Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 92%
| Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire (2009) | "
Hopefully films like this grow our understanding and compassion as we're encouraged to offer Christ-like hope in our broken world, and emulate a resiliency that is Precious." Posted Nov 6, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 65%
| Coco Before Chanel (2009) | "
A bit more of Coco becoming Chanel was what I expected, and what would have elevated this film beyond the typical period-piece love story fare." Posted Oct 31, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 72%
| The Boys Are Back (2009) | "
Joe says in a voice-over that "life is a journey to be traveled no matter how bad the road." And The Boys Are Back is a highly satisfying ride." Posted Oct 31, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 94%
| An Education (2009) | "
A slightly incomplete, though mostly rewarding, education." Posted Oct 31, 2009 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 38%
| The Time Traveler's Wife (2009) | "
By the end, I finally cared about Henry and Clare. But I wish the filmmakers had pulled me in about an hour and a half sooner." Posted Aug 18, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 60%
| Paper Heart (2009) | "
A quirky, mostly endearing commentary on love in a postmodern age." Posted Aug 7, 2009 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 75%
| Julie & Julia (2009) | "
A feast of winning characters, sumptuous food, loving marriages, and strong women who stumble, laugh, cry, write and, of course, cook their way into our hearts." Posted Aug 7, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 54%
| The Stoning of Soraya M. (2009) | "
Seeing this kind of injustice makes me feel challenged by Proverbs 31:8, 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing.'" Posted Jun 26, 2009 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 83%
| Two Lovers (2009) | "
There are good intentions here, and good ingredients. But the sum total feels less like a passionate lover and more like a passing crush." Posted Feb 27, 2009 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 70%
| Last Chance Harvey (2008) | "
We want the characters to help us sigh dreamily while the credits roll. Harvey provides that plus relatable emotion, endearing comedy, and stellar acting." Posted Dec 25, 2008 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Fresh 61%
| Marley & Me (2008) | "
A fun, cinematic Currier and Ives experience for the whole family that will leave you hugging on Dad and Grandma%u2014and eager to return home to hug on your own Marley or Rover or Rex." Posted Dec 25, 2008 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Rotten 58%
| The Secret Life of Bees (2008) | "
With meaty themes and compelling characters, Bees is a rich, emotional exploration of the redeeming power of love and the transforming comfort of home." Posted Oct 17, 2008 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 31%
| Nights in Rodanthe (2008) | "
Typical Sparks formula: difficult circumstances, unlikely love, delirious joy, gut-wrenching tragedy, and redemptive moral. Unfortunately, this film doesn't deliver the goods." Posted Sep 29, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 49%
| Sex and the City - The Movie (2008) | "
SATC offers well-developed characters, smart dialogue, interesting plots and sub-plots, and a ton of heart." Posted May 30, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 51%
| Then She Found Me (2008) | "
An impressive directorial debut for Helen Hunt that takes an intelligent look at the ways we survive unspeakable grief and play hide and seek with love." Posted May 7, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 88%
| Young@Heart (2008) | "
The group is a testament to the healing capabilities of music. The choir itself deserves four stars; if the film had delivered the same grit and poignancy, it would have too." Posted Apr 18, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 41%
| The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) | "
A cautionary tale of what unchecked ambition and lust can do to a person, a family, a nation." Posted Mar 3, 2008 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 23%
| Mad Money (2008) | "
This is a fluff film you rent on a rainy day when you want some cute, mindless entertainment. If that's all you're looking for, this is right on the money." Posted Jan 18, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 79%
| The Great Debaters (2007) | "
The plot holes and formulaic feel are overcome by the superb acting. As is true in the world of debate, carefully chosen and delivered words win the day." Posted Jan 4, 2008 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 85%
| War Dance (2007) | "
It is delightful to watch these kids dance, especially knowing the evil they've experienced. Their bright smiles are a true testament to the resiliency of the human spirit." Posted Nov 9, 2007 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 68%
| Darfur Now (2007) | "
Hopefully, well-crafted and moving films such as Darfur Now will inspire more people to take that small but significant first step toward ending these atrocities." Posted Nov 2, 2007 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 58%
| Becoming Jane (2007) | "
One can only hope that Becoming Jane will inspire moviegoers to find out more about this beloved literary great. Or hopefully revisit one of her classic novels." Posted Aug 4, 2007 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 39%
| No Reservations (2007) | "
If you want a romantic comedy that's mostly charming and doesn't insult your intelligence or morals, I suggest this light, heartwarming summer fare--with just a few reservations." Posted Jul 30, 2007 |
Rotten 2/4
| Fresh 89%
| Waitress (2007) | "
A light and airy confection, only a bit too sweet and with a few ingredients missing." Posted May 11, 2007 |
Fresh 2.5/4
| Rotten 17%
| Georgia Rule (2007) | "
