Jack Frost (1998)

"The entire second half of this film is almost unbearable and the first half isn't all that much better."

The Jackal (1997)

"There's a certain novelty factor at work here that may appeal to die-hard Willis fans... As to everyone else, it's hard to imagine why they'd want to bother."

Jackass: The Movie (2002)

"Honestly, where's the comedy in watching a semi-conscious and bleeding Knoxville wondering out loud if he has a concussion?"

Jackie Brown (1997)

"A modest crime thriller."

Jailbait (2006)

"Loaded with talent but not much else."

James Ellroy: Demon Dog of American Crime Fiction (1993)

"The best thing filmmaker Reinhard Jud does is nothing: He just lets Ellroy be Ellroy, and you could hardly ask for more."

The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)

"The ick-making factor of so much pat sentimentality becomes overwhelming well before the final scene, which has everyone blissfully paired up."

Japanese Story (2004)

"The film's subject matter isn’t exactly an audience-grabber, but those interested in award-worthy acting turns could do a lot worse than checking out Collette's outstanding work."

Jarhead (2005)

"The film's mixed messages about war and the Marines may be an attempt by director Sam Mendes not to provoke his audience, but it leaves Jarhead weirdly unresolved."

Jawbreaker (1998)

"Desperately wants to be an edgy, ultra-hip black comedy along the lines of 'Heathers,' with the 'Grand Guignol' aspects of 'Carrie' thrown in for good measure. Unhappily, writer-director Darren Stein fatally lacks the requisite wit to bring it off."

Jeanne and the Perfect Guy (1998)

"This odd mix doesn't work, nor do the Demyesque song-and-dance numbers, which are musically unmemorable."

Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)

"This sequel to the sleeper horror flick is a stinker."

Jerichow (2009)

"A modern-day, Teutonic Postman Always Rings Twice? Yes, Jerichow is just that, but minus the needed passion or suspense."

Jesus Camp (2006)

"Cut to the flickering images of children writhing in a spiritual trance on a chapel floor while being hectored about the glory of dying for Christ, and one knows exactly where the first Christian suicide bombers will come from."

Jesus, You Know (2005)

"The film proves the dramatic power of the cinematic close-up by not including a single one."

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)

"It would be a spoiler to describe the specific complications those crazy kids get into, but it's a ball."

Jim Brown: All American (2002)

"Once the sports and film clips run out, Lee doesn't have much more to work with than talking heads, and they aren't enough to keep anyone but diehard sports fans interested."

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)

"Jimmy emerges from his debut film as one of Nickelodeon’s most promising and compelling characters."

Jindabyne (2007)

"Jindabyne is that rare film mixing suspense and melodrama, social commentary and spirituality."

Joe (1970)

"Cliched melodrama was a cultural landmark; Boyle is superb"

Joe Gould's Secret (2000)

"After the conceptually madcap and sophisticated The Impostors, one expects better."

Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten (2007)

"Julian Temple has paid proper homage to one of rock's most important artists."

John Q (2002)

"Had the filmmakers soft-pedaled their important message and focused more on real human dilemmas, John Q. might have risen above its deep genre roots to push more emotional buttons and fewer unintentional laughs."

Johnny English (2003)

"What makes it work is the cast, who are able to wring more than a few laughs out of this tired scenario."

Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)

"The film thrusts the inchoate but already eldritch Christian Right propaganda machine into national media circles."