulthood are so fraught , there 's much truth and no small amount of poetry in girls ca n't swim .


stephen earnhart 's homespun documentary mule skinner blues has nothing but love for its posse of trailer park denizens .


men in black ii has sequel-itis something fierce .


we miss the quirky amazement that used to come along for an integral part of the ride .

not every animated film from disney will become a classic , but forgive me if i 've come to expect more from this studio than some 79-minute after-school `` cartoon '' .


it 's one of the saddest films i have ever seen that still manages to be uplifting but not overly sentimental .


pray 's film works well and will appeal even to those who are n't too familiar with turntablism .

despite some gulps the film is a fuzzy huggy .


the two leads are almost good enough to camouflage the dopey plot , but so much naturalistic small talk , delivered in almost muffled exchanges , eventually has a lulling effect .


hilarious , touching and wonderfully dyspeptic .

do n't plan on the perfect ending , but sweet home alabama hits the mark with critics who escaped from a small town life .


you 'll be more entertained getting hit by a bus .


unless you are in dire need of a diesel fix , there is no real reason to see it .


occasionally funny , always very colorful and enjoyably overblown in the traditional almodóvar style .


it virtually defines a comedy that 's strongly mediocre , with funny bits surfacing every once in a while .

the best you can say about it is it 's so uninspired , it barely gives one pause when considering some of the other dreck out there right now .


the latest installment in the pokemon canon , pokemon 4ever is surprising less moldy and trite than the last two , likely because much of the japanese anime is set in a scenic forest where pokemon graze in peace .


though the controversial korean filmmaker 's latest effort is not for all tastes , it offers gorgeous imagery , effective performances , and an increasingly unsettling sense of foreboding .

a well-made and often lovely depiction of the mysteries of friendship .


i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .


though avary has done his best to make something out of ellis ' nothing novel , in the end , his rules is barely worth following .

the editing is chaotic , the photography grainy and badly focused , the writing unintentionally hilarious , the direction unfocused , the performances as wooden .


a richly imagined and admirably mature work from a gifted director who definitely has something on his mind .


one hour photo is an intriguing snapshot of one man and his delusions ; it 's just too bad it does n't have more flashes of insight .

this goofy gangster yarn never really elevates itself from being yet another earnestly generic crime-busting comic vehicle -- a well-intentioned remake that shows some spunk and promise but fails to register as anything distinctive or daring


while not all transitions to adulthood are so fraught , there 's much truth and no small amount of poetry in girls ca n't swim .


the whole thing plays out with the drowsy heaviness of synchronized swimmer wearing a wool wetsuit .


from spiritual rebirth to bruising defeat , vincent 's odyssey resonates in a profound way , comparable to the classic films of jean renoir .


if this dud had been made in the '70s , it would have been called the hills have antlers and played for about three weeks in drive-ins .

i kept thinking over and over again , ' i should be enjoying this . '


the cast is uniformly excellent and relaxed .


there 's enough science to make it count as educational , and enough beauty to make it unforgettable .

if you 're like me , a sucker for a good old fashion romance and someone who shamelessly loves to eat , then mostly martha offers all the perfect ingredients to more than satisfy your appetite .


the impact of the armenian genocide is diluted by too much stage business in the modern day .


maguire is a surprisingly effective peter\/spider-man .

the people in dogtown and z-boys are so funny , aggressive and alive , you have to watch them because you ca n't wait to see what they do next .


the vampire thriller blade ii starts off as a wild hoot and then sucks the blood out of its fun -- toward the end , you can feel your veins cringing from the workout .


this is a very fine movie -- go see it .

the result is mesmerizing -- filled with menace and squalor .


another rent installment for the ian fleming estate .


it 's hard not to be seduced by -lrb- witherspoon 's -rrb- charisma , even in this run-of-the-mill vehicle , because this girl knows how to drive it to the max .

theirs is a simple and heart-warming story , full of mirth that should charm all but the most cynical .


the two leads are almost good enough to camouflage the dopey plot , but so much naturalistic small talk , delivered in almost muffled exchanges , eventually has a lulling effect .


a well-made and often lovely depiction of the mysteries of friendship .

after making several adaptations of other writers ' work , armenian-canadian director atom egoyan broached an original treatment of a deeply personal subject .


the title 's lameness should clue you in on how bad the movie is .


