| Alphabetical
List of All Films Watched 2000 through September 2012 |
|
| In the
years 2000 through September 2012, I watched approximately 5457 films. |
|
| All
films are rated on a scale of **** (A+), *** 3/4 (A), *** 1/2 (A-), *** 1/4
(B+), *** (B), ** 3/4 (B-), ** 1/2 (C+), ** 1/4 ( C), ** (C-) , * 3/4 (D+), *
1/2 (D), * 1/4 (D-), * (F) |
|
| Links
are to longer reviews on site. A film defined as 70 min.+ visual
event. |
| The
year included with the film is the year I watched each film. |
| (V)
= TV, Video or DVD ( +) = repeat viewing
(W/O)= walked out |
|
| !WOMEN ART REVOLUTION (2011,
d. Lynn Hershman-Leeson) V. Polemic docu 40 years in work on women in art.
Moving ending saved film from didacticism. ** 1/2 |
| [500]
DAYS OF SUMMER (2009, d. Marc Webb) *** 1/2 |
| [UNTITLED]
(2009, d. Jonathan Parker) *** |
| 06/05
THE SIXTH OF MAY (2005, d. Theo Van Gogh) ** 3/4 |
| 1:1
(2006, d. Annette K. Olesen) *** |
| 10
ITEMS OR LESS (2006, d. Brad Silberling) ** 1/2 |
| 10
(2003, d. Abbas Kiarostami) Ten vignettes of lady cab driver & her
passengers (including her son). Static camera, droning voices. I
snoozed. * 1/2 |
| 10.5
(2004, d. John Lafia) V. The most epically ridiculous, scientifically absurd,
horribly written & acted mini-series in tv history. But the f/x
were pretty awesome. * |
| 100
MILE RULE (2003, d. Brent Huff) Caper film about a salesman at a conference
who is entrapped into an illicit affair. *** 1/4 |
| 100
STEPS (I cento passi) (2011 d. Marco Tullio Giordana) *** 1/2 |
| 101
REYKJAVIK (2000, d. Baltasar Kormákur) *** 1/4 |
| 101
REYKJAVIK (2001, d. Baltasar Kormákur) + *** |
| 10th
DISTRICT COURT (2005, d. Raymond Depardon) Docu of the quotidien goings on in
a local Parisian court. Illuminating...better than Judge Judy. *** |
| 11 FLOWERS
(2012, d. Wang Xiaoshuai) *** 1/4 |
| 11'9''01
(2003, France doc. d. various) 11 short films by various directors
based on 9/11. Mostly a waste of celluloid. ** 1/2 |
| 12
HOURS (2001, d. Raul Marchand Sanchez) * 1/2 |
| 12 ROUNDS (2010, d. Renny
Harlin) V.An action flick of desperate unlikliness with a hero of utter
stolidity. But it moves fast enough to be almost tolerable. ** |
| 12
(2008, d. Nikita Mikhalkov; Russia) *** |
| 12:08
EAST OF BUCHAREST (2006, d. Camelia Porumboiu) ** |
| 127 HOURS (2010, d. Danny
Boyle) Franco is splendid in a role that he mostly has to play alone (or to a
videorecorder); but the film tries too hard. *** 1/4 |
| 13
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING (2002, d. Jill
Sprecher) *** 1/2 |
| 13
GOING ON 30 (2004, d. Gary Winick) Another ridiculous kid in a
grownup's body fantasy, though Mark Ruffalo is always worth watching. *
1/2 |
| 13 MOONS (2002,
d. Alexandre Rockwell) 0* |
| 13
TZAMETI (2008, d. Géla Babluani) V. Fr./Georgian variation on Intacto.
Suspenseful +Giorgi Babluani is a find! *** 1/4 |
| 1408
(2007, d. Mikael Hafström) ** 3/4 |
| 17
AGAIN (2009, d. Burr Steers) Absurd wish fullfilment fantasy revisiting
hi-school with hints of incest. Strangely enjoyable since Zac Efron
pulls it off; ** 3/4 |
| 17 GIRLS
(2012, d. Delphine & Muriel Coulin) ** 3/4 |
| 170 Hz (2012, d. Joost van
Ginkel) ** 3/4 |
| 1981
(2010, d. Ricardo Trogi) ** 1/4 |
| 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK
(2012, d. Julie Delpy) Fairly funny comedy, but I loathed all the characters
(esp. prissy Chris Rock), jeered the script. Even NYC sucked. * 1/2 |
| 2 DAYS IN PARIS
(2007, d. Julie Delpy) *** |
| 2 FAST
2 FURIOUS (2003, d. John Stockman) Great action & sound; but
the longest 65 minutes of repetitive testosterone tweaking ever.
* 3/4 |
| 2
MINUTES LATER (2007, d. Robert Gaston) * 1/2 |
| 2:37
(2006, d. Murali K. Thalluri) *** 1/2 |
| 20
CENTIMETERS (2006, d. Ramón Salazar) *** |
| 20
CIGARETTES (2012, d. Aureliano Amadei) *** |
| 20
FINGERS (2004, d. Mania Akbari) Tight close-ups of a couple in motion,
arguing shrilly, incessantly, boringly. Like recent Kiarostami, only
feminist. * 3/4 |
| 20:30:40
(2004, d. Sylvia Chang) Interwoven, soapy comedy about 3 varied aged women
neighbors in modern Taipei. Somewhat superficial and overly long.
* 3/4 |
| 200 AMERICAN (2012, d.
Richard LeMay) V. 2003 earnest, no-budget gay film: young Aussi hustles in
NYC, meets rich A-gay and much poorly acted melodrama ensues. ** 1/4 |
| 2009 ACADEMY SHORT ANIMATIONS
(2010, d. various) Some clever stuff (esp. Logorama), but a long Wallace
& Gromit shows series is played out. ** 3/4 |
| 2009 ACADEMY SHORT FILMS
(2010, d. various) 4 serious message films and one comedy in an average
year for this category. ** 3/4 |
| 2046
(2005, d. Wong Kar-Wei) Ravishingly beautiful romantic film, Tony Leung beds
several women and androids, and as usual I lost the narrative thread.
*** |
| 21
GRAMS (2003, d. Alejandro Gonzálas Iñárritu) Art film about love &
dying with a choppy non-linear narrative & some great acting by all
involved. *** 1/2 |
| 21 JUMP STREET (2012, d. Lord
& Miller) Grown up Superbad, but this one was funny more than stupid. Too
many cock jokes! Hill & Tatum fine pairing. ** 3/4 |
| 21
(2008, d. Robert Luketic) A slam dunk for me both in subject & Jim
Sturgess; but so logically flawed it's a shame. ** 3/4 |
| 23
(2003, Germany d. Hans-Christian Schmid) True life story of youg
German hackers who provide crucial passwords to the Russians. *** |
| 24 HOUR PARTY
PEOPLE (2002, d. Michael Winterbottom) *** 1/2 |
| 24TH
DAY, THE (2004, d. Tony Piccirillo) Excellent 2-person gay-themed drama
with incredibly good acting by Scott Speedman & James Marsden. ***
1/2 |
| 25
CENT PREVIEW (2007, d. Cyrus Amini) ** |
| 25
DEGREES IN WINTER (2004, d. Stéphane Vuillet) Fun comedy about a
Spanish family who has an adventure helping a Ukranian illegal immigrée in
Brussels. ** 3/4 |
| 25th
HOUR (2002, d. Spike Lee) ***
1/2 |
| 27 CLUB, THE
(2008, d. Erica Dunton) ** 1/4 |
| 28
DAYS LATER (2003, d. Danny Boyle) DV looked terrible, but story gripped
and terrific visuals. Cillian Murphy, so great in Disco Pigs, is hot!
*** |
| 28
DAYS (2000, d. Betty Thomas) ** 1/2 |
| 28
WEEKS LATER (2007, d. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo) Spare, horrifying,
pessamistic...Michael Haneke would be proud. *** |
| 3 (2011, d. Tom
Tykwer) *** 1/4 |
| 3
BACKYARDS (2011 d. Eric Mendelsohn) ** 1/4 |
| 3
LITTLE PIGS, THE (Les 3 p'tits cochons) (2007, d. Patrick Huard) Fr.
Canadian sex comedy which somehow works. *** |
| 3
NEEDLES (2006, d. Thom Fitzgerald) *** 1/4 |
| 3:30
TO YUMA (2007, d. James Mangold) A perfect Western, until unmotivated
ending spoiled it. *** 1/4 |
| 300
(2007, d. Zack Snyder) Spectacular design, coherent narrative, even good
dialog well presented. Comic book gore, but wow. *** 1/4 |
| 317th
PLATOON, THE (La 317ème section) (2011, d. Pierre Schoendoerffer) ***
1/2 |
| 32A (2008, d.
Marian Quinn) ** 1/2 |
| 36
QUAI DES ORFÈVRES (2005, d. Olivier Marchal) Auteuil & Depardieu in
a French noir that could have been a Michael Mann film, dark & violent.
*** |
| 360 (2012, d.
Fernando Meirelles) *** |
| 38 WITNESSES
(2012, d. Lucas Belvaux) *** 1/2 |
| 39
POUNDS OF LOVE (2005, d. Dani Menkin)V. *** |
| 39 STEPS, THE (2010, d. James
Hawes) V. One of the worst BBC Masterpiece's ever. No chemistry, plot
holes. Why remake perfection? * 1/2 |
| 3-IRON
(2005, d. Kim Ki-Duk) Fascinating, but weird Korean thriller about a silent
young guy who breaks into houses. Very filmic and mysterious. *** 1/4 |
| 3SOME (2010, d.
Salvador Garcia Ruiz) *** 3/4 |
| 4 DAYS IN MAY (2012, d. Achim Von
Borries) *** 1/2 |
| 4
MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS (2007, d. Cristian Mungiu; Romania) *** 1/4 |
| 4
(2005, d. Ilya Khzhanovsky) Allegorical Russian film, lots of symbolism of
items of 4; but stupefyingly repetative, overlong and obscure. * |
| 4:
RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER (2007, d. Tim May) ** |
| 40
DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS (2002, d. Michael Lehmann)
*** |
| 40
YEAR OLD VIRGIN, THE (2005, d. Judd Apatow) * 1/4 |
| 40
(2011 d. Emre Sahin) *** |
| 4400,
THE (2004, d. various)V. "Limited" tv sf series about
returned alien abductees with strange powers. Compelling serial tv and I hope
it continues. *** |
| 49
UP (2006, d. Michael Apted) *** 1/2 |
| 50
FIRST DATES (2005, d. Peter Segal) V. Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore bring
out the best of each other. This film mines gold out of a weird concept. *** |
| 50/50 (2011, d.
Jonathan Levine) Great screwball chemistry between flawlessly convincing
Gordon-Levitt & Anna Kendrick elevates a so-so, if heartfelt
script. *** 1/4 |
| 54
(2006, d. Mark Christopher) V. Finally caught this interesting film. Ryan
Phillippe never hotter; Mike Myers never better. *** |
| 5x2
(2005, d. François Ozon) Unsparing, fascinating film about a dissolving
marriage told in 5 reverse vignettes. Ozon's best in years. ***
3/4 |
| 6 POINTS ABOUT
EMMA (2012, d. Roberto Pérez Toledo) ** 3/4 |
| 66/67
- FAIRPLAY WAR GESTERN (2010, d. Ludwig & Glaser) ** |
| 6IXTYNIN9
(Ruang talok 69) (2000, d. Pen-Ek Ratanaruang) ** |
| 6TH
DAY, THE (2000, d. Roger Spottiswoode)
** |
| 7
VIRGINS (2005, d. Alberto Rodríguez) *** 1/4 |
| 7 YEARS
(2007, d. Jean-Pascal Hattu) *** 1/4 |
| 71 - INTO THE
FIRE (2011, d. John H. Lee) *** 1/4 |
| 72
DAYS (2011, d. Danilo Serbedzja, Croatia) * 1/2 |
| 8 (2012, d. Rob Reiner) V.
Streamed web reading of Dustin Black's play...great cast, unrehearsed, but
strong. Book needs shaping. Still, moving & important. ** 1/2 |
| 8 1/2
WOMEN (2000, d. Peter Greenaway) * 3/4 |
| 8
MILE (2002, d. Curtis Hanson)
*** |
| 8
WOMEN (2002, d. François Ozon) **
1/2 |
| 800
BULLETS (2003, d. Alex de la Iglesia) Comedy moden day homage to
spaghetti Westerns & their genre. Funny, poignant. *** 1/2 |
| 881
(2007, d. Royston Tan; Singapore) W/O |
| 9
SONGS (2005, d. Michael Winterbottom) Video verité about a couple, she
American, he English, into Sex, Antarctica, and Rock & Roll. ***
1/4 |
| 9
SOULS (2004, d. Toshiaki Toyota) A comedy about escaped convicts
rampaging. I was bored and unamused and walked after an hour. W/O |
| 9
(2003, d. Umit Unal) Turkey AFF. Docudrama. Videotaped
interrogation of 6 suspects in murder rape. ** 1/2 |
| 9:06
(2010, d. Igor Sterk; Slovenia) ** 1/2 |
| 99
FRANCS (2008, d. Jan Kounen) *** |
| 9TH
COMPANY (2006, d. Fyodor Bondarchuk; Russia) *** 1/2 |
| A
DIOS MOMO (2005, d. Leonardo Ricagni) W/O |
| A
SIDE, B SIDE, SEA SIDE (2006, d. Wing-Chiu Chan) ** 1/4 |
| À TOUT
DE SUITE (2007, d. Benoît Jacquot) V. Jacquot doing 60's Godard pretty
darn well. *** |
| AACHI &
SSIPAK (2007, d. Joe Bum-jin) 1/2* |
| ABALLAY
(2012, d. Fernando Spiner, Argentina) * 3/4 |
| ABANDON
(2002, d. Stephen Gaghan) *** |
| ABANDONED
(2001, d. Arpad Sopsits) *** 1/4 |
| ABBUFFATA
L' (2008, d. Mimmo Colopresti) *** |
| ABEL (2011 d. Diego Luna)
Crazy 10-year old boy wrecks havoc with his already splintered Mexican
family. Psychologically suspect; but involving & well acted. *** |
| ABOUNA
(2003, d. Mahamet Saleh Haroun) Chad AFF. Two young brothers and their
trials finding their father. ** |
| ABOUT
A BOY (2002, d. Chris & Paul Weitz) ***
|
| ABOUT
ELLY (2009, d. Asghar Farhadi) *** |
| ABOUT
SCHMIDT (2002, d. Alexander Payne) *** 1/4
|
| ABOUT
THE LIVING (2002, d. Jorge Aquilera) ** |
| ABOVE
US ONLY SKY (2011, d. Jan Schomburg) *** 1/4 |
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE
HUNTER (2012, d. Timur Bekmambetov) Ludicrous title, ridiculous
premise. But 3D action f/x are some of the best ever on film. *** |
| ABSENT (2011,
d. Marco Berger) *** |
| ABSOLUT
(2005, d. Romed Wyder) Fascinating, complex thriller about 2 computer hacker
political terrorists & memory restoration. *** 1/4 |
| ACACIAS, LAS (2012, d. Pablo
Giergelli) ** 3/4 |
| ACCEPTED
(2007, d. Steve Pink) V. ** 1/2 |
| ACCOMPLICES
(Complices) (2010, d. Frédéric Mermoud) . *** 1/2 |
| ACCORDING
TO SPENCER (2001, d. Shane Edelman) *** |
| ACNÉ (2008, d.
Federico Veiroj) *** |
| ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (2011 d.
Julie Taymor) V.+++ Still amazing evocation of the '60 and remarkable
showcase for immortal Beatles songs. Fab, gear, hyperbolic. **** |
| ACROSS
THE UNIVERSE (2007, d. Julie Taymor) The '60s film I've been waiting 40
years for. **** |
| ACROSS
THE UNIVERSE (2008, d. Julie Taymore) + Even on 2nd view, this is my
fave film of decade so far. **** |
| ACTRESSES,
THE (2010, d. E. J-Yong) ** 1/2 |
| ADAM
& STEVE (2005, d. Craig Chester) Silly at times, but also funny
& touching romantic comedy about 2 quirky, mature gay men. ** 3/4 |
| ADAM (2009, d.
Max Mayer) *** 1/4 |
| ADAM'S
APPLES (2005, d. Anders Thomas Jensen) *** |
| ADAPTATION
(2002, d. Spike Jonze) *** 1/2 |
| ADDICTION
(2005, d. Minna Virtanen) ** 3/4 |
| ADJUSTMENT BUREAU, THE
(2011 d. George Nolfi) Phil Dick story ridiculously surreal. Glossy;
but boring since I didn't believe a bit of it. ** |
| ADMIRAL,
THE (2009, d. Andrei Kravchuck) *** 1/2 |
| ADOPTED, THE
(2012, d. Melanie Laurent) *** |
| ADORATION
(2009, d. Atom Egoyan) + Not quite as stunning the 2nd time
around...but worse: 2nd time this week I went to a film I didn't realize I'd
seen before! *** 1/4 |
| ADORATION
(2008, d. Atom Egoyan) *** 1/2 |
| ADULTS
IN THE ROOM, THE (2010, d. Andy Blubaugh) *** |
| ADVENTURELAND
(2009, d. Greg Mottola) Jesse Eisenberg, like Michael Cera is the ideal
pomo hero. Pleasant, if subdued, rom-com. ** 3/4 |
| ADVENTURES
OF FELIX, THE (2001, d. Olivier Ducastel & Jacques
Martineau) *** 3/4 |
| ADVENTURES
OF SEBASTIAN COLE, THE (2003, d. Tod Williams) V. Coming of
age/disfunctional family story nicely, if eliptically realized. Adrian
Grenier! ** 3/4 |
| ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, THE
(2011, d. Spielberg & Jackson) Non-stop action to the point of
serious fatigue. Very convincing mot. capture characters. ** |
| AE
FOND KISS (2005, d. Ken Loach) Ill fated love of a young 2nd generation
Paki for a white woman in today's Scotland. Subtle & affecting. *** |
| AFFAIR
OF LOVE, AN (2000, d. Frédéric Fonteyne)
*** |
| AFFAIR
OF THE NECKLACE, THE (2001, d. Charles Shyer)
** 3/4 |
| AFGHAN
STAR (2009, d. Havana Marking) *** |
| AFRICAN
ELECTION, AN (2011, d. Jarreth Merz) ** 1/2 |
| AFTER
INNOCENCE (2005, d. Jessica Sanders; docu) V. *** 1/4 |
| AFTER
MIDNIGHT (2005, d. Davide Ferrario) Whimsical paean to film à la Amélie
without the irony, a charmingly cockeyed love triangle. *** 1/4 |
| AFTER THE LAST ROUND (2010,
d. Ryan Pettey) V. Docu about boxing & brain damage. Definite point of
view; but a tad too obviously heart tugging. *** |
| AFTER
THE WEDDING (2006, d. Susanne Bier; Denmark) *** 1/2 |
| AFTERLIFE
(2003, d. Alison Peebles) Affecting drama: ambitious man forced to care for
Down's Syndrome sister. Tear jerker, never goes over the top. *** 1/4 |
| AFTERMATH
(2004, d. Paprika Steen) Emotionally shattering, beautifully acted chamber
drama about the affects of grief on a couple & the people around
them. *** 1/2 |
| AFTERSCHOOL
(2008, d. Antonio Campos) *** 1/4 |
| AFTERSHOCK
(2010, d. Feng Xiaogang; China) *** 3/4 |
| AFTERWARDS
(2008, d. Gilles Bourdos) ** 1/4 |
| AGAINST
THE CURRENT (2009, d. Peter Callahan) *** 1/2 |
| AGENT
CODY BANKS 2 (2004, d. Kevin Allen) Silly, but coherent kids
film. At least miles better than Inspector Gadget, which is saying
something. ** 1/4 |
| AGITATOR
(2002, d. Miike Takashi) ** 3/4 |
| AGORA (2010, d.
Alejandro Amenábar) ** 3/4 |
| AGRONOMIST,
THE (2004, d. Jonathan Demme) V. Doc. about Haitian radio radical good guy
Jean Dominique. Interesting, but slow mid-section disappoints. ** 3/4 |
| AGUA (2007, d.
Verónica Chen) *** |
| AHEAD
OF TIME (2005, d. Ágúst Güdmundsson; Iceland) * 3/4 |
| AHEAD
OF TIME (2010, d. Bob Richman) *** |
| AHIMSA
STOP TO RUN (2006, d. Leo Kittikorn; Thailand) * |
| AI WEIWEI:NEVER SORRY (2012,
d. Alison Klayman) V. Overlong, important bio docu of politically active,
ever-tweeting Chinese artist whose life itself is worldclass art. ***
1/4 |
| AI
(2001, d. Steven Spielberg) **** |
| AIME
TON PERE (2003, d. Jacob Berger) Swiss AFF. High gloss road picture
about Literature Nobelist and his estranged son. *** 1/4 |
| AIMÉE
& JAGUAR (2000, d. Max Färberböck) ** 3/4
|
| AIMÉE,
L' (2008, d. Arnaud Desplechin) ** 1/4 |
| AIN'T
SCARED (2008, d. Audrey Estrougo) ** |
| AIR
DOLL (2010, d. Hirokazu Kore-eda) ** |
| AIRES
DIFICILES, LOS (2006, d. Gerardo Herrera) ** 3/4 |
| AJAMI
(2009, d.Scandar Copti & Yaron Shani; Israel) *** 3/4 |
| AKA
(2004, d. Duncan Roy)V.+ Complete re-edit from multi-screen festival version
2 years ago. Well done British lower class gay imposter story. ** 3/4 |
| AKEELAH
AND THE BEE (2006, d. Doug Acheson) Predictable, manipulative, moving
film about an 11 yr. old black girl spelling genius. ** 1/2 |
| AL
FRANKEN: GOD SPOKE (2006, d. Nick Doob, Chris Hegedus) *** 1/4 |
| ALAMO,
THE (2004, d. John Lee Hancock) Mediocre script with too many levels of
flashbacks; but otherwise fairly well made historical pic. ** 1/2 |
| ALATRISTE
(2006, d. Augustin Diaz Yanes) ** 3/4 |
| ALBERT NOBBS (2011, d.
Rodrigo Garcia) Well intentioned, nicely acted, if stogy story of women
living as men in old Ireland. ** 3/4 |
| ALBINO
ALLEGATOR (2005, d. Kevin Spacey)V. Hostage film in a bar with some
good perfs, but pretty average script and direction. ** 1/2 |
| ALCATRAZ
AVE. (2000, d. Tom Edgar) *** |
| ALEGRE
MA NON TROPPO (2004, d. Fernando Colomo) Slick, high gloss '94 Spanish
sex farce on confused sexuality with clever plot and some fine acting.
*** |
| ALEX
& EMMA (2003, d. Rob Reiner) Romantic comedy. A novelist & a
steno who are writing and acting out a novel. A real turkey, both novel and
script. * |
| ALEXANDER
(2004, d. Oliver Stone) Epic with a confusingly constructed script but some
great battle scenes. Jolie's accent inexplicable; but Farrell is pretty
good. ** 3/4 |
| ALEXANDRA
(2008, d. Alexander Sokurov) *** |
| ALFIE
(2004, d. Charles Shyer) Jude Law is an attractive star playing a cad in this
somewhat boring, mediocre comedy. Shyer is a hack director; but his casting
works. ** 1/4 |
| ALI
ZAOUA, PRINCE DE LA RUE (2000, d. Nabil Ayouch) *** |
| ALI
(2001, d. Michael Mann) *** 1/2 |
| ALI:
FEAR EATS THE SOUL (2003, d. W.R. Fassbinder) V. Indictment of conformest,
xenophobic German character; old woman marries nice young Moroccan. *** |
| ALIAS
BETTY (2002, d. Claude Miller)
*** |
| ALICE
AND MARTIN (2000, d. André Téchiné) *** |
| ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010, d.
Tim Burton) Visually inventive, story deficient. ** 1/2 |
| ALICE UPSIDE DOWN
(2008, d. Sandy Tung) ** 3/4 |
| ALICE
(2006, d. Marco Martins; Portugal) ** 3/4 |
| ALIVE (Zhivoy)
(2007, d. Alexander Veledinsky) ** 3/4 |
| ALIVE!
(2009, d. Artan Minarolli; Albania) ** 3/4 |
| ALL
ABOUT LILY CHOU CHOU (2002, d. Shunji Iwai)
** |
| ALL GOOD THINGS (2011 d.
Andrew Jarecki) V. The stranger than fiction life of Robert Durst as brought
chillingly to screen by another great Gosling perf. *** 1/4 |
| ALL HAT (2007, d.
Leonard Farlinger) ** 3/4 |
| ALL
IN (2008, d. Nick Vallelonga) V. I usually like poker movies; but this
barely watchable drama was terrible. * |
| ALL OR
NOTHING (2002, d. Mike Leigh) ** 3/4 |
| ALL OR
NOTHING (2004, d. Mike Leigh) V. Finally caught Leigh's miserabilist version
of Life is Sour. As usual, fine filmmaking; but depressing. *** |
| ALL
OVER THE GUY (2003, d. Julie Davis)+ V. One of the better gay
films...bittersweet romantic comedy which has the ring of truth and
originality. *** 1/4 |
| ALL
OVER THE GUY (2001, d. Julie Davis) *** 1/4 |
| ALL
THAT I LOVE (2010, d. Jacek Borcuch; Poland) + *** |
| ALL
THAT I LOVE (2010, d. Jasek Borcuch) *** |
| ALL
THE KING'S MEN (2006, d. Steven Zaillian) Why was this film critically
savaged? Maybe a little over-ripe; but fantastic drama. *** 1/2 |
| ALL
THE PRETTY HORSES (2000, d. Billy Bob Thornton) **
1/2 |
| ALL
THE REAL GIRLS (2003, d. David Gordon Green) Appalachian love story; poetry
of the ordinary. Schneider & Deschanel are great. *** 1/2 |
| ALL
WILL BE WELL (Wszystko Bedzie Dobrze) (2008, d. Tomasz Wiszniewski) ***
1/2 |
| ALLEGRO
(2006, d. Christoffer Boe) ** |
| ALMANYA (2011, d.
Yasemin Samdereli) *** 1/4 |
| ALMOST
ADULT (2007, d. Yousaf Ali Khan) ** 1/2 |
| ALMOST
BROTHERS (2005, d. Lúcia Murat) Confusingly structured Brazilian story
mixing City of God with Carandiru and inferior to both. ** |
| ALMOST
FAMOUS (2000, d. Cameron Crowe) *** 1/4
|
| ALMOST
ORDINARY STORY, AN (2003, d. Milos Petricic) Romantic comedy about a
couple who may or may not be fated to marry. ** 3/4 |
| ALMOST
PEACEFUL (2003, d. Michael Deville) Post WWII Jews trying to return to
normal life in Paris dressmaking atelier. Gentle, pastoral, slow.
** 3/4 |
| ALOIS
NEBEL (2011, d. Tomas Lunak, Czech Republic) ** 3/4 |
| ALONE
IN FOUR WALLS (Allein in vier wanden) (2008, d. Alexandra Westmeier)
*** 1/4 |
| ALONE
(2005, d. Thomas Durschschlag) 2nd film in a row about a wounded girl: this
one a German who cuts herself from psychotic low self esteem. ** 3/4 |
| ALONG
CAME POLLY (2004, d. John Hamburg) Big stars, but a terribly tasteless
script...even Philip Hoffman overdid his slob schtick. * 1/2 |
| ALONG
THE RIDGE (Anche libero va bene) (2011 d. Kim Rossi Stuart) + *** 1/2 |
| ALONG
THE RIDGE (2007, d. Kim Rossi Stuart) *** 1/2 |
| ALPHA
DOG (2007, d. Nick Cassavetes) Better than expected. Timberlake &
especially a game Ben Foster outstanding. *** |
| ALQUIMISTA
IMPACIENTE, EL (2003, d. Patricia Ferreira)
Thriller/policier...lurid murder of a nuclear plant worker. ** 3/4 |
| ALTIPLANO
(2010, d. Peter Brosens & Jessica Woodworth) *** 1/4 |
| ALZHEIMER
CASE, THE (2005, d. Erik Van Looy) Polished thriller about a French
mafia assassin whose Alzheimers is affecting his contract hit in
Antwerp. *** |
| AMADOR
(2011, d. Fernando León de Aranoa) *** 1/4 |
| AMANDLA!
A REVOLUTION IN FOUR-PART HARMONY (2001, d. Lee
Hirsch) ** 3/4 |
| AMATEURS,
THE (2007, d. Michael Traegar) A silly comedy with a fine cast, mostly
wasted. * 3/4 |
| AMATI
GIRLS, THE (2001, d. Anne DeSalvo)
** |
| AMAZING
GRACE (2007, d. Michael Apted) Earnest, but sort of boring film with
great perf by Ioan Gruffuid. ** 3/4 |
| AMAZING
MRS. PRITCHARD, THE (2007, d. var.) V. Involving, realistic British
political what-if fantasy miniseries. *** |
| AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, THE
(2012, d. Marc Webb) Much better than Rami's, great 3D f/x. Garfield is super
likable as usual. Still, just diverting comicbook stuff. ** 3/4 |
| AMELIA
(2009, d. Mira Nair) Straightforward romantic biopic which informs
rather than involves. Borderline boring for a Hollywood pic. **
1/2 |
| AMÉLIE
(2001, d. Jean-Pierre Jeunet) *** 1/4 |
| AMEN
(2003, d. Costa-Gavras) Shattering Holocaust drama from pov of conscientious
SS Lt. and an Italian priest with the ear of the pope. *** 1/2 |
| AMER (2010, d.
Hélène Cattet) * |
| AMERICAN
COUSINS (2003, d. Don Coutts) The mob (Ukraine and New Jersey versions)
come to Glasgow. ** |
| AMERICAN EMPIRE (2012, d.
