Splat 2/4
The Jacket (2005)
"There's a lot to think about. What's lacking here is something to care about."
Lisa Kennedy
Splat 1.5/4
Japanese Story (2004)
"Fails to engage us in the lives of its characters because it never really introduces them."
Vic Vogler
Tomato 3/4
Jar City (2008)
"Terrifically acted, expertly shot and painstakingly paced, Jar City investigates deeper, darker themes. And Erlendur is a reminder that homicide detectives don't save lives so much as exhume the meanings of violence."
Tomato 3.5/4
Jarhead (2005)
"Jarhead does an impressive job of articulating the weird, often volatile convergence of the antisocial with the utterly loyal that seems to be the M.O. of a lot of men not yet grown."
Jennifer's Body (2009)
"Director Karyn Kusama finds resonant terror in details: the look Anita and Jennifer exchange before Jen's fateful ride, or a victim's last-minute ah-hah."
Tomato 2.5/4
Jersey Girl (2004)
"A small movie with a big star doing some of his most appealing work."
Jesus Camp (2006)
"One of those documentaries so well crafted you should wonder what was left on the cutting-room floor."
A Jihad for Love (2007)
"The film is propelled by tales of Muslims wrestling with their faith and sexual identity."
Jindabyne (2007)
"The movie's remaining revelations build slowly into a set of surprisingly powerful emotional beats."
Michael Booth
Splat .5/4
John Q (2002)
"It features miserable direction by Nick Cassavetes, writing by James Kearns, and acting by too many to be named."
Steven Rosen
John Tucker Must Die (2006)
"[A] tart-tongued mediocrity."
Johnny English (2003)
"Atkinson carries out his spy-spoof mission with candor and grace, or as much grace as a man can maintain while satirizing the Trainspotting climb up through a soiled potty."
Johnson Family Vacation (2004)
"The few funny bits confirm an old adage: See the trailer, skip the movie."
Tomato
Jonas Brothers - The Concert Experience (2009)
"In a struggling music economy, the big screen can be big money -- for the right acts. And the Jonas Brothers are exactly that."
Ricardo Baca
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
"Jonestown is not an easy movie to watch. But it's a solid presentation of an important chapter in American and religious history. Haunting is the only word that truly fits."
Ju-On: The Grudge (2004)
"Creepy, and if you like your horror eerie but not sopped in blood, Ju-On fits the bill. It is also 15 minutes too long."
Julie & Julia (2009)
"What an expression of the joy of cooks and cooking Julie & Julia turns out to be."
Jumper (2008)
"Jumper skips emotional traction (or humor) in what feels like a rush to the inevitable sequel or two."
Tomato 4/4
Juno (2007)
"Juno is unerring, compassionate and funny as heck."
Just Like Heaven (2005)
"Like all ghost movies, the premise of Just Like Heaven is wraith-thin."
Just Married (2003)
"Ditches the expected route and comes out surprisingly original and endearing."
Just My Luck (2006)
"Just My Luck is a safe teen movie that teens will actually like, and there are far worse things than that."