it 's one of the saddest films i have ever seen that still manages to be uplifting but not overly sentimental .

it 's a good film -- not a classic , but odd , entertaining and authentic .


the director 's twitchy sketchbook style and adroit perspective shifts grow wearisome amid leaden pacing and indifferent craftsmanship -lrb- most notably wretched sound design -rrb- .


one hour photo is an intriguing snapshot of one man and his delusions ; it 's just too bad it does n't have more flashes of insight .


the powers team has fashioned a comedy with more laughs than many , no question .


julia is played with exasperating blandness by laura regan .

plays less like a coming-of-age romance than an infomercial .


it could change america , not only because it is full of necessary discussion points , but because it is so accessible that it makes complex politics understandable to viewers looking for nothing but energetic entertainment .


obvious politics and rudimentary animation reduce the chances that the appeal of hey arnold !

do n't expect any surprises in this checklist of teamwork cliches ...


-lrb- but it 's -rrb- worth recommending because of two marvelous performances by michael caine and brendan fraser .


when -lrb- de palma 's -rrb- bad , he 's really bad , and femme fatale ranks with the worst he has done .

... -lrb- a -rrb- strained comedy that jettisons all opportunities for rock to make his mark by serving up the usual chaotic nonsense .


you can feel the heat that ignites this gripping tale , and the humor and humanity that root it in feeling .


pumpkin sits in a patch somewhere between mirthless todd solondzian satire and callow student film .

a boring , formulaic mix of serial killers and stalk 'n' slash .


offers enough playful fun to entertain the preschool set while embracing a wholesome attitude .


if you 're not the target demographic ... this movie is one long chick-flick slog .

... a haunting vision , with images that seem more like disturbing hallucinations .


the level of maturity displayed by this 33-year-old first-time feature director is astonishing , considering her inexperience and her subject matter .


this pep-talk for faith , hope and charity does little to offend , but if saccharine earnestness were a crime , the film 's producers would be in the clink for life .

we are left with a superficial snapshot that , however engaging , is insufficiently enlightening and inviting .


everything that has to do with yvan and charlotte , and everything that has to do with yvan 's rambunctious , jewish sister and her non-jew husband , feels funny and true .


i watched the brainless insanity of no such thing with mounting disbelief .

pumpkin sits in a patch somewhere between mirthless todd solondzian satire and callow student film .


kinnear gives a tremendous performance .


the film 's real appeal wo n't be to clooney fans or adventure buffs , but to moviegoers who enjoy thinking about compelling questions with no easy answers .

theirs is a simple and heart-warming story , full of mirth that should charm all but the most cynical .


overall , the film misses the brilliance of jelinek 's novel by some way .


ms. fulford-wierzbicki is almost spooky in her sulky , calculating lolita turn .

but in imax 3-d , the clichés disappear into the vertiginous perspectives opened up by the photography .


leave these flowers unpicked -- they 're dead on the vine .


with youthful high spirits , tautou remains captivating throughout michele 's religious and romantic quests , and she is backed by a likable cast .

this is as powerful a set of evidence as you 'll ever find of why art matters , and how it can resonate far beyond museum walls and through to the most painfully marginal lives .


the charms of willful eccentricity , at least as evidenced by this latest cinematic essay , are beginning to wear a bit thin .


as shaky as the plot is , kaufman 's script is still memorable for some great one-liners .

moore 's complex and important film is also , believe it or not , immensely entertaining , a david and goliath story that 's still very much playing itself out .


a clutchy , indulgent and pretentious travelogue and diatribe against ... well , just stuff .


lacks heart , depth and , most of all , purpose .

while the mystery surrounding the nature of the boat 's malediction remains intriguing enough to sustain mild interest , the picture refuses to offer much accompanying sustenance in the way of characterization , humor or plain old popcorn fun .


a tough go , but leigh 's depth and rigor , and his skill at inspiring accomplished portrayals that are all the more impressive for their lack of showiness , offsets to a notable degree the film 's often-mined and despairing milieu .


it could change america , not only because it is full of necessary discussion points , but because it is so accessible that it makes complex politics understandable to viewers looking for nothing but energetic entertainment .

i enjoyed the ride -lrb- bumps and all -rrb- , creamy depth , and ultimate theme .


could the whole plan here have been to produce something that makes fatal attraction look like a classic by comparison ?


