Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 89%
| The Messenger (2009) | "
The Messenger involves difficult subject matter, but it's not hard to watch. It's sad and sobering, but also humorous and touching at turns." Posted Nov 30, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 43%
| Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (2009) | "
The movie provides more questions than answers." Posted Oct 31, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 82%
| Whip It (2009) | "
Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is an energetic celebration of grrrl power, and it sure is fun to watch." Posted Oct 31, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 83%
| Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) | "
The real magic of the Harry Potter series comes not from spells and potions, but from the sustaining friendships of Harry, Ron, and Hermione." Posted Jul 14, 2009 |
Rotten .5/4
| Rotten 15%
| I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009) | "
Here's the bottom line: Denis Cooverman might love Beth Cooper. But I don't." Posted Jul 10, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 38%
| Imagine That (2009) | "
As long as Murphy is being silly, kids laugh. Their affinity for an adult willing to play with them is palpable. At the end, even the movie critic got a bit teary. Imagine that!" Posted Jun 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 66%
| Away We Go (2009) | "
I wonder if the quirky 30somethings trying to answer these basic questions will bore me ten years down the line. But right now, Away We Go feels true." Posted Jun 24, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 73%
| American Violet (2009) | "
A movie to be discussed with those invested in being agents of justice. It raises serious questions about a system that does not protect those most vulnerable -- the poor." Posted Apr 17, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 58%
| 17 Again (2009) | "
Many have wondered how they might live certain parts of their lives over again. 17 Again offers its own fantasy%u2014that you wouldn't want to change a thing, even if you could." Posted Apr 17, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 86%
| The Velveteen Rabbit (2009) | "
While it isn't exactly a classic, it expresses the power of hope in the imaginary world and the importance of communicating our love for one another in the real world." Posted Feb 27, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 18%
| New in Town (2009) | "
A romantic comedy for our fiscal moment, when so many people are facing job insecurity and loss. This context gives a rather lighthearted romance some actual gravitas." Posted Jan 30, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 12%
| Bride Wars (2009) | "
Sex and the City for the American Girl set, but a decent chick flick." Posted Jan 9, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 51%
| Nothing Like the Holidays (2008) | "
The movie is bland. Which is a crying shame when the source material has so much flavor." Posted Dec 16, 2008 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 13%
| Made of Honor (2008) | "
Made of Honor is like a paint-by-the numbers exercise in filmmaking, sealed with a misogynistic lacquer." Posted May 7, 2008 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 49%
| Smart People (2008) | "
There are a number of laughs in Smart People, but the story is too disjointed and ultimately underwhelming." Posted Apr 11, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 50%
| Penelope (2008) | "
The theme of self-acceptance isn't a new one, but Penelope manages to rehash it with flavor and with real heart." Posted Feb 29, 2008 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 40%
| 27 Dresses (2008) | "
A paint-by-the-numbers chick flick. Heigl and Marsden are likeable, and one does not leave the theater feeling that your intelligence has been insulted." Posted Jan 18, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 94%
| Away From Her (2007) | "
A moving meditation on what love looks like after it's had more than 40 years to grow. It's a love with deep scars, but roots that go deeper still." Posted May 11, 2007 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 43%
| In the Land of Women (2007) | "
While it catches something of the romantic zeitgeist of this time, much in the way The Big Chill did in the early '80s, I suspect this won't have the same stamina." Posted Apr 27, 2007 |
Rotten .5/4
| Rotten 11%
| Perfect Stranger (2007) | "
A typical episode of Law and Order is less ridden with cliché (which is saying something, given that the series is about as formulaic as it gets) and more satisfying." Posted Apr 13, 2007 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 69%
| Blades of Glory (2007) | "
While I still think Will Ferrell is a hilarious guy, these Blades are disappointingly dull." Posted Apr 4, 2007 |
Rotten 1/4
| Rotten 5%
| Because I Said So (2007) | "
The movie plays out like a freshman film school project with a big budget; it's very pretty to look at and every plot twist is telegraphed with painful precision." Posted Feb 2, 2007 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 74%
| The Painted Veil (2006) | "
Neither Walter nor Kitty is a saint, and neither becomes one. But we see a love of virtue take root in this relationship as Kitty stumbles toward a kind of redemption." Posted Jan 5, 2007 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 66%
| The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) | "
Chris Gardner is running against the odds. And his efforts embody certain modern American virtues like dogged determination and idealism and hope." Posted Dec 15, 2006 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Rotten 42%
| The Village (2004) | "
In a time when Hollywood is more interested in remakes and sequels than in original movies, Shyamalan continues to tell new stories. And he's really good at it." Posted Nov 10, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Fresh 73%
