Splat C |
Across the Universe (2007) |
"It is overlong and under-plotted, visually vibrant but thematically pale. The characters are more alive in the original Beatles songs than they are on the screen." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Alpha Dog (2007) |
"The characters are all flash and emptiness, but so is the story." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B |
Arctic Tale (2007) |
"It gets overly cute, with a soundtrack featuring pop standards like "We Are Family" and "Celebrate." Is this the arctic or a middle school party?" |
Nell Minow |
Splat C- |
Are We Done Yet? (2007) |
"Is it over yet?" |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Arthur and the Invisibles (2007) |
"The underground adventures are an unfortunate mixture of po-mo snark and potty humor (some just plain pot humor as well)." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B+ |
The Astronaut Farmer (2007) |
"Each shot is lovingly framed to show the golden light playing over the pastoral landscapes, set in a small town that makes Mayberry seem unfriendly and featuring a family so unconditionally loving and devoted that we seem to have come upon them mid-Hallma" |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
Accepted (2006) |
"This movie doesn't have the intellectual heft to write its name correctly to get 200 points on its SATs, but the unpretentious good humor of its cast, brisk running time, a couple of funny lines, and the wish fulfillment fantasy give it some genial appeal" |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker (2006) |
"There's a lot of chasing around and some cool stunts, but it has a flat, draggy feel to it, some creepy moments of oddly insensitive interactions, and no sense of genuine enthusiasm or adventure." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
All The King's Men (2006) |
"Penn is convincing as a man of complicated fury whose sense of thwarted entitlement on behalf of his community metastasizes through his administration." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B |
American Dreamz (2006) |
"The Roman rulers used to distract the populace from the problems of corruption and decadence with "bread and circuses." Today's equivalent might be junk food and television, especially "reality" television." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C+ |
Annapolis (2006) |
"This movie samples An Officer and a Gentleman and Top Gun the way Vanilla Ice sampled Bowie." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B+ |
The Ant Bully (2006) |
"This Aesop-like fable is brought to life with cheery good humor -- and some potty jokes -- both of which will be a hit with school-age kids. And there are some nice lessons about teamwork and empathy to keep the adults happy.
" |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B+ |
Aquamarine (2006) |
"The story, based on Alice Hoffman's YA novel, nicely blends the fantasy elements with astutely observed portrayals of early-teen fears and friendships. That's where the real magic is.
" |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B+ |
ATL (2006) |
"We hear Ray Charles' sentimental tribute "Georgia" turned into a hiccuping stuck record mixed with something harsher. This mash-up sets the stage for the conflicts the characters face between where they've been and where they want to go.
" |
Nell Minow |
Splat |
Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl in 3-D (2005) |
"Dreams are necessary, but without focus and meaning they are cotton candy -- a sweet delight until it melts away, leaving a sugar buzz and a sticky film on your teeth." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
Aeon Flux (2005) |
"This is one of those perfect on the outside-fascist on the inside societies where everything happens in huge, cavernous spaces for no particular reason except that it's a cool setting." |
Nell Minow |
Splat D |
Alone in the Dark (2005) |
"Reid delivers her lines as though she is calling for another round of Mai Tais for the house." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C- |
The Amityville Horror (2005) |
"A redundant round of recycling." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Are We There Yet? (2005) |
"The longest, naggiest, car-sickiest travel with children is less tedious than this weak and dragged-out generic fluff." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B |
Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) |
"The fluidity of relationships as loyalties shift gives this story extra energy and sizzle that takes it beyond the usual shoot-out and explosion-movie standard." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C- |
After the Sunset (2004) |
"The jokes aren't funny, the romantic encounters are unpersuasive, the pacing sags and drags, and the characters get less appealing as each minute goes by." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004) |
"A moderately cute action comedy that will satisfy its target audience of 8-14-year-olds." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
The Alamo (2004) |
"It makes the fatal mistake of assuming that it is enough to put American icons on one side and a choleric popinjay of a general on the other. It isn't." |
Nell Minow |
Splat D |
Alexander (2004) |
"A horrendously bad movie, a genuine 40-car pile-up of literally epic proportions, a three-way head-on collision of bad writing, bad acting, and bad direction." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
Alfie (2004) |
"The movie feels as empty as Alfie's heart." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Along Came Polly (2004) |
"If all of this strikes you as funny, then you probably don't get out much." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato A- |
America's Heart and Soul (2004) |
"If we ever needed a reminder of of what can be proud of, what we aspire to, what we stand for -- this is it." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) |
" Remember the "Spanky and Our Gang" episodes where the boys wouldn't let Darla into the treehouse? Imagine that plot in the all-white-guys world of 1970's television news." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B |
Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera (2004) |
"It's the Branson, Missouri dinner theater edition, as decorated as a wedding cake and as tightly laced as Christine's corset." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Around the World in 80 Days (2004) |
"Chan seems tired, even distracted, impatient to get it all over with. I was, too.