the editing is chaotic , the photography grainy and badly focused , the writing unintentionally hilarious , the direction unfocused , the performances as wooden .


mr. parker has brilliantly updated his source and grasped its essence , composing a sorrowful and hilarious tone poem about alienated labor , or an absurdist workplace sitcom .


watching the film is like reading a times portrait of grief that keeps shifting focus to the journalist who wrote it .

the vampire thriller blade ii starts off as a wild hoot and then sucks the blood out of its fun -- toward the end , you can feel your veins cringing from the workout .


a film of precious increments artfully camouflaged as everyday activities .


though it is by no means his best work , laissez-passer is a distinguished and distinctive effort by a bona-fide master , a fascinating film replete with rewards to be had by all willing to make the effort to reap them .

as shaky as the plot is , kaufman 's script is still memorable for some great one-liners .


-lrb- two -rrb- fairly dull -- contrasting and interlocking stories about miserable scandinavian settlers in 18th-century canada , and yuppie sailboaters in the here and now .


but if it is indeed a duty of art to reflect life , than leigh has created a masterful piece of artistry right here .

for benigni it was n't shakespeare whom he wanted to define his career with but pinocchio .


this pep-talk for faith , hope and charity does little to offend , but if saccharine earnestness were a crime , the film 's producers would be in the clink for life .


mixes likeable personalities , inventive photography and cutting , and wall-to-wall toe-tapping music to paint a picture of a subculture that is at once exhilarating , silly , perverse , hopeful and always fun .


any one episode of the sopranos would send this ill-conceived folly to sleep with the fishes .


in the process , they demonstrate that there 's still a lot of life in hong kong cinema .


overall , the film misses the brilliance of jelinek 's novel by some way .


the cast is uniformly excellent and relaxed .


what 's most striking about this largely celebratory film ... is the sense of isolation that permeates these bastions of individuality in an ikea world .

this is a film brimming with detail and nuance and one that speaks volumes about the ability of the human spirit to find solace in events that could easily crush it forever .


it 's badly acted , blandly directed , and could have been scripted by someone who just graduated from elementary school .


guided more by intellect than heart , his story flattens instead of sharpens .


we can see the wheels turning , and we might resent it sometimes , but this is still a nice little picture , made by bright and friendly souls with a lot of good cheer .


do n't expect any surprises in this checklist of teamwork cliches ...


-lrb- but it 's -rrb- worth recommending because of two marvelous performances by michael caine and brendan fraser .


the result is mesmerizing -- filled with menace and squalor .

this road movie gives you emotional whiplash , and you 'll be glad you went along for the ride .


murder by numbers is like a couple of mediocre tv-movie - of-the-week films clumsily stuck together .


we can see the wheels turning , and we might resent it sometimes , but this is still a nice little picture , made by bright and friendly souls with a lot of good cheer .

the film 's real appeal wo n't be to clooney fans or adventure buffs , but to moviegoers who enjoy thinking about compelling questions with no easy answers .


julia is played with exasperating blandness by laura regan .


while not all transitions to adulthood are so fraught , there 's much truth and no small amount of poetry in girls ca n't swim .

two generations within one family test boundaries in this intelligent and restrained coming-of-age drama .


creepy but ultimately unsatisfying thriller .


a picture that extols the virtues of comradeship and community in a spunky , spirited fashion .


-lrb- two -rrb- fairly dull -- contrasting and interlocking stories about miserable scandinavian settlers in 18th-century canada , and yuppie sailboaters in the here and now .


shadyac shoots his film like an m. night shyamalan movie , and he frequently maintains the same snail 's pace ; he just forgot to add any genuine tension .

could the whole plan here have been to produce something that makes fatal attraction look like a classic by comparison ?


a distant , even sterile , yet compulsively watchable look at the sordid life of hogan 's heroes star bob crane .


egoyan 's movie is too complicated to sustain involvement , and , if you 'll excuse a little critical heresy , too intellectually ambitious .

the whole thing plays out with the drowsy heaviness of synchronized swimmer wearing a wool wetsuit .


this is as powerful a set of evidence as you 'll ever find of why art matters , and how it can resonate far beyond museum walls and through to the most painfully marginal lives .


might have been better off as a documentary , with less of mr. eyre 's uninspired dramatics and more of his sense of observation and outrage .

you 'll be more entertained getting hit by a bus .