Patrea Patrick) V. Frightening docu re: corporate pillaging of earth, water,
food, oil etc. Lots of green "big heads". Effective propaganda
plus. *** 1/4 |
| AMERICAN
FORK (2007, d. Chris Bowman) ** |
| AMERICAN
GANGSTER (2007, d. Ridley Scott) A classic gangster flick, reminiscent
of Heat. *** 1/2 |
| AMERICAN
GUN (2002, d. Alan Jacobs) ** 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
HAUNTING, AN (2005, d. Courtney Solomon) * 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
JOBS (2004, d. Greg Spotts) V. Informative, reasoned docu about the effect of
NAFTA etc. on the American worker. Good polemics and filmmaking. *** |
| AMERICAN
OUTLAWS (2001, d. Les Mayfield)
* |
| AMERICAN
PIE 2 (2001, d. J.B. Rogers) * 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
PRIMITIVE (2009, d. Gwen Wynne) ** 1/2 |
| AMERICAN
RHAPSODY, AN (2003, d. Éva Gárdos) V. Maladjustment of child of
Hungarian emigres. Well acted, subtle, true to '50s & a little
stolid. ** 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
RULING CLASS, THE (2005, d. John Kirby) V. *** 1/2 |
| AMERICAN
SHOPPER (2007, d. Tamas Bojtor & Sybil Dessau) *** 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
SON (2008, d. Neil Abramson) *** 1/2 |
| AMERICAN
SPLENDOR (2003, US d. Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini)
Clever biopic/documentary about Harvey Pekar, comix writer. *** 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
TEEN (2008, d. Nanette Burstein) *** 1/4 |
| AMERICAN
VIOLET (2009, d. Tim Disney) Prdictable "based on true" story
of ACLU victory over Texas racial injustices. Good intentions &
acting; but so so. ** 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
VISA (2006, d. Juan Carlos Valdivia; Bolivia) ** 3/4 |
| AMERICAN
WEDDING (2004, d. Jesse Dylan) V. A new scatological nadir for this
series; but I have to admit that I laughed at some situations despite
myself. * 1/4 |
| AMERICAN, THE (2010, d. Anton Corbijn) Art film disguised as
thriller. Also a Sergio Leone film in modern drag, only lacking Morricone's
score. Slow, but Clooney shines. *** |
| AMERICANESE
(2006, d. Eric Byler) ** 3/4 |
| AMERICANO
(2005, d. Kevin Nolan) Contrived travelog with little plot (young Americans
in Spain finding themselves) and some poor acting. * 1/2 |
| AMERICANO
(2012, d. Mathieu Demy) ** 1/2 |
| AMERICA'S
SWEETHEARTS (2001, d. Joe Roth)
** |
| AMNESIA
- THE JAMES BRIGHTON ENIGMA (2006, d. Denis Langlois) Dusan Dukic
shines, based on true story. ** 3/4 |
| AMNESIA
( 2004, d. Nicholas Laughland) V. BBC mystery-thriller about an amnesiac cop
on the trail of a possible wife murderer. Nice script, but too pat. **
3/4 |
| AMNESTY
(2012, d. Bujar Alimani, Albania) ** 1/2 |
| AMORES
PERROS (aka "Love's a Bitch") (2000, d. Alejandro González
Iñárritu) *** 1/2 |
| AMREEKA (2009, d.
Cherien Dabis) *** 1/2 |
| AMY'S
ORGASM (2001, d. Julie Davis) *** 1/4 |
| ANALYZE
THAT (2002, d. Harold Rntwamis)
** |
| ANARCHIST
COOKBOOK, THE (2002, d. Jorday Susman) *** |
| ANARCHIST'S
WIFE, THE (2009, d. Marie Noelle, Peter Sehr) *** |
| ANATOMY
OF HELL (2004, d. Catherine Breillat) Opaque narrative about a girl who
hires a "gay" man to ravage her. Squickily sexually explicit. ** |
| ANCHORMAN:
THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY (2004, d. Adam McKay) Totally unfunny (for
me) silly, even stupid comedy take on '70s newscasters. * |
| AND
ALONG CAME TOURISTS (Am Ende Kommen Touristen) (2007, d. Robert
Thalheim) *** |
| AND
NOW...LADIES AND GENTLEMEN (2003, France d. Claude Lelouch)
Fine, lush melodrama about a jewel thief & a chanteuse each with memory
blackouts. *** |
| ANDER
(2009, d. Roberto Caston) Closeted Basque farmer tenderly falls for
Peruvian immigrant. Slow, but well observed & touching. *** 1/4 |
| ANDERSON MONARCHS, THE (2012,
d. Eugene Martin) V. OK docu of S. Philly all-black-girl 13-under soccer team
& white coach. Interesting comment on US today. ** 3/4 |
| ANGEL (2010, d. François
Ozon)V. Ozon's English lang. bodice ripper: great cast; despite Romola
Garai's technique in despicable title role film is eye rollingly ridiculous.
** 1/4 |
| ANGEL
AT SEA (2010, d. Frédéric Dumont) *** 1/4 |
| ANGEL
EXIT (2001, d. Vladimir Michalek) ** 1/4 |
| ANGEL,
THE (2010, d. Margreth Olin; Norway) *** |
| ANGELA
(2003, Italy d. Roberta Torre) Slow, impressionistic drama based on the
true story of a drug running family in Sicily-a torrid love triangle.
** 3/4 |
| ANGÈLE
AND TONY (2011, d. Alix Delaporte) ** 1/2 |
| ANGELS
IN AMERICA: MILLENIUM APPROACHES (2003, d. Mike Nichols) V. Superb
adaptation, utterly absorbing, fabulous acting. Great tv. **** |
| ANGELS
IN AMERICA: PARESTROIKA (2003, d. Mike Nichols) V. Uneven...some parts
superlative, some long political speeches I phased out. I'm in lust with
Patrick Wilson. *** 1/2 |
| ANGELS
OF EVIL (Vallanzasca - Gli angeli del male) (2011 d. Michele
Placido) *** 1/2 |
| ANGELS
OF THE UNIVERSE (2000, d. Fridrik Thor Fridriksson) *** 1/2 |
| ANGER
MANAGEMENT (2003, d. Peter Segal) Star power. Nicholson mugs &
Sandler is quite fine. Embarrassingly bad script & even worse
direction! * 1/4 |
| ANGST
(2003, d. Oskar Roehler) Drama about a failing marriage, he has sex problems,
she's an hysteric. Well acted, if over-the-top, hard to watch. **
1/2 |
| ANIMAL
FACTORY (2000, d. Steve Buscemi) ** 1/2 |
| ANIMAL
KINGDOM (2010, d. David Michôd) V. Watched again. This time
slight downgrade for some plot problems. *** 1/4 |
| ANIMAL
KINGDOM (2010, d. David Michôd) *** 1/2 |
| ANIMATRIX
(2003, US/JAPAN d. Various) 9 animated shorts from the
Matrix universe. Some better than others. ** 3/4 |
| ANITA
TAKES A CHANCE (2001, d. Ventura Pons) *** |
| ANNAPOLIS
(2006, d. Justin Lin) An average, predictable film with another charismatic
perf by James Franco as a boxer-plebe. A guilty pleasure. ** 1/4 |
| ANNIVERSARY
PARTY, THE (2004, d. Leigh & Cumming) V. An almost perfect video
film of today's Hollywood creative types & their screwed-up fabulous
lives. *** 1/2 |
| ANNIVERSARY
PARTY, THE (2001, d. Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan
Cumming) *** 1/2 |
| ANONYMOUS
(2004, d. Todd Verow) Verow tries arty French porn (a la Porn Theater). He's
not up to it as director or actor. Degrading, despicable disaster. 1/2* |
| ANONYMOUS (2011, d.
Roland Emmerich) Interestingly structured costume epic. Ridiculous history;
but lots of fun to watch fine actors trying hard. *** |
| ANOTHER
EARTH (2011, d. Mike Cahill) ** 1/4 |
| ANOTHER
GAY MOVIE (2006, d. Todd Stephens) * 1/2 |
| ANOTHER HAPPY DAY
(2011, d. Sam Levinson) Ups the ante for most dysfunctional family
wedding ever. Wonderful, if uneven, acting. Ezra Miller rules! ** 3/4 |
| ANOTHER
LIFE (Ovunque Sei) (2008, d. Michele Placido) *** |
| ANOTHER
LIFE (2005, d. Michele Placido) Stephano Accorsi's makes it worth
sitting through this strange, eerie romantic film. ** 3/4 |
| ANOTHER YEAR (2010, d. Mike
Leigh) Wonder of wonders, a sensitive, slice-of-life film purely about my age
contemporaries. Ending left much unresolved. *** 1/4 |
| ANSWER
MAN, THE (2009, d. John Hindman) *** |
| ANTARCTICA
(2008, d. Yair Hochner) Multi-character Israeli gay story of hot men &
their sex lives. Well acted, somewhat involving. *** |
| ANTARES
(2005, d. Götz Spielmann) Circularly constructed, sexually explicit slice of
life drama about denizens of a Vienna housing development. *** |
| ANTIBODIES
(2005, d. Christian Alvart) *** 1/2 |
| ANTITRUST
(2001, d. Peter Howitt) * 1/2 |
| ANTWONE
FISHER (2002, d. Denzel Washington) ** 3/4
|
| ANVIL!
THE STORY OF ANVIL (2009, d. Sasha Gervasi) V. Real life version of
Spinal Tap, sort of sad, sort of involving; but by the end I was
unaccountably moved. *** |
| ANY DAY NOW (2012, d. Travis
Fine) *** |
| ANY HUMAN HEART (2011 d.
Michael Samuels) V. Superbly acted (Broadbent, Macfadyen) 20th century life
story as philosophical passage. *** 1/4 |
| ANYTHING
ELSE (2003, d. Woody Allen) A failure. Occasionally funny romantic
comedy; but Allen's dialog seems false coming from 20-somethings. **
1/4 |
| ANYTOWN
(2009, d. Dave Rodriguez) ** 3/4 |
| APART
TOGETHER (2011, d. Wang Quan'an) *** |
| APARTMENT,
THE (2008, d. Billy Wilder) + Holds up remarkably, still Lemmon's and
MacLaine's triumph; but also a fine original script. *** 1/4 |
| APOCALYPTO
(2006, d. Mel Gibson) Gotta hand it to him, an art film with stretches of
boredom; but overall it worked as an action film. ** 3/4 |
| APPALOOSA
(2008, d. Ed Harris) I like westerns; but despite a fine cast this one seems
derivative (e.g. 3:10 to Yuma) & lacking convincing motivations. ** 1/4 |
| APPLAUS (2011 d. Martin
Zandvliet) Tense Danish film about middle age actress's life crisis, with a
raw nerve perf. by Paprika Steen as estranged mother of small boys. *** |
| APPROPRIATE ADULT (2012, d.
Julian Jarrold) V. True story of serial killing couple & woman
chosen to represent man. Well acted, overlong. ** 3/4 |
| APRÈS
VOUS (2004, d. Pierre Salvadore) Annoying and contrived French
farce. * 3/4 |
| ARARAT
(2002, d. Atom Egoyan) *** |
| ARBITRAGE (2012, d. Nicholas
Jarecki) Some plot holes don't totally detract from a detail filled, rich
looking, well acted, non-clichéd, crooked financier thriller. ** 3/4 |
| ARBOR, THE (2011, d.
Clio Bernard) V. Docu of British projects poet/playwrite Andrea Dunbar
& her screwed up children. Interesting, novel subject...not well
organized. ** 3/4 |
| ARCHANGEL
(2008, d. Jon Jones) V. TV thriller from Robert Harris book with a dead
fish Daniel Craig perf. pre-Bond, but quite authentic Soviet feeling.
*** |
| ARCHANGEL'S
FEATHER, THE (2003, d. Louis Manzo) Venezuela AFF. Allegory,
maybe about Archangel Gabriel vs. Big Brother.. ** 3/4 |
| ARDILLA
ROJA, LA (2003, d. Julio Medem 1993) Romantic thriller about a
man's fascination with an amnesiac woman. *** |
| ARISTOCRATS,
THE (2005, d. Paul Provenza) 100 great standup comedians do
history's worst dirty in-joke. 90 minutes of constant wracking
laughter. *** 3/4 |
| ARMIN (2007, d.
Ognjen Svilicic) ** 3/4 |
| ARMORED (2010, d. Nimrod Antal) V. Nicely mounted caper
film, but clichéd, predictable script spoils some good action
direction. ** 1/2 |
| ARMY
OF CRIME, THE (2010, d. Robert Guédiguian) *** 3/4 |
| ARMY
OF SHADOWS (2009, d. Jean-Pierre Melville) Eerily austere depiction of
French resistance cell in Lyon, fascinating and strangely moving. *** 1/2 |
| ARO
TOLBUKHIN, EN LA MENTE DEL ASESINO (2003, d. Agusti Villaronga etc.) Faux
documentary about mass murderer in Guatemala. ** |
| AROUND
THE BEND (2004, d. Jordan Roberts) 4 generation of a family's secrets
made into a road picture, similar to Last Orders, but rather
pedestrian. ** 1/4 |
| AROUND
THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (2004, d. Frank Coraci) A ridiculously overblown
remake of a movie which didn't need to be remade. * 1/4 |
| ARSÈNE
LUPIN (2005, d. Jean-Paul Salomé) Big film, bigger mess. Anachronistic
narrative, a lead actor without enough gravitas, but gorgeous production
design. * 1/2 |
| ART
AND COPY (2009, d. Doug Pray) *** |
| ART
OF CRYING, THE (Kunsten at Graede I Kor) (2006, d. Peter Fog) *** 1/4 |
| ART OF LOVE, THE
(2012, d. Emmanuel Mouret) *** 1/4 |
| ART
OF NEGATIVE THINKING, THE (Kunsten A Tenke Negativt) (2008, d. Bard
Breien) *** |
| ART OF THE STEAL, THE (2010,
d. Don Argott) V. Docu about public violating the Barnes Found.trust, looting
$25B of art. Fascinating, if one-sided & confrontational. *** 1/4 |
| ART
SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL (2006, d. Terry Zwigoff) Amusing black comedy
satire. Broadbent is great; but this is no Ghost World. *** |
| ARTHUR
AND THE INVISIBLES (2006, d. Luc Besson) Luc should stick to live
action; predictable, badly acted & animated. * 1/2 |
| ARTIST, THE (2011, d.
Michael Hazanavicius) Convincingly authentic take on silent film
tropes, but predictable seen-before plot did nothing for me. ** 1/2 |
| ARYAN
COUPLE, THE (2004, d. John Daly) Sometimes cheesy melodramas just work,
as this well-cast, politically incorrect Holocaust story does for me. Judy
Parfitt is wonderful. *** |
| AS
GOD COMMANDS (Come Dio comanda) (2010, d. Gabriele Salvatores)
*** 1/2 |
| AS IF I AM NOT
THERE (2011, d. Juanita Wilson) *** 1/4 |
| AS
IT IS IN HEAVEN (2004, d. Kay Pollak) Uplifting & emotionally
satisfying drama about an artist who brings enlightenment to his backwater
Swedish home town. *** 1/2 |
| AS IT
IS IN HEAVEN (2005, d. Kay Pollack)+ Watched again; some of the plot
manipulations more obvious a 2nd time; but still fine, affecting film. ***
1/4 |
| AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT (2012,
d. Lorenzo Gabriele) V. Too broadly acted French farce about closeted
professor chosen to foster a troubled teen boy. * 3/4 |
| AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT (2012, d.
Alex de la Iglesia) *** 1/4 |
| ASH
WEDNESDAY (2002, d. Edward Burns) ** 3/4 |
| ASOKA
(2002, d. Santosh Sivan) *** |
| ASSASSINATION
OF JESSE JAMES (2007, d. Andrew Dominik) Great looking; but the
narrator on downers annoyed. ** 3/4 |
| ASSASSINATION
OF RICHARD NIXON, THE (2004, d. Niels Mueller) Sean Penn is remarkable
as a '70s loser who becomes a plane hi-jacker. *** |
| ASSASSINATION
TANGO (2003, d. Robert Duvall) Thriller on valium. Duvall is a
fine actor; but lousy writer/director from this film. * 3/4 |
| ASTRONAUT
FARMER, THE (2008, d. Michael Polish)V. Subdued Thornton in gentle
mode; pretty, feel-good fantasy not typical of Polish Bros. ** 1/2 |
| ASTRONAUTS
(2004, d. Santi Amodeo) Slight, wry romantic comedy about an ex-junky and a
16 yr girl. Not as cute as it tries to be. ** |
| ASYLUM
(2005, d. David Mackenzie) ** 3/4 |
| AT THE
DEATH HOUSE DOOR (2008, d. Gilbert & James) Low key docu
about former Texas death row chaplin, esp. his remorse over past injustices
& the penalty itself. ** 3/4 |
| AT
WEST OF PLUTO (2009, d. Myriam Verreault & Henry Bernadet) *** |
| ATALANTE, L' (2011, d. Jean
Vigo) V. Seminal film gorgeously remastered & recut to original intent.
Simple story sort of eliptical narrative, but beautiful. *** 1/4 |
| ATANARJUAT:
THE FAST RUNNER (2001, d. Zacharias Kunuk) ***
1/2 |
| ATHLETE, THE
(2010, d. Danny Frankel and Rasselas Lakew) ** 3/4 |
| ATLANTIS
DOWN (2011 d. Max Bartoli) W/O |
| ATONEMENT
(2007, d. Joe Wright) Wright's direction & McAvoy's acting make this a
special tearjerker. Oscar? Maybe. *** 1/2 |
| ATTENBERG
(2011, d. Athina Rachel Tsangari, Greece) W/O |
| AU
REVOIR TAIPEI (2010, d. Arvin Chen) *** 1/4 |
| AUBERGE
ESPAGNOLE, L' (2003, France-Spain d. Cedfric Klapisch) Crowd
pleasing comedy about a young Frenchman's defining school year in
Barcelona. *** |
| AUDITION
(2001, d. Takashi Miike) * |
| AUGUST
RUSH (2007, d. Kirsten Sheridan) As delirious & affecting as
Sheridan's Disco Pigs, but too many plot holes. *** |
| AUGUST (2008, d.
Austin Chick) *** 1/4 |
| AUGUST (2011, d.
Eldar Rapaport) ** 3/4 |
| AURA,
EL (2005, d. Fabián Bielinsky; Argentina) *** 1/4 |
| AURORA
(2007, d. Oxana Bayrak; Ukraine) ** 1/2 |
| AUSTRALIA
(2008, d. Bazz Luhrmann) Reminiscent of Giant, a gigantic, yet intimate epic
focusing on ranching & a country's ethos. Ambitions almost
fulfilled. *** |
| AUTISM:
THE MUSICAL (2007, d. Tricia Regan) Moving, heart-rending docu...nice
editing & photog. *** 3/4 |
| AUTO
FOCUS (2002, d. Paul Schrader) *
1/2 |
| AUTUMN
BALL (2007, d. Veiko Ounpuu ) * 1/2 |
| AUTUMN
IN NEW YORK (2000, d. Joan Chen)
** |
| AUTUMN
OF THE MAGICIAN (2009, d. Vaheh & Reuben Gevorkyants;
Armenia) Fascinating docu about artist screenwriter Tonino Guerra who should
be world famous. *** |
| AUTUMN
SPRING (2003, d. Vladimir Michátek) Czech comedy/drama about an old
couple. Academy bait...so why did Czechoslavakia nominate another
film? *** |
| AVATAR (2009, d.
James Cameron: 3D) The most sense-of-wonder instilling film since 2001:Space
Odyssey; a visual triumph with story to match. Bravo! Cameron. **** |
| AVATAR (2010, d. James Cameron) +++ Extra 9 min. seamlessly
integrated. 1st time in IMAX (not much different). Still amazing,
unparalleled experience. **** |
| AVATAR (2010, d. James
Cameron) + Still amazing 2nd time around. No other film in memory provided me
with such a pleasurable immersive experience. **** |
| AVELLANEDA'S
MOON (2005, d. Juan José Campanella) Long, high-gloss social comedy
about an Argentine social club & its member's struggles to survive. **
1/2 |
| AVENGERS, THE (2012, d. Joss
Whedon) Comic universe makes little sense; but film holds together & f/x
are nifty. Ruffalo & Evans are particularly effective. *** |
| AVENUE
MONTAIGNE (Fauteuils d'orchestra) (2006, d. Daniele Thompson;
France) + *** 1/2 |
| AVIATOR,
THE (2004, d. Martin Scorsese) Powerful biopic, visually splendid with
great perfs by Di Caprio and Blanchett. Too sprawling, but it worked magic
for me. *** 1/2 |
| AWAKE (2010, d. Joby Harold)
V. Thriller with a truly absurd claptrap plot, but involving, gotta give it
that. I like Hayden Christensen, even if he's remarkably wooden. ** |
| AWAY
FROM HER (2007, d. Sarah Polley) Julie Christie is aging gorgeously.
And her Alzheimer's is totally convincing. *** 1/2 |
| AWAY
WE GO (2009, d. Sam Mendes) Wildly variable road flick, social satire.
John Krasinski is becoming a major star. ** 3/4 |
| BAADER
MEINHOF COMPLEX, THE (2008, d. Uli Edel; Germany) *** 1/4 |
| BAARIA
(2009, d. Giuseppi Tornatori; Italy) *** 1/2 |
| BABEL
(2006, d. Alejandro González Iñárritu) Circular script like Before the Rain.
Fabulous direction. Gut wrenching tension. Great film. *** 1/2 |
| BABY
BOY (2001, d. John Singleton)
*** |
| BABY
LOVE (2009, d. Vincent Garenq) *** |
| BACK DOOR CHANNELS: THE PRICE
OF PEACE (2011, d. Harry Hunkele) V. Fascinating, often moving behind scenes
docu of Egypt-Israel negotiations. Important. *** 1/2 |
| BACK
SOON (2007, d. Rob Williams) ** 3/4 |
| BACK
TO YOUR ARMS (2011, d. Kristijonas Vildzunas, Lithuania) **
1/2 |
| BACKSTAGE
(2006, d. Emmanuelle Bercot) ** 3/4 |
| BACK-UP
PLAN, THE (2010, d. Alan Poul) J-Lo overacts terribly. Alex
O'Loughlin is sexy & wonderful. Film is a clichéd stinker. *
3/4 |
| BACKYARD
(2009, d. Carlos Carrera; Mexico) *** 1/4 |
| BAD
BOYS II (2003, d. Michael Bay) A new morally reprehensible low for the
Hollywood mega-violent film. Only Jordi Molla, a kick-ass baddy is
worth it. 0* |
| BAD
DAY FOR FISHING (2009, d. Alvaro Brechner;Uruguay) *** |
| BAD
EDUCATION (2004, d. Pedro Almodovar) Pedro's gayest film since Law of
Desire. Silly noirish plot; but total fun with an extraordinary Gaël
Bernal. *** |
| BAD
FAITH (Mauvaise foi) (2007, d. Roschdy Zem) *** |
| BAD
GUY (2003, S. Korea d. Kim Ki-duk) Circular, confusing story: ruthless
pimp subjugates a college girl & makes her into a cooperative
prostitute. ** 3/4 |
| BAD
SANTA (2003, d. Terry Zwigoff) Funny, profane, wonderfully perverse
comedy about group of innately bad losers. Kid who could see no evil was
great! *** |
| BAD
SPELLING (2005, d. Jean-Jacques Zilbermann) Fun, homoerotic black
comedy, a French boys school where students rebel led by the weird son of the
headmasters. *** |
| BADLAND
(2007, d. Francesco Lucente) Except for the overamped score a fine film with
a searing perf by Jamie Draven. *** 1/4 |
| BAG OF BONES (2011, d. Mick
Garris) V. Instantly forgettable miniseries about ghosts & revenge for
old murders in rural Maine. Waste of time. ** |
| BAGHDAD,
TX (2009, d. David H. Hickey) * 1/2 |
| BAJARSE
AL MORO (2004, d. Fernando Colomo) A low-budget '88 comedy about Madrid
druggies. Even a young Antonio Bandares couldn't elevate it. ** |
| BALIBO
CONSPIRACY, THE (2010, d. Robert Connolly) *** 1/4 |
| BALL
IN THE HOUSE (2005, d. Tanya Wexler) V. *** |
| BALLAST (2008, d.
Lance Hammer) ** 1/2 |
| BALSEROS
(2004, d. Bosch and Doménech) V. Absorbing doc. which explores the lives of
several Cuban raft people who eventually come to the U.S. over 9 years. ***
1/4 |
| BANDE
À PART (2003, d. Jean-Luc Goddard) V. A '60s version of the gang
who couldn't shoot straight, a cockeyed noir which holds up well. *** |
| BANDITS
(2001, d. Barry Levinson) ** |
| BAND'S
VISIT, THE (2007, d. Eran Kolirin) ** 3/4 |
| BANDSLAM
(2009, d. Todd Graff) Sweet, fun coming of age/forming a rock band
film. Gaelan Connell is LaBeouf lite...very likable. GREAT rock score.
Predictable plot. *** 1/4 |
| BANG
BANG YOU'RE DEAD (2002, d. Guy Ferland) *** 3/4 |
| BANGER
SISTERS, THE (2002, d. Bob Dolman) **
1/2 |
| BANISHMENT
(Izgnamie) (2007, d. Andrey Zvyagintsev) *** 1/4
|
| BANK
JOB, THE (2008, d. Roger Donaldson) Surprisingly predictable, I've seen
this heist film several times before. ** 1/4 |
| BANLIEU
13 (2005, d. Pierre Morel) Fast paced, superior martial arts action
film set in a lawless 2010 Paris. Vivid, realistic characters. *** 1/4 |
| BANQUET
AT TETLAPAYAC, A (2001, d. Olivier Debroise) * |
| BANQUET,
THE (2007, d. Feng Xiaogang; Hong Kong) ** 1/4 |
| BARAN
(2001, d. Majid Majidi) *** |
| BARBARIAN
INVASIONS, THE (2003, d. Denys Arcand) + Worth a 2nd viewing, just for
the philosophy. *** 3/4 |
| BARBARIAN
INVASIONS, THE (2003, d. Denys Arcand) Art film about love and dying,
literate script, excellent ensemble acting, enormously moving *** 1/2 |
| BARBERSHOP
(2002, d. Tim Story) ** 1/2 |
| BAREFOOT
DREAM, A (2010, d. Kim Tae-gyun; South Korea) ** 1/4 |
| BARNEY'S VERSION (2010,
d. Richard J. Lewis) Grown-up version of Duddy Kravitz with less wit and
altogether unpleasant associations. ** 1/4 |
| BARS
IN THE MEMORY (2005, d. Manuel Palacios) Dry Spanish docu about the
concentration camps and privations during the Franco years. ** 1/2 |
| BARTLEBY
(2001, d. Jonathan Parker) ** 1/2 |
| BASAIN
(2007, d. Subash Prasad Gajural; Nepal) W/O |
| BASED
ON A TRUE STORY (2005, d. Walter Stokman) Partially successful doc
about the "real" story behind Dog Day Afternoon. ** 1/2 |
| BATMAN
BEGINNINGS (2005, d. Christopher Nolan) Noisy comic entertainment with
a narratively cohesive plot & great design. *** |
| BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN (2011, d.
Galinsky & Hawley) V. Slow to start 6-yr. in making docu, gathers power
of disgust at the toady political establishment. *** 1/4 |
| BATTLE
FOR TERRA (2009, d. Aristomenis Tsirbas) Excellent 3D animation plus
superior SF script with subtle issues of loyalties & humanity. ***
1/4 |
| BATTLE
IN SEATTLE (2008, d. Stuart Townsend) ** 1/2 |
| BATTLE
OF SHAKER HEIGHTS (2003, d. Potelle & Rankin) Indispensible
companion to Proj Greenlight. Shia Lebeuf incredible, movie better than
expected. ** 3/4 |
| BATTLE
OF WITS (2007, d. Jacob Cheung) *** |
| BATTLE: LOS ANGELES
(2011 d. Jonathan Liebesman) Bombast for days; but this 21st Cent. redo
of Independence Day rocks.
Convincing, stirring. Am I nuts? *** 1/4 |
| BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (2010,
d. Michael Rymer)V. 2003 Mini-series.
I'm hooked by this serious SF mashup of Star Wars & Star Trek and better
than either. *** 1/4 |
| BE CALM AND COUNT TO
SEVEN (2009, d. Ramtin Lavafipour) ** 1/2 |
| BE
COOL (2005, d. F. Gary Gray) Hipper than thou spoof of gangsta music
biz and Hollywood. Enjoyed the settings (around the corner from my
apartment). ** 1/4 |
| BE
KIND REWIND (2008, d. Michel Gondrey) Gondrey's silly creativity works
here. Mos Def surprised me. *** |
| BE
LIKE OTHERS (2009, d. Tanaz Eshaghian) *** 1/4 |
| BE
WITH ME (2005, d. Eric Khoo; Singapore) ** 3/4 |
| BEACH,
THE (2000, d. Danny Boyle) **
1/2 |
| BEACHES
OF AGNES, THE (2009, d. Agnès Varda) What treasures Agnes Varda's
mementos are. Her docus are moving & strangely beautiful. Et j'adore
Jacques Demi. *** 1/2 |
| BEAR
CUB (2004, d. Luis Miguel Albaladejo) An honest, moving,
straightforward Spanish film about a gay man thrust into caring for his 9 yr
old nephew. *** |
| BEARCITY
(2010, d. Doug Langway) ** |
| BEAST
STALKER, THE (2009, d. Dante Lam) *** |
| BEASTS OF THE
SOUTHERN WILD (2012, d. Benh Zeitlin) *** |
| BEAT
THAT MY HEART SKIPPED, THE (2005, d. Jacques Audiard) Frenetic
drama based on Fingers with a magnetic perf by Romain Duris. *** |
| BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE
(2011, d. Michael Rapaport) V. Rock docu of seminal, troubled hip-hop
group "A Tribe Called Quest". Interesting new-to-me stuff, but just
ok. ** 1/2 |
| BEAU
TRAVAIL (2000, d. Claire Denis)
*** |
| BEAUFORT
(2008, d. Joseph Cedar; Isreal) *** 1/2 |
| BEAUTIES
AT WAR (La Guerre des miss) (2009, d. Patrice Leconte) ** |
| BEAUTIFUL
COUNTRY, THE (2005, d. Hans Petter Moland) Involving, well acted
adventure of a half-American Vietnamese boy's emigration to the US. *** |
| BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS (2010, d.
Tamoko Kana) V. Intriguing, non-confrontational, pictorial docu of 3 areas
where global warming is causing profound life changes. ** 3/4 |
| BEAUTIFUL
MEMORIES (Se souvenir des belles choses) (2009, d. Zabou Breitman) ***
1/2 |
| BEAUTIFUL
MIND, A (2001, d. Ron Howard) *** 1/4 |
| BEAUTIFUL
OHIO (2006, d. Chad Lowe) ** 3/4 |
| BEAUTIFUL
(2000, d. Sally Field) ** |
| BEAUTY
IN TROUBLE (Kraska V Nesnazich) (2007, d. Jan Hrebejk) *** 1/4 |
| BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING (2012,
d. Neil Berkeley) V. Fascinating, elevating docu of life & creations of
pop artist & designer Wayne White (PeeWee's Playhouse etc.) *** 3/4 |
| BEAUTY
REMAINS (2006, d. Ann Hu) ** 1/2 |
| BEAUTY
(2011, d. Oliver Hermanus, South Africa) *** 1/4 |
| BECOMING
JANE (2007, d. Julian Jarrold) ** 3/4 |
| BEDAZZLED
(2000, d. Harold Ramis) ** |
| BEE
SEASON (2007, d. McGehee and Siegel) V. Involving, well acted family
drama with not well defined spiritual mysteries. *** |
| BEESWAX
(2009, d. Andrew Bujalski) Mumblecore madness right up to very
(startlingly unsatisfying) ending. Successful character study, in any case.