" |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B |
The Aviator (2004) |
"Like the life it depicts, it is uneven and fascinating.
" |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Against the Ropes (2003) |
"Ryan's performance is all on the outside. She pitches her voice low and tahks about bahkzing. She wears teensy tight outfits. And she has done something unwise to her lips." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
Agent Cody Banks (2003) |
"The idea is a cute one -- but it was cuter when they did the same thing in Spy Kids."" |
Nell Minow |
Splat C+ |
Alex and Emma (2003) |
"It is always a delight to see Hudson's saucer-eyed smile and impeccable timing, but it would be just as entertaining to watch a 90-minute documentary of Hudson shopping for groceries." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato A |
American Splendor (2003) |
"He may be reliably disappointed in himself, but the honesty of his take on himself and his life is, ultimately, quite beautiful." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B- |
American Wedding (2003) |
"Once again, as in the first two movies, there is a lot of talk about sex and a lot of attempts to have sex, but the sex that actually occurs is almost entirely respectful, monogamous, and really quite sweet." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 4/5 |
Andy Goldsworthy - Rivers and Tides: Working With Time (2003) |
No article available. |
Nell Minow |
Tomato B |
Anger Management (2003) |
"An uneven blend of pretty low humor and REALLY low humor on the theme of excrutiating humiliation that is just about saved by the sheer pleasure of watching Jack Nicholson." |
Nell Minow |
Splat C |
Anything Else (2003) |
"But instead of ringing new changes on these themes, he just repeats them off-kilter. The result is like a fax of an oil painting." |
Nell Minow |
Splat 2/5 |
Abandon (2002) |
"This is one of those movies that depends heavily on bonehead plot twists in which people behave inconsistently and idiotically." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 4/5 |
About a Boy (2002) |
"One of the most purely, satisfyingly enjoyable films of the year." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 3/5 |
About Schmidt (2002) |
Click here to see the review. |
Nell Minow |
Splat 2/5 |
Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights (2002) |
"Families looking for something to watch together should steer well clear, unless appreciation of outhouse humor is a family tradition." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato A- |
Adaptation (2002) |
Click here to see the review. |
Nell Minow |
Splat 2/5 |
All About the Benjamins (2002) |
"This is to Ice Cube what “Crossroads” is to Britney Spears, a vanity vehicle designed by a star who has very little sense of how people behave in real life." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 4/5 |
Analyze That (2002) |
"There are some slow patches, but it is sheer joy to see DeNiro give everything he’s got (which is plenty) to the pure pleasure of comic madness, and every time he comes on screen, the movie takes off like a rocket." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 4/5 |
Antwone Fisher (2002) |
"At first, the fact that this movie does not follow the usual pattern can feel disconcerting, even amateurish. Ultimately it gives the movie a kind of messiness and heart that provides extra authenticity." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 3/5 |
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) |
"30 very funny minutes surrounded by 60 minutes of far less funny jokes about body parts and body functions, primarily those relating to the bathroom." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 4/5 |
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) |
"An ambitious, complex, provocative movie." |
Nell Minow |
Tomato 3/5 |
About Adam (2001) |
"Adam's ability to go straight to the heart of each person's desire gives it a whimsical, almost magical tone that keeps it as light as a bubble." |
Nell Minow |
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