stephen earnhart 's homespun documentary mule skinner blues has nothing but love for its posse of trailer park denizens .


plays less like a coming-of-age romance than an infomercial .


i enjoyed the ride -lrb- bumps and all -rrb- , creamy depth , and ultimate theme .


but that 's just the problem with it - the director has n't added enough of his own ingredients .

i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .


a work of astonishing delicacy and force .


before long , the film starts playing like general hospital crossed with a saturday night live spoof of dog day afternoon .


zhang yimou delivers warm , genuine characters who lie not through dishonesty , but because they genuinely believe it 's the only way to bring happiness to their loved ones .


gollum 's ` performance ' is incredible !

everything that has to do with yvan and charlotte , and everything that has to do with yvan 's rambunctious , jewish sister and her non-jew husband , feels funny and true .


you 'll be more entertained getting hit by a bus .


for benigni it was n't shakespeare whom he wanted to define his career with but pinocchio .


creepy but ultimately unsatisfying thriller .

overall , the film misses the brilliance of jelinek 's novel by some way .


gollum 's ` performance ' is incredible !


i whole-heartedly recommend that everyone see this movie -- for its historical significance alone .

the film 's real appeal wo n't be to clooney fans or adventure buffs , but to moviegoers who enjoy thinking about compelling questions with no easy answers .


this is as powerful a set of evidence as you 'll ever find of why art matters , and how it can resonate far beyond museum walls and through to the most painfully marginal lives .

and in this regard , on guard delivers .


this film is so slick , superficial and trend-hoppy , that it 's easy to imagine that a new software program spit out the screenplay .


and in this regard , on guard delivers .

reign of fire may be little more than another platter of reheated aliens , but it 's still pretty tasty .


while mcfarlane 's animation lifts the film firmly above the level of other coming-of-age films ... it 's also so jarring that it 's hard to get back into the boys ' story .


credibility sinks into a mire of sentiment .

too timid to bring a sense of closure to an ugly chapter of the twentieth century .


mr. parker has brilliantly updated his source and grasped its essence , composing a sorrowful and hilarious tone poem about alienated labor , or an absurdist workplace sitcom .


... -lrb- a -rrb- strained comedy that jettisons all opportunities for rock to make his mark by serving up the usual chaotic nonsense .


intriguing and beautiful film , but those of you who read the book are likely to be disappointed .


the powers team has fashioned a comedy with more laughs than many , no question .

behind the snow games and lovable siberian huskies -lrb- plus one sheep dog -rrb- , the picture hosts a parka-wrapped dose of heart .


without a strong script and energetic acting , dogma films can produce the same sleep-inducing effects as watching your neighbor 's home videos .


if melville is creatively a great whale , this film is canned tuna .

unless you are in dire need of a diesel fix , there is no real reason to see it .


i whole-heartedly recommend that everyone see this movie -- for its historical significance alone .


the editing is chaotic , the photography grainy and badly focused , the writing unintentionally hilarious , the direction unfocused , the performances as wooden .

when -lrb- de palma 's -rrb- bad , he 's really bad , and femme fatale ranks with the worst he has done .


the cast is uniformly excellent and relaxed .


this film is so slick , superficial and trend-hoppy , that it 's easy to imagine that a new software program spit out the screenplay .

guided more by intellect than heart , his story flattens instead of sharpens .


a love for films shines through each frame and the era is recreated with obvious affection , scored to perfection with some tasty boogaloo beats .

more a load of enjoyable , conan-esque claptrap than the punishing , special-effects soul assaults the mummy pictures represent .


these are names to remember , in order to avoid them in the future .


there 's an audience for it , but it could have been funnier and more innocent .


in the process , they demonstrate that there 's still a lot of life in hong kong cinema .


and if the hours wins ` best picture ' i just might .

what it lacks in originality it makes up for in intelligence and b-grade stylishness .


a boring , formulaic mix of serial killers and stalk 'n' slash .


pumpkin sits in a patch somewhere between mirthless todd solondzian satire and callow student film .


the movie has an avalanche of eye-popping visual effects .


it 's getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that hollywood is n't laughing with us , folks .

taken individually or collectively , the stories never add up to as much as they promise .


a candid and often fascinating documentary about a pentecostal church in dallas that assembles an elaborate haunted house each year to scare teenagers into attending services .


the movie has an avalanche of eye-popping visual effects .