*** |
| BEFORE
FLYING BACK TO EARTH (2006, d. Arunas Matelis; Lithuania) *** |
| BEFORE
I FORGET (Avant que j'oublie) (2008, d. Jacques Nolot) ** 3/4 |
| BEFORE
NIGHT FALLS (2000, d. Julian Schnabel) ** 1/4 |
| BEFORE
SUNSET (2004, d. Richard Linklater) Talky sequel to one of my all-time
fave films. Satisfying in context; but not as good a film. *** |
| BEFORE
THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (2007, d. Sidney Lumet) Tight thriller- 2
brothers and the "perfect" robbery. *** 1/2 |
| BEFORE
THE RAINS (2008, d. Santosh Sivan) ** 3/4 |
| BEFORE
THE STORM (Före stormen) (2000, d. Reza Parsa) *** 1/2 |
| BEGINNERS (2011, d. Mike
Mills) Finally a truthful film about an elderly gay man, lovingly made,
emotionally satisfying. The son's story (film's center) not so well written.
Still... *** 1/2 |
| BEHIND
ENEMY LINES (2001, d. John Moore) **
1/2 |
| BEHIND
THE RED DOOR (2003, d. Matia Karrell) (V) Showtime Aids
drama. Kyra and Kiefer are 2 of my least favorite actors. * 1/2 |
| BEHIND
THE SUN (2001, d. Walter Salles) ** 3/4 |
| BEING FLYNN (2012, d. Paul
Weitz) Fabulous acting by DeNero and Dana; but film is such a downer it's
hard to love. Crazy, homeless, bad father. Ugh. *** 1/4 |
| BEING
JULIA (2004, d. Istvan Szabo) Overwrought, entertaining period
melodrama about a monster actress in 1938 London. Benning's performance:
Oscar bait tour de force. *** |
| BEL AMI (2012, d. Declan
Donnellan & Nick Ormand) ** 3/4 |
| BELIEVER,
THE (2004, d. Henry Bean) V.+ I appreciated the quality of the
filmmaking more the 2nd time around. One hell of a script, well
executed. *** 1/2 |
| BELIEVER,
THE (2002, d. Henry Bean) *** 1/2 |
| BELLA (2006, d.
Alejandro Monteverde) ** |
| BELLE
EPINE (2011, d. Rebecca Ziotowski) ** |
| BELLE
PERSONNE, LA (2009, d. Chrisophe Honoré) *** 1/4 |
| BELLE
TOUJOURS (2007, d. Manoel de Oliveira; Portugal) ** |
| BELLFLOWER
(2011, d. Evan Glodel) ** 3/4 |
| BELOVED (2012, d.
Christophe Honoré) Very Gallic 2 generation bittersweet relationship
"musical". Artifice of pedestrian songs didn't work, &
too predictable. ** 3/4 |
| BELOVED/FRIEND
(2000, d. Ventura Pons) ** 1/2 |
| BEN
X (2007, d. Nic Balthazar; Belgium) *** 1/2 |
| BEND
IT LIKE BECKHAM (2003, d. Gurinder Chadha) Feel good Indian girl's
soccer story set in Britain. Predictable script saved by fine
direction. *** |
| BENEATH
HER WINDOW (2004, d. Metod Pevec) Screwball Slovenian comedy about a
30ish woman's romantic entanglements whose evident charms escaped me.
** 1/4 |
| BENEDICT
ARNOLD: QUESTION OF HONOR (2003, d. Mikael Salomon)
(V) A&E historical movie. Unwatchably bad. WO |
| BEOWULF
& GRENDEL (2006, d. Sturla Gunnarsson) ** 1/4
|
| BEREFT
(2004, d. Tim Daly, Clark Mathis) + Oops! I forgot I'd seen this grief drama
at SIFF and was unimpressed. Here the beauty of the images made up somewhat.
** 3/4 |
| BEREFT
(2004, d. Tim Daly, Clark Mathis) Overwrought drama about a young woman
driven crazy with grief by the auto accident death of her husband. ** 1/2 |
| BERGA:
SOLDIERS OF ANOTHER WAR (2003, d. Charles Guggenheim) (V) docu. on
valium about American WWII POWs. ** 1/4 |
| BERLIN
IS IN GERMANY (2001, d. Hannes Stohr) *** 1/4 |
| BERNARD
AND DORIS (2008, d. Bob Balaban) V. Exquisitely acted (Finnes &
Sarandon) but sorta boring biopic. ** 3/4 |
| BERNIE (2012, d.
Richard Linklater) Tongue in cheek re-creation docu of a weird Texas murder.
The blue-haired lady interviewees are priceless. *** 1/4 |
| BERTIE
AND ELIZABETH (2005, d. Giles Foster) Masterpiece Theater
schlock. Fine acting, good script. ** 3/4 |
| BESA
(2010, d. Srdan Karanovic; Serbia) *** 1/2 |
| BEST
DAY OF MY LIFE (2004, d. Cristina Comencini) Splendid and moving,
complex Italian disfunctional family saga, 2 sisters and gay son & their
lives and loves. *** 1/4 |
| BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL,
THE (2012, d. John Madden) Elders do India in this fun dramedy. Dames Judi
& Maggie are splendid. *** 1/4 |
| BEST
IN SHOW (2000, d. Christopher Guest)
*** |
| BEST
INTENTIONS (2012, d. Adrian Sitaru) *** 1/4 |
| BEST
MAN, WORST FRIEND (2006, d. Stefan Schwartz) V. Guilty pleasure
romantic comedy; Stuart Townsend & Seth Green fine. ** 3/4 |
| BEST
OF TIMES (2010, d. Yongyoot Thongkongtoon; Thailand) ** |
| BEST
OF TIMES, THE (2003, d. Chang Tso-Chi) Taiwan AFF. Family drama,
kitchen sink style. *** 1/2 |
| BEST
OF YOUTH #1 (2004, d. Marco Giordana) Part one of this sprawling family
saga propulsively sets up the drama & characters. *** |
| BEST
OF YOUTH #2 (2004, d. Marco Giordana) In part two the emotional rewards
so carefully plotted are huge. A totally satisfying 6 hour epic
of late 20th Century Italy. **** |
| BEST
OF YOUTH, THE 1 & 2 (2005, d. Marco Tullio Giordana) + Liked part 1
better than originally, and part 2 dragged a little. Still, overall
fabulous film. **** |
| BEST
OF YOUTH, THE (2008, d. Marco Giordano) V.+++ Still the most
emotionally resonant film I've ever watched. **** |
| BEST WORST MOVIE (2010, d.
Michael Stephenson) V. Docu about cult film TROLL 2; quite
entertaining. Apparently NOT a mockumentary, tho it plays like one. *** |
| BET
COLLECTOR, THE (2007, d. Jeffrey Jeturian) ** |
| BETRAYAL,
THE (Nerakhoon) (2008, d. Kuras & Phrasavath) Docu of Laotian
family uprooted to U.S. after "secret" war. Moving, but confusingly
cut with overdone music. ** 1/2 |
| BETRAYAL,
THE (2006, d. Philippe Faucon) ** 1/2 |
| BETTER LIFE, A
(2012, d. Cédric Kahn) *** 1/2 |
| BETTER LIFE, A (2011,
d. Chris Weitz) An L.A. story of depth & immediacy about illegal
Mexican worker & his love for his US born son. Fine perfs, moving
and suspenseful. *** 1/4 |
| BETTER
LUCK TOMORROW (2003, d. Justin Lin) Well directed, but confusing,
Asian-American teenage gang film...only the actors looked too old. **
1/2 |
| BETTER
THAN SEX (2001, d. Jonathan Teplitzky)
*** |
| BETTER
THINGS (2008, d. Duane Hopkins) ** 1/2 |
| BETWEEN
LAND AND SKY (2003, d. Guiseppe Feruto ) Italian political satire about
media overkill. ** 1/2 |
| BETWEEN
LOVE AND GOODBYE (2009, d. Casper Andreas) Gay relationship
drama; mediocre direction & acting...but vital, sexy & powerfully
realistic. ** 1/2 |
| BEYOND
HATRED (2006, d. Olivier Meyrou) ** 1/4 |
| BEYOND
OUR KEN (2005, d. Pang Ho-Cheung) Frothy, insubstantial girl buddy and
revenge (against common boyfriend) comedy from Hong Kong. * 3/4 |
| BEYOND
THE CIRCLE (2009, d. Golam Rabbani Biplob; Bangladesh) ** |
| BEYOND
THE MAT (2000, d. Barry W. Blaustein)
*** |
| BEYOND
THE SEA (2004, d. Kevin Spacey) The most off the wall musical biopic
since Delovely. Spacey makes a better lounge singer than director! **
1/4 |
| BEYOND
(2011, d. Pernilla August, Sweden) ** 3/4 |
| BHAJI
ON THE BEACH (2003, d. Gurinder Chadha) V. Chadha handles ensembles
well; but this Indian woman's lib story was clichéd and obvious. ** |
| B-HAPPY
(2004, d. Gonzalo Justiniano) Another periled latina teen girl film, this
time a poor girl whose father is in prison. Simple, effective
filmmaking. *** |
| BIBLIOTHÈQUE
PASCAL (2010, d. Szabolcs Hajdu; Hungary) W/O |
| BICKFORD
SHMECKLER'S COOL IDEAS (2006, d. Scott Lew) ** 1/2 |
| BICYCLE,
SPOON, APPLE (2011, d. Carlos Bosch) *** 1/4 |
| BIG
ANIMAL, THE (2000, d. Jerzy Stuhr) * 1/2 |
| BIG
BANG LOVE, JUVENILE A (2006, d. Takashi Miike) *** |
| BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS* (2012,
d. Fredrik Gertten) V. Fascinating, heartening David vs. Goliath docu,
with the filmmaker as David & Dole Fruit Co. as Goliath. **** |
| BIG
DREAM, THE (2010, d. Michele Placido) ** 1/2 |
| BIG
DREAMS, LITTLE TOKYO (2006, d. David Boyle) *** |
| BIG
EDEN (2001, d. Thomas Bezucha) ** 3/4
|
| BIG
EMPTY, THE (2003, d. Steve Anderson) Mixed genre. Is it a noir?
Alien abduction flick? Black comedy? An honorable failure at all three.
** |
| BIG
FISH (2003, d. Tim Burton) Story of fabulist (convincingly played by
Ewan McGregor & Albert Finney). Burton's most appealing and
"normal" film. *** |
| BIG FIX, THE (2011, d.
Joshua Tickell) V. Another earnest & vital docu about evil corporations
(esp. BP & the recent oil spill's continuing effects.) Nicely
structured. *** 1/2 |
| BIG
GAY MUSICAL (2010, d. Andreas & Caruso) *** |
| BIG
KAHUNA, THE (2000, d. John Swanbeck)
** |
| BIG MIRACLE (2012, d. Ken
Kwapis) Gripping film based on true story of family of whales trapped under
Arctic ice. Fine cast, well directed, predictable. *** 1/4 |
| BIG
PICTURE, THE (L'Homme qui voulait vivre sa vie) (2011, d. Eric Lartigau) *** |
| BIG RIG (2007, d.
Doug Pray) ** 1/2 |
| BIGGIE AND TUPAC
(2002, d. Nick Broomfield) *** |
| BILINGUAL
LOVER, THE (El Amante Bilingue) (2007, d. Vicente Aranda) ** |
| BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW
YORK (2011, d. Richard Press) V. Entertaining, well made docu of life
& times of vivacious old coot street fashion photog. *** 1/2 |
| BILL W. (2012, d.
Carracino & Henlon) V. Informative, if dry bio-docu of flawed, human
founder of AA, done with much re-created scenes, recordings & interviews.
*** |
| BILL (2007, d.
Melisa Wallack, Bernie Goldmann) ** |
| BILLY
ELLIOT (2000, d. Stephen Daldry) *** 3/4 |
| BIRTH
(2004, d. Jonathan Glazer) Heavy duty, eerie psychological drama. Nicole
Kiddman fine here, script has a nicely satisfying ambiguity & interesting
direction. *** 1/4 |
| BIRTHDAY
GIRL (2002, d. Jez Butterworth) **
1/2 |
| BIRTHDAY,
THE (2006, d. Diane Kurys) *** 1/4 |
| BIUTIFUL
(2010, d. Alejandro González Iñárritu) Bardem is all he can be in this
depressing slice of Barcelona life film, written & directed with
sensitivity. *** 1/2 |
| BLACK
AND WHITE (2000, d. James Toback) ** 1/2 |
| BLACK
BALLOON, THE (2008, d. Elissa Down) Australian family with autistic son
from pov of younger brother. Well observed, tough, truthful. *** 1/4 |
| BLACK
BOOK (2007, d. Paul Verhoeven; Netherlands) *** |
| BLACK
BREAD (Pa Negre) (2011 d. Agusti Villaronga) ** 3/4 |
| BLACK
DAHLIA, THE (2006, d. Brian de Palma) Fine cast, terrible script,
fake noir. How can such a promising film go so wrong. ** |
| BLACK
DOG BARKING (2009, d. Mehmet Bahadir Er & Maryna Gorbach) * 1/2 |
| BLACK
FIELD (Mavro Livadi) (2011 d. Vardis Marinakis) ** |
| BLACK
HAWK DOWN (2001, d. Ridley Scott) ***
1/2 |
| BLACK
ICE (2003, d. Mikhail Brashinsky) Incoherent film about something or
other. Jittery camera and unengaging plot were too much to stick
around. W/O |
| BLACK
IRISH (2007, d. Brad Gann) *** 1/4 |
| BLACK
IRISH (2007, d. Brad Gunn) + *** 1/2 |
| BLACK POWER MIX TAPE, THE
1967-1975 (2011, d. Göran Olsson) Interesting Swedish docu with some fine new
footage; but also somewhat familiar territory. ** 3/4 |
| BLACK
ROBE (2004, d. Bruce Beresford) V. Gut-wrenching '91 film with Lothar
Bluteau playing a jesuit priest in New France pre-revolution. *** |
| BLACK
SNAKE MOAN (2008, d. Craig Brewer)V. Ricci's perf is brave, Jackson is
fine, Timberlake less so. Film: clichéd mishmash. ** 3/4 |
| BLACK
SUN (2006, d. Gary Tarn) V. Expressionistic docu about a man (writer
& narrator) blinded in the '70s. *** |
| BLACK SWAN (2010, d. Darren
Aronofsky) Deliriously over the top. Great camera work, esp. hand-held ballet
stuff. Portman superb. But crazed script left me cold. *** |
| BLACK SWAN (2011 d.
Darren Aronofsky) V. + Still hysterical & overwrought. But gorgeous with
phenominal acting, camera, design. Even works on small screen. *** 1/4 |
| BLACK
TULIP (2011 d. Sonia Nassery Cole; Aphghanistan) ** 3/4 |
| BLACK
WHITE + GRAY (2007, d. James Crump) *** 1/4 |
| BLACK,
WHITE & BLUES (2011, d. Mario Van Peebles) ** |
| BLACKBOARDS
(2000, d. Samira Makhmalbaf) ** |
| BLACKMAIL
BOY (Oxygono) (2006, d. Papathanasiou & Rappas) Over-the-top
melodrama about money corrupting a family with a beautiful bisexual scion. *
3/4 |
| BLACKS,
THE (2010, d. Devic & Juric; Croatia) * 1/2 |
| BLACKWATER
LIGHTSHIP (2004, d. John Erman) V. An Early Frost, updated...but still
a little out of date. I'm too emotionally fragile for AIDS stories like
this. *** 1/2 |
| BLADERUNNER
(Final Cut) (2007, d. Ridley Scott) I had forgotten how fabu the
production design was! New ending: eh!? *** 1/4 |
| BLADES
OF GLORY (2008, d. Gordon & Speck)V. Heder is fine, Ferrell barely
ok in this surprisingly funny comedy. Dumb but trenchant. ** 3/4 |
| BLEAK
HOUSE (2007, d. various; w. Andrew Davis) Superb adaptation of complex
Victorian novel. The Brits do it again. *** 1/2 |
| BLESSED
BY FIRE (2006, d. Tristan Bauer) *** 3/4 |
| BLESSED
EVENTS (Glückliche fügung) (2011, d. Isabelle Stever) ** 1/2 |
| BLESSED
IS THE MATCH: The Life & Death of Hannah Senesh (2008, d. Roberta
Grossman) Enormously moving docu re: Hungarian/Palistinian WWII heroine. ***
3/4 |
| BLESSING
BELL, THE (2003, Japan d. Sabu) A formally beautiful, but
boring, slow paced day in the life. *** |
| BLIND
LOVES (2008, d. Juraj Lehotsky; Slovakia) *** 1/4 |
| BLIND
MOUNTAIN (2007, d. Li Yang) *** |
| BLIND SIDE, THE (2010, d.
John Lee Hancock) Not a bad film, but Oscar calibre? Polar opposite of
Precious, in any case, and quite classist. ** 1/2 |
| BLIND
SUNFLOWERS, THE (Los girasoles ciegos) (2008, d. Joeé Luis
Cuerda; Spain) *** |
| BLIND (2007,
d. Tamar van den Dop) *** 1/4
|
| BLINDNESS
(2008, d. Fernando Meirelles) Unrealistic, but strong catastrophe film (like
28 Days Later) about mystery blindness illness & society throwing victims
away. ** 1/2 |
| BLINDSIGHT
(2006, d. Lucy Walker) V. Blind children overcoming peril, gorgeous mountain
photography, uplift...admirable docu. *** 1/2 |
| BLINKY & ME (2012, d.
Tomasz Magierski) V. Hopeful 1st person narrative docu of life of
Polish/Israeli/Australian Disney-like animator Yoram Gross, Holocaust
survivor, artist. *** 1/4 |
| BLISS (2008, d.
Abdullah Oguz) *** 1/4 |
| BLOOD
AND BONES (2005, d. Yoichi Sai) ** 1/2 |
| BLOOD
APPEARS (La Sangre Brota) (2008, d. Pablo Fendik) ** 1/2 |
| BLOOD
BROTHERS (Tiantang Kou) (2008, d. Alexi Tan) * 1/2 |
| BLOOD
DIAMOND (2006, d. Edward Zwick) Despite overlength, this is a
winner. Prediction: multiple Oscars. *** 1/2 |
| BLOOD
OF THE LOSERS (Il sangue de vinti) (2008, d. Michele Soavi) *** 1/2 |
| BLOOD
RAIN (2006, d. Kim Dae-seung, LeeWon-jae) ** 1/2 |
| BLOOD
WORK (2002, d. Clint Eastwood) ** 3/4
|
| BLOODY
SUNDAY (2002, d. Paul Greengrass)
*** |
| BLOOM
(2004, d. Sean Walsh) Earnest adaptation of the unadaptable Ulysses, using
lots of voiceovers for interior monologue. Well made; but not my cuppa.
** 1/2 |
| BLOSSOMING
OF MAXIMO OLIVEROS, THE (2006, d. Aureas Solito) ** 1/4 |
| BLOW
DRY (2005, d. Paddy Breathnach) V. Funny slice of life (e.g. Full
Monty) British comedy about hair contest. Note Bill Nighy & Josh Hartnett
as cockney. ** 3/4 |
| BLOW
DRY (2001, d. Paddy Breathnach) *** |
| BLOW
(2001, d. Ted Demme) ** 1/2 |
| BLUE
CAR (2003, d. Karen Moncrieff) Viscerally disturbing story-troubled
teenage girl and troubled broken family. Understated, with subtle
acting. *** 1/2 |
| BLUE
CHA CHA (2006, d. Cheng Wen- tang) *** 1/4 |
| BLUE
CRUSH (2002, d. John Stockwell)
*** |
| BLUE
DINER, THE (2001, d. Jan Egleson) ** |
| BLUE
GATE CROSSING (2002, d. Chih-yen Yi) ** 1/2 |
| BLUE
MOON (2003, Austria d. Andrea Maria Dusi) Road picture
about a man on a quest to re-find a woman he meets by chance. ** 1/4 |
| BLUE
TOOTH VIRGIN, THE (2009, d. Russell Brown) + *** 1/2 |
| BLUE VALENTINE (2010,
d. Derek Cianfrance) Gosling is the finest film actor I've ever seen.
Beautiful editing structure, emotionally seering, truthful film. *** 3/4 |
| BLUEBERRY
(2004, d. Jan Kounen ) A psychedelic westen which, though overlong and
undiciplined, delivers the goods with fabulous f/x & a superb Vincent
Cassell. *** |
| BLUEBIRD
(2005, d. Mijke de Jong) Emotionally shattering, excellent drama about a 12
year old girl who is the brunt of bullies in her jr. high class. ***
1/2 |
| BLUES,
THE (2003, d. various) PBS series edited down to 5 ahortened sequences
about the blues music. Some sequences worked, some didn't. ** 3/4 |
| BLUETOOTH
VIRGIN, THE (2008, d. Russell Brown) *** 1/2 |
| BOATS
OUT OF WATERMELON RINDS (2005, d. Ahmet Uluçay) A Turkish Cinema
Paradiso, terrible digital photography, but the 2 boys were charming.
** 1/4 |
| BOBBY FISCHER AGAINST THE
WORLD (2012, d. Liz Garbus) V. Illuminating, comprehensive docu about
Fischer, whitewashes some aspects, but nicely made. *** |
| BOBBY
(2006, d. Emelio Estevez) *** |
| BODY
OF LIES (2008, d. Ridley Scott) Entertaining star driven CIA vs.
terrorist contempo thriller. Scott is a director in control of the
medium. *** 1/4 |
| BODY
OF WAR (2007, d. Ellen Spiro & Phil Donahue) Another successful
docu: Robert Byrd, such a hero. *** 1/2 |
| BODYGUARDS
& ASSASSINS (2010, d. Teddy Chen) *** 3/4 |
| BODYSONG
(2004, d. Simon Pummell) V. Hypno-docu, sort of a Family of Man of found film
clips to music (cf Koyaanisqatsi). Fascinating and a little boring. **
1/2 |
| BOILER
ROOM (2000, d. Ben Younger)
*** |
| BOLT
(2009, d. Howard & Williams) OK if predictable script. Good
vocal acting. But ultimately mediocre. Lousy year for Academy
animated features. ** 1/2 |
| BOMB
THE SYSTEM (2005, d. Adam Lough) Mark Webber is outstanding in this
arty, nicely made indy about radical grafitti artists in NYC. *** |
| BOMBÓN,
EL PERO (2005, d. Carlos Sorin) Like director's Historias Minimas, a
fun film without irony about a poor man who is given a show dog. *** |
| BON
VOYAGE (2003, d. Jean-Paul Rappeneau) Big French WWII melodrama, hugely
entertaining & wellmade throwback to old-fashioned classic French cinema.
*** 1/4 |
| BONAERENSE,
EL (2003, Argentina/Chile d. Pablo Trapero) Naive country
bumpkin makes good in the big city police department. ** 3/4 |
| BONJOUR
M. SHLOMI (2004, d. Shemi Zarhin) A superbly observed film about a 16
year old boy whose specialness has been hidden in his disfunctional family.
*** 3/4 |
| BONNES
FEMMES, LES (2011, d. Claude Chabrol) ** 1/4 |
| BONSAI PEOPLE: VISION OF M.
YUNUS (2012, d. Holly Mosher) V. Feel good, do-gooder docu: Nobel Peace prize
winner for starting Bangla Desh poor women's bank. *** |
| BOOK OF ELI, THE (2010, d.
Hughes Brothers) Another dystopian future post-war road pic. Denzell is
really fine; but Bible thumping message a little much. ** 3/4 |
| BOOK
OF LOVE (2006, d. Alan Brown) V. Younger man (Gregory Smith). Older
married woman. Clichés; but very nicely acted. ** 3/4 |
| BOOK
OF REVELATION, THE (2007, d. Ana Kokkinos) *** |
| BOOKER'S PLACE: A MISSISSIPPI
STORY (2012, d. Raymond De Felitta) V. B&W, informative, if dry, docu
based on 1965 NBC docu which had fatal repercussions. *** |
| BOOKIES
(2005, d. Mark Illsley) V. ** 3/4 |
| BOOTMAN
(2000, d. Dien Perry) ** |
| BORAT
(2006, d. Larry Charles) Cohen is impressive in creating consistent
character; funny in a wildly tasteless way. *** |
| BORDER
WAR: THE BATTLE OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION (2006, d. Kevin Knoblock)
V. Docu looks great, too polemic. ** 3/4 |
| BORDER,
THE (2010, d. Jaroslav Vojtek; Slovak Republic) * 3/4 |
| BORED
IN BRNO (2004, d. Vladimir Moravek) An earthy Czech multi-character sex
comedy which got better as it went along. Too bread for my tastes. **
1/4 |
| BORN
AND BRED (2006, d. Pablo Trapero) ** 1/2 |
| BORN
IN 68 (2009, d. Olivier Duscastel, Jacques Martineau) *** 1/2 |
| BORN
INTO BROTHELS (2005, d. Kaufmann & Briski) Kids born in Calcutta
brothels get a chance for a life through photography. Interesting & well
edited. *** |
| BORN
RICH (2003, d. Jamie Johnson) V. Doc by millionaire heir about his
wealthy contemporaries. Mostly talk; but inherently interesting & well
made. *** 1/4 |
| BORN
ROMANTIC (2001, d. David Kane) ** 1/2 |
| BORN
TO SUFFER (2010, d. Miguel Albaladejo) ** 3/4 |
| BORSTAL
BOY (2001, d. Peter Sheridan) *** |
| BOSS
OF IT ALL, THE (2007, d. Lars von Trier) *** |
| BOSSA
NOVA (2000, d. Bruno Barreto)
* |
| BOSTA
(2006, d. Philippe Aractingi; Lebanon) * 1/2 |
| BOTHERSOME
MAN, THE (Den Brysomme Mannen) (2006, d. Per Schreiner) *** 1/4 |
| BOTTLE
SHOCK (2008, d. Randall Miller) Napa vintage 1976 & wine growing.
Looks good; but terrible on the palate. Terrible script. * 1/2 |
| BOUNCE
(2000, d. Don Roos) *** |
| BOURNE
IDENTITY, THE (2002, d. Doug Liman)
*** |
| BOURNE LEGACY, THE
(2012, d. Tony Gilroy) Re-boot better than original. Renner & Weisz have
chemistry & predictable, paranoid plot actually holds together. *** 1/2 |
| BOURNE
SUPREMACY, THE (2004, d. Paul Greengrass) Superior thriller, greatest
auto chase scene since Ronin. Some plot holes; but editing pace hides
them. *** 1/4 |
| BOURNE
ULTIMATUM, THE (2007, d. Paul Greengrass) *** 1/2 |
| BOW,
THE (2006, d. Kim Ki-duk) *** |
| BOWLING
FOR COLUMBINE (2002, d. Michael Moore) ***
1/2 |
| BOX,
THE (2009, d. Richard Kelly) Don't ask me to explain it...but I liked
the mood and look of Kelly's film, this one murkier than either of his
others. ** 3/4 |
| BOY (2009, d.
Aureaus Solito) *** |
| BOY A (2007, d.
John Crowley) *** 3/4 |
| BOY A (2008, d.
John Crowley) *** 3/4 |
| BOY
CULTURE (2006, d. Q. Allen Brocka) ** 3/4 |
| BOY IN
THE STRIPED PAJAMAS, THE (2008, d. Mark Herman) Emotionally affecting,
well acted (Farmiga and the two boys especially). Too pat. *** |
| BOY
INTERRUPTED (2009, d. Dana Perry) V. Filmmaking parents make exhaustive
study of their depressed, 15 year old suicide son. Moving &
insightful. *** 1/2 |
| BOY
MEETS BOY (Shorts) (2011, d. various) *** 1/4 (on average) |
| BOY
(2010, d. Taika Waititi) *** |
| BOYFRIEND
FOR MY WIFE, A (Un novio para mi mujer) (2008, d. Juan Taratuto) ** 3/4 |
| BOYNTON
BEACH BEREAVEMENT CLUB (2006, d. Susan Seidelman) ** 3/4
|
| BOYS
AND GIRLS (2000, d. Robert Iscove)
*** |
| BOYS
ARE BACK, THE (2009, d. Scott Hicks) Clive Owens is remarkable as a
lost father (of 2 boys) after his wife dies. Predictable plot, but
emotionally powerful. *** 1/4 |
| BOYS
FROM COUNTY CLARE (2004, d. John Irvin) Predictable, clichéd Irish
trifle about dueling traditional Irish bands. * 3/4 |
| BOYS
LIFE 3 (2000, d. David Fourier/Bradley Rust Gray/Jason Gould/Lane
Janger/Gregory Cooke) ** |
| BOYS
OF BARAKA, THE (2005, d. Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady; docu) V. ***
3/4 |
| BOYS
(2004, d. Stacy Cochran)V. A TiVo loser. Mysterious Winona Ryder ends up in a
boys boarding school dorm tempting rebellious Lucas Haas. No chemistry.
* 1/2 |
| BOYSTOWN
(2008, d. Juan Flahn) ** 3/4 |
| BRAN
NUE DAE (2010, d. Rachel Perkins) ** 1/2 |
| BRAND
NEW LIFE, A (2010, d. Ounie Lecomte) *** |
| BRAVE
ONE, THE (2007, d. Neil Jordan) *** 1/4 |
| BREACH
(2007, d. Billy Ray) Well acted (esp. Chris Cooper) true story of bringing
down a spy. Also Ryan Phillippe's best work in ages. *** |
| BREAD
& TULIPS (2001, d. Silvio Soldini) *** 1/4 |
| BREAD
AND ROSES (2001, d. Ken Loach) *** 1/4 |
| BREAKFAST
ON PLUTO (2005, d. Neil Jordan) *** |
| BREAKFAST
WITH SCOT (2007, d. Laurie Lynd) ** 3/4 |
| BREAKING
AND ENTERING (2006, d. Anthony Minghella) I loved this film despite
flaws, became emotionally involved with characters. *** |
| BREAKING
THE SILENCE (2000, d. Zhou Sun) *** |
| BREAK-UP,
THE (2006, d. Peyton Reed) Fairly clever by-the-numbers romantic
dramady. No chemistry between leads. ** 1/2 |
| BREATH MADE VISIBLE (2010, d.
