American Gangster (2007)

"What American Gangster does have -- what makes it such a commanding, exhilarating movie -- is a consummate love and understanding of story."

American Pie 2 (2001)

"It has a cheap, slapdash look that indicates no one behind the camera was interested in anything other than another fat payday."

An American Rhapsody (2001)

"A story this compelling deserves a better telling."

American Teen (2008)

"American Teen finds the truth in the trite and the cliched: It's a wonderful look at why growing up is so hard to do."

The Amityville Horror (2005)

"Moviegoers are more cynical now than they were in 1979, and most will laugh off the moments meant to be tense. You can't really blame them."

Amy's O (2002)

"Despite its many infuriating flaws -- not the least of which is Amy's self-absorbed personality -- Amy's O's honesty will win you over."

Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004)

"Anaconda is the Citizen Kane of giant snake movies. Anacondas is more like the Gigli of giant snake movies, only slightly better because at least Ben Affleck's not in it."

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

"It's a flat, dull picture marked by sporadic flashes of ridiculous brilliance."

Angel Eyes (2001)

"Angel Eyes is so dull and marshmallowy, not even Lopez's naturally piquant charm can liven it up. It's a mopefest."

Angels & Demons (2009)

"The result is dizzying enough to make you think you're entertained, although the moment you stop to think about Angels & Demons for even a second, the movie becomes ridiculous and preposterous enough to be laughed off the screen."

Annapolis (2006)

"If Annapolis is not the worst movie to date of this still-young year, it is certainly the most hackneyed, as well as the most depressing."

The Ant Bully (2006)

"... The Ant Bully is just a great ride, but all that moralizing diminishes the fun of feeling ant-sized yourself and being immersed in Lucas's incredible adventures."

Antichrist (2009)

"Von Trier, never exactly an optimist, has never been this gloomy and pessimistic. Antichrist is the feel-bad movie of the year."

Antwone Fisher (2002)

"The acting helps push the movie past its familiarity into something that rings earnest and true."

Anywhere But Here (1999)

"A wryly observed mother-daughter drama that earns its laughs -- and tears -- the old-fashioned way."

Appaloosa (2008)

"Appaloosa takes the traditional notion of a lone lawman fighting injustice and turns it successfully on its head."

Apres Vous (2005)

"As the character gains confidence, Garcia tones down the tics and actually makes Louis likable."

Arctic Tale (2007)

"Make no mistake, Arctic Tale is a stunning film, full of all the astonishing, even breathtaking nature photography we've come to expect from the folks at National Geographic."

Army of Shadows (1969)

"Its lack of sentimentality and melodrama is what elevates this thriller to another level."

The Art of War (2000)

"The movie is competently made, but it deals with characters and situations so well-worn, there is no conceivable way to breathe any fresh life into them."

Arthur and the Invisibles (2007)

"Directed by Luc Besson, this inventive family movie sets up the most delightful premise, then squanders it on the kind of yawn-inducing CG adventure you might expect from one of those long, plot-heavy cut scenes that slow down video games."

Ask the Dust (2005)

"Fante would never approve, governed as he was by a crushing fear of phoniness."

Assassination Tango (2003)

"A film that uses tango as a metaphor for life ought to generate some fire. But Assassination Tango offers little heat."

The Astronaut's Wife (1999)

"There is a terribly fine line between nihilism and rampant idiocy, and he hurls himself across it."

At Second Glance: Social Club Buena Vista (2009)

"What Moller finds is a forgotten place in a neglected neighborhood, where nostalgia and dreams of the future are buried by carelessness about the past, a lack of resources and diminished hopes."