dazzling and sugar-sweet , a blast of shallow magnificence that only sex , scandal , and a chorus line of dangerous damsels can deliver .


christians sensitive to a reductionist view of their lord as a luv-spreading dr. feelgood or omnipotent slacker will feel vastly more affronted than secularists , who might even praise god for delivering such an instant camp classic .

we can see the wheels turning , and we might resent it sometimes , but this is still a nice little picture , made by bright and friendly souls with a lot of good cheer .


like those to rome , all roads in the banger sisters inevitably lead to a joke about hawn 's breasts , which constantly threaten to upstage the woman sporting them .


i enjoyed the ride -lrb- bumps and all -rrb- , creamy depth , and ultimate theme .

this is cool , slick stuff , ready to quench the thirst of an audience that misses the summer blockbusters .


-lrb- newton -rrb- wanders through charlie completely unaware she needs to show some presence and star quality .


sucking all the ` classic ' out of robert louis stevenson 's treasure island and filling the void with sci-fi video game graphics and disney-fied adolescent angst ...


reign of fire may be little more than another platter of reheated aliens , but it 's still pretty tasty .


the vampire thriller blade ii starts off as a wild hoot and then sucks the blood out of its fun -- toward the end , you can feel your veins cringing from the workout .

we miss the quirky amazement that used to come along for an integral part of the ride .


a distant , even sterile , yet compulsively watchable look at the sordid life of hogan 's heroes star bob crane .


it wo n't be long before you 'll spy i spy at a video store near you .

with its hints of a greater intelligence lurking somewhere , the ring makes its stupidity more than obvious .


the people in dogtown and z-boys are so funny , aggressive and alive , you have to watch them because you ca n't wait to see what they do next .


the people in dogtown and z-boys are so funny , aggressive and alive , you have to watch them because you ca n't wait to see what they do next .

the comic performances are all spot on , especially lee ross 's turn as ken .


offers enough playful fun to entertain the preschool set while embracing a wholesome attitude .

this road movie gives you emotional whiplash , and you 'll be glad you went along for the ride .


-lrb- t -rrb- hose same extremes prevent us from taking its message seriously , and the stepford wives mentality does n't work in a modern context .


while benigni -lrb- who stars and co-wrote -rrb- seems to be having a wonderful time , he might be alone in that .

others may find it migraine-inducing , despite moore 's attempts at whimsy and spoon feeding .


a well-made and often lovely depiction of the mysteries of friendship .


without a strong script and energetic acting , dogma films can produce the same sleep-inducing effects as watching your neighbor 's home videos .

this formulaic chiller will do little to boost stallone 's career .


as shaky as the plot is , kaufman 's script is still memorable for some great one-liners .


while mcfarlane 's animation lifts the film firmly above the level of other coming-of-age films ... it 's also so jarring that it 's hard to get back into the boys ' story .


behind the snow games and lovable siberian huskies -lrb- plus one sheep dog -rrb- , the picture hosts a parka-wrapped dose of heart .


i kept thinking over and over again , ' i should be enjoying this . '


and in this regard , on guard delivers .


two generations within one family test boundaries in this intelligent and restrained coming-of-age drama .

whether seen on a 10-inch television screen or at your local multiplex , the edge-of-your-seat , educational antics of steve irwin are priceless entertainment .


dazzling and sugar-sweet , a blast of shallow magnificence that only sex , scandal , and a chorus line of dangerous damsels can deliver .


the director 's twitchy sketchbook style and adroit perspective shifts grow wearisome amid leaden pacing and indifferent craftsmanship -lrb- most notably wretched sound design -rrb- .


a harmless and mildly amusing family comedy .

though it is by no means his best work , laissez-passer is a distinguished and distinctive effort by a bona-fide master , a fascinating film replete with rewards to be had by all willing to make the effort to reap them .


but the characters tend to be cliches whose lives are never fully explored .


another rent installment for the ian fleming estate .


an enchanting film that presents an audacious tour of the past and takes within its warm embrace the bounties of cultural artifacts inside st. petersburg 's hermitage museum .


moore 's performance impresses almost as much as her work with haynes in 1995 's safe .

this is a very fine movie -- go see it .


shadyac shoots his film like an m. night shyamalan movie , and he frequently maintains the same snail 's pace ; he just forgot to add any genuine tension .