Ruedi Gerber) V. New Agey docu about octogenarian Marin danseuse Anna
Halprin. Lovely sequences of artistic expression & bio. *** 1/4 |
| BREATHING
(ATMEN) (2011, d. Karl Markovics, Austria) *** 1/2 |
| BREATHLESS
(2009, d. Yang Ik-june) ** 1/4 |
| BRICK
LANE (2008, d. Sarah Gavron) *** |
| BRICK
(2006, d. Rian Johnson) Overly complex, familiar noirish plot; but topflight
young cast and zingy script really work. *** |
| BRIDE
AND PREJUDICE (2004, d. Gurinder Chadha) Hollywood meets Bollywood, and
I suspect becomes a surprising hit. It works after a fashion. *** |
| BRIDE
FLIGHT (2010, d. Ben Sombogaart) *** 3/4 |
| BRIDE
OF THE WIND (2001, d. Bruce Beresford) ** 3/4
|
| BRIDESHEAD
REVISITED (2008, d. Julian Jarrold) Over-amped but curiously
passionless & unnecessary redo of a definitive miniseries. ** 1/4 |
| BRIDESMAIDS (2011, d. Paul
Feig) Almost too transgressive and female humor oriented for me; yet I
laughed and Chris O'Dowd is quite good. ** 3/4 |
| BRIDGE
BETWEEN TWO SHORES, A (Un pont entre deux rives) (2000, d. Gerard
Dépardieu & Frédéric Auburtin) *** 3/4 |
| BRIDGE
TO TARABITHIA (2007, d. Gabor Csupo) Xtian propaganda in a
totally wonderful disguise. Moving, grounded fantasy. Hurrah! *** 1/2
|
| BRIDGET
JONES: EDGE OF REASON (2004, d. Beeban Kidron) Dreadful film. Poor
Renée Zellweger wasted all that weighty effort. Horrendous script, no
romantic chemistry. ** |
| BRIDGET
JONES'S DIARY (2001, d. Sharon Maguire) *** 1/4 |
| BRIGHT
FUTURE (2004, d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) A straightforward (for this
director) slacker story about disaffected youths in Japan. ** 1/4 |
| BRIGHT
LEAVES (2004, d. Ross McElwee) V. Personal docu about McElwee's family
connection to tobacco. Slowly paced, but interesting & beautifully
shot. *** |
| BRIGHT
STAR (2009, d. Jane Campion) Weepy, authentic costume romance with an
amazingly affecting perf by Ben Winshaw as John Keats. *** 1/4 |
| BRIGHT
YOUNG THINGS (2004, d. Stephen Fry) Fast paced story of the mad
upperclass in England just pre-WWII. Gorgeous period stuff, well
played. *** |
| BRIGHTON ROCK (2011, d.
Rowan Joffe) Stylish, noirish remake of '47 flick set in '64. Riley is
convincingly twitchy, Riseborough a find! Disappointing climax. *** |
| BRING
IT ON (2000, d. Peyton Reed)
*** |
| BRITNEY
BABY, ONE MORE TIME! (2002, d. Ludi Boeken) ** 3/4 |
| BRITZ
(2008, d. Peter Kominsky) V. Shattering, scary story of Pakistani/Brit
brother & sister caught up in modern terrorism on opposite sides.
*** 1/2 |
| BROKEBACK
MOUNTAIN (2005, d. Ang Lee) *** 1/2 |
| BROKEN
EMBRACES (2009, d. Pedro Almodovar) Typical Almodovar. Over plotted,
gorgeous, a little long. Some breathtakingly original shots, but ultimately
disappointing ** 3/4 |
| BROKEN
ENGLISH (2007, d. Zoe Cassavetes) *** 1/2 |
| BROKEN
FLOWERS (2005, d. Jim Jarmusch) *** 1/2 |
| BROKEN
HEARTS CLUB, THE: A ROMANTIC COMEDY (2000, d. Greg
Berlanti) ** 1/4 |
| BROKEN
PROMISE (2009, d. Jill Chlumský; Slovakia) *** 1/2 |
| BROKEN
SKY (El Cielo Dividido) (2006, d. Julián Hernández) Gorgeously
photographed and scored gay art film of gestures. *** 1/4 |
| BROKEN
WINGS (2003, d. Nir Bergman) Israel AFF. Drama about family riven
by grief after father's death. *** 1/4 |
| BROKEN
(2006, d. Alan White) ** 1/4 |
| BRONSON (2009, d.
Nicolas Winding Refn) *** |
| BRONZE
SCREEN, THE (2001, d. Alberto Dominguez, Nancy de los Angeles) ** 1/4 |
| BROOKLYN BROTHERS
BEAT THE BEST (2012, d. Ryan O'Nan) *** 1/4 |
| BROTHER
BEAR (2003, d. Blaise, Walker) Traditional Disney animation with overly
simplistic amerind legend theme. Still, I was move. Good kid film. **
3/4 |
| BROTHER
(2001, d. Takeshi Kitano) ** 3/4 |
| BROTHER
(2002, d. Yan Yan Mak) |
| BROTHERHOOD
(2010, d. Nicolo Donato) ** 3/4 |
| BROTHERS
(2009, d. Jim Sheridan) Superb adaptation to a truthful American war
story, changing emphasis of original, maybe for the better. Maguire is
great! *** 1/2 |
| BROTHERS
AT WAR (2009, d. Jake Rademacher) V. Affecting and illuminating
documentary by one filmmaker brother embedded in Iraq while 2 other brothers
are serving. *** 1/4 |
| BROTHERS
BLOOM, THE (2008, d. Rian Johnson) Silly, slapsticky, anachronistic
fantasy which wastes a good cast. A strange comedown for the director
of Brick. * 1/4 |
| BROTHERS
GRIMM, THE (2005, d. Terry Gilliam) * 3/4 |
| BROTHERS
OF THE HEAD (2006, d. Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe) ***1/4 |
| BROTHERS
(2005, d. Susanne Bier) Shattering drama about a good man who commits an act
beyond redemption. Incredible acting and fine direction. *** 3/4 |
| BRÜNO
(2009, d. Larry Charles) Über confrontationalist Cohen manages ütter
tastelessness. Funny in a transgressive way, but sort of a mess.
* 3/4 |
| BRUNO
(2003, d. Shirley MacLaine) V. Limp, soppy comedy - 8 year old spelling
genius boy (phenom kid actor Alex Linz) who needs to compete in a dress. *
3/4 |
| BUBBA
HO-TEP (2003, d. Don Coscarelli) Horror comedy in an old-folks
home: Elvis & JFK take on an Egyptian mummy. Silly fun.
** 3/4 |
| BUBBLE
BOY (2001, d. Blair Hayes) * 3/4
|
| BUBBLE,
THE (2006, d. Eytan Fox) *** 1/4 |
| BUCK (2011, d. Cindy
Meehl) *** 1/4 |
| BUCKET
LIST, THE (2007, d. Rob Reiner)V. Only for old folks; but a great
travelogue. ** 3/4 |
| BUDDENBROOKS
(2009, d. Heinrich Breloer) *** 1/4 |
| BUDDHA COLLAPSED OUT OF
SHAME (2008, d. Hana Makmalbaf) *** 1/4 |
| BUDDY
(2003, d. Marten Tyldum) Young guy turns his & 2 eccentric roommates
liver into a commercially successful video journal. Touching, fun
comedy. *** |
| BUFFALO
BOY (2005, d. Minh Nguyen-Vo; Vietnam) *** |
| BUFFALO
SOLDIERS (2004, US d. Gregor Jordan) Glossy, high-budget, somewhat
over-the-top satire about army corruption in German occupation in '89.
*** 1/2 |
| BUKOWSKI:
BORN INTO THIS (2004, d. John Dullighan) V. I've never much been into
Bukowski; but this compelling docu presents him well. ** 3/4 |
| BULGARIAN
LOVERS (2003, d. Eloy de la Iglesia) Tongue in cheek drama about a
straight Bulgarian expat in Madrid taking advantage of a gay Spaniard. ** 1/4 |
| BULLHEAD
(Rundskop) (2012, d. Michaël R. Roskam, Belgium) *** 1/4 |
| BULLY (2012, d. Lee Hirsch)
V. Important docu following bullied kids (and parents of suicided bullied
kids). Invisible camera? Pretty amazing, shocking & moving stuff.
*** 3/4 |
| BULLY
(2001, d. Larry Clark) *** 1/2 |
| BUM'S
NAME, THE (Civico 0) (2008, d. Citto Maselli) *** |
| BUNGALOW
(2002, d. Ulrich Kohler) *** |
| BUNOHAN: RETURN TO MURDER
(2012, d. Dain Said) W/O |
| BURIED (2010, d. Rodrigo Cortés) Uncompromising, difficult
to watch, uncommercial tour de force. Reynolds is spectacularly right.
Is there an audience? *** 1/4 |
| BURLESK
KING (2000, d. Mel Chionglo)
* |
| BURLESQUE (2011 d. Steve
Antin) Fab costumes & production. Less than fab script (clichés abound).
Aguilera is great. Gigandet to die for. Cher is mummified. Loved it. ** 3/4 |
| BURMA
VJ: REPORTING FROM A CLOSED COUNTRY (2009, d. Anders Ostergaard) V.
Astonishing docu footage of government repression of populace. *** 1/2 |
| BURN
AFTER READING (2008, d. Joel & Ethan Coen) Silly, but quite
entertaining farce about CIA snafu involving a computer disk & some
greedy Washingtonians. *** |
| BURNING
IN THE WIND (2003, d. Silvio Soldini) Bleak but well acted story
of East Euro life transported into France along with ill-fated love
***. |
| BURNING
PLAIN, THE (2009, d. Guillermo Arriaga) *** 1/4 |
| BURNT
BY THE SUN 2: THE CITADEL (2011, d. Nikita Mikhalkov, Russia) **
3/4 |
| BURNT
MONEY (2001, d. Marcelo Piñeyro) *** 1/2 |
| BURNT
OUT (2006, d. Fabienne Godet) *** |
| BURZYNSKI (2010, d. Eric
Merola) V. Combative, fascinating one-sided (but effectively so) docu about
pharma & FDA conspiracy against effective cancer cure. *** 3/4 |
| BUS
174 (2004, d. José Padilha) V. Brazilian doc which examines thoroughly
the background of a publically televised bus hijacking and relives the tragic
events. *** |
| BUS
PALLADIUM (2010, d. Christopher Thompson) *** 1/4 |
| BUSINESS
OF STRANGERS, THE (2001, d. Patrick Stettner)
*** |
| BUT
FOREVER ON MY MIND (Come te nessuno mai) (2000, d. Gabriele
Muccino) *** 1/2 |
| BUT
FOREVER ON MY MIND (2005, d. Gabriele Muccino) V. Finally this 1999
coming of age masterpiece about youthful exhuberance is out on DVD! ***
3/4 |
| BUTTERFLY
(Lea legua de las mariposas) (2000, d. Jose Luis Cuerda) **
1/2 |
| BUTTERFLY
SMILE (2002, d. He Jianjun) * 1/2 |
| BUTTERFLY,
THE (2004, France d. Philippe Muyl) Sappy, Kolya type drama
about old butterfly collector & the little girl who runs away with
him. ** 1/2 |
| BÜYÜK
ADAM KÚÇÜK ASK (2001, d. Handan Ipekçi) ** 3/4 |
| BYRON
(2005, d. Julian Farino) V. ** 3/4 |
| C.R.A.Z.Y.
(2005, d. Jean-Marc Vallée; Canada) *** 3/4 |
| C.R.A.Z.Y.
(2006, d. Jean-Marc Vallée) V. 2nd time around this time on video. Why
is this masterpiece not getting released in the U.S.? *** 3/4 |
| C.R.A.Z.Y.
(2007, d. Jean-Marc Vallée) V.+++ Still one of the best coming-of-age gay
films ever made. *** 3/4 |
| CAB
FOR THREE, A (2001, d. Orlando Lübbert) ** |
| CABALLERO
DON QUIXOTE, EL (2003, d. Manuel Gutierrez Aragon) Boring sequel to Don
Quixote. * 3/4 |
| CA-BAU-KAN
(2003, d. Nia Dinata) Indonesia AFF. Historical drama about a beautiful
pleasure girl who marries a shady businessman. * 1/2 |
| CABBIE,
THE (2001, d. Yiwen Chen and Huakun Zhang) ** 1/2 |
| CADILLAC
RECORDS (2008, d. Darnell Martin) Interesting biopic of Chess recording
artists. Nice musical numbers, esp. Beyoncé's Etta James. ** 3/4 |
| CADO
DALLE NUBI (2011 d. Gennaro Nunziante) *** |
| CAESAR
(2005, d. Uli Edel) V. ** 3/4 |
| CAIRO
TIME (2010, d. Ruba Nadda) ** 1/2 |
| CAJA
507, LA (2003, d. Enrique Urbizu) Thriller about a meek bank
director who gets involved in a huge Mafia inspired international
conspiracy. ** 3/4 |
| CAKE
EATERS, THE (2009, d. Mary Stuart Masterson) Quirky, realistic
contemporary heart tugger with some really wonderful perfs & assured
direction. *** 1/4 |
| CALENDAR
GIRLS (2004, d. Nigel Cole) Mediocre female version of The Full Monty.
** |
| CALIFORNIA
DREAMIN' (ENDLESS) (2008, d. Cristian Nemescu) *** 1/4 |
| CALL ME TROY
(2008, d. Scott Bloom) *** |
| CAMARATE
(2001, d. Luis Filipe Rocha) *** 1/4 |
| CAMILLA DICKENSON (2012, d.
Cornelia Duryée Moore) ** 1/2 |
| CAMILLE (2008, d.
Gregory Mackenzie) * 3/4 |
| CAMP
HOLLYWOOD (2005, d. Steve Markle)V. Superb personal DV docu about a
nearby hotel & its denizens, many trying to make it in Hollywood.
*** 1/2 |
| CAMP
(2003, d. Todd Graff) + Just hits me squarely in my wheelhouse. 2nd viewing
confirms its cleverness & skills of the cast despite inherent
clichés. *** |
| CAMP
(2003, US d. Todd Graff) Aimiable, but predictable (we've seen it
before), musical comedy about a summer camp for budding entertainers.
** 1/2 |
| CAMP
(2007, d. Todd Graff) V.++ Still more entertaining than American Idol!
Guilty pleasure; but very much a pleasure. *** |
| CAMPAIGN, THE (2012, d.
Jay Roach) Funny enough political comedy with a wonderfully prissy perf. by
Galifianakis. Humor too broad; but occasionally trenchant. ** 3/4 |
| CAMPFIRE (2012, d. Bavo
Defume) V. 4 short Belgian films of youthful male longing. Combine Fassbinder
& Todd Haynes & no overt content & you have this. ** |
| CAMPFIRE
(2004, d. Joseph Cedar) Involving family drama about a woman with 2 daughters
coping with social and relational problems. Nicely acted. *** |
| CAN GO THROUGH SKIN
(2009, d. Esther Rots) ** 1/2 |
| CAN
MR. SMITH GET TO WASHINGTON ANY MORE? (2006, d. Frank Popper) V.
Absorbing docu of empassioned run for Congress. *** 1/2 |
| CAN (2012, d. Rasit
Çelikezer) *** 1/4 |
| CANONE
INVERSO ("Making Love") (2001, d. Ricky
Tognazzi) ** 1/4 |
| CAPE
NO. 7 (2008, d. Te-Sheng Wei; Taiwan) ** |
| CAPE
OF GOOD HOPE (2005, d. Mark Bamford) Harmless S.African
ecuminical romantic comedy, sort of predictable. ** 1/2 |
| CAPITALISM:
A LOVE STORY (2009, d. Michael Moore) In your face docu, always
interesting even though Moore's opinions often rankle this time around.
** 3/4 |
| CAPITOL
CRIMES (p. Bill Moyers) V. Surgical dissection of the Jack Abramoff/Tom de
Lay scandals. Great tv journalism. *** 1/4 |
| CAPONE
(2004, d. Jean Marc Brandolo) Buddy road trip film...two lost souls taking a
race horse from Paris to Finland. Good film, but I dozed. ** 3/4 |
| CAPOTE
(2005, d. Bennett Miller) *** 1/4 |
| CAPTAIN
ABU RAED (2008, d. Amin Matalqa) *** |
| CAPTAIN
AHAB (Captaine Achab) (2008, d. Philippe Ramos) ** 1/4 |
| CAPTAIN AMERICA: 1ST AVENGER
(2011, d. Joe Johnston) At last a movie from the comics that's well plotted
& directed by a guy who knows what to do with 3D. *** |
| CAPTAIN'S
DAUGHTER, THE (2001, d. Alexander Proshkin) *** |
| CAPTIVE
(2004, d. Gastón Biraben) Moving & beautifully acted film about an
Argentine teenage girl who discovers her parents are not her real
parents. *** 1/4 |
| CAPTIVE
(2009, d. Aleksei Uchitel) ** 3/4 |
| CAPTURE
OF THE GREEN RIVER KILLER, THE (2008, d. Norma Bailey) V. Zodiac lite.
Very well made & acted. *** |
| CAPTURING
THE FRIEDMANS (2003, US doc. d. Andrew Jarecki) A great
documentary which peels the layers off of a family's secrets & justice
mislaid. **** |
| CARAMEL
(2007, d. Nadine Labaki; Lebanon) ** 1/2 |
| CARANCHO
(2010, d. Pablo Trapero; Argentina) ** 1/4 |
| CARANDIRU
(2004, d. Hector Babenco) A Brazilian prison worse than Oz, from doctor's
pov. Involving, occasionally wrenching, well acted, nicely put
together. *** 1/4 |
| CARD
PLAYER, THE (2004, d. Dario Argento) Ludicrous, but well directed
Italian policier about a maniac serial woman killer using the internet to
play games with police. * 1/2 |
| CARGO (2010, d.
Ivan Engler) *** |
| CARLOS (2010, d. Olivier
Assayas) V. 3-part miniseries, so complex, lucid & excitingly written
& directed. Ramirez also excellent. Very impressive achievement.
*** 3/4 |
| CARMEN
IN KHAYELITSHA (2006, d. Mark Dornford-May) ** 1/2 |
| CARMO
HIT THE ROAD (2009, d. Murillo Pasta) ** 1/4 |
| CARNAGE
(2004, d. Delphine Gleize) V. Visually stunning film about, well, bull.
And how all is connected in the world. Or something. *** |
| CARNAGE (2011, d. Roman
Polanski) Best 4-actor filmed play since V. Woolf, actors eat up the screen & each other. f/x of the year:
Polanski's Brooklyn. *** 1/2 |
| CARRIER, THE (2011, d. Maggie
Betts) V. Slowly developing, gorgeous, moving docu of polygamous Zambian
family suffering effects of AIDS & still having babies. *** 1/4 |
| CARS
(2007, d. John Lassiter) Inventive animation, got better as it went along,
but just not up to its rep. ** 3/4 |
| CASA
DE LOS BABYS (2003, d. John Sayles) Intermittently interesting Mexican
baby mill story, unexpectedly flawed by a poorly structured script. ** |
| CASA DE MI PADRE (2012, d.
Matt Piedmont) Spoof on mexi-narco western genre. Purposely shoddy; but still
really shoddy and incredibly unfunny. * 1/2 |
| CASANEGRA
(2009, d. Nour Eddine Lakhmari; Morocco) ** 1/4 |
| CASANOVA
(2005, d. Lasse Hallström) *** |
| CASH
TRUCK (2004, d. Nicolas Boukhrief) Effective, beautifully shot film
noir, violent and unpredictable. *** |
| CASHBACK
(2006, d. Sean Ellis) *** |
| CASINO JACK AND THE UNTIED
STATES OF MONEY (2010, d. Alex Gibney) Fast paced, scattered &
unfocused docu about Jack Abramoff & govt. corruption. ** 1/4 |
| CASINO JACK (2010, d.
George Hickenlooper) Spacey is convincing as out-of-control real-life
lobbyist; but fiction, even imaginatively structured doesn't match fact. **
3/4 |
| CASINO
ROYALE (2006, d. Martin Campbell) Nice new Bond; nice physical action
stunts. But the film is as ridiculous as ever. ** 1/4 |
| CASSANDRA'S
DREAM (2007, d. Woody Allen) Hitchcockian film with a little Purple
Noon thrown in. ** 3/4 |
| CAST
AWAY (2000, d. Robert Zemeckis) ***
ri |
| CAT IN PARIS, A (2012, d.
Felicioli & Gagnol) Stylish, French style 2D animation with a rather
ordinary "cat burglar" plot à la To Catch a Thief. ** 1/2 |
| CATCH
A FIRE (2006, d. Phillip Noyce) Excellent "making of a
terrorist/freedom fighter" film from So. Africa. Derek Luke fine.
*** 1/4 |
| CATCH
AND RELEASE (2007, d. Susannah Grant) Predictable but well acted chick
flick which involved me. ** 3/4 |
| CATCH
ME IF YOU CAN (2002, d. Steven Spielberg)
*** |
| CATFISH (2010, d. Schulman & Joost) Somewhat overhyped
docu. Interesting and sad human nature vs. internet account - but
nothing remarkable. *** |
| CAUCASIA
(2008, d. Farid Gumbatov; Azerbaijan) * 1/4 |
| CAVE
OF THE YELLOW DOG, THE (2006, d. Byambasuren Davaa; Mongolia) |
| CAVEDWELLER
(2004, d. Lisa Cholodenko) Sometimes annoying but satisfying drama about
woman who ran away with a rock band returning home to Georgia. ** 3/4 |
| CAYO
(2006, d. Vincente Juarbe; Puerto Rico) * 3/4 |
| CECIL
B. DEMENTED (2000, d. John Waters) **
1/4 |
| CECILIE
(2007, d. Hans Fabian Wullenweber) ** 3/4 |
| CEDAR RAPIDS (2011 d. Miguel
Arteta) OK funny mashup of Hangover & any Alex Payne joint about prairie
rubery. Arteta's good with actors, not prod. design. ** 3/4 |
| CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER
(2012, d. Lee Lee Toland Krieger) Bittersweet indie rom-com with killer
script & genuine chemistry between all the actors. Loved it! ***
1/2 |
| CELESTE
IN THE CITY (2004, d. Larry Shaw) V. Queer Eye for Straight Girl makeover ABC
Family film abounding with simplistic stereotypes. Another great Ethan Embry
role. ** |
| CELL
211 (2010, d. Daniel Monzón) *** 1/2 |
| CELL,
THE (2000, d. Tarsem Singh) **
1/2 |
| CELLULAR
(2004, d. David Ellis) More plot holes than Swiss cheese in this silly
variant on Phone Booth; but Chris Evans is going to be a star. * 3/4 |
| CENTER
STAGE (2000, d. Nicholas Hytner) ** 3/4 |
| CENTURION
(2010, d. Neil Marshall) ** 3/4 |
| CEREMONY
(2011 d. Max Winkler) ** 1/4 |
| CERTAIN PREY (2011, d. Chris
Gerolmo) V. TV movie of a pretty good book; entertaining, comic policing with
a little more grit than "Psych" also on USA. ** 1/2 |
| CERTIFIED COPY (2011, d.
Abbas Kiarostami) Enigmatic, talky, strangely involving film about 2 people
wandering a Tuscan town who may or may not be married. *** |
| CÉZANNE
AFFAIR, THE (L'uomo nero) (2010, d. Sergio Rubini) ** 1/4 |
| CHACUN
SA NUIT (2006, d. Jean-Marc Barr, Pascal Arnold) *** 1/4 |
| CHAMELEON
(Kaméleon) (2009, d. Kristzina Goda; Hungary) *** 1/4 |
| CHAMPAGNE
SPY, THE (2007, d. Nadav Schirman) *** |
| CHANGE
OF ADDRESS (Changement d'adresse) (2007, d. Emmanuel Mouret) ** 1/2 |
| CHANGE OF PLANS (2010,
d. Danièle Thompson) Uninvolving
French dinner party/relationship film about events a year apart. Talky script
not saved by good cast. ** 1/4 |
| CHANGELING,
THE (2008, d. Clint Eastwood) Schocking true story resonates
emotionally. Jolie's over-the-top perf. is Oscar bait; but Eastwood's clear
vision holds. *** |
| CHANGE-UP, THE (2011,
d. David Dobkin) Very unpleasant raunchy, adult, identity change story.
Reynolds and esp. Bateman were good, but the film? Ugh! * 1/2 |
| CHANGING
DESTINY (2005, d. Daniele Gaglianone) Jagged, cutty, edgy story of 3
teenage northern Italian boys who drop out and get into various kinds of
trouble. *** |
| CHANGING
LANES (2002, d. Roger Michell) **
1/2 |
| CHANGING
TIMES (Les Temps qui changent) (2006, d. André Téchiné) *** 1/4 |
| CHANTRAPAS
(2012, d. Otar Iosseliani, Georgia) * 1/2 |
| CHAOS
AND DESIRE (2002, d. Manon Briand) ** 3/4 |
| CHAOS (2011, d. Tony
Giglio) V. Time to waste on a watchable, if cliched STV heist thriller with
Stratham & Phillippe. Too labyrinthine for its own good. ** 1/2 |
| CHAOTIC
ANA (Caótica Ana) (2007, d. Julio Medem) *** 3/4
|
| CHAPITEAU-SHOW
(2012, d. Sergey Loban) ** 3/4 |
| CHARITON'S
CHOIR (2007, d. Grigoris Karantinakis; Greece) * 3/4 |
| CHARLEY
AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2006, d. Tim Burton) V. Amusing with
impressive effects. *** |
| CHARLIE
BARTLETT (2007, d. Jon Poll) Anton Yelchin great as a preppy Ferris
Bueller type undermining public school authority. *** |
| CHARLIE ST. CLOUD
(2010, d. Burr Steers) Ludicrous plot, predictable & insulting;
but Zac can act and has film magnitism. Where is the Burr Steers of
Igby?! * 1/2 |
| CHARLIE
WILSON'S WAR (2007, d. Mike Nichols) Simplistic demonizing of enemy
turned me off. ** 3/4 |
| CHARLIE:
THE LIFE & ART OF CHARLES CHAPLIN (2004, d. Richard Schickel) V.
Fascinating, if facile doc about the great film artist. *** 1/4 |
| CHARLIE'S
ANGELS FULL THROTTLE (2003, d. McG) Some inventive stuff, though
the CGI was cheesy; but ultimately tedius and familiar action thriller.
** 1/4 |
| CHARLIE'S
ANGELS (2000, d. McG) * |
| CHARLOTTE
GRAY (2001, d. Gillian Armstrong)
*** |
| CHARLOTTE
SOMETIMES (2003, d. Eric Byler) 4 Asian-American characters and their
tangled relationships. Haunting, eliptical, subtle, well played.
*** 1/4 |
| CHARLOTTE'S
WEB (2006, d. Gary Winick) Nice voice acting, good f/x and a moving
story make for a pleasant film. *** |
| CHASER,
THE (2008, d. Na Hong-jin) *** 1/2 |
| CHASING ICE
(2012, d. Jeff Orlowski) Only watched half of this docu in order to make next
film, so unrated. |
| CHÂTEAU,
THE (2002, d. Jesse Peretz)
** |
| CHE
BELLA GIORNATA (2011 d. Gennaro Nunziante) incomplete due to broken
digital projector |
| CHE
Part 1 (2008, d. Steven Soderbergh) Light on exposition, too many
characters to keep straight, still interesting as docudrama. ** 3/4 |
| CHE
Part 2 (2008, d. Steven Soderbergh) Same problesm; but it just works
better as futility and defeat is just more interesting than victory. *** |
| CHEAPER
BY THE DOZEN (2004, d. Shawn Levy) I expected to hate it; but instead I
was enchanted by the story & actors. Funny and emotionally
satisfying. *** |
| CHECKOUT GIRL'S BIG
ADVENTURE, A (2012, d. Pierre Rambaldi) ** 1/2 |
| CHEF
OF SOUTH POLAR, THE (2010, d. Shuichi Okita) *** 1/4 |
| CHEF'S
SPECIAL (2009, d. Nacho Velilla) ** 1/4 |
| CHELSEA
WALLS (2002, d. Ethan Hawke)
** |
| CHÉRI
(2009, d. Stephen Frears) Outstanding, lavish evocation of Belle
Epoque; Pfeiffer is radient, Rupert Friend fabulously epicene. Literate
script. *** 1/2 |
| CHERISH (2002, d.
Finn Taylor) ** 1/2 |
| CHERRY
BLOSSOMS - HANAMI (2008, d. Dorris Dorrie) *** 1/4 |
| CHERRY (2010, d.
Jeffrey Fine) *** 1/2 |
| CHIAVI
DI CASA, LE (2007, d. Gianni Amelio) V.+ Wonderful, moving film with
sublime performances by Rampling, Stuart & Rossi. *** 1/2 |
| CHICAGO
hicago (2002, d. Rob Marshall) *** 3/4 |
| CHICKEN
RUN (2000, d. Peter Lord & Nick Park) **
1/2 |
| CHICKEN
UNDERGROUND (2001, d. Edet Belzberg) **
1/2 |
| CHICKEN WITH PLUMS (2012, d.
Satrapi & Paronnaud) Overly designed & precious fable about an
Iranian (Mathieu Amalric) and his adored violin. Pretty, but boring. ** 1/4 |
| CHICO & RITA (2012, d.
Errando, Mariscal, Trueba) Moving, involving, wonderful tribute to Cuban
music & jazz with a sassy love story. Animation for adults!! ***
1/2 |
| CHIHWASEON
(2002, d. Im Kwon-taek) *** 1/4 |
| CHILD
PRODIGY, THE (L'enfant prodige) (2011 d. Luc Dionne) *** 1/2 |
| CHILD,
THE (L'enfant) (2005, d. Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) *** 1/4 |
| CHILDHOOD
OF MAXIM GORKY (2005, d. Mark Donskoy) Classic Russian film from
the writer's memoire of his peasant Volga family. *** |
| CHILDREN
OF DIYARBAKIR, THE (2010, d. Miraz Bezar) *** |
| CHILDREN
OF HUANG SHI, THE (2008, d. Roger Spottswoode) ** 3/4 |
| CHILDREN
OF MEN (2006, d. Alfonso Cuaron) Masterpiece of Gazaian dystopia,
Nativity allegory & Time of the Wolf rolled into one. *** 1/2 |
| CHILDREN
OF THE CENTURY (2002, d. Diane Kurys) [1999]
*** |
| CHILDREN
OF WAR (2007, d. Alexandre Fuchs) ** 1/4 |
| CHILDREN
(2007, d. Ragnar Bragason; Iceland) *** 1/2 |
| CHILDSTAR
(2005, d. Don McKellar) Funny, trenchant and occasionally silly satire about
a 12 yr. old movie star & his kooky mom. *** |
| CHILL
OUT (2001, d. Andreas Struk) ** 1/2 |
| CHIMP,
THE (2001, d. Aktan Abdykalykov) ** 1/4 |
| CHIMPANZEE (2012, d.
Fothergill & Linfield) V. A true achievement Disney nature docu, fabulous
footage. Marred by over-obvious slick narration & pop soundtrack. ** 3/4 |
| CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT (2012, d.