| The Upside of Anger (2005) | "
Unfortunately, outstanding performances by Allen and Costner aren't given much of a viable dramatic context." Posted Nov 10, 2006 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 48%
| Driving Lessons (2006) | "
It's unfortunate the narrative isn't suffused with more zest and nuance. Instead, it feels calculated and even the most emotional scenes fall flat." Posted Oct 13, 2006 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 61%
| Shopgirl (2005) | "
Claire Danes has a gravitas and grace to her that hearkens back to starlets of the 1930s and '40s." Posted Oct 11, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 82%
| Rock School (2005) | "
Watching the students band together to rock -- and the faces of the audience and participants when they realize what these kids are capable of -- is a joy." Posted Oct 2, 2006 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 48%
| Rent (2005) | "
For all the big themes Rent deals with -- love, death, injustice, community -- it still seems a bit superficial" Posted Oct 2, 2006 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 25%
| The Game of Their Lives (2005) | "
A treat for soccer fans who have yet to see their favorite game given its due on the big screen. This won't be a classic soccer movie, but it's a start." Posted Sep 28, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 31%
| The Promise (2005) | "
A fairy tale for adults that allows the viewer to inhabit an entirely different world, and in doing so, becomes an exercise of the imagination." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 59%
| The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) | "
This Prize Winner is a winner for its smart portrayal of a resourceful woman who loved her family, loved words, and loved life." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 26%
| Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) | "
The larger message -- that you should marry for the right reasons only when you're ready -- is one everyone can applaud." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Rotten 56%
| Ocean's Twelve (2004) | "
Modern anti-heroes. Criminals with heart. And these guys are stinkin' funny." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 56%
| Mr. 3000 (2004) | "
Bernie Mac has a talent for cussing. It's a talent that can take you pretty far in the entertainment industry, but it still can't carry a movie, as Mr. 3000 demonstrates." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 14%
| Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005) | "
There is a bit of a lesson about identity and self-worth imparted here, but it's muddled at best. Who has two hours to waste watching this movie?" Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 62%
| Lord of War (2005) | "
Lord of War has a surreal edge, despite being enmeshed in world events, with absurdity and dark humor laced throughout." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 86%
| Inside Man (2006) | "
The movie bristles with life with the meeting of people from different races. It's a Spike Lee joint after all, and it's at its most entertaining when reflecting these tensions." Posted Sep 25, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 75%
| In Her Shoes (2005) | "
A Hollywood movie that feels real; one that engages the tear ducts and the mind." Posted Sep 25, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Fresh 83%
| In Good Company (2004) | "
It's got a 'Father Knows Best' sensibility about it that exalts character over profit margins. But in my opinion, the story's execution falls short of its potential." Posted Sep 25, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 41%
| End of the Spear (2006) | "
Through the harrowing experience of two men as told in End of the Spear -- Steve Saint and Mincaye -- moviegoers can learn the power of forgiveness and reconciliation." Posted Sep 22, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 27%
| Elizabethtown (2005) | "
The performances are solid . . . but it's Kentucky that really steals the show. Crowe paints the eccentricity of the locals with an affectionate brush." Posted Sep 22, 2006 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 49%
| De-Lovely (2004) | "
Performances crackling with an enthusiasm that indicates how much Porter's work continues to be loved and respected." Posted Sep 22, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 86%
| Brokeback Mountain (2005) | "
Though presented as a story of thwarted love -- of ache and longing and regrets -- it's ultimately a story about the relationships that shape us -- for better and for worse." Posted Sep 22, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 45%
| The Last Kiss (2006) | "
I think the movie would have done well to balance the romantic angst with at least one couple that was cheerfully together and had a healthy relationship over a long run." Posted Sep 15, 2006 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 44%
| Connie and Carla (2004) | "
The movie does offer some genuine guffaws as it trips over itself to be all things to all people." Posted Sep 11, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 13%
| Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004) | "
Only the 13-and-under set will buy into the Confessions vision of teen-hood. Most actual teens have already noted the lack of opportunities for air-guitar montages." Posted Sep 11, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 26%
| Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) | "
Frankly, I feel like a lot of the intangible 'heart' of the first movie is replaced here with an ongoing conversation about sex." Posted Sep 8, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Fresh 77%
| Assisted Living (2005) | "
There is a certain meditative grace to the cinematography here, but after a while, well, I was just plain bored." Posted Sep 1, 2006 |