the weight of water uses water as a metaphor for subconscious desire , but this leaky script barely stays afloat .

it 's best to avoid imprisonment with the dull , nerdy folks that inhabit cherish .


the tenderness of the piece is still intact .


i admired it , particularly that unexpected downer of an ending .

do n't plan on the perfect ending , but sweet home alabama hits the mark with critics who escaped from a small town life .


a boring , formulaic mix of serial killers and stalk 'n' slash .


what will , most likely , turn out to be the most repellent movie of 2002 .


it 's hard not to be seduced by -lrb- witherspoon 's -rrb- charisma , even in this run-of-the-mill vehicle , because this girl knows how to drive it to the max .


a soggy , cliche-bound epic-horror yarn that ends up being even dumber than its title .

what will , most likely , turn out to be the most repellent movie of 2002 .


what really surprises about wisegirls is its low-key quality and genuine tenderness .


even with all those rough edges safely sanded down , the american insomnia is still pretty darned good .

a pro-fat farce that overcomes much of its excessive moral baggage thanks to two appealing lead performances .


the picture , scored by a perversely cheerful marcus miller accordion\/harmonica\/banjo abomination , is a monument to bad in all its florid variety .


if you 're like me , a sucker for a good old fashion romance and someone who shamelessly loves to eat , then mostly martha offers all the perfect ingredients to more than satisfy your appetite .

even with all those rough edges safely sanded down , the american insomnia is still pretty darned good .


you 're better off staying home and watching the x-files .


but the characters tend to be cliches whose lives are never fully explored .

the weight of water uses water as a metaphor for subconscious desire , but this leaky script barely stays afloat .


i admired it , particularly that unexpected downer of an ending .


thurman and lewis are hilarious throughout .


while the mystery surrounding the nature of the boat 's malediction remains intriguing enough to sustain mild interest , the picture refuses to offer much accompanying sustenance in the way of characterization , humor or plain old popcorn fun .


the film hinges on its performances , and both leads are up to the task .

and if the hours wins ` best picture ' i just might .


... a weak , manipulative , pencil-thin story that is miraculously able to entertain anyway .


there 's a disreputable air about the whole thing , and that 's what makes it irresistible .

the level of maturity displayed by this 33-year-old first-time feature director is astonishing , considering her inexperience and her subject matter .


it 's badly acted , blandly directed , and could have been scripted by someone who just graduated from elementary school .

without a strong script and energetic acting , dogma films can produce the same sleep-inducing effects as watching your neighbor 's home videos .


hilarious , touching and wonderfully dyspeptic .


reign of fire may be little more than another platter of reheated aliens , but it 's still pretty tasty .

after making several adaptations of other writers ' work , armenian-canadian director atom egoyan broached an original treatment of a deeply personal subject .


a clutchy , indulgent and pretentious travelogue and diatribe against ... well , just stuff .


it 's hard to tell with all the crashing and banging where the salesmanship ends and the movie begins .

somehow we 're meant to buy that this doting mother would shun her kids , travel to one of the most dangerous parts of the world , don fatigues and become g.i. jane .


christians sensitive to a reductionist view of their lord as a luv-spreading dr. feelgood or omnipotent slacker will feel vastly more affronted than secularists , who might even praise god for delivering such an instant camp classic .


behind the snow games and lovable siberian huskies -lrb- plus one sheep dog -rrb- , the picture hosts a parka-wrapped dose of heart .

the tenderness of the piece is still intact .


the two leads are almost good enough to camouflage the dopey plot , but so much naturalistic small talk , delivered in almost muffled exchanges , eventually has a lulling effect .

i doubt anyone will remember the picture by the time christmas really rolls around , but maybe it 'll be on video by then .


dazzling and sugar-sweet , a blast of shallow magnificence that only sex , scandal , and a chorus line of dangerous damsels can deliver .


it 's a bittersweet and lyrical mix of elements .

with youthful high spirits , tautou remains captivating throughout michele 's religious and romantic quests , and she is backed by a likable cast .


with a story inspired by the tumultuous surroundings of los angeles , where feelings of marginalization loom for every dreamer with a burst bubble , the dogwalker has a few characters and ideas , but it never manages to put them on the same path .


with a story inspired by the tumultuous surroundings of los angeles , where feelings of marginalization loom for every dreamer with a burst bubble , the dogwalker has a few characters and ideas , but it never manages to put them on the same path .