Yung Chang) V. Slowly developing docu of 3 Chinese boxers, young &
mid-age. Boring, uneven start; but by end riveting & insightful.
*** |
| CHINAMAN
(Kinamand) (2006, d. Henruk Ruben Genz) Wry Danish comedy. Plumber
divorced by wife marries younger Chinese woman. *** |
| CHINESE
ODYSSEY: 2002 (2003, Hong Kong d. Jeff Lau) Funny and
assured satire of a martial arts, Chinese Emperor's court film. *** 1/4 |
| CHLOE
(2010, d. Atom Egoyan) Julianne Moore better than ever in.remake of Nathalie
with more psychologically sound script. Lesbionics not my thing; but Max
Thieriot is! *** |
| CHOCOLAT
(2000, d. Lasse Hallström) *** |
| CHOCOLATE WAR, THE (2012, d.
Keith Gordon) V. YA book about war of nerves among students at a private
school: starkly shot with fine acting & adaptation. *** |
| CHOK-DEE
(2005, d. Xavier Durrenger) The French Rocky, a French street criminal
becomes a world champ Thai boxer...written & acted by the guy himself. **
1/2 |
| CHOKE (2008, d.
Clark Gregg) * 1/2 |
| CHOP
SHOP (2007, d. Ramin Bahrani) *** |
| CHOP
SUEY (2001, d. Bruce Weber) ** 3/4 |
| CHOPPER
(2001, d. Andrew Dominik) *** |
| CHORISTES,
LES (2004, d. Christophe Barratier) Franch AFF: moving drama of a
teacher who tames the boys in a reform school through music. *** 1/2 |
| CHRIS
& DON: A LOVE STORY (2008, d. Guido Sante) *** 1/2 |
| CHRISTMAS
TALE, A (Un conte de Noël) (2008, d. Arnaud Desplechin) *** 1/4 |
| CHRISTMAS
TREE UPSIDE DOWN (2007, d. Ivan Cherkelov and Vassil Jivkov) *** |
| CHRISTMAS
WITH THE KRANKS (2004, d. Joe Roth) Horrendous, embarrassing, utterly
offensive (to this Jewish observer), silly, unfunny. Did I love
it? 1/2* |
| CHRONICAL
OF AN ESCAPE (2006, d. Israel Adrián Cactano) ** 3/4 |
| CHRONICALLY
UNFEASIBLE (2001, d. Sergio Bianchi) W/O |
| CHRONICALS
OF NARNIA (2005, d. Andrew Adamson) ** |
| CHRONICALS
(2004, d. Sebastian Cordero) Equador's Acad. entry is a superb psychological
thriller about a child serial killer's manipulation of tv pop news. ***
1/4 |
| CHRONICLE (2012, d. Josh
Trank) Loved it! Wish fulfillment fantasy+Greek tragedy+mysterious
superpowers+very talented young director+ Dane DeHaan *** 1/2 |
| CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, THE:
VOYAGE (2010, d. Michael Apted) Often annoying, but better than similar Last
Airbender, which is damning with faint praise. ** 1/2 |
| CHRYSALIS
(2007, d. Julien Leclercq) ** 1/2 |
| CHRYSTAL
(2004, d. Ray McKinnon) Southern gothic story of the effects of an auto
accident on a couple after 20 years of the husband in prison. ** 3/4 |
| CHUCK
AND BUCK (2000, d. Miguel Arteta)
*** |
| CHUMSCRUBBER,
THE (2005, d. Arie Posin) Wonderful suburban satire cult-type film in
Donnie Darko mode. Jamie Bell: #1 actor of his generation. *** 1/2 |
| CHUNHYANG
(2000, d. Im Kwon-taek) *** 1/2 |
| CIAO
(2008, d. Yen Tan) Touching, arty (in a good way) American indie gay
film...Italian man meets friend on net. *** |
| CIGAN
(GYPSY) (2011, d. Martin Sulik, Slovak Republic) *** |
| CINDERELLA
MAN (2005, d. Ron Howard) Moving story of James Braddock with a
searingly honest portrayal by Russell Crowe. *** 1/2 |
| CINÉASTES DE NOTRE TEMPS
(2011, d. Jacques Rozier) V. Informative 98 minute docu made for tv in the
'60s interviewing people involved with Vigo. *** |
| CINEMA VERITÉ (2011, d.
Berman & Pulcini) V. Superbly acted re-creation of the behind the scenes
of An American Family. 40 years ago never seemed so fresh. *** 1/2 |
| CINEMA,
ASPIRIN & VULTURES (Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus) (2006, d. Marcelo
Gomes) ** 1/4 |
| CIRCLE
ROUGE, LE (2003, d. Jean-Pierre Melville) 1970 noir, typical Melville
which means lean and taut. Montand & Delon great. *** 1/4 |
| CIRCLE,
THE (2001, d. Jafar Panahi) ***
1/2 |
| CIRCO (2011, d. Aaron
Schlock) V. Docu about a Mexican circus family & their heartbreaking
problems in the 21st century. Nicely constructed to involve the
audience. *** 1/4 |
| CIRCUIT
(2002, d. Dirk Shafer) ** |
| CIRCUIT
(2001, d. Dirk Shafer) * 1/2 |
| CIRKUS
COLUMBIA (2010, d. Danis Tanovic; Bosnia) *** 1/2 |
| CITIZEN
DUANE (2006, d. Michael Mabbott) ** 3/4 |
| CITY
BY THE SEA (2002, d. Michael Caton-Jones) ***
1/2 |
| CITY ISLAND (2010, d.
Raymond De Felitta) Family dramedy where everybody lies. Original idea, great
script, wonderful acting ensemble. *** 1/2 |
| CITY
OF BORDERS (2009, d. Yun Suh) *** |
| CITY
OF EMBER (2008, d. Gil Kenan) Superb dystopian heroic fantasy, a live
action Wall*E with the visual panache of Brazil. *** 1/2 |
| CITY
OF GHOSTS (2003, d. Matt Dillon) Pseudo Graham Greene. Stifling
atmosphere well done, as were characterizations. Story falls down. Good
try. ** 1/4 |
| CITY
OF GOD (2002, d. Fernando Meirelles) *** |
| CITY
OF LIFE AND DEATH (2009, d.Lu Chuan) *** 1/4 |
| CITY
OF MEN (2008, d. Paolo Morelli) Much better than City of God,
imho. Emotionally affecting, driving narrative. *** 1/4 |
| CITY
OF NO LIMITS (2002, d. Antonio Hernandez) *** 1/4 |
| CITY
OF THE SUN, THE (Slunecný Stát) (2006, d. Martin Sulík; Slovak
Republic) ** |
| CITY OF YOUR FINAL
DESTINATION, THE (2010, d. James Ivory) Well made & acted, if old
fashioned romantic melodrama; but plot just meanders & doesn't
resolve. ** 3/4 |
| CLAIM,
THE (2001, d. Michael Winterbottom) ***
1/2 |
| CLAPHAM JUNCTION (2012, d.
Adrian Shergold) V.+ Involving & depressing drama of one full moon night
of sex, lies & gay bashings in London. *** 1/4 |
| CLAPHAM
JUNCTION (2008, d. Adrian Shergold) Terrific British TV movie about
contrasts in modern society (marriage & bashing). *** 1/2 |
| CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010, d.
Louis Leterrier) Post-prod. 3D better than expected. Film even worse:
repetitive turgid battle scenes, wooden acting. Ugh. * 1/2 |
| CLASS TRIP (2012, d. Claude
Miller) V. Creepy, expressionistic, even Gothic 1998 film of troubled young
boy on class ski vacation, away from controlling dad. *** 1/4 |
| CLASS,
THE (Entre les murs) (2008, d. Laurent Cantet; France) *** 3/4 |
| CLASS,
THE (2008, d. Ilmar Raag; Estonia) *** 1/2 |
| CLASSE
TOUS RISQUE (2006, d. Claude Sautet) A terrific classic noir with a
star-making Belmondo perf (if Breathless hadn't hit first). *** 1/2 |
| CLAY
BIRD, THE (2003, d. Tareque Masud) Bangladesh AFF. A family
uprooted by political upheaval in '68. ** 3/4 |
| CLEAN
(2005, d. Olivier Assayas) Maggie Chung is superb as a junkie trying to go
clean to reclaim her son from her inlaws in this wonderful drama. ***
1/2 |
| CLEARING,
THE (2004, d. Pieter Jan Brugge) Hi-gloss kidnap film, Redford victim,
Mirren the suffering wife. "Without a Trace" does it better.
** |
| CLICK
(2006, d. Frank Coraci) Good F/X, lousy script, sort of an It Might Have Been
a Wonderful Life. Not Sandler's finest. * 3/4 |
| CLIENT 9 - RISE & FALL OF
ELIOT SPITZER (2010, d. Alex Gibney) V. Informative docu about hubris, almost
a whitewash; but Spitzer's cooperation telling. *** |
| CLINK
OF ICE, THE (Le Bruit des glaçons) (2011, d. Bertrand Blier) ** 1/2 |
| CLOCKSTOPPERS
(2002, d. Jonathan Frakes) ** 3/4 |
| CLOSE TO LEO (2012, d.
Christophe Honoré) V. Emotional, well-acted 2002 drama of 4-tight knit
Breton brothers, from pov of 12-yo youngest, whose oldest bro has AIDS. *** |
| CLOSER
(2004, d. Mike Nichols) Four loathsome characters well acted and beautifully
photographed (cf similar Carnal Knowledge!) Portman & Owen never
better. ** 3/4 |
| CLOSET,
THE (2001, d. Le Placard) (2001, d. Francis
Veber) ** 1/2 |
| CLOUD
9 (2009, d. Andreas Dresan) German septuagenarians screw like rabbits
in an attack on filmic taboo against showing wizened bods. VERY true to life,
though. ** 3/4 |
| CLOUD,
THE (2007, d. Gregor Schnitzler) ** 3/4 |
| CLOUDBURST (2012, d.
Thom Fitzgerald) *** 1/4 |
| COAL
COUNTRY (2009, d. Mari-Lynn Evans & Phylis Geller) V. Alarming and
reasonably even-handed docu about dangers & destruction of coal industry
In Appalachia. ** 3/4 |
| COAST
GUARD, THE (2003, d. Kim Ki-duk) Overwrought drama about the soldiers
who guard the Korean coastline from spy incursions. Way over the
top. * 3/4 |
| COAST
TO COAST (2004, d. Paul Mazursky) V. Judy Davis & Richard Dreyfuss
are excellent in this moving, adult drama about a couple devastated by their
son's death. *** 1/2 |
| COCHOCHI
(2008, d. Israel Cárdenas & Laura Amelia Guzmán) *** 1/4 |
| COCK
COLLEGE (short films) (2009, d. various) |
| COCKETTES,
THE (2002, d. Bill Weber and David Weissman) ** 3/4 |
| COCO
BEFORE CHANEL (2009, d. Anne Fontaine) Tatou has matured into a superb
actress. Great costumes & sets; but a tad overlong and just didn't
involve me. *** |
| CODE
46 (2004, d. Michael Winterbottom) One, of the greatest examples
of cyberpunk ever put on film. Winterbottom's future imagery is
amazing. *** 3/4 |
| CODE
UNKNOWN (2001, d. Michael Haneke) **
3/4 |
| COFFEE
DATE (2006, d. Stewart Wade) Amusing comedy about sexual confusions,
really well written script. *** |
| COLD
CUTS (Buffet froid) (2011, d. Bertrand Blier) ** |
| COLD
LIGHT (2004, d. Hilmar Oddsson) Iceland's AFF is a dour tragedy about a
40ish man finally facing a tragedy of his youth. *** |
| COLD
MOUNTAIN (2003, d. Anthony Minghella) Fine production, good acting, but
the "well made" story was too predictable. Jude Law is a bonafide
star. *** |
| COLD
SHOWERS (Douches froides) (2006, d. Antony Cordier) *** |
| COLD
SOULS (2009, d. Sophie Barthes) ** 1/2 |
| COLDEST
DAY, THE (2004, d. Xie Dong) A somewhat boring film about mutual
infidelity in a modern Chinese marriage. ** |
| COLLATERAL
(2004, d. Michael Mann) L.A. is the star here; and Mann doesn't cheat the
geography. Mann's best film in a while. *** |
| COLLECTOR,
THE (Komornik) (2005, d. Feliks Falk; Poland) ** 1/4 |
| COLLISION (2010, d. Marc
Evans) V. Intriguing, fairly predictable Brit tv serial of a police
investigation into a multi-car hiway accident with twists & turns. ** 3/4 |
| COLMA:
THE MUSICAL (2006, d. Richard Wong) Strictly amateurville musical, but
charming, simple story. ** 1/2 |
| COLOR
OF FAME, THE (2008, d.Alesandro Bellame Palacios; Venezuela) *** |
| COLOR
OF PARADISE, THE (2000, d. Majid Majidi) ***
1/4 |
| COLORS
OF THE MOUNTAINS, THE (2011, d. Carlos César Arbeláez, Colombia)
*** |
| COMANCHE
MOON (2008, d. Simon Wincer) V. Nicely played, if choppy,
miniseries. Val Kilmer? weird. ** 3/4 |
| COMBAT
(2006, d. Patrick Carpentier) * |
| COME
AND SEE (2012, d. Elem Klimov) V. Russian WWII intimate epic of orphaned 14
yr. old boy's battles in partisan group. Too histrionic for my tastes.
W/O |
| COME
EARLY MORNING (2006, d. Joey Lauren Adams) *** |
| COME
INTO THE LIGHT (Alla Luce Del Sol) (2005, d. Roberto Faenza) **
1/2 |
| COME
UNDONE (Presque rien) (2001, d. Sébastien
Lifshitz) ** |
| COME
UNDONE (2010, d. Silvio Soldini) *** |
| COMEDY
OF POWER, A (2006, d. Claud Chabrol) ** 3/4 |
| COMIC CON EPISODE IV: A FAN'S
HOPE (2012, d. Morgan Spurlock) V. Amusing docu with Spurlock's gift for
finding the right cast & story line without narration. *** 1/2 |
| COMIC
EVANGELISTS (2006, d. Daniel Jones, Dann Sytsma) *** |
| COMING HOME (À moi
seule) (2012, d. Frédéric Videau) ** 3/4 |
| COMMITTED
(2000, d. Lisa Krueger) ** |
| COMPANY MEN, THE (2010,
d. John Wells) Leave it to Wells to make the first truthful, if predictable,
film about Depression II. Superbly cast and timely. *** 1/4 |
| COMPANY,
THE (2003, d. Robert Altman) Little narrative, lots of good dancing.
Neve impresses, and James Franco underplays to splendid effect. *** 1/4 |
| COMPANY,
THE (2007, d. Mikael Salomon) V. *** 1/2 |
| CONCERT, THE
(2010, d. Radu Mihaileanu) *** 1/2 |
| CONDOR:
AXIS OF EVIL (2003, d. Rodrigo Vasquez) A doc linking the U.S. to South
American dictators and disappearances of the '70s. Too
unstructured. ** 1/4 |
| CONFESSIONS
(2010, d. Tetsuya Nakashima; Japan) *** 1/2 |
| CONFESSIONS
OF A DANGEROUS MIND (2002, d. George Clooney)
*** |
| CONFESSIONS
OF PAIN (2007, d. Andrew Lau & Alan Mak) *** 1/4 |
| CONFIDENCE
(2003, d. James Foley) Foley has style to burn. Too bad he didn't burn
this derivative script. Why I like Ed Burns is the question. ** 1/2 |
| CONFUSION
DES GENRES, LA (2001, d. Ilan Duran Cohen) *** |
| CONGORAMA
(2006, d. Philippe Falardeau) ** 3/4 |
| CONNIE
AND CARLA (2004, d. Michael Lembeck) Silly, if intermittantly funny,
script. I liked the music; but the film is excessivly clichéd. * 3/4 |
| CONSPIRACY
OF SILENCE (2003, d. John Deery) Ernest, polemic drama: celebacy and
the Catholic church. Nice production, but too on-point for good drama.
** |
| CONSPIRATOR, THE (2011, d.
Robert Redford) Somber history of injustice, great cast, the Civil War still
resonates. Robin Wright & James McAvoy stand out. *** 1/2 |
| CONSTANT
GARDNER, THE (2005, d. Fernando Meirelles) *** |
| CONSTANTINE
(2006, d. Francis Lawrence) V. Looks good with graphic novel feel, nice f/x,
absurd plot. ** 1/4 |
| CONTAGION (2011, d. Steven
Soderbergh) Suspenseful, realistic, well acted and directed. Only a too pat,
unrealistic resolution mars an excellent effort. *** 1/4 |
| CONTAINER
(2006, d. Lukas Moodysson) * 3/4 |
| CONTENDER,
THE (2000, d. Rod Lurie)
*** |
| CONTINENTAL,
A FILM WITHOUT GUNS (2008, d. Stéphane Lafleur) ** 1/2 |
| CONTROL
ALT DELETE (2008, d. Cameron Labine) ** 3/4 |
| CONTROL
ROOM (2004, d. Jehane Noujaim) Doc. about Al-Jezeera's coverage of the
current Iraq War. Good footage, though repetitive. ** 3/4 |
| CONTROL (2007, d.
Anton Corbijn) *** |
| CONVERSATIONS
WITH OTHER WOMEN (2006, d. Hans Canosa) *** 1/4 |
| CONVICTION (2010, d.
Tony Goldwyn) Totally predictable (even more obviously than Secretariat),
earnest bleeding heart flick. Rockwell & Juliette Lewis esp. fine. ** 1/2 |
| CONVOY, THE (2012, d. Alexy
Mizgirev) * 3/4 |
| COOL
MONEY (2005, d. Gary Burns ) V. Modestly involving TV caper film about
some losers knocking off N.Y. hotels. ** 1/2 |
| COOLER,
THE (2003, d. Wayne Kramer) The acting's pretty good, especially Alec
Baldwin; but the plot, direction & cinematography pretty well suck.
** |
| COPACABANA (2011, d. Marc
Fitoussi) *** |
| COPYING
BEETHOVEN (2006, d. Agnieszka Holland) Overwrought, overacted. Sublime
music (though weirdly edited). ** |
| CORALINE
(2009, d. Henry Selick) Incredible 3D animation. Fantasmagorical plot
not my cuppa; but the imagery is superb & expands the art of
cinema. *** 1/4 |
| CORE,
THE (2003, d. Jon Amiel) F/x end-of-world flick fun enough to
overcome implausibilities. First hour great & then film degrades to
clichés. ** 3/4 |
| CORIOLANUS (2011, d.
Ralph Fiennes) Fabulous concept, great acting; but
Shakespeare's language doesn't work for me in this context. ** 1/2 |
| CORONATION
(2000, d. Silvio Caiozzi) *** |
| CORPORATION,
THE (2004, d. Achbar & Abbott) Overlong but fascinating Canadian
documentary about "corporations" as psychotic people. *** 1/2 |
| CORRECTION
(Diorthosi) (2008, d. Thanos Anastopoulos, Greece) ** 1/4 |
| CORTEX
(2008, d. Nicolas Boukhrief) *** |
| COST
OF LIVING (2004, d. Phillippe Le Guay) Vivid, beautifully realized
multi-character story connected by the theme money for love. *** 1/4 |
| COTE
D'AZURE (2005, d. Ducastel & Martineau) Entertaining French farce
about an family on vacation whose sexuality is mutable & evolving.
** 3/4 |
| COTEAU ROUGH (2012, d. André
Forcier) ** 3/4 |
| COUDY
WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (2009, d. Lord & Miller) Clever, fun 3-D
animated kids film with enough in-humor to amuse adults. *** |
| COUNT
OF MONTE CRISTO, THE (2002, d. Kevin
Reynolds) *** |
| COUNTDOWN
TO ZERO (2010, d. Lucy Walker) *** |
| COUNTDOWN
(2012, d. Huh Jong-ho) *** |
| COUNTER
INVESTIGATION (Contre-enquête) (2007, d. Franck Mancusco) *** 1/2 |
| COUNTERFEITERS,
THE (Die Falscher) (2007, d. Stefan Ruzowitzky; Austria) *** 1/2 |
| COUNTRY STRONG (2011 d. Shana
Feste) Weak script (seen it before). Can't blame actors...Paltrow
really fine & Hedlund has charisma to burn. Music a plus. ** 1/2 |
| COUNTRY
TEACHER, THE (2008, d. Bohdan Sláma) *** 3/4 |
| COUNTRY
WEDDING (2009, d. Vladis Öskarsdóttir) *** |
| COUPERET,
LE (2005, d. Costa-Gavras) More black comedy than the usual
Costa-Gavras, entertaining film which takes Time Out to a higher level.
*** |
| COUSINHOOD
(2012, d. Daniel Sánchez Arévalo) ** |
| COVE, THE (2009,
d. Louie Psihoyos) ** 3/4 |
| COVERBOY
(2009, d. Carmine Amoroso) *** |
| COWBOYS & ALIENS
(2011, d. Jon Favreau) Liked the Western, hated the Aliens...Well cast; but
silly plotting ruined any chance of not disappointing. ** |
| COWBOYS
AND ANGELS (2004, d. David Gleeson) Beautifully written & acted
Irish coming-of-age gay/straight romantic comedy. Michael Legge is
wonderful. *** 1/4 |
| COWBOYS
AND ANGELS (2005, d. David Gleeson)V.+ *** |
| COYOTE
UNLY (2000, d. David McNally) * 3/4 |
| CQ (2002, d.
Roman Coppola) * |
| CRAB
TRAP (2010, d. Oscar Ruiz Navia; Columbia) * 3/4 |
| CRACKER:
A NEW TERROR (2006, d. Antonia Bird) V. Excellent tv film about a
killer British cop driven crazy in the "troubles". *** |
| CRACKS IN THE SHELL
(2012, d. Christian Schwochow) *** |
| CRANE
WORLD (2005, d. Pablo Trapero) Slow, Argentine neo-realist B&W film
about a 49 yr. old construction worker ex-rock guitarist. ** 1/2 |
| CRANFORD
(2008, d. Simon Curtis) V. Superb British early Victorian mini-series which
just got better & better. The final part blew me away. *** 1/2 |
| CRASH
(2005, d. Paul Haggis) Superb Short Cuts type multi-character, roundabout
drama...modern day L.A. as racial dystopia. I need to leave L.A.! ***
1/2 |
| CRAYFISH
(2010, d. Ivan Cherkelov) * 1/4 |
| CRAZIES, THE (2010, d. Breck
Eisner) Convincing bio-eco-disaster flick with one wonderful perf by Joe
Anderson and some effectively directed horror tropes. *** |
| CRAZY
HEART (2009, d. Scott Cooper) Almost makes me love country music.
Bridges is great, iconic. Nicely realized love story plus the music...winning
como. *** 1/4 |
| CRAZY HORSE (2012, d.
Frederick Wiseman) V. Formless, overlong docu of Parisian nightclub; behind
scene stuff alternate with naked girl + gorgeous lit dance numbers. **
1/2 |
| CRAZY
LOVE (2007, d. Dan Klores & Fisher Stevens) *** 1/4 |
| CRAZY
(2001, d. Hans-Christian Schmid) *** 1/4 |
| CRAZY, STUPID LOVE
(2011, d. Ficarra & Requa) Diverting rom-com with Carel's best perf to
date; I wanted to love it...but predictable plot twists just not funny
enough. ** 3/4 |
| crazy/beautiful
(2001, d. John Stockwell) *** 1/4 |
| CREATION
(2009, d. Jon Amiel) Earnest, boring costumer biofilm...Bettany is good
as Darwin; but I never believed the film was true to the real
characters. ** 1/2 |
| CREATIVE
NATURE (2008, d. John Andres) ** 1/4 |
| CREW,
THE (2000, d. Michael Dinner) **
1/2 |
| CRIME
+ PUNISHMENT IN SUBERBIA (2000, d. Rob Schmidt) **
1/2 |
| CRIME
NOVEL (2006, d. Michele Placido) *** 1/4 |
| CRIMEN
DEL PADRE AMARO, EL (2003, d. Carlos Carrera) Mexico AFF.
Anti-clerical satiric melodrama in small Mexican parish. *** 1/4 |
| CRIMINAL
LOVERS (2000, d. Francois Ozon) ***
1/2 |
| CRIMINAL
(2004, d. Gregory Jacobs) A faithful remake of Nine Queens, which means a
good, if familiar script. A sympathetic cast, still this one doesn't quite
jell. ** 1/2 |
| CRIMSON
RIVERS (2001, d. Mathieu Kassowitz) *** |
| CROOKED
E, THE (2003, d. Penelope Spheeris) V. CBS film docudrama about
fall of Enron. Predictable script, Christian Kane actor to watch.
** |
| CROSSING
A SHADOW (2007, d. Augusto Tamayo; Peru) ** 1/2 |
| CROSSING
BORDERS (2008, d. Arnd Wächter) Hopeful, moving docu feels like
"Real World Morocco", 4 American & 4 Moroccan students live
together for a week and keep it real. *** 1/4 |
| CROSSING
HENNESSY (2010, d. Ivy Ho) ** 1/2 |
| CROSSING
OVER (2009, d. Wayne Kramer) Like Crash, only better, this is an
involving ensemble drama about distressed immigrants in L.A. *** 1/4 |
| CROSSING
THE BORDER (Un Franco 14 Pesetas) (2007, d. Carlos Iglesias) *** |
| CROSSING
THE BRIDGE: THE SOUND OF ISTANBUL (2006, d. Fatih Aiken) V. Music docu,
sporadically good music, nice photog. ** 1/2 |
| CROSSING
(2009, d. Kim Tae-kyun; Republic of Korea) ** 3/4 |
| CROSSING,
THE (Bocu no ojison) (2000, d. Yoichi Higashi) ** |
| CROUCHING
TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON (2000, d. Ang Lee) *** 3/4
|
| CROUPIER
(2000, d. Mike Hodges) *** 1/4 |
| CROWN JEWELS,
THE (2012, d. Ella Lemhagen) ** 1/4 |
| CRUDE
(2003, Turkey d. Paxton Winters) Road film about 2 young American
guys and their travels through Turkey looking for fame & fortune.
** 3/4 |
| CRUEL
BUT NECESSARY (2005, d. Saul Rubinek) Innovative video about a woman
secretly recording her life for 2 years on a hidden camera. ** 3/4 |
| CRUEL
JOYS (2003, d. Juraj Nvota) Slovakia AFF. Relationship drama in
pre-war small Slovak town. ** 3/4 |
| CRUSH
(2002, d. John McKay) ** |
| CRYING
LADIES (2005, d. Mark Meily) Three Philippine women hired as cryers for
a Chinese funeral. I was uninvolved; but the film wasn't that bad. W/O |
| CRYING
OUT (2011, d. Robin Aubert) *** |
| CSI:
GRAVE DANGER 1 & 2 (2005, d. Quentin Tarantino) V. ** 3/4 |
| CUBA
LIBRA (2004, d. Juan Gerard) Nostalgic, but too pat, reminiscence of an
11 yr. old boy coming of age in '58 small town Cuba prior to
revolution. ** |
| CUBE OF SUGAR,
A (2012, d. Reza Mirkarimi) ** 3/4 |
| CUCKOO,
THE (2002, d. Alexander Rogozhkin) *** |
| CUP,
THE (2000, d. Khyentse Norbu)
*** |
| CURE
(2001, d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) [1997]
*** |
| CURIOSITY OF CHANCE, THE
(2012, d. Russell Marleau) V. Pleasant, eccentric, slick '06 coming of age
American hi-school in Belgium indie. Gay clique vs. bullies. ** 3/4 |
| CURIOUS
CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, THE (2009, d. David Fincher) + Even more
moving 2nd time around. Epic, emotional, great film. *** 3/4 |
| CURIOUS
CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, THE (2008, d. David Fincher) Moving, epic
filmmaking which works at all levels. Nearly a masterpiece. *** 1/2 |
| CURSE
OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER (2007, d. Zhang Yimou; China) *** |
| CURSE
OF THE JADE SCORPION, THE (2001, d. Woody
Allen) ** |
| CURSED
(2009, d. Wes Craven) V. Campy parody of werewolf stories with a great
cast (Jesse Eisenberg & Milo Ventimiglia are wonderful). Ridiculous; but
clever & fun. *** |
| CUT
SLEEVE BOYS (2007, d. Ray Yeung) ** 3/4 |
| CUTTING
EDGE 3, THE (2008, d. Stuart Gillard) V. Surprisingly not bad,
although predictable. Matt Lanter is good! ** 1/2 |
| CUTTING
EDGE, THE (2008, d. Paul Michael Glaser) V. Moira Kelly & D.B.
Sweeney have good chemistry. Otherwise clichéd. ** 1/2 |
| CYCLES
(2009, d. Cyril Gelblat) *** 1/2 |
| CYRUS (2010, d.
Jay Duplass & Mark Duplass) ** 3/4 |
| DA
VINCI CODE, THE (2006, d. Ron Howard) The con of film. Turgid,
overlong...nice historical f/x, though. ** 1/4 |
| DAAS (2012, d. Adrian
Panek) ** |
| DADDY
& PAPA (2002, d. Johnny Symons) *** 1/2 |
| DALECARLIANS,
THE (2005, d. Maria Blom) Involving family drama about 3 sisters
and the small Swedish town that the youngest returns to. *** |
| DAMNED
UNITED, THE (2009, d. Tom Hooper) Good script & fine perfs
(especially Michael Sheen) in a sports biopic more about people than sports.
*** 1/4 |
| DAMNED,
THE (2010, d. Isaki Lacuesta) * |
| DAMSELS IN DISTRESS (2012, d.