Not just another bratty teen movie, but one that delves into the intriguing and heartbreaking reasons behind the brattiness." Posted May 11, 2007 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Fresh 69%
| Year of the Dog (2007) | "
You could see the film as the making of Crazy Dog Lady or as the story of a bereaved woman finding her true passion in life. Personally, I lean toward the former." Posted Apr 27, 2007 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 58%
| The Astronaut Farmer (2007) | "
There's so much more possible than what's being offered here. In that sense, The Astronaut Farmer doesn't aim or dream nearly high enough." Posted Feb 23, 2007 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 91%
| God Grew Tired of Us (2007) | "
God may be tired of us, but if these men's lives are any indication, he certainly isn't finished with us." Posted Jan 22, 2007 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 66%
| Miss Potter (2006) | "
Miss Potter is for moviegoers who are drawn more to the delightful than the destructive. It's undeniably refreshing to see a PG-rated movie for adults done so well." Posted Jan 16, 2007 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 46%
| The Holiday (2006) | "
Romantic comedies have been a bit of a dying breed in recent years. Perhaps that's why it's so delightful to see The Holiday tucked amidst all the war and gore at the cineplex." Posted Dec 8, 2006 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 10%
| The Wedding Date (2005) | "
While there are many of the right ingredients here -- a likable cast, plot potential, a dreamy English countryside setting -- I still can't say "I do" to this fluffy flick." Posted Nov 17, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 49%
| Vanity Fair (2004) | "
To our utter delight, these stories and messages are told with superb acting, amazing costumes that burst with color and texture, and dazzling locales." Posted Nov 10, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 43%
| Take the Lead (2006) | "
A fun romp of a flick that showcases the power of dance and the human spirit." Posted Nov 2, 2006 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 97%
| The Queen (2006) | "
Mirren's facial expressions are the true genius. Watching disturbing realizations dance across a face that's been trained for decades to be a study in stoicism is a wonder." Posted Oct 17, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 77%
| The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) | "
Four friends on a quest to find something, only to realize that anything resembling an answer is to be found in the journey itself, in their friendships, and in themselves." Posted Oct 11, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 48%
| Shall We Dance? (2004) | "
The 1996 original is classier, deeper, more poignant. A Ginger Rogers to this Beyoncé." Posted Oct 11, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 49%
| Prime (2005) | "
Ironically, this therapeutic romantic comedy ultimately suffers from too many unexplored issues." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3.5/4
| Fresh 85%
| Pride and Prejudice (2005) | "
Luminous visuals, subtle thematic statements, and fine acting. A lovely period piece that surely will stand the test of time." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 69%
| North Country (2005) | "
Though tough and heavy-handed at times, North Country is engaging -- not one of those films about an important subject matter that you feel you should watch." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 35%
| Must Love Dogs (2005) | "
I wouldn't call the movie a dog, but I didn't love it either. Our search for the next Great Romantic Comedy, like so many Hollywood singletons' quest for love, continues." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 35%
| Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) | "
The overall effect is not so unlike Mameha's description of geisha themselves: a moving work of art." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 55%
| Madagascar (2005) | "
I wanted a moral to the story. In Finding Nemo: Don't let fear rule your life. Shrek: True beauty is on the inside. Madagascar: Don't eat your friends?" Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 18%
| Laws of Attraction (2004) | "
In the end, lazy scriptwriting leads to a lukewarm verdict." Posted Sep 27, 2006 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 54%
| Last Holiday (2006) | "
If you had three weeks left to live, I wouldn't recommend you spend your precious time watching this." Posted Sep 26, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Rotten 38%
| A Good Woman (2005) | "
If you enjoy the charming wit of films such as An Ideal Husband or Enchanted April, you'll probably be Wilde about A Good Woman." Posted Sep 22, 2006 |
Rotten 2.5/4
| Rotten 52%
| The Family Stone (2005) | "
The movie feels a lot like slacker brother Ben: a little sloppy, mostly predictable, some flashes of poignancy and wisdom, but ultimately doesn't live up to its potential." Posted Sep 22, 2006 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 33%
| Flyboys (2006) | "
Lots of heart, eye candy, and likable characters, but its lack of more grit, believability, and substance stops it from truly inspiring." Posted Sep 22, 2006 |
Rotten 2/4
| Rotten 42%
| Bee Season (2005) | "
Words and letters may hold all the secrets of the universe, but 104 minutes wasn't enough to hold and resolve all the secrets and mysteries of Bee Season.
" Posted Sep 8, 2006 |
Fresh 3/4
| Fresh 75%
| The Beautiful Country (2005) | "
The most stunning beauty comes in human connections, physical touch, unconditional acceptance, familial love - in the treacherous and tender terrain of the human heart.
" Posted Sep 8, 2006 |
Rotten 1.5/4
| Rotten 57%
| How to Eat Fried Worms (2006) | "
Throughout this fifth-grade Fear Factor, there are scattered lessons on the ills of bullying, the benefit of being true to yourself, the joy of true friendship. But really, what boy is going to remember a moral when there's an exploding worm?" Posted Aug 31, 2006 |
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