birot is a competent enough filmmaker , but her story has nothing fresh or very exciting about it .


a film that takes you inside the rhythms of its subject : you experience it as you watch .


a highly intriguing thriller , coupled with some ingenious plot devices and some lavishly built settings . .

chicago is sophisticated , brash , sardonic , completely joyful in its execution .


but that 's just the problem with it - the director has n't added enough of his own ingredients .


these are names to remember , in order to avoid them in the future .


well-written , nicely acted and beautifully shot and scored , the film works on several levels , openly questioning social mores while ensnaring the audience with its emotional pull .


does what a fine documentary does best : it extends a warm invitation into an unfamiliar world , then illuminates it fully and allows the larger implications of the journey to sink in unobtrusively .

but it offers plenty to ponder and chew on as its unusual relationship slowly unfolds .


before long , the film starts playing like general hospital crossed with a saturday night live spoof of dog day afternoon .


a clutchy , indulgent and pretentious travelogue and diatribe against ... well , just stuff .

the character is too forced and overwritten to be funny or believable much of the time , and clayburgh does n't always improve the over-the-top mix .


this version incarnates the prophetic book in a way even its exacting author might admire .


occasionally funny , always very colorful and enjoyably overblown in the traditional almodóvar style .

though it is by no means his best work , laissez-passer is a distinguished and distinctive effort by a bona-fide master , a fascinating film replete with rewards to be had by all willing to make the effort to reap them .


strong setup and ambitious goals fade as the film descends into unsophisticated scare tactics and b-film thuggery .


-lrb- t -rrb- hose same extremes prevent us from taking its message seriously , and the stepford wives mentality does n't work in a modern context .

the picture , scored by a perversely cheerful marcus miller accordion\/harmonica\/banjo abomination , is a monument to bad in all its florid variety .


the comic performances are all spot on , especially lee ross 's turn as ken .


this is a particularly toxic little bonbon , palatable to only a chosen and very jaundiced few .

like those to rome , all roads in the banger sisters inevitably lead to a joke about hawn 's breasts , which constantly threaten to upstage the woman sporting them .


after making several adaptations of other writers ' work , armenian-canadian director atom egoyan broached an original treatment of a deeply personal subject .


this bold and lyrical first feature from raja amari expands the pat notion that middle-aged women just wanna have fun into a rousing treatise of sensual empowerment .

this is a film brimming with detail and nuance and one that speaks volumes about the ability of the human spirit to find solace in events that could easily crush it forever .


a sensual performance from abbass buoys the flimsy story , but her inner journey is largely unexplored and we 're left wondering about this exotic-looking woman whose emotional depths are only hinted at .

barney has created a tour de force that is weird , wacky and wonderful .


the charms of willful eccentricity , at least as evidenced by this latest cinematic essay , are beginning to wear a bit thin .


an exciting and involving rock music doc , a smart and satisfying look inside that tumultuous world .

this is a very fine movie -- go see it .


this film is so slick , superficial and trend-hoppy , that it 's easy to imagine that a new software program spit out the screenplay .


a lighthearted , feel-good film that embraces the time-honored truth that the most powerful thing in life is love .

two generations within one family test boundaries in this intelligent and restrained coming-of-age drama .


if you 're not the target demographic ... this movie is one long chick-flick slog .


life is a crock -- or something like it .

this time kaufman 's imagination has failed him .


thurman and lewis are hilarious throughout .


a deliciously mordant , bitter black comedy .

zhang yimou delivers warm , genuine characters who lie not through dishonesty , but because they genuinely believe it 's the only way to bring happiness to their loved ones .


murder by numbers is like a couple of mediocre tv-movie - of-the-week films clumsily stuck together .


this is a raw and disturbing tale that took five years to make , and the trio 's absorbing narrative is a heart-wrenching showcase indeed .

the tenderness of the piece is still intact .


collateral damage is , despite its alleged provocation post-9 \/ 11 , an antique , in the end .


has a shambling charm ... a cheerfully inconsequential diversion .

while not all transitions to adulthood are so fraught , there 's much truth and no small amount of poetry in girls ca n't swim .


it 's disappointing when filmmakers throw a few big-name actors and cameos at a hokey script .