Whit Stillman) Smart comedy about college doufuses. Whimsical and slight; but
Stillman's style still appeals to me. *** |
| DAN IN
REAL LIFE (2007, d. Peter Hedges) Emotionally satisfying, breakthru
film for Hedges (and for me, Carell). *** 1/4 |
| DANCE
TOWN (2011, d. Jeon Kyu-hwan) ** 3/4 |
| DANCER
AND THE THIEF, THE (2009, d. Fernando Trueba; Spain *** 1/4) |
| DANCER
IN THE DARK (2000, d. Lars von Trier) ***
1/2 |
| DANCER
UPSTAIRS, THE (2002, d. John Malkovich) ** 3/4 |
| DANCERS
(2009, d. Pemille Fischer Christensen) ** 1/2 |
| DANCING
ACROSS BORDERS (2009, d. Anne H. Bass) *** |
| DANDELION
(2004, d. Mark Milgard) Well acted, somewhat pointless coming of age story of
boy who sacrifices much for his dysfunctional family. ** 3/4 |
| DANGEROUS
LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS, THE (2002, d. Peter Care)
** |
| DANGEROUS METHOD, A
(2011, d. David Cronenberg) Talky, even stagey ultra-smart film about
Jung & Freud falling out. Knightley is spectacularly good. ** 3/4 |
| DANIEL DERONDA (2011 d. Tom
Hooper) V. Nicely mounted costumer: love thwarted & Jewish identity
found. Stolidly underplayed by good cast. Hooper? hmmm. ** 3/4 |
| DANIKA
(2006, d. Ariel Vromen) * 1/2 |
| DANS
PARIS (2007, d. Christophe Honoré) ** 1/2 |
| DARE
(2009, d. Adam Salky) High school sexual angst film which nails
situation & characterizations (though actors are too old). Zach Gilford
has genuine star qualities. *** 1/4 |
| DAREDEVIL
(2003, d. Mark Steven Johnson) Better stunts than Spiderman; but rather wan
story. I enjoyed it, especially Affleck. ** 3/4 |
| DARJEELING
LIMITED, THE (2007, d. Wes Anderson) Better than his last one; but I
need more than a train & exotica. ** 3/4 |
| DARK
AGES, THE (2007, d. Chris Cassel) V. Standard issue History channel
docu. Lots of info well presented. ** 3/4 |
| DARK
BLUE WORLD (2001, d. Jan Sverak) *** 1/4 |
| DARK
HARBOR (2009, d. Naito Takasugu) *** |
| DARK HORSE (2012, d. Todd
Solondz). Bittersweet satire of man-child's delusional life. Ironies abound,
aided by perfect casting. Grown-up Dollhouse, funny & sad. *** |
| DARK
HORSE (Voksne Mennesker) (2005, d. Dagur Kári) ** |
| DARK
KNIGHT, THE (2008, d. Christopher Nolan) Surprisingly dark and dense,
some narrative glitches, but Ledger is as good as the hype. *** 1/4 |
| DARK
STREETS (2008, d. Rachel Samuels) Rarely has so much stylishness been
put in aid of such a lame story. Only singers & prod. designers come out
ok. ** |
| DARK
WATER (2002, d. Hideo Nakata) *** |
| DARKBLUEALMOSTBLACK
(2006, d. Daniel Sánchez Arévalo) *** 1/2 |
| DARKEST
MATTER, THE (2011, d. James Fox) 1/2* |
| DARWIN'S
NIGHTMARE (2005, d. Hubert Sauper; docu) V. *** |
| DASEPO NAUGHTY GIRLS
(Dasepo Sonyo) (2007, d. E J-yong) * |
| DATE NIGHT (2010, d. Shawn
Levy) Sporadically funny couple-in-jeopardy farce, but just too ridiculous
& unlikely for my tastes, Marky Mark's pecs excepted. ** 1/4 |
| DAUGHTER
FROM DANANG (2003, d. Dolgen and Franco) (V) docu. Mixed race
Viet Nam war child sent to US at 7 meets her mom. *** 1/4 |
| DAVID
COPPERFIELD (2009, d. Simon Curtis) V. The first half, Daniel Radcliffe
as young Copperfield, is fine. Then it all turns to treacle and
sentiment. ** 1/2 |
| DAVID'S BIRTHDAY (2012, d.
Marco Filiberti) V. Overwrought story of married man yearning for gay affair
with friend's son. Massimo Poggio one to watch. ** |
| DAWSON,
ISLA 10 (2009, d. Miguel Littin; Chile) *** |
| DAY
A PIG FELL INTO THE WELL, THE (2003, S. Korea d. Hong Sang-soo)
Muddled story of multiple affairs going nowhere. Film does too.
1/2* |
| DAY
AFTER TOMORROW, THE (2004, d. Roland Emmerich) Cliché story (though
involving & well done), fantastically realistic special f/x. ** 3/4 |
| DAY
AT THE MUSEUM, A (Musée haut, musée bas) (2009, d. Jean-Michel
Ribes) ** 1/4 |
| DAY
THE EARTH STOOD STILL, THE (2008, d. Scott Derrickson) Good f/x; but
sappy, incredulous script a million times inferior to original.* 1/2 |
| DAY
WATCH (2007, d. Timur Bekmambetov) *** |
| DAYBREAK (2011 d. Michael
Rymer) V. Final ep. of Battlestar Galactica as a 2 1/2 hr. film on DVD.
Lovely blue & green ending to a fascinating series. *** 1/2 |
| DAYBREAK
(2004, d. Bjorn Runge) Three cleverly interwoven stories of strange
relationship angst in Sweden. I couldn't relate to the stories. ** 3/4 |
| DAYDREAM
NATION (2011 d. Mike Goldbach) *** |
| DAYS
AND CLOUDS (2008, d. Silvio Soldini) *** |
| DAYS
AND HOURS (2005, d. Ademir Kenovic) Talky, slow paced slice of life
story about family coping with consequences of Bosnian war 7 years earlier. *
3/4 |
| DAYS
OF BEING WILD (2004, d. Wong Kar-wei) I was carried away by the plot,
actors & especially the cinematography. Now I must reassess In The Mood
For Love. *** 1/2 |
| DAYS
OF DARKNESS (2007, d. Denys Arcand; Canada) *** |
| DAYS
OF GLORY (2006, d. Rachid Bouchareb; Algeria) *** |
| DEAD
GIRL, THE (2006, d. Karen Moncrieff) *** 1/4 |
| DEAD
MAN'S HAND (2003, d. Boon & Brandenbourger) Luxembourg AFF.
High gloss consumerist satire. ** 3/4 |
| DEAD
MAN'S SHOES (2005, d. Shane Meadows) Paddy Considine is the nemesis of
group of guys who tortured his brother. Violent and bloody. ** 1/2 |
| DEAD
SILENCE (2008, d. James Wan)V. Stylish horror flick with ridiculous
seen-before "dummy" plot. Looks great, less filling. ** 1/4 |
| DEADGIRL
(2009, d. Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel) ** 1/2 |
| DEAL
(2008, d. Gil Cates, Jr.) Predictable, but the poker was realistic & Bret
Harrison is a winning actor. ** 3/4 |
| DEAL,
THE (2004, d. Harvey Kahn) Wall Street shenanigans in the oil patch in
the near future. Slickly made, good cast, but probably straight to
video. ** 1/2 |
| DEAL,
THE (2007, d. Stephen Frears) V. British political true story, Labour
deal to share power. Too parochial for U.S. ** 1/2 |
| DEAR
FRANKIE (2004, d. Shona Aurbach) Tender and moving drama of deaf boy's
bonding with a surrogate father. *** 1/4 |
| DEAR JOHN (2010, d. Lasse
Hallström) A little sappy; but Hallström does a good job with Tatum, nice
chemistry between leads & good enough romance, if barely. *** |
| DEAR
WENDY (2005, d. Thomas Vinterberg) *** |
| DEATH
AND TEXAS (2004, d. Kevin DiNovis) Satiric, pointed but understated
mockumentary about a famed football player on death row in Texas. *** 1/4 |
| DEATH
AT A FUNERAL (2007, d. Frank Oz) *** |
| DEATH
DEFYING ACTS (2008, d. Gillian Armstrong) Excellent period piece;
strong acting by Guy Pierce & Zeta-Jones! *** 1/4 |
| DEATH
IN LOVE (2009, d. Boaz Yakin) Good cast mostly wasted on incoherent
effects-of-Holocaust-on-2nd-generation-family sexually explicit melodrama. **
1/4 |
| DEATH
IN VENICE (2007, d. Luchino Visconti) ** 3/4 |
| DEATH
OF A PRESIDENT (2006, d. Gabriel Range) *** 1/2 |
| DEATH
OF MR. LAZARESCU, THE (Moartea domului Lazarescu) (2005, d.
Cristi Puiu; Romania) *** 1/2 |
| DEATH
SENTENCE (2007, d. James Wan) ** |
| DEATH
TO SMOOCHY (2002, d. Danny De Vito) **
1/2 |
| DEBT, THE (2011, d. John
Madden) Dual stories of consequences of past. Both sets of actors
convincing. *** 1/4 |
| DEBUTANTES,
LOS (2004, d. Andres Waissbluth) Strong, multi-POV, sexy drama about 2
naive brothers who become involved with a porn boss and his mistress. *** |
| DECEMBER
BOYS (2007, d. Rod Hardy) Good performances, but a predictable clichéd
script. ** 1/2 |
| DECEMBER
HEAT (Detsembrikuumus) (2009, d. Asko Kase; Estonia) *** |
| DECENDANTS, THE (2011,
d. Alexander Payne) A nice script, interesting characters &
Hawaiian beauty make for an enjoyable, but minor, entertainment. ***
1/4 |
| DECLARATION
OF WAR (2011, d. Valérie Donzelli, France) *** 1/2 |
| DEEP BLUE SEA, THE (2012, d.
Terence Davies) Ponderous, dark adaptation of Rattigan play. I felt no
connection to story of obsessive, destructive love. ** 1/2 |
| DEEP
BREATH (2004, d. Parviz Shahbazi) Iran's AFF is a road picture about
disaffected college students, amazingly secular for an official
submission. ** 1/2 |
| DEEP
END, THE (2001, d. Scott McGehee & David
Siegel) ** 1/2 |
| DEEP
WATER (2007, d. Osmond & Rothwell) Disquieting, excellent docu:
1969 around world boat race. *** 1/2 |
| DEEPWATER
(2005, d. David Marfield) A superior psychological thriller disguised as a
gothic noir. Great performance by Lucas Black. *** 1/4 |
| DEFENDERS
OF RIGA (Rigas Sargi) (2008, d. Algars Grauba; Latvia) ** 1/2 |
| DEFIANCE
(2008, d. Edward Zwick) Involving, well directed...but somewhat clichéd and
old fashioned. *** |
| DÉFICIT (2007, d.
Gael García Bernal) *** 1/4 |
| DEFINITELY,
MAYBE (2009, d. Adam Brooks) V. Fine romcom with intriguing premise
& a remarkable perf by Ryan Reynolds, whom I am coming to
appreciate! *** 1/4 |
| DEGRASSI
GOES HOLLYWOOD (2009, d. Stefen Brogren) V. The nextgen Degrassi kids
grown up & unrealistically placed in a Jason Mews directed film.
Bizarrely fun. ** 1/2 |
| DÉJÀ
VU (2006, d. Tony Scott) A superior, timebending thriller which, while
totally absurd, amazingly almost holds together! *** 1/4 |
| DEKADA
'70 (2004, d. Chito Rono) Melodramatic saga of 15 years of a Philippine
family, 5 boys & Ozzie & Harriet parents. Too long and
overamped. ** |
| DELICASY (2012, d. D. &
S. Foenkinos) Affecting, perceptive office based rom-com...can a
C-grade man make it with an A-grade grieving widow? *** 1/4 |
| DELIRIOUS
(2007, d. Tom Dicillo) *** |
| DELIVER
US FROM EVIL (2006, d. Amy Berg) V. Gripping docu about Catholic church
coverup of pederast priest. *** 1/2 |
| DE-LOVELY
(2004, d. Irwin Winkler) Massively over-written Cole Porter biopic. Good
music and singer cameos; but otherwise bloated and pretentious. ** 1/4 |
| DEMONLOVER
(2003, France d. Olivier Assayas) Stylish, mysterious business
scullduggery among the rich and successful international cyber-crowd.
*** 1/4 |
| DENIAS,
SINGING ON THE CLOUD (2007, d. John de Rantau; Indonesia) ** 1/2 |
| DEPARTED,
THE (2006, d. Martin Scorsese) Fabulously cast, but script too
eliptical...Infernal Affaires made more sense. *** 1/4 |
| DEPARTURES
(Okuribito) (2008, d. Yojiro Takita; Japan) *** 3/4 |
| DEPENDENCIA
SEXUAL (2003, d. Rodrigo Bellott) Sexual adventures of youths in
Bolivia & U.S. done in split screen. Wildlly uneven, but also a
turn-on. *** |
| DESPICABLE ME (2010, d.
C. Renaud, P. Coffin) Hip doesn't always translate to good family oriented
animation; but here it plays wonderfully. Pixar watch your back. ***
3/4 |
| DESTINÉES,
LES (2001, d. Olivier Assayas) *** 1/2 |
| DESTINY
OF LESSER ANIMALS (2011, d. Daron Albright) * 1/2 |
| DETAILS, THE (2012, d. Jacob
Aaron Estes) *** 1/4 |
| DETECTIVE
DEE & THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (2011, d. Tsui
Hark) *** 1/4 |
| DETENTION
(2011, d. Joseph Kahn) ** 1/4 |
| DEUCES
WILD (2002, d. Scott Kalvert)
** |
| DEVDAS
(2003, d. Sanjay Leela Bhansali) India AFF. Bollywood musical:
overblown tragic love story. * 3/4 |
| DEVDAS
(2002, d. Sanjay Leela Bhansali) ** |
| DEVIL
AND DANIEL JOHNSTON, THE (2005, d. Jeff Feuerzeig) V. *** |
| DEVIL
WEARS PRADA, THE (2006, d. David Frankel) Well acted (Hathaway finally
grows up, Streep perfect), funny. *** |
| DEVIL'S
BACKBONE, THE (2001, d. Guillermo Del Toro) ***
1/4 |
| DEVIL'S TEARDROP, THE (2010,
d. Norma Bailey)V.Lifetime movie
watched for Tom Everett Scott, who was fine. Predictable, poorly written
thriller with no bite at all. * 1/2 |
| DEVIL'S
TOWN (2010, d. Vladimir Paskaljevic) *** |
| DEVOTEE
(2008, d. Rémi Lange) French drama about a thalidomide 40-ish gay man (no
limbs) used as a fetish object. ** 1/2 |
| DEXTER:
Season 1 (2006, d. various) V. Sympathetic serial killer
sociopath...stylish, Michael C. Hall is simply amazing. *** 3/4 |
| DHAMMA
BROTHERS, THE (2008, d. Jenny Phillips) Hopeful, thoughtful docu of
Alabaman prisoners who find peace thru Buddhist meditation. *** |
| DIABLES,
LES (2003, d. Christophe Ruggia) Harrowing story of 2 abandoned
children, incredible acting. Hard to do this one justice in a
line. *** 1/2 |
| DIAMOND
13 (2010, d. Gilles Béat) *** 1/4 |
| DIAMOND
MEN (2001, d. Daniel M. Cohen) ***
1/2 |
| DIAMONDS
(2009, d. Andy Wilson) V. Sprawling TV mini-series melodrama of world
of diamonds, wastes Judy Davis and a scowling James Purefoy. ** 1/4 |
| DIARY
OF A CHAMBERMAID (2001, d. Luis Buñiel) ** 3/4 |
| DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (2010, d.
Thor Freudenthal) Zach Gordon is fine, if not very wimpy. Amusing enough,
good animation, just not very original. ** 3/4 |
| DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK
RULES (2011, d. David Bowers) OK for what it is, 7th grader adventures. I was
mildly amused; but I'm not the right audience. ** 1/4 |
| DIAS
DE SANTIAGO (2006, d. Josué Méndez; Peru) ** 1/4 |
| DIAZ - DON'T CLEAN UP THIS BLOOD (2012,
d. Daniele Vicari) *** 1/4 |
| DICKIE
ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR (2003, d. Sam Weisman)
Infantile, arrested-development story, occasionally funny, very meta,
embarrassing to watch. * |
| DIE,
MOMMIE, DIE (2003, d. Mark Rucker) Camp take-off on Mommy Dearest, a
showcase for tranny Charles Busch, which just didn't cut it. **
1/4 |
| DIFFERENT
FROM WHOM (2010, d. Umberto Carteni) *** |
| DIG!
(2004, d. Ondi Timoner) Extraordinary video documentary about two current
retro 60's underground bands. Fabulous footage well edited. *** 1/4 |
| DIGGERS (2006, d.
Katherine Dieckmann) ** 1/2 |
| DINOSAUR
(2000, d. Ralph Zondag & Eric Leighton) **
1/2 |
| DIRT
BOY (2001, d. Jay Frasco) * 3/4 |
| DIRT
(2003, US d. Nancy Savoca) Entertaining humanist drama about an
undocumented Salvadorian family...mother a cleaning woman. *** 1/4 |
| DIRTY
DANCING: HAVANA NIGHTS (2004, d. Guy Ferland) Pretty much cookie cutter
plot, but fun. Diego Luna: Latin lover for the 2000's. ** 1/4 |
| DIRTY
DEEDS (2006, d. David Kendall) V. Stupid high school caper film.
Watched for Milo Ventimiglia, who is worth watching. * |
| DIRTY
PRETTY THINGS (2003, Great Britain d. Stephen Frears)
Excellent romantic drama about refugees living and being exploited in
London. *** 1/4 |
| DIRTY
SHAME, A (2004, d. John Waters) Utterly transgressive sex farce which
takes Waters' anarchic style to its untoppable culmination. Still, never
boring. ** 3/4 |
| DIRTY
WAR (2005, d. Daniel Percival) V. Dirty bomb terrorist attack on
central London. BBC film, a good suspenser and scary as hell, though nothing
special filmwise. ** 3/4. |
| DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED,
THE (2010, d. J Blakeson) Clever &
original plot, fine 3-character kidnapping caper which spares nobody &
resolves unpredictably. *** 1/2 |
| DISAPPEARANCES
(2006, d. Jay Craven) ** 1/4 |
| DISCO
PIGS (2001, d. Kirsten Sheridan) *** 1/4 |
| DISNEY'S
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2009, d. Robert Zemeckis) The 3D f/x & motion
capture wonderful, seminal. Story too familiar & over ripe. Best as a
theme park ride. ** 1/2 |
| DISNEY'S
THE KID (2000, d. Jon Turteltaub) ** |
| DISTANT
LIGHTS (2003, Germany d. Hans-Christian Schmidt) Hand held,
documentary feel: about refugees trying to get to Germany. *** 1/4 |
| DISTANT
(2003, d. Nuri Bilge Ceylan) Arty Turkish film about alienating effects of
big city on two men, one older & established, other new to town. *** 1/4 |
| DISTRICT 13: ULTIMATUM (2010,
d. Patrick Alessandrin) Boy, does Philippe Torreton class up an action flick?
This is a more than worthy sequel with *great* parkour. *** 1/4 |
| DISTRICT
9 (2009, d. Neill Blomkamp) Smart, inventive alien invasion actioner,
subtly moving & lacking Hollywood bombast. *** 1/4 |
| DISTURBIA
(2007, d. D.J. Caruso) Despite a star making turn by Shia LaBeouf this Rear
Window update is ridiculously over the top. ** 1/4 |
| DISTURBING
BEHAVIOR (2004, d. David Nutter) V. Mind control '98 horror flick, a
teenage Stepford High, good cast, well directed, but way over the top. ** |
| DIVIDED
WE FALL (2000, d. Jan Hrebejk) *** 1/2 |
| DIVINE
INTERVENTION (2003, d. Elia Suleiman) Palestine's AFF nomination is an
unfunny absurdist comedy which didn't work for me. ** |
| DIVING
BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY, THE (2007, d. Julian Schnabel) Most expressive
eye in film history. Amalric amazing! *** 3/4 |
| DIVING
SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD (2002, d. Callie
Khouri) ** |
| DIVORCE,
LE (2003, d. James Ivory) Something between glowing romantic comedy and
lame farce re: culture clash between France & America. Guilty
pleasure. *** |
| DO
NOT GO GENTLE (2001, d. Emlyn Williams) *** |
| DO
YOU SEE COLORS WHEN YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES? (2011, d. Caleb & Joshua
Young) *** 1/2 |
| DOCTOR
ZHIVAGO (2005, d. Giacomo Campiotti) V. Why the David Lean film needed
a remake is questionable; but this one is well made, intimate &
emotional. ** 3/4 |
| DO-DECA-PENTATHELON, THE (2012, d. Jay
& Mark Duplass) ** 1/2 |
| DODGEBALL
(2004, d. Rawson M. Thurber) Silly, amiable entertainment. I didn't
find it funny; but it sure tries hard enough. Stiller still has
"it". ** 1/2 |
| DOG
EAT DOG (2009, d. Carlos Moreno; Columbia) * 3/4 |
| DOG
POUND (2006, d. Manuel Nieto Zas) W/O |
| DOG TAGS (2012, d. Damon
Dietz) V. Dysfunctional family drama, young man enlists in marines & has
crisis of sexual identity. Slow & ponderous, yet pretty. ** 3/4 |
| DOGHEAD (2007, d.
Santi Amodeo) *** 1/4 |
| DOGHEAD
(2007, d. Santi Amodeo) + *** 1/4 |
| DOGTOOTH
(2010, d. Yorgos Lanthimos; Greece) *** |
| DOGTOWN
AND Z-BOYS (2001, d. Stacy Peralta) *** 1/2 |
| DOGVILLE
(2004, d. Lars von Trier) A malevolent Our Town, more tv throwback than film,
Kidman and Bettany are really good. *** |
| DOING
TIME ON MAPLE DR. (2005, d. Ken Olen) V. *** 1/4 |
| DOING
TIME (2003, Japan d. Sai Yoichi) Intelligent comedy about
regimented life in a modern Japanese prison. *** |
| DOL (2007, d.
Hiner Saleem) ** 3/4 |
| DOLLS
(2003, d. Takeshi Kitano) Gorgeously photographed, metaphorically
opaque. Three stories of regret that I regret that went over my
head. ** |
| DOMESTIC
DISTURBANCE (2001, d. Harold Becker) **
1/2 |
| DONAU,
DUNA, DUNAJ, DUNAV, DUNAREA (2004, d. Goren Rebic) Beautiful;y done
story of a "ship of fools" and romantics heading down the
Danube. *** |
| DONKEY
(2009, d. Antonia Nuic; Croatia) ** 1/2 |
| DONKEY
SKIN (2004, d. Jacques Demy) A gentle fairy tale. Demy has style to
spare; but other than the costumes I wasn't blown away. ** 1/2 |
| DONNIE
DARKO (2001, d. Richard Kelly) + Worth a 2nd watch. *** 1/2 |
| DONNIE
DARKO (2001, d. Richard Kelly) *** 1/4 |
| DONNIE
DARKO: DIRECTOR'S CUT (2004, d. Richard Kelly) Improved
comprehensibility; but I really missed some scenes. Still a fantastic
film. *** 1/2 |
| DON'S
PLUM (2005, d. R.D. Robb) V. B&W indie near masterpiece, a
20-something My Dinner With André with a hard edge. Why is it banned?
*** 1/2 |
| DONSOL
(2007, d. Adolfo Alix, Jr.; Philippines) ** 1/2 |
| DON'T
BURN IT (2010, d. Dang Nhat Minh; Vietnam) ** 1/2 |
| DON'T
LET ME DOWN (2009, d. Cruz Angeles) *** |
| DON'T
MOVE (2005, d. Sergio Castellitto) Obsessive adultry-romance with a
superb perf by Penelope Cruz. Involving and interestingly structured. *** |
| DON'T
SAY A WORD (2001, d. Gary Fleder) * 3/4 |
| DON'T
TELL (La bestia nel cuore) (2006, d. Cristina Comencini; Italy) *** 1/2 |
| DOOMED
LOVE (Um Amor de Perição) (2009, d. Mário Baroso; Portugal) *** |
| DOOR
IN THE FLOOR, THE (2004, d. Tod Williams) Superbly acted drama of a
family's corrosive grief & a boy's (the promising Jon Foster) coming of
age. *** 1/2 |
| DOOR
TO DOOR (2002, d. Stephen Schachter) *** |
| DOPAMINE (2010, d. Mark
Decena) V. + I knew immediately that I'd already seen this quietly touching,
romantic, truthful 2003 film; but got hooked again. *** 1/4 |
| DOPAMINE
(2003, d. Mark Decina) Indie romantic comedy; 3geeky programmers in S.F.
Genuine characters, well written, actors have real chemistry. *** 1/4 |
| DORA-HEITA
(2001, d. Kon Ichikawa) ** 1/4 |
| DORIAN
BLUES (2004, d. Tennyson Bardwell) A genuinely funny coming out comedy,
a crowd pleaser with a brilliant script and assured acting &
direction. *** 1/4 |
| DOS
TIPOS DUROS (2004, d. Juan Moreno) A Guy Richie type bloody,
gang-who-couldn't-shoot-straight comedy, only totally diverting. Jordi
Vilches wonderful. *** |
| DOSSIER K. (2010,
d. Jan Verheyen) Convoluted Belgian
thriller about Albanian Mafia and honor killings. Atmospheric noir; but
somewhat confusing. *** |
| DOT
THE I (2005, d. Matthew Parkhill) Clever script with double &
triple crosses galore a la Nine Queens. Bernal is a star in English,
too. *** 1/4 |
| DOUBT
(2008, d. John Patrick Shanley) Major acting kudos (esp. Viola Davis), but
film's ambiguity and murky central thesis a problem for me. ** 3/4 |
| DOWN
BY LOVE (2003, d. Tomás Sas) Weird, annoying one-actor monologue of
effects of child sexual abuse. Ultimately pays off. Patricia Kovács
amazing. ** 3/4 |
| DOWN
IN THE VALLEY (2006, d. David Jacobson) Weird, wonderful; Ed Norton his
usual amazing. E.R.Wood more beautiful than ever. *** 1/4 |
| DOWN
TO THE BONE (2004, d. Debra Granik) Bare bones video verité of a woman
drug addict that spares nothing. Some incredible acting here. *** |
| DOWN
TO YOU (2000, d. Kris Isacsson) ** |
| DOWN
WITH LOVE (2003, d. Peyton Reed) Retro, ironic '60s sex comedy,
gorgeous production design, often ridiculous script but fun and truly
hip. *** 1/4 |
| DOWNFALL
(2005, d. Oliver Herschbiegel) Well made drama of last days of 3rd Reich in
Hitler's bunker. Bruno Ganz is amazing. Authentic, gripping. *** 1/4 |
| DOWNTON ABBEY (2011 d.
Percival, Bolt & Kelly) V. Julian Fellowes has written a superb Edwardian
costumer. Maggie Smith is fabu; but so is everybody. *** 3/4 |
| DR.
BRONNER'S MAGIC SOAPBOX (2007, d. Sara Lamm) V. ** 1/4 |
| DR. T
AND THE WOMEN (2000, d. Robert Altman)
*** |
| DRAFT
DODGERS (Réfractaire) (2010, d. Nicolas Steil; Luxembourg) ** 3/4 |
| DRAGON (2012, d. Peter Ho-Sun
Chan) *** 1/4 |
| DRAMA/MEX
(2007, d. Gerardo Naranjo) *** 1/2 |
| DREAM
BOY (2008, d. James Bolton) ** 1/2 |
| DREAM
WEAVERS (2009, d. Jun Gu; China) ** 1/2 |
| DREAMCATCHER
(2003, d. Lawrence Kasdan) Absurd Stephen King story, 4 boys/men against
familiar movie aliens. Scary, funny, overwrought. ** 1/4 |
| DREAMERS,
THE (2004, d. Bernardo Bertolucci) I just about lived this movie 5
years earlier...and this excellent film couldn't be more true to life.
*** 3/4 |
| DREAMGIRLS
(2006, d. Bill Condon) Better than average musical with fantastic casting.
*** |
| DREAMING
OF SPACE (2006, d. Alexei Uchitel) ** 3/4 |
| DREAMLAND
(2006, d. Jason Matzner) *** |
| DRESDEN (2012, d. Roland Suso
Richter) V. Soapy, romantic, horrifying, involving German 3+ hr. mini-series
of Dresden fire-storm bombing raid as disaster flick. *** |
| DRIFTERS
(2004, d. Wang Xiaoshuai) Slow drama about a Chinese guy who had a kid as an
illegal in the U.S. and then is kept from his son when he's deported. ** |
| DRIFTING
(2010, d. Ventura Pons) ** 1/2 |
| DRIVE (2012, d. Nicolas
Winding Refn) + Few movies worth 2nd view; but Refn's direction is so stylish
& Gosling so interesting + great music, had to see again. *** 1/2 |
| DRIVE (2011, d.
Nicholas Winding Refn) Nobody does stylized violence as good as Refn. Until
disappointingly curtailed anti-climax great film; but ending
disappointed. *** 1/4 |
| DRIVING
LESSONS (2006, d. Jeremy Brock) Bad coming-of-age film with
over-the-top Julie Walters & a pretty good Rupert Grint. * 3/4 |
| DROUGHT (2012, d.
Everardo González) V. Slice of life doc of small, rural, agrarian Central
Mexican community forced out by drought. Earthy, simple & affecting. *** |
| DRUMLINE
(2002, d. Charles Stone III) *** 1/4 |
| DRUMMER,
THE (2009, d. Kenneth Bi) *** 1/4 |
| DRY
LAND, THE (2010, d. Ryan Piers Williams) *** 1/4 |
| DUCHESS OF LANGEAIS,
THE (Ne toucher pas la hache) (2007, d. Jacques Rivette) ** 1/2 |
| DUCHESS,
THE (2008, d. Saul Dibb) Excellently made, authentic seeming, gorgeous
and even moving historical epic with great perfs by Keira and Ralph. *** 1/2 |
| DUCK
SEASON (2004, d. Fernando Eimbcke) Two 14 year old boys left alone in
an apartment on a Sunday get into trouble. Wonderfully observent and
affecting. *** 1/4 |
| DUETS
(2000, d. Bruce Paltrow) ** 1/4 |
| DUMA
(2006, d. Carroll Ballard) V. Predictably beautiful but predictable. ** 3/4 |
| DUMMY
(2003, U.S. d. Greg Pritikin 90 min.) Adrien Brody is incredible
as a shy ventriloquist in this touching, truly funny romantic comedy.
*** 1/2 |
| DUNYA
& DESIE (2008, d.Dana Nechushtan; Netherlands) ** 3/4 |
| DUPLICITY
(2009, d. Tony Gilroy) Script double crosses itself once too many
times, but stars have chemistry & it's slick. ** 3/4 |
| DUSK
(Schemer) (2011 d. Hanro Smitsman) *** |
| DUSKA
(2007, d. Jos Stelling) The Netherlands foreign film submission. * 3/4 |
| DUST
TO GLORY (2005, d. Dana Brown )V. ** 1/2 |
| DYING
GAUL, THE (2005, d. Craig Lucas) Until a very unsatisfying ending this
was an extraordinary noir with fabulous acting (Sarsgaard! Scott! Clarkson!)
