Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2009)

"A winning and surprisingly moving documentary about -- wait for it -- a struggling Canadian heavy metal band that apparently influenced a generation of hard-rockers including Metallica, Anthrax and Guns N' Roses."

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

"A crackling good adventure, a visually sumptuous effort."

Against the Ropes (2003)

"A cliché-ridden, condescending and ham-handed film that clumsily fails to bring to life what should be an interesting story."

All About Steve (2009)

"One is tempted to feel bad for the usually likable Bullock -- who looks fantastic here, we must note -- but she's one of the film's producers, so she can't be too ashamed of herself. I am embarrassed for her, however."

All or Nothing (2002)

"The film feels uncomfortably real, its language and locations bearing the unmistakable stamp of authority."

Amelia (2009)

"Its portrayal of Earhart's drive and fearlessness never really gets to the heart of this bold, driven individual or explains why she needed so badly to break beyond Earth's boundaries."

An American Rhapsody (2001)

"A story this compelling deserves a better telling."

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."

And Now Ladies and Gentlemen (2003)

"A trite, unfocused but elegant shell of a story."

Antares (2004)

"It's just a chilly trip to the heart of nothing."

Appaloosa (2008)

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

Around the Bend (2004)

"In the end Around the Bend isn't an awful movie. It's merely forgettable."

Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)

"The sort of remake that inspires faith in second chances."

Atonement (2007)

"The interpretation is so painstaking and moving that almost every moment delivers a shuddering jolt to the head and the heart."

Along Came a Spider (2001)

"A mediocre widget stamped straight out of the mold of the popular police procedural, the kind featuring a master detective."

After Midnight (2004)

"A girl, a boy and a few days among reels of film: For a cinema lover it is heaven in celluloid."

AKA (2002)

"Coupling the plot with the presentation -- and the appealing cinematography -- makes AKA a film not to miss."

Almost Peaceful (2004)

"An intimate tale of how a group of strangers scarred by the past and with heavy personal burdens attempts to break the years of mistrust and suspicions built up during the war years."

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."

Autumn Spring (2003)

"A fantastic vehicle for three seasoned actors given the chance to play juicy roles at this stage of their lives."

After the Sunset (2004)

"A feature-length travel destination video about how your next Bahamas getaway will leave you feeling like a millionaire."

Appleseed (2004)

"This long-overdue big-screen adaptation makes it hard to tell what was so revolutionary about the series."

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."

The Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland (1999)

"It's difficult for even the cynic in the audience to resist giggling at the sight of a grown man and a tiny-voiced Muppet arguing whether or not the Blanket an entire film has been built around should be called "Wubby" instead."

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

"As plentiful as its ideas are, A Scanner Darkly often feels hollow, and more than a little monotonous, because Linklater has not quite succeeded in overcoming the aggressively uncinematic nature of Dick's novel."