... a haunting vision , with images that seem more like disturbing hallucinations .

life is a crock -- or something like it .


it 's one of the saddest films i have ever seen that still manages to be uplifting but not overly sentimental .


being author wells ' great-grandson , you 'd think filmmaker simon wells would have more reverence for the material .

none of this violates the letter of behan 's book , but missing is its spirit , its ribald , full-throated humor .


reign of fire may be little more than another platter of reheated aliens , but it 's still pretty tasty .


like its two predecessors , 1983 's koyaanisqatsi and 1988 's powaqqatsi , the cinematic collage naqoyqatsi could be the most navel-gazing film ever .

... a weak , manipulative , pencil-thin story that is miraculously able to entertain anyway .


chicago is sophisticated , brash , sardonic , completely joyful in its execution .


proof that a thriller can be sleekly shot , expertly cast , paced with crisp professionalism ... and still be a letdown if its twists and turns hold no more surprise than yesterday 's weather report .


you can feel the heat that ignites this gripping tale , and the humor and humanity that root it in feeling .


what it lacks in originality it makes up for in intelligence and b-grade stylishness .

the film 's real appeal wo n't be to clooney fans or adventure buffs , but to moviegoers who enjoy thinking about compelling questions with no easy answers .


safe conduct , however ambitious and well-intentioned , fails to hit the entertainment bull 's - eye .


anyone who can count to five -lrb- the film 's target market ? -rrb-

it 's badly acted , blandly directed , and could have been scripted by someone who just graduated from elementary school .


if there 's a way to effectively teach kids about the dangers of drugs , i think it 's in projects like the -lrb- unfortunately r-rated -rrb- paid .

this is cool , slick stuff , ready to quench the thirst of an audience that misses the summer blockbusters .


-lrb- two -rrb- fairly dull -- contrasting and interlocking stories about miserable scandinavian settlers in 18th-century canada , and yuppie sailboaters in the here and now .


if it 's possible for a sequel to outshine the original , then sl2 does just that .

a picture that extols the virtues of comradeship and community in a spunky , spirited fashion .


the picture , scored by a perversely cheerful marcus miller accordion\/harmonica\/banjo abomination , is a monument to bad in all its florid variety .


nearly surreal , dabbling in french , this is no simple movie , and you 'll be taking a risk if you choose to see it .


offers enough playful fun to entertain the preschool set while embracing a wholesome attitude .


the tenderness of the piece is still intact .

moore 's performance impresses almost as much as her work with haynes in 1995 's safe .


somehow we 're meant to buy that this doting mother would shun her kids , travel to one of the most dangerous parts of the world , don fatigues and become g.i. jane .


like those to rome , all roads in the banger sisters inevitably lead to a joke about hawn 's breasts , which constantly threaten to upstage the woman sporting them .

with a story inspired by the tumultuous surroundings of los angeles , where feelings of marginalization loom for every dreamer with a burst bubble , the dogwalker has a few characters and ideas , but it never manages to put them on the same path .


the movie exists for its soccer action and its fine acting .

it 's a bittersweet and lyrical mix of elements .


it 's so underwritten that you ca n't figure out just where the other characters , including ana 's father and grandfather , come down on the issue of ana 's future .


a taut , intelligent psychological drama .

but if it is indeed a duty of art to reflect life , than leigh has created a masterful piece of artistry right here .


leave it to rohmer , now 82 , to find a way to bend current technique to the service of a vision of the past that is faithful to both architectural glories and commanding open spaces of the city as it was more than two centuries ago .

the principals in this cast are all fine , but bishop and stevenson are standouts .


zhang yimou delivers warm , genuine characters who lie not through dishonesty , but because they genuinely believe it 's the only way to bring happiness to their loved ones .

this is as powerful a set of evidence as you 'll ever find of why art matters , and how it can resonate far beyond museum walls and through to the most painfully marginal lives .


a boring , formulaic mix of serial killers and stalk 'n' slash .


whether seen on a 10-inch television screen or at your local multiplex , the edge-of-your-seat , educational antics of steve irwin are priceless entertainment .

behind the snow games and lovable siberian huskies -lrb- plus one sheep dog -rrb- , the picture hosts a parka-wrapped dose of heart .


i watched the brainless insanity of no such thing with mounting disbelief .


it 's getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that hollywood is n't laughing with us , folks .


we can see the wheels turning , and we might resent it sometimes , but this is still a nice little picture , made by bright and friendly souls with a lot of good cheer .