*** 1/4 |
| DZI CROQUETTES (2011,
d. Alvarez & Issa) V. Entertaining docu of Brazillian 70's transgendered
group modeled on Cocquettes. Haphazard editing, but fine perfs. *** |
| EAGER
BODIES (2004, d. Xavier Giannoli) Love Story with a particularly French
twist. Great acting. *** 1/2 |
| EAGLE
EYE (2008, d. D.J. Caruso) Absurd script well executed. Raises
paranoia quotient and chase sequence destruction derby games to new,
ridiculous high. Shia is fine. ** 1/2 |
| EAGLE
VS. SHARK (2007, d. Taika Waititi) ** 3/4 |
| EAGLE, THE (2011 d. Kevin
Macdonald) Interesting historical plot marred by inauthentic details. Battles
are horrendously edited & shot, acting wildly varied. ** 1/2 |
| EAMON
(2010, d. Margaret Corkery ) *** 1/4 |
| EARLY
BIRD CATCHES THE WORM, THE (Il mattino ha l'oro in bocca) (2012, d. Francesco
Patierno) *** 1/4 |
| EARLY
IN THE MORNING (2006, d. Gahité Fofana) * 3/4 |
| EARLY ONE MORNING
(2012, d. Jean-Marc Moutout) ** 3/4 |
| EARTH
AND ASHES (2005, d. Atiq Rahimi) Wide screen Afghanistan AFF plays like
a despairing Irani film: old man & young boy war victims wandering
desert. *** |
| EARTHBOUND
(2012, d. Alan Brennan) ** 1/4 |
| EARTHLING
(2005, d. Tristan & Wolfgang Bayer) Stunning, fascinating docu about
family of nature photogs on a 7 year adventure journey. *** 3/4 |
| EARTHLINGS
(2006, d. Shaun Monson) V. Hard to watch docu about human speciesism: abuse
of animals for food, clothing, science etc.. *** 3/4 |
| EARTHSEA
(2004, d. Robert Lieberman) V. Surprisingly together, if hokey, sf
miniseries, mediocre acting...but the f/x are fine and the project
works. ** 1/2 |
| EASIER
WITH PRACTICE (2009, d. Kyle Patrick Alvarez) *** |
| EAST
IS EAST (2000, d. Damien O'Donnell) **
1/2 |
| EAST,
WEST, EAST (2010, d. Gjergj Xhuvani; Albania) ** 3/4 |
| EAST/WEST
(L'est/ouest) (2000, d. Régis Wargnier) ***
1/2 |
| EASTERN
PLAYS (2010, d. Kamen Kalev; Bulgaria) + *** |
| EASTERN
PLAYS (2010, d. Kamen Kalev) ** 3/4 |
| EASTERN
PROMISES (2007, d. David Cronenberg) Stylized violence...best
Mortensen tattoos since Indian Runner. *** 1/4 |
| EASTON'S ARTICLE (2012, d. Tim
Connery) ** 1/2 |
| EASY A (2010, d. Will
Gluck) Silly, unrealistic story of high school girl's self-sullied
reputation. Moments of forced mirth with a couple of good perfs. Not enough.
** |
| EASY MONEY (2012, d. Daniel
Espinosa) Kinnaman is winning playing a handsome young student on the make;
but film is a confusing & suspiciously unmotivated thriller ** 1/2 |
| EASY
MONEY (2011 d. Daniel Espinosa) *** |
| EASY
VIRTUE (2008, d. Stephan Elliott) *** |
| EAT PRAY LOVE (2010,
d. Ryan Murphy) Romantic &
spiritual travelogue. Overlong; but the hot men, and Julia Roberts'
charisma & emotional resonance work. ** 3/4 |
| EAT
THIS NEW YORK (2004, d. Novack and Rossi) V. Pre-The Restaurant docu
about building a neighborhood bistro in Brooklyn & the viscissitudes of
the big NYC chefs. *** |
| EATING
OUT 2: SLOPPY SECONDS (2006, d. Phillip Bartell) Funny gay farce, well
acted with a fairly novel script. ** 3/4 |
| EATING
OUT (2004, d. Q. Allan Brocka) Sparkling, well cast lo-budget
gay/straight sex farce. Emily Stiles' clever faghag steals the movie from
some good looking guys. ** 3/4 |
| EATING
OUT: ALL YOU CAN EAT (2009, d. Glenn Gaylord) Clichéd gay romantic
comedy; but sweet and sexy, albeit with mediocre, if attractive,
actors. ** 1/2 |
| EBAN
AND CHARLIE (2002, d. James Bolton) ** 3/4
|
| ECLIPSE,
THE (2010, d. Conor McPherson) ** 1/2 |
| ECUPID (2011, d. JC
Calciano) A gay romcom about a failing 7-year relationship of
breathtaking banality and technical incompetence. Attractive cast,
anyway. 1/2* |
| EDEN
IS WEST (Eden à l'ouest) (2009,
d. Costa-Gavras) ** 3/4 |
| EDEN
(2008, d. Declan Recks) Intimate, disturbing, well played drama of a marriage
troubled by the 10 year itch. *** |
| EDEN (2012, d. Megan Griffiths)
*** 1/2 |
| EDEN'S
CURVE (2005, d. Anne Misawa) V. 1/2* |
| EDGE
OF HEAVEN, THE (2007, d. Fatih Akin; Germany) *** 3/4 |
| EDGE
OF LOVE, THE (2009, d. John Maybury) Fine cast, nice evocation of
blitz England and arty circle doings; but turgid drama doesn't spark.
** 1/2 |
| EDGE,
THE (2010, d. Alexei Uchitel; Russia) *** |
| EDI
(2003, d. Piotr Trzaskalski) Poland AFF Drama about a down and
outer in present day Poland. *** |
| EDUART
(2007, d. Angeliki Antoniou; Greece) *** 1/4 |
| EDUCATION
OF CHARLIE BANKS, THE (2009, d. Fred Durst) Fascinating character study
of nerd vs. charismatic sociopath (and Jason Ritter is amazing.) *** 1/4 |
| EDUCATION
OF GORE VIDAL, THE (2003, US doc. d. Deborah Dickson) Fine,
intelligent documentary about Vidal through his words & work. ***
1/2 |
| EDUCATION,
AN (2009, d. Lone Scherfig) Superb '60s character study of a 16 yr. old
English girl & her family who are seduced by an older, romantic
roué. *** 3/4 |
| EDUKATORS,
THE (2005, d. Hans Weingartner) Gripping drama of 3 foolish young
German revolutionaries & their caper gone wrong. *** 1/2 |
| EDY
(2006, d. Stephan Guérin-Tillié) Cool, noirish film about killer insurance
scammers. ** 3/4 |
| EFECTO
IGUAZÚ, EL (2004, d. Pere Joan Ventura) Doc. about 1800 striking
Spaniards who camped out in a Madrid shanty town for 6 months in 2001. ***
1/4 |
| EGOISTE:
LOTTI LATROUS (2007, d. Stephan Anspichler) Harrowing docu: Swiss
nurse's AIDS hospice in Ivory Coast. ** 3/4 |
| EIGHT
BELOW (2006, d. Frank Marshall) Deserted dogs in the Antarctic winter
do their thing. Pretty (Paul Walker especially), but vapid. ** 1/4 |
| EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER (18 anni
dopo) (2010, d. Edoardo Leo) W/O |
| EKLAVYA
(2007, d. Vidhu Vinod Chopra; India) *** |
| EL
ALAMEIN (2004, d. Enzo Monteleone) Spare and powerful story of Italian
platoon on the losing side at the battle of El Alamein. *** |
| EL
BENNY (2007, d. Jorge Luis Sanchez) ** 3/4 |
| EL BOLA (2012, d. Achero
Mañas) V.+ Ultimate child physical abuse film, an important film, Spain's
version of 400 Blows, with superb acting by the great Juan Ballesta.. *** 1/2 |
| EL
BOLA (2002, d. Achero Mañas) *** 1/2
|
| EL
CANTANTE (2007, d. Leon Ichaso) ** 3/4 |
| ELDORADO
(2009, d. Bouli Lanners; Belgium) ** 3/4 |
| ELDRA
(2003, d. Tim Lyn) UK AFF. Charming story about a young gypsy girl's
coming of age. *** |
| ELECTION
2 (2006, d. Johnny To) *** |
| ELECTION
(2006, d. Johnny To) *** |
| ELEGY
(2008, d. Isabel Coixet) Superb acting by entire company, lovely, moving
adult plot. Cruz should win actress Oscar. *** 3/4 |
| ELENA
(2012, d. Andrey Zvyagintsev) *** |
| ELEPHANT
AND THE SEA, THE (2007, d. Woo Ming Jin) * 1/2 |
| ELEPHANT
(2003, d. Gus Van Sant) I'm still reeling from the cumulative effect of this
ephebiphile's dream. Shot amazingly like Le Fils, stomach churning *** |
| ELEVEN
MEN OUT (2006, d. Róbert Douglas) Predictable troubles for Iceland gay
soccer team. ** 1/4 |
| ELINA
(2004, d. Klaus Haro) Like Evil, a story of schooling in Sweden in the '50's,
only this time a stubborn little girl vs. a stubborn teacher. Academy bait
left me cold. ** 3/4 |
| ELITE
SQUAD 2: THE ENEMY WITHIN (2011, d. José Padilha, Brazil) ** 1/2 |
| ELITE
SQUAD (2008, d. José Padhila) *** 3/4 |
| ELIZABETH
I (2006, d. Tom Hooper) V. Historical epic, good but histrionic perf by
Helen Mirren. Drama over historicity. *** |
| ELIZABETH:
THE GOLDEN AGE (2007, d. Shekhar Kapur) Bombastic, overdone,
disappointing bodice ripper. ** 1/4 |
| ELIZABETHTOWN
(2005, d. Cameron Crowe) ** 3/4 |
| ELLE
S'APPELLE SABINE (2008, d. Sandrine Bonnaire) *** |
| ELLIE
PARKER (2005, d. Scott Coffey) Home movie quality video with a
stupendous performance by Naomi Watts which lifts the film to
watchability. *** |
| ELLING
(2001, d. Petter Næss) *** 1/2 |
| ELLIOT LOVES (2012, d.
Terracino) Latino coming of age...9 yr. old Elliot & his single mother
struggle; gay 21 yr. old Elliot searches for love. Fun, insightful,
unstructured. *** |
| ELSA
& FRED (2006, d. Marcos Carnevale) *** 3/4 |
| EM (2008, d. Tony
Barbieri) ** 3/4 |
| EMBRUJO
DE SHANGHAI, EL (2003, d. Fernando Trueba) Drama of post-WWII in
Barcelona from a teenage boy's pov. Pretty but confusing. ** |
| EMMA
(2009, d. Diamuid Lawrence, 1996) V. The Kate Beckinsale/BBC
version. Not my favorite Austin story, but Andrew Davies' scenario
quite good. *** |
| EMMA (2010, d. Jim O'Hanlon)
V. Nicely done...yet another Austen adaptation; but ideal casting &
gorgeous production got me involved. *** 1/4 |
| EMMANUEL
JAL: WAR CHILD (2008, d. C. Karim Chrobog) *** |
| EMMA'S
BLISS (2007, d. Sven Taddicken) *** 1/4 |
| EMPEROR'S
CLUB, THE (2002, d. Michael Hoffman) **
1/2 |
| EMPEROR'S
NEW CLOTHES, THE (2002, d. Alan Taylor) ** 1/4
|
| EMPEROR'S
NEW GROOVE, THE (2000, d. Mark Dindal)
** |
| EMPEROR'S
WIFE, THE (2004, d. Julian Vrebos) Stylized modern dress story of court
intrigue. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers charismatic as chancellor to Max Beesley's
emperor. ** 1/2 |
| EMPIRE
(2002, d. Franc Reyes) **
1/2 |
| EMPIRE
FALLS (2005, d. Fred Schepisi) V. HBO family saga of small town New
England doings. Fine cast, sprawling, unfocused script. ** 3/4 |
| EMPTIES (2008, d.
Jan Sverak) *** |
| EMPTY HOME,
THE (2012, d. Nurbek Egen) *** |
| EMPTY
NEST (El Nido Vacio) (2008, d. Daniel Burman) *** |
| EN
LA CAMA (2006, d. Matías Bize; Chile) *** 1/4 |
| ENCARNATION
(2008, d. Anahi Berneri) ** 1/4 |
| ENCHANTED
(2007, d. Kevin Lima) Fun script, flaccid direction. Too bad Julie
Taymore didn't get a chance with this script. ** 3/4 |
| ENCOUNTERS
AT THE END OF THE WORLD (2009, d. Werner Herzog) + Fascinating docu
footage of Antarctica & modern scientific explorers. *** 1/2 |
| ENCOUNTERS
AT THE END OF THE WORLD (2008, d. Werner Herzog) Fascinating footage of
Antarctica & modern scientific explorers. *** 1/2 |
| END OF
LOVE, THE (2009, d. Simon Chung; Hong Kong) Mediocre digital film:
story of young gay hustler/druggie involved with Christian sect. Nicely
acted. ** 1/2 |
| END OF
THE CENTURY (2004, d. Fields & Gramaglia) V. The Ramone's were
never my cuppa musicwise; but this informative, of uninspired docu about
group digs deep. *** |
| END OF WATCH (2012, d. David
Ayer) Superb revisit to the mean streets of S. Central L.A. by writer of
Training Day. 2 cops, fabulous chemistry, best editing of the year. ***
3/4 |
| ENDGAME (2010, d. Pete
Travis) V. Fine, if very low key, historical semi-thriller about negotiations
leading to end of Apartheid. Miller & Hurt are especially good. *** |
| ENDURING
LOVE (2004, d. Roger Michell) Dynamite, kinetic opening leads to a
story of divinely inspired romantic obsession. Daniel Craig is wonderful. ***
1/4 |
| ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE (2010,
d. Lemkin & Sambath) V. Vital, if turgid, docu of Cambodian killing
fields from bottom up collected by man whose family died. *** |
| ENEMY
AT THE GATES (2001, d. Jean-Jacques Annaud) ** 3/4 |
| ENGLAND!
(2001, d. Achem Von Borries) *** |
| ENIGMA
(2002, d. Michael Apted) ** 3/4 |
| ENRICO
MATTEI: THE MAN WHO LOOKED AT THE FUTURE (2010, d. Giorgio Capitani) *** |
| ENRON:
THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM (2006, d. Alex Gibney) V.Well made docu
about complexity, maybe not as informative as it might have been.***
1/4 |
| ENTER THE VOID (2010,
d. Gaspar Noé) Tour de force doesn't
come close to describing this amazing film which completely bowled me
over. **** |
| ENVY
(2004, d. Barry Levinson) It started ok, clever with some good yuks. Black
& Stiller are a great comedy team & Walken rules; but the film
totally falls apart in 3rd act. ** |
| EPITAFIOS
(2006, d. Alberto Lecchi & Jorge Nisco) V. HBO miniseries à la SE7EN from
Argentina. Literally the best tv series I've ever seen. **** |
| ERAGON
(2006, d. Stefen Fangmeier) It's supposed to be bad; but try as I might I
couldn't fail to enjoy it...nicely paced, good f/x. *** |
| ERES
MI HEROE (2004, d. Antonio Cuadri) Excellent coming of age story of 13
year old boy during the death of Franco era. Manuel Lozano is great as
the kid. *** 1/2 |
| ERIN
BROKOVICH (2000, d. Steven Soderbergh)
*** 1/4 |
| ERSKINEVILLE KINGS
(2010, d. Alan White) V. Static '99 Aussi film about 2 brothers mourning
their recently passed abusive dad. Hugh Jackman in early good form. ** 1/2 |
| ESCAPE,
THE (2009, d. Kathrine Windfeld) *** |
| ESTHER
KAHN (2002, d. Arnaud Desplechin) ***
1/2 |
| ÉTÉ
SANS POINT NI COUP SUR, UN (A No-hit, No-run Summer) (2008, d. Francis
Leclerc) ** 3/4 |
| ETERNAL
SUMMER (2007, d. Leste Chen and Patrick Mao Huang) * 3/4 |
| ETERNAL
SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004, d. Michel Gondry) Writing, acting,
directing, f/x tour de force; also an affecting love story. **** |
| ETHAN
MAO (2004, d. Quentin Lee) Involving drama in the Araki mode of a Gay
Asian boy kicked out of home into life of street hustler. ** 3/4 |
| EUGENE
(2009, d.Jake Barsha) * 3/4 |
| EULOGY
(2004, d. Michael Clancy) A screwball family comedy with an outstanding cast,
entertaining, but a ridiculous script and only intermittently funny. **
1/4 |
| EUPHORIA
(Ejfroija) (2007, d. Ivan Vyrypaev) ** 1/2 |
| EUREKA
(2001, d. Shinji Aoyama) *** 1/4 |
| EVAN
ALMIGHTY (2007, d. Tom Shadyac) Good f/x money shot; but that's about
it for this bloated, unfunny "comedy". ** |
| EVELYN
(2002, d. Bruce Beresford) ** 3/4 |
| EVEN
THE RAIN (También La Lluvia) (2010, d. Icíar Bollaín;
Spain) *** 1/2 |
| EVENING (2007, d.
Lajos Koltai) *** 1/2 |
| EVENT,
THE (2003, Canada d. Thom Fitzgerald) Emotionally shattering AIDS
drama about a sick man whose friends throw an assisted suicide party
*** 1/4 |
| EVERGREEN
(2004, d. Edid Zentelis) A low-budget Seattle HD video/film about a lower
class girl who is ahamed of her family. Good acting. ** 1/4 |
| EVERLASTING
MOMENTS (2008, d. Jan Troell; Sweden) *** |
| EVERY
DAY (2010, d. Richard Levine) ** 3/4 |
| EVERY
LITTLE STEP (2009, d. James Stern & Adam Del Deo) Superb meta-docu
(film about trying out for a musical about trying out). Riveting &
emotional. *** 3/4 |
| EVERY
OTHER WEEK (2006, d. various) ** 3/4 |
| EVERY
SONG IS ABOUT ME (2011, d. Jonas Trueba) *** |
| EVERY
STEWARDESS GOES TO HEAVEN (2002, d. Daniel Burman) ** 3/4 |
| EVERYBODY'S
FAMOUS (2000, d. Dominique Deruddere) *** 1/4 |
| EVERYBODY'S
FINE (2009, d. Kirk Jones) I'm not a father; but DeNiro's situation is
one that hit me with particular emotional wallop. Fine script, rings true,
engrossing. *** 1/2 |
| EVERYDAY
PEOPLE (2004, d. Jim McKay) Pleasant enought HBO tv movie about a
Brooklyn deli and the consequences of its closing. ** 3/4 |
| EVERYONE
ELSE (2009, d. Maren Ade) *** 1/4 |
| EVERYTHING AND
EVERYONE (2012, d. Tracy D. Smith) * 3/4 |
| EVERYTHING
IS FINE (2008, d. Yves Fournier) *** |
| EVERYTHING
IS ILLUMINATED (2005, d. Liev Schreiber) ** 1/2 |
| EVERYTHING
STRANGE AND NEW (2009, d. Frazer Bradshaw) *** |
| EVERYTHING
WILL BE FINE (2011, d. Christoffer Boe) ** 1/2 |
| EVERYTHING'S
GONE GREEN (2006, d. Paul Fox) ** 3/4 |
| EVIL
(2004, d. Maiael Hafström) A 50's Swedish boarding school's sadistic system
and its affect on a rebellious kid. A cross of If and Rebel Without a Cause.
*** 1/2 |
| EVIL
(Ondskan) (2008, d. Mikael Håfström) V. + One of the best depictions of
boarding school sadism ever filmed. *** 1/2 |
| EX
DRUMMER (2007, d. Koen Mortier) * 1/4
|
| EX (2011, d.
Heiward Mak) ** |
| EX,
THE (Jesse Peretz) Unfunny comedy. Braff and Bateman are worth admission; but
the plot has holes & doesn't hold together. ** |
| EXCITED (2010, d.
Bruce Sweeney) *** |
| EXILED (2007, d.
Johnny To) ** 1/4 |
| EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP
(2011 d. Banksy) + V. First time I was mystified, was this a mocumentary? Now
I get it. Beautifully edited, entertaining docu. *** 3/4 |
| EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT
SHOP (2010, d. Banksy) Controversial docu about street art & L.A.
hipster art scene. I had no idea all this was happening. *** 1/2 |
| EXORCISM
OF EMILY ROSE, THE (2005, d. Scott Derrickson) ** 3/4 |
| EXPERIMENT,
DAS (2001, d. Oliver Hirshbiegel) *** 1/2 |
| EXPIRATION
DATE (2006, d. Rick Stevenson) *** |
| EXPIRED (2007, d.
Cecilia Miniucchi) ** 1/2 |
| EXPLICIT
ILLS (2009, d. Mark Webber) Somewhat muddled continuity, but a quite
moving anti-poverty drama with some memorable perfs. *** |
| EXPLODING
GIRL, THE (2009, d. Bradley Rust Gray) *** 1/4 |
| EXPORTING RAYMOND
(2011, d. Philip Rosenthal) V. Brilliantly written & funny docu about
Rosenthal's adventures adapting his tv series to Russian esprit. *** 3/4 |
| EXTRA
MAN, THE (2010, d. Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini) ** 1/4 |
| EXTRACT
(2009, d. Mike Judge) Often funny comedy with iconic Jason Bateman
perf. Judge replaces biting edge satire with more traditional farce
structure. *** 1/4 |
| EXTRATERRESTRIAL
(2011, d. Nacho Vigalondo) ** |
| EXTREME
OPS (2004, d. Christian Duguay)V. Silly, unlikely action film: extreme
sports vs.Serbian terrorists. Good cast (Devon Sawa, Rupert Graves, Rufus
Sewell) wasted. ** 1/4 |
| EXTREME
OPS (2002, d. Christian Duguay) **
1/2 |
| EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY
CLOSE (2011, d. Stephen Daldry) Unfilmable 9/11 novel saved by
outstanding script, direction & one great kid actor. *** 1/2 |
| EYE OF THE STORM, THE (2012, d. Fred
Schepisi) *** |
| EYE,
THE (2003, Thailand d. Danny & Oxide Pang) Horror film, not
especially scary, blind woman cured with a corneal transplant who sees dead
people. ** 1/2 |
| EYES
WIDE OPEN (2010, d. Hair Tabakman) *** 1/4 |
| FACING ALI (2010, d. Pete
McKormack) Quite interesting docu featuring interviews with fighters who
fought Muhammad Ali plus great boxing footage. *** 1/2 |
| FACING
WINDOWS (2004, d. Ferzan Ozpetek) Resonant, multilevel story of a
modern day couple who become involved with a Holocaust survivor. ***
1/4 |
| FACTOTUM
(2006, d. Bent Hamer) ** 3/4 |
| FAHRENHEIT
9/11 (2004, d. Michael Moore) Slam dunk politically; but doc could be
structured better for my taste. *** 1/4 |
| FAILURE
TO LAUNCH (2006, d. Tom Dey) Reasonably original romantic
comedy...Justin Bartha should be given a leading role! ** 3/4 |
| FAIR GAME (2011 d. Doug
Liman) V. Taut true life story which nails the rot in the Bush/Chaney White
House & infuriates. Watts & Penn excell as usual. *** 1/4 |
| FAIR
PLAY (2007, d. Lionel Bailliu) *** 1/4 |
| FAIRY
TALE OF KATHMANDU (2008, d. Neasa Ni Chianain) ** |
| FALKENBERG
FAREWELL (2006, d. Jesper Ganslandt; Sweden) ** |
| FALL, THE (2008,
d. Tarsem Singh) ** 3/4 |
| FALLEN
GODS (2009, d. Ernesto Daranas; Cuba) * 3/4 |
| FALLEN
(2006, d. Mikael Salomon) V. Good TV movie with series possibilities.
** 3/4 |
| FAME
(2009, d. Kevin Tanchardoen) The cast is attractive and talented, the
singing & dancing well done. Too bad there was no real story.
Greatly inferior to the original. ** 3/4 |
| FAMILY
FRIEND (L'Amico di Famiglia) (2007, d. Paolo Sorrentino) W/O |
| FAMILY
HERO (Le héros de la famille) (2007, d. Thierry Klifa) ** 3/4 |
| FAMILY
LAW (2006, d. Daniel Burman; Argentina) *** 1/2 |
| FAMILY
MAN, THE (2000, d. Brett Ratner)
** |
| FAMILY
STONE, THE (2005, d. Thomas Bezucha) ** 1/2 |
| FAMILY
TIES (2006, d. Kim Tae-yang) ** 1/2 |
| FAMILY
TREE (L'Arbre et la foret) (2011 d. Ducastel & Martineau) *** |
| FAMILY
TREE, THE (2010, d. Vivi Friedman) *** |
| FAMILY,
A (2010, d. Pernille Fischer Christensen) *** 1/2 |
| FANTASIA/2000
(2000, d. Committee) *** |
| FANTASTIC
FOUR (2005, d. Tim Story) Fun, if silly super-character comic story.
Chris Evans is a star. ** 3/4 |
| FANTASTIC MR. FOX, THE (2010,
d. Wes Anderson) It must just be me; but the whimsey escaped me, the
characters annoyed, it all seemed a little silly. ** 1/4 |
| FANTASTIC
PARASUICIDES (Fantastic Ja-sal-so-dong) (2008, d. Kim, Park & Jo)
** 3/4 |
| FANTASTICKS,
THE (2000, d. Michael Ritchie) [1995] ** 1/4 |
| FAQS
(2006, d. Everett Lewis) Militantly gay romance. Fine performance by perky
newcomer Joe Lia. Oddly, I enjoyed this terribly written & shot digital
film. * 3/4 |
| FAR
FROM HEAVEN (2002, d. Todd Haynes) *** 1/2 |
| FAR
SIDE OF THE MOON (2005, d. Robert Lepage) Quirky comedy based on 1-man
play. Lepage plays 2 leading roles & he must be an acquired taste that I
don't share. ** |
| FAREWELL
(L'Affaire Farewell) (2010, d. Christian Carion) *** 1/4 |
| FAREWELL
BAGHDAD (2010, d. Mehdi Naderi; Iran) * |
| FARSAN (2010, d.
Josef Fares) *** |
| FASHION
VICTIMS (2008, d. Ingo Rasper) Intermittently funny & clever German
farce: two dress salesmen battle. ** 3/4 |
| FAST
AND FURIOUS (2009, d. Justin Lin) Testosterone soaked film with some
nicely edited & conceived auto stunts; but ridiculous and predictable
script. ** 1/2 |
| FAST
AND THE FURIOUS, THE (2001, d. Rob Cohen) ***
1/2 |
| FAST FIVE (2011, d. Justin
Lin) |
| FAST
FOOD NATION (2008, d. Richard Linklater) Exploited Mexicans,
slaughtered cattle, great cast, tough sell! *** |
| FAT
GIRL (À ma soeur) (2001, d. Catherine Breillat)
*** 1/2 |
| FAT
GIRLS (2006, d. Ash Christian) Inventive if juvenile gay comedy by a
talented writer/director. ** 1/2 |
| FAT KID RULES THE WORLD (2012, d.
Matthew Lillard) *** 1/4 |
| FATE
AS A RAT (2001, d. Ivan Pavlov) * 1/2 |
| FATELESS
(Sorstalanság) (2005, d. Lajos Koltai; Hugary) *** 3/4 |
| FATHER
& SONS (2004, d. Michael Boujenah) A feel good, amusing French
comedy road picture about a father and his squabbling sons. Beautifully
acted. *** |
| FATHER
(2011 d. Pasquale Squitieri) ** |
| FATHER
OF MY CHILDREN, THE (2010, d. Mia Hansen-Løve) ** 3/4 |
| FATHER,
A SON, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, A (2004, d. Lee Grant) V. Insider
docu about Kirk and Michael Douglas, interesting but not great. ** 3/4 |
| FATHERS
AND SONS (2005, d. various) V. ** 3/4 |
| FAUBOURG
36 (2008, d. Christophe Barratier) ** 3/4 |
| FAVELA
RISING (2005, d. Mattt Mochary, Jeff Zimbalest; docu) V. *** |
| FAVOR,
THE (2008, d. Eva Eridjis) Fine lost indie film with interesting perfs
by Frank Woods & Ryan Donowho *** |
| FAY
GRIM (2007, d. Hal Hartley) Wildly uneven comedy/thriller. Posey
is fine, but writing not up to former Hartley films. ** 3/4 |
| FEAR
AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (2003, d. Terry Gilliam) V. Like watching a
lurid train wreck & almost needing to turn away. Depp & del Toro are
amazing. ** |
| FEAR
AND TREMBLING (2004, d. Alain Corneau) A fascinating French office film
set in a Japanese office. Sylvie Testud is wonderful. *** 1/4 |
| FEAR
ME NOT (2009, d. Kristian Levring) ** 3/4 |
| FEAST
OF LOVE (2007, d. Robert Benton) Emotionally affecting; but I need to
read the book, which is obviously richer. *** |
| FEATHERS
IN MY HEAD (2004, d. Thomas de Thier) Compelling, beautifully shot film about
a family torn by the consequences of a missing child. *** |
| FEELING
FACTORY, THE (La Fabrique des sentiments) (2008, d. Jean-Marc
Moutout) V. ** 1/2 |
| FEELING
MINNESOTA (2004, d. Steven Baigelman)V. '96 Keanu Reeves/Cameron
Diaz screwball dumb guy/bad girl comedy. Watchable, but ridiculous
plot. ** |
| FELIX
AND LOLA (2001, d. Patrice Leconte) ** |
| FEMALE
AGENTS (Les Femmes de l'ombre) (2008, d. Jean-Paul Salomé) ** 1/2 |
| FEMME
DE GILLES, LA (2005, d. Frédéric Fonteyne) Formally terrific, if slow,
drama about a laborer obsessed by his plain wife's beautiful sister. Emmanuel
Devos rules. *** |
| FEMME
FATALE (2002, d. Brian De Palma) *** 1/4 |
| FERMAT'S
ROOM (2010, d. Piedrahita & Sopeña) V. Overly intellectualized Spanish
thriller like Intacto: 4 people trapped in a room forced to solve enigmas or
die. ** 3/4 |
| FERPECT
CRIME (2004, d. Alex de la Iglesia) Another zany film by Iglesia, high
gloss comedy about a Lothario salesman's comeuppence. Good fun, but a trifle
obvious. ** 3/4 |
| FESTIVAL
EXPRESS (2004, d. Bob Smeaton) Wonderful footage of 1970 rock festival
train across Canada. Great The Band & Janis performances. *** 1/2 |
| FEVER
OF '57 (2007, d. David Hoffman) *** 1/4 |
| FEVER
PITCH (2005, d. Farrelli Bros.) Gets everything right in a delightful
romantic comedy. Fallon is a star in the Hanks mode. *** 1/4 |
| FEVER,
THE (La Febbre) (2008, d. Alessandro d'Alatri) *** 1/4 |
| FEW DAYS IN SEPTEMBER, A
(2010, d. Santiago Amigorena) V. Subtle French conspiracy thriller
based around 9/11. Food for thought, but thin gruel. ** 3/4 |
| FEW DAYS OF RESPITE, A
(Quelque jours de répit) (2011, d. Amor Hakkar) A gay, Franco/Irani version
of A Better Life, slow, arty, lovely, sad. *** |
| FIDEL
(2004, d. David Attwood)V. TV mini-series biopic of the Cuban
revolution...diffuse script, but good performances by Victor Martin and, of
course, Gael Bernal as Che. ** 1/4 |
| FIELDS
OF FUEL (2008, d. Josh Tickell) *** 3/4 |
| FIFTEEN
MINUTES (2001, d. John Herzfeld)
*** |
| FIFTY
DEAD MEN WALKING (2008, d. Kari Skogland) *** |
| FIFTY
PILLS (2008, d. Theo Avgerinos) V. Monumentally stupid film; but Lou
Pucci is my type of leading man. * 1/4 |
| FIG
TREES (2009, d. John Greyson) ** 3/4 |
| FIGHT
TO THE FINISH: STORIES OF POLIO, A (2001, d. Ken
Mandel) ** 1/2 |
| FIGHTER
PILOT: OPERATION RED FLAG (2005, d. Stephen Low) V.
** 3/4 |
| FIGHTER, THE (2010, d.
David O. Russell) Perfect ensemble acting (Bale, Leo, Adams spectacular)
combined with a script which built slowly but powerfully. *** 1/2 |
| FIGHTING
(2009, d. Dito Montiel) Clichés abound & Montiel's mis-en-scène
just seems confused. Tatum isn't a convincing actor; but he sure looks the
part. ** 1/4 |
| FILM UNFINISHED, A (2010, d.
Yael Hersonski) V. No end to vital & important Holocaust films with
something new: here German docu footage of '42 Warsaw Ghetto. *** 3/4 |
| FILME
FALADO, UM (2003, d. Manoel de Oliveira) Travelogue cum philosophical
meditation on feminism and language. Interesting, if unsatisfying. **
1/2 |
| FINAL
ARRANGEMENTS (Bouquet final) (2009, d. Michel Delgado) ** 3/4 |
| FINAL
CUT, THE (2004, d. Omar Nïam) Unsatisfying, psychological sci-fi
melodrama about saving memories. Poor Robin Williams comes a cropper
again. ** |
| FINAL
DESTINATION 3 (2007, d. James Wong) V. Surprisingly stylish horror
thriller; but when Jesse Moss was killed off I bailed. W/O |
| FINAL
DESTINATION (2000, d. James Wong) * 1/2 |
| FINAL
FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN (2001, d. Hironobu
Sakaguchi) ** |
| FINAL
(2001, d. Campbell Scott) *** |
| FINDERS
FEE (2001, d. Jeff Probst) *** |
| FINDING
AMANDA (2008, d. Peter Tolan) Faintly amusing dramady...witty about the
tv game, but the rest not so good. ** 1/4 |
| FINDING
BLISS (2009, d. Julia Davis) ** 1/2 |
| FINDING
FORRESTER (2000, d. Gus Van Sant) *** |
| FINDING
NEMO (2003, d. Andrew Stanton) Another engaging Pixar/Disney film
with superb 3-D animation but a fairly simplistic plot. ** 3/4 (REV.
*** 1/4) |
| FINDING
NEVERLAND (2004, d. Marc Forster) Emotionally powerful, unlikely
romantic film based on J.M. Barrie's life. Depp is outstanding in a muted
perf. *** |
| FINE
DEAD GIRLS (2002, d. Dalibor Matanic) *** 1/2 |
| FIRE
IN BABYLON (2011, d. Steven Riley) * 3/4 |
| FIRE
OF CONSCIENCE (2011, d. Dante Lam) ** 1/2 |
| FIREDANCER
(2002, d. Jawed Wassel) 1/2* |
| FIREFLY
DREAMS (2002, d. John Williams) ** |
| FIRM
LAND, THE (2009, d. Chapour Haghighat) * 1/4 |
| FIRST
$20 MILLION IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST, THE (2002, d. Mick
Jackson) *** |
| FIRST
BEAUTIFUL THING, THE (2010, d. Paolo Virzi; Italy) *** 3/4 |
| FIRST
DAUGHTER (2004, d. Forest Whitaker) Utterly predictable, slick romantic
comedy. I like Marc Blucas; but Katie Holms is awfully plastic. * 1/2 |
| FIRST
DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (Le premier jour du reste de ta vie)
(2009, d. Rémi Bezançon) *** 3/4 |
| FIRST
GRADER, THE (2011, d. Justin Chadwick) *** |
| FIRST
NIGHT, THE (2004, d. Luis Restrepo) Columbian AFF about the uprooting
effects of a local rebellion on a rural family. Somewhat overamped, but
moving. ** 1/2 |
| FIRST ON THE LIST,
THE (2012, d. Roan Johnson) *** |
| FIRST POSITION (2012, d. Bess
Kargman) V. Emotionally satisfying docu of young ballet student dancers.
Familiar format; but well chosen subjects & nice editing. *** 1/2 |
| FIRST
SNOW (2007, d. Mark Fergus) Pedestrian, twisty Amer. Indy with a
great Guy Pearce perf.** 3/4 |
| FIRST
TIME I WAS TWENTY, THE (2005, d. Lorraine Lévy) Enormously entertaining
coming of age in mid '60s of a portly girl jazz musician. *** 1/2 |
| FIRST TIME,
THE (2012, d. Jonathan Kasdan) ** 1/2 |
| FISH
DREAMS (2007, d. Kiril Mikhanovsky) ** 1/2 |
| FISH TANK (2010, d. Andrea
Arnold) 15 yr.old girl's coming of age in lower class Brit family. Michael
Fassbender impressive as mom's boyfriend who crosses line. *** 1/4 |
| FISTS
IN THE POCKET (2011 d. Marco Bellocchio) *** 1/2 |
| FIT
(2010, d. Rikke Beadle-Blair) *** 1/4 |
| FIVE
DAYS IN SEPTEMBER (2006, d. Barbara Sweete) **** |
| FIVE FINGERS (2012, d.
Laurence Malkin) V. Interesting STV rendition flick, Ryan Phillippe vs.
Laurence Fishburne in a political terrorist battle of wits. *** 1/4 |
| FIVE
MINUTES OF HEAVEN (2009, d. Oliver Hirschbiegel) Moral Dilemmas 'R
Us. Reconciliation in N. Ireland with 2 great performances, esp. James
Nesbitt. *** 1/4 |
| FIVE
OBSTRUCTIONS, THE (2004, d. Lars von Trier, Jorgen Leth) Von Trier as
tyrant making Leth redo his seminal short 5 times. Both boring &
interesting. ** 1/2 |
| FIVE
SENSES, THE (2000, d. Jeremy Podeswa) ** 3/4
|
| FLAGS
OF OUR FATHERS (2006, d. Clint Eastwood) Overly complex; but moving
despite. Spectacular action direction. *** 1/4 |
| FLAME & CITRON
(Flammen & Citronen) (2008, d. Ole Christian Madsen) *** |
| FLAQUEZA
DEL BOLCHEVIQUE, LA (2004, d. Manuel Cuenca) Luis Tosar shines again as
conflicted man who gets involved with teenage girl. ** 3/4 |
| FLATS, THE
(2002, d. Kelly and Tyler Requa) *** 1/4 |
| FLEEING
BY NIGHT (2001, d. Hsu Li-kong & Yin Chi)
*** 1/4 |
| FLEUR
DU MAL, LA (2007, d. Claude Chabrol)V.+ Incestuous hijinx among the
French bourgeoisie. Cool & intriguing. *** |
| FLICK
(2000, d. Fintan Connolly) *** |
| FLICKERING
LIGHTS (2003, d. Anders T. Jensen) Clever Danish caper film about gang
who can't shoot straight trying to go straight. *** |
| FLIGHT
TO FREEDOM (Fuga per la libertà) (2009, d. Carlo Carlei) ** 1/2 |
| FLIGHTPLAN
(2005, d. Robert Schwentke) ** 3/4 |
| FLIPPED (2010, d. Rob Reiner) For once omnipresent
narration works. Loved the films dual POV structure. Emotionally satisfying
and fun whitebread kiddie romcom. *** 1/4 |
| FLOOD
(2007, d. Tony Mitchell) V. Tacky, convincing British disaster drama about
1,000 year flood of London. ** 1/4 |
| FLOWER
OF EVIL, THE (2003, d. Claude Chabrol) Skewering the haut bourgeoisie,
a winner. Magimel is sexiest actor alive and Suzanne Flon magnificent! ***
1/4 |
| FLOWERS
OF WAR, THE (2011, d. Zhang Yimou, China) ** 1/4 |
| FLUFFER,
THE (2001, d. Richard Glatzer & Wash West)
*** |
| FLYBOYS
(2006, d. Tony Bill) Astoundingly good aerial f/x. Utterly predictable, lame
script. James Franco fine, as usual. ** 1/2 |
| FLYING
FISH (2011, d. Sanjeewa Pushpakummara) 1/2* |
| FLYING
SCOTSMAN, THE (2007, d. Douglas Mackinnon) Jonny Lee Miller & Billy
Boyd are good; but film predictable sports bio. ** 1/4 |
| FOCUS
(2001, d. Neal Slavin) ** 1/2 |
| FOG OF
WAR, THE (2004, d. Errol Moris) More than a talking head doc, the film
is a valuable primer on the responsibilities of leadership and frailty of
human nature. *** 1/2 |
| FÖGI
IS A BASTARD (2012, d. Marcel Gisler) V. Finally watched the DVD of my
all-time #1 gay film and it still blows my mind! Honest, unsparing, sexy. ***
3/4 |
| FOLLOW ME:THE YONI NETANYAHO
STORY (2012, d. Gruber & Pinchot) V. Fine, emotional if undistinguished
bio-docu with weird structure which detracts. ** 3/4 |
| FOOD
INC (2009, d. Robert Kenner) ** 1/2 |
| FOOD
OF LOVE (2002, d. Ventura Pons) ***
|
| FOOTLOOSE (2011, d.
Craig Brewer) Why make this film? It has retro feel of '80s no
different from orig. Lead actor can dance; but has no charisma. *
3/4 |
| FOOTNOTE
(2011, d. Joseph Cedar, Israel) *** 3/4 |
| FOR
A MOMENT FREEDOM (2010, d. Arash T. Riahi; Austria) *** 1/2 |
| FOR
THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO (2007, d. Daniel Karslake) *** 3/4 |
| FOR
THE GOOD OF OTHERS (2010, d. Oskar Santos) *** 1/4 |
| FORASTERS
(2009, d. Ventura Pons) ** 3/4 |
| FORBIDDEN
KINGDOM, THE (2008, d. Rob Minkoff) Angarino is good, action direction
ok; but too predictible. ** 1/2 |
| FOREST
(2003, d. Benedek Fliegauf) Boring, pretentious ordeal of a film...7 droning
vignettes vaguely connected by people's proximity in a shopping mall. * |
| FOREVER
ENTHRALLED (2009, d. Chen Kaige) ** 1/2 |
| FOREVER
FLOWS (2007, d. Abu Sayeed; Bangladesh) ** |
| FOREVERLAND
(2012, d. Maxwell McGuire) *** 1/4 |
| FORGETTING
SARAH MARSHALL (2008, d. Nicholas Stollar) Sweet & surprisingly
smart comedy . *** 1/4 |
| FORGIVEN
(2006, d. Paul Fitzgerald) *** |
| FORGIVENESS OF BLOOD, THE
(2012, d. Joshua Marston) Slow developing, involving story of Albanian teen
boy caught up in fatal family feud. *** 1/4 |
| FORGOTTEN
WOMAN, THE (2008, d. Dilip Mehta) Docu based on plight of widows in
India (non-fiction version of Water). Intrinsically horrifying; but film
meanders. *** |
| FORGOTTEN,
THE (2004, d. Joseph Rubin) Eerie, scary psychological sci-fi melodrama
about losing memories, very effectively filmmaking. Julianne Morre simply
great. *** 1/4 |
| FORMULA
17 (2004, d. D.J. & Yin-Jung Cheng) V. Silly gay Taiwanese comedy
with lavish photography, but dreadful acting and line readings. * 3/4 |
| FORSYTE
SAGA, THE: TO LET (2004, d. Andy Wilson) V. Incredibly involving 5 hour
followup to original. Glorious production, superb acting. **** |
| FORTAPASC
(2010, d. Marco Risi) ** 3/4 |
| FORTRESS
(2008, d.Shamil Nacafzada; Azerbaijan) * 1/2 |
| FORTRESS,
THE (2009, d. Fernand Melgar) ** 1/2 |
| FORTY
SHADE OF BLUE (2005, d. Ira Sachs) *** |
| FOSTER
CHILD (2008, d. Brilliante Mendoza) ** 3/4 |
| FOUNTAIN,
THE (2006, d. Darren Aronofsky) Pretentious & arty. Jackman &
Weisz and f/x are great, but script annoyingly obscure. ** 1/4 |
| FOUR
BOXES (2009, d. Wyatt McDill) *** |
| FOUR
BROTHERS (2005, d. John Singleton) * 1/2 |
| FOUR
DOGS PLAYING POKER (2000, d. Paul Rachman) 1/2* |
| FOUR
FEATHERS, THE (2002, d. Shekhar Kapur)
** |
| FOUR LETTER WORD, A (2012, d.
Caspar Andreas) V. Glossy, superficial gay film which explores issues of love
in NYC. Cliched acting; but director Andreas has style. ** 1/4 |
| FOUR
MINUTES (2006, d. Chris Kraus) *** 1/4 |
| FOUR
MORE YEARS (2011, d. Tova Magnusson-Norling) *** 1/2 |
| FOUR
STARS (2006, d. Christian Vincent) ** 1/4 |
| FOUR SUNS (2012, d.
Bohdan Sláma) ** 1/2 |
| FOUR WINDOWS (Vier Fenster)
(2012, d. Christian Müller) V. Parallel day in lives of bourgeois German
family of 4. Hidden quirks the point; but too slow & opaque. **
1/2 |
| FOURTH STATE,
THE (2012, d. Dennis Gansel) *** 1/2 |
| FRACTURE
(2007, d. Gregory Hoblit) Clever story, acting tour de force. Gosling is a
star. *** 1/4 |
| FRAILTY
(2002, d. Bill Paxton) *** |
| FRAMED
(2003, d. Daniel Petrie, Jr.) (V.) TNT tv movie about NYC cop (Rob
Lowe) vs. classy mob squealer (Sam Neill). Predictable. * 1/2 |
| FRANCE
BOUTIQUE (2004, d. Tonie Marshall) Fast paced but empty comedy about
the people doing a French cable tv shopping channel. ** |
| FRANK
MILLER'S SIN CITY (2005, d. Robert Rodriguez) Super stylish pop-art
graphic novel the way it should be filmed. But I was bored. ** 1/2 |
| FRANK
THE RAT (2009, d. Jim Cozza) *** 1/4 |
| FRANKIE AND ALICE
(2010, d. Geoffrey Sax) Split personality story told much better before.
Halle Berry's acting seemed calculated as Oscar bait. * 3/4 |
| FREAKY
FRIDAY (2003, d. Mark Waters) Enjoyable, but empty change-of-identity
comedy with some nice acting by Jamie Lee Curtis & Lindsay Lohan. ** 1/2 |
| FREDDY
GOT FINGERED (2001, d. Tom Green) * |
| FREE
RADICALS (2003, d. Barbara Albert) Interconneced year-in-the-life story
of capricious fate. Confusingly written and edited, but nicely
directed. ** 3/4 |
| FREEBIE, THE
(2010, d. Katie Aselton) ** 3/4 |
| FREEDOM RIDERS (2010, d.
Stanley Nelson) V. Ultimately involving, uplifting docu about '61 bus riders
to South who broke Jim Crow. Why wasn't I one?! *** 1/4 |
| FREEDOM
WRITERS (2008, d. Richard LaGravenese)V. Surprisingly moving true story
of teacher vs. gangs. *** 1/4 |
| FREEWAY (2012, d.
Christophe Sahr) ** |
| FRENCH
FOR BEGINNERS (Französisch für Anfänger) (2007, d. Christian Ditter)
*** |
| FRENCH
GIGOLO, A (Cliente) (2009, d. Josiane Balasko) *** 1/4 |
| FRENCH
KISSERS, THE (Les beaux gosses) (2010, d. Riad Sattour) ** 1/4 |
| FREQUENCY
(2000, d. Gregory Hoblit) ** 1/2 |
| FRESH
AIR (Friss levegö) (2007, d. Agnes Kocis and Andrea Roberti) *** |
| FRIDA
(2002, d. Julie Taymor) *** 1/4 |
| FRIDAY
NIGHT LIGHTS (2004, d. Peter Berg) One of the all-time great sports
films, wonderfully directed and edited (great music, too). Thornton &
Lucas Black shine. *** 1/2 |
| FRIDAY
NIGHT LIGHTS (2004, d. Peter Berg) V.+ Even more impressive on video,
certainly the best sports film I've ever seen and the best edited film of the
year. *** 3/4 |
| FRIEND
OF MINE, A (2007, d. Sebastian Schipper) *** 1/4 |
| FRIEND,
THE (Der Freund) (2008, d. Micha Lewinsky, Switzerland) *** 1/4 |
| FRIENDS
AND FAMILY (2001, d. Kristen Coury) ** |
| FRIENDS FOREVER (2012, d.
Stefan Henszelman) V. '87 Danish coming-of-age film about a straight
hi-school boy accepting his gay friend. Culturally significant, well
acted. *** |
| FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (2012,
d. Will Gluck) V. Wanted to hate this rom-com which tries too hard to be
unconventional. Timberlake is weak; but script won me over. ** 3/4 |
| FRIENDS WITH KIDS (2012, d.
Jennifer Westfeldt) Adult rom-com, nicely played by great cast; but dialog
misfires & leads' chemistry isn't convincing. *** |
| FRIENDS
WITH MONEY (2006, d. Nicole Holofcener) Ensemble film, well observed,
nicely acted...ending left me wanting more. *** |
| FROM
BEGINNING TO END (d. Aluizio Abranches) + 2nd time (with horrible DVD
temp.mix print) not quite as good; but still startlingly controversial &
sexy. *** |
| FROM
BEGINNING TO END (2010, d. Aluizio Abranches) *** 1/4 |
| FROM
HELL (2001, d. The Hughes Brothers) * 1/4 |
| FROM
THE EDGE OF THE CITY (2000, d. Constantine Giannaris)
** 1/2 |
| FROM
TIME TO TIME (2010, d. Julian Fellowes) *** 1/2 |
| FRONT
LINE, THE (2011, d. Jang Hun, Korea) *** 1/2 |
| FROST/NIXON
(2008, d. Ron Howard) Surprisingly fascinating middlebrow film, with a career
perf. by Longella. *** 1/2 |
| FROZEN
CITY (2007, d. Aku Louhimies) ** 1/4 |
| FROZEN
DAYS (Yamin Kfuim) (2006, d. Danny Lerner) ** 3/4 |
| FROZEN
RIVER (2008, d. Courtney Hunt) *** 1/2 |
| FROZEN
(2005, d. Juliet McKoen) Mysterious, sort of pointless English film with
Shirley Henderson as a woman mourning her lost, presumed dead sister.
** 1/2 |
| FUCK
MY LIFE (2011, d. Nicolás López) *** |
| FUCK MY
WEDDING (2012, d. Nicolas López) ** 3/4 |
| FUGITIVAS
(2001, d. Miguel Hermoso) *** |
| FUGITIVE
PIECES (2007, d. Jeremy Podeswa) *** |
| FÜHRER EX (2012, d.
Winfried Bonengel) V. Involving, violent '02 German flick about 2 political
rebels in '80s GDR. Neo-nazi played by Christian Blümel terrifying &
real. *** |
| FULL
FRONTAL (2002, d. Steven Soderbergh)
*** |
| FULLTIME
KILLER (2001, d. Johnnie To and Wie Ka-Fai) * 3/4 |
| FUNKYTOWN
(2011, d. Daniel Roby) *** 1/4 |
| FUNNY
PEOPLE (Judd Apatow) Well written & acted dramedy; could have benefited
from tightening, but much genius is on display here. *** 1/2 |
| FUSE
(2004, d. Pjer Zalica) A confusing, but effective satire about post-war
reconciliation in Bosnia. ** 3/4 |
| FUTURE LASTS
FOREVER (2012, d. Özcan Alper) ** |
| FUTURE WEATHER
(2012, d. Jenny Deller) ** 3/4 |
| G.I.
JOE: RISE OF COBRA (2009, d. Stephen Sommers) Truly dreadful,
bombastic, empty-headed actioner which wastes every actor, tho the f/x are
pretty good. * 1/2 |
| GABRIELLE
(2006, d. Patrice Chéreau) Edwardian film of manners; pretty, talky and
boring with good perfs by Isabelle Huppert & Pascal Greggory. ** |
| GAGARIN'S
GRANDSON (2007, d. Andrey Panin) ** 1/2 |
| GAMBLER
(2006, d. Phie Ambo) ** 1/2 |
| GAME CHANGE (2012, d. Jay
Roach) V. Julianne Moore & esp. Ed Harris are quite good in this
political evisceration. Docu feel with actual news footage. *** |
| GAME OF THRONES (2012, d.
various) V. Season #1 on Blu-ray. Spectacular epic production, perfectly
cast, event programming at its best. **** |
| GAMER
(2009, d. Neveldine & Taylor) F/x galore can't save this future
death game film from its ridiculous over-the-top (but predictable)
premise. ** |
| GAMES
OF LOVE & CHANCE (2005, d. Abdellatalfi Kechiche) Teenagers
in the projects in Paris, variation of Romeo & Juliet...talkiy but
fun. ** 3/4 |
| GANGS
OF NEW YORK (2002, d. Martin Scorsese) *** 1/2 |
| GANGSTER
NO. 1 (2000, d. Paul McGuigan) *** |
| GARAGE
DAYS (2003, d. Alex Proyas) Familiar rock film about a garage band
trying to get established in Australia. Sometimes clever direction, clichéd.
** 1/4 |
| GARAGE
(2007, d. Lenny Abrahamson) *** |
| GARBAGE
DREAMS (2009, d. Mai Iskander) ** 3/4 |
| GARBO THE SPY
(2010, d. Edmon Roch) *** 1/4 |
| GARÇON
STUPIDE (2005, d. Lionel Baier) ** 1/2 |
| GARDEN
OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS, THE (2003, d. Vittorio De Sica) V. Gorgeous,
subtle, inscrutable. Jews in facist Italy, more thwarted love than
political. *** |
| GARDEN
PARTY (2008, d. Jason Freeland) *** |
| GARDEN
STATE (2004, d. Zach Braff) Likable young man comes home to N.J. when
his mother dies and finds himself. Inventive details, I just like this
film. *** |
| GARDEN,
THE (2008, d. Scott Hamilton Kennedy) Infuriating docu about a disputed
S. Central L.A. parcel of land which is political dynamite. *** 1/2 |
| GARPASTUM
(2006, d. Alexey Guerman) *** |
| GASLAND (2010, d. Josh Fox)
V. Yet another effective, scary, muckraking docu about horrendous
enviromental affects of drilling & fracking (natural gas in this
case). *** |
| GAUDI
AFTERNOON (2001, d. Susan Seidelman) ** 3/4 |
| GAY DAYS (Hazman Havarod)
(2010, d. Yair Qedar) *** also short film THE LIBERATION OF GRIFFITH PARK
(2010, d. Matt Spero) *** 1/2 |
| GAY
HOLLYWOOD (2003, d. Jeremy Simmons) V. Doc. notable since I'm
acquainted with 2 of the subjects. Dustin Lance Black is a personal
fave. ** 3/4 |
| GAY
LIVES (2008, short program, various directors) (average: ** 1/2) |
| GAY
SHORTS (2005, d. various) 6 quite ordinary to poor gay short
films. Only "Postmortem" and "Just Pray" were worth
watching. ** |
| GAYBY (2012, d. Jonathan
Lisecki) *** 1/4 |
| GEBIRTIG
(2003, d. Lukas Stepanik, Robert Schindel) Austria AFF. Drama about
present day Holocaust participants. ** 1/2 |
| GEMINIS
(2005, d. Albertina Carri) ** 3/4 |
| GENERAL,
EL (2009, d. Natalia Almada) * 3/4 |
| GENIUS WITHIN: INNER LIFE OF
GLENN GOULD (2010, d. Hozer & Raymont) V. Extraordinary live footage
makes for an especially fascinating bio docu. *** 1/2 |
| GENOVA (2008, d.
Michael Winterbottom) *** |
| GEORGE
MICHAEL - A DIFFERENT STORY (2006, d. Southan Morris) *** 1/4 |
| GEORGE
WASHINGTON (2000, d. David Gordon Green) **
3/4 |
| GEORGIA O'KEEFFE (2010, d.
Bob Balaban) V. Despite convincing perfs by Joan Allen & Jeremy Irons,
sappy Lifetime tv movie is unwatchable. W/O |
| GERRY
(2003, d. Gus Van Sant) Boring existential drama about 2 dumb guys
metaphysically lost in the desert. Great steady-cam. ** |
| GET HIM TO THE GREEK (2010 d.
Nicholas Stoller) Surprisingly tender rock-n-roll road-trip farce from Apatow
factory. Jonah Hill & Russell Brand have great chemistry. *** 1/4 |
| GET LOW (2010, d.
Aaron Schneider) Fine acting (Duval, Bill Murray & Lukas Black
shine here) authentic period; but slender true story fails to live up to
promise. ** 3/4 |
| GET
OVER IT (2001, d. Tommy O'Haver) **
1/4 |
| GETTING
HOME (Luo ye gui gen) (2007, d. Zhang Yang) *** 1/4 |
| GETTING
MY BROTHER LAID (2002, d. Sven Taddicken) * 1/2 |
| GHOST
DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI (2000, d. Jim
Jarmusch) *** |
| GHOST
WORLD (2001, d. Terry Zwigoff) *** 1/2 |
| GHOST WRITER, THE (2010, d.
Roman Polanski) Since I'd read the book, few surprises; but Polanski knows
how to construct an effective thriller. *** 1/4 |
| GHOSTS
OF CITÉ SOLEIL (2006, d. Leth & Loncarivic) V. Scattered docu; a
Haitian City of God. Rappers in the slums get screwed. *** |
| GIE
(2005, d. Rira Riza) ** 3/4 |
| GIFT
TO STALIN, THE (2009, d. Rustem Abdrashev) *** 1/2 |
| GIFT,
THE (2003, US doc. d. Louise Hogarth) Important documentary about
some gays, especially the young, who purposely contract HIV. *** 1/2 |
| GIFT,
THE (2001, d. Sam Raimi)
** |
| GIGANTIC (2010, d. Matt
Aselton) V. Strange mumblecore romantic comedy. Dano is stolid & Zooey D.
wacky. Sort of annoying, but likable. ** 1/2 |
| GIGLI
(2003, d. Martin Brest) An embarrassing film for all, especially Affleck and
Brest. Tacky, squicky, homophobic; but Justin Bartha a find. 1/2* |
| GIGOLOS,
THE (2005, d. Richard Bracewell) ** 1/2 |
| GIMME THE LOOT (2012, d. Adam
Leon) ** 1/2 |
| GIRL
BY THE LAKE, THE (La Ragazza del Lago) (2008, d. Andrea Molaioli) **
1/2 |
| GIRL
CUT IN TWO, A (La fille coupée en deux) (2007, d. Claude Chabrol) *** |
| GIRL
FROM MONACO, THE (La fille de Monaco) (2008, d. Anne Fontaine) **
1/4 |
| GIRL
FROM PARIS, THE (2003, France d. Christian Carion) + Lovely movie
about a woman who forsakes the city and buys and runs a mountain farm.
*** 1/2 |
| GIRL
IN THE CAFÉ, THE (2005, d. David Yates) V. Bill Nighy is great as a
financial dweeb. But simplistic politics sink this Richard Curtis written
romance. ** 1/4 |
| GIRL
IN THE PARK, THE (2007, d. David Auburn) *** 1/4 |
| GIRL
IS MINE, THE (2007, d. Virginie Wagon) *** |
| GIRL
NEXT DOOR, THE (2004, d. Luke Greenfield) I expect to like it; but
instead I was offended by the ridiculous plot, though Olyphant and Hirsch
were good. * 3/4 |
| GIRL
ON THE BRIDGE (La fille sur la ponte) (2000, d. Patrice Leconte)
** 1/2 |
| GIRL
ON THE TRAIN, THE (La fille du RER) (2009, d. André Téchiné) *** 1/4 |
| GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S
NEST, THE (2010, d. Daniel Alfredson) Fitting ending to fine trilogy.
Interesting simplifications from the book. Well thought out. *** 1/4 |
| GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE,
THE (2010, d. Daniel Alfredson) Having
read the book, this is an amazingly faithrul & skilled adaptation of a
complex story. *** 1/2 |
| GIRL
WITH A PEARL EARRING (2003, d. Peter Webber) Cinematography worthy of
Vermeer; but the film's story was like watching paint dry. ** |
| GIRL WITH THE DRAGON
TATTOO (2011, d. David Fincher) For me the story was too familiar. But
like Zodiac, nobody does
epic thrillers as well as DF. *** 1/4+ |
| GIRL
WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE (2010, d. Niels Arden Oplev) *** 1/2 |
| GIRLFIGHT
(2000, d. Karyn Kusama) *** 1/2 |
| GIRLS
CAN'T SWIM (2002, d. Anne-Sophie Birot) ** |
| GITS,
THE (2005, d. Kerri O'Kane) Compelling counterpoint to Malfunkshun, a
docu about a Seattle punker lead singer who was raped & murdered. *** |
| GIVE
ME YOUR HAND (2009, d. Pascal-Alex Vincent) *** |
| GIVING
IT UP (2009, d. Frank Ruy) *** |
| GLADIATOR
(2000, d. Ridley Scott) *** 1/4 |
| GLAMOUR
(2000, d. Frigyes Gödrös) ** 3/4 |
| GLASS
HOUSE, THE (2001, d. Daniel Sackheim)
** |
| GLASS MAN, THE
(2012, d. Cristian Solimeno) * 3/4 |
| GLASS:
A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts (2008, d. Scott Hicks) Inherently
intersting if overlong docu about composer. *** |
| GLEANERS
AND I, THE (2001, d. Agnès Varda) ***
1/2 |
| GLI
INDESIDERABILI (2003, d. Pasquale Scimeca) Confusing gangster film.
Desires to be Once Upon a Time in America and fails utterly. Vincent Gallo OK
* 1/4 |
| GLORIOUS
39 (2010, d. Stephen Poliakoff) *** |
| GLORY
ROAD (2006, d. James Gartner) Solid, typical sport docudrama with great
Josh Lucas perf, raised 1/4 star by the real-life end credit
interviews. *** 1/4 |
| GLUE (2006,
d. Alexis Dos Santos) ** 1/2 |
| GO
FURTHER (2004, d. Ron Mann) Entertaining doc. about Woody Harrelson
emulating Kesey's Prankster bus in a trip & bike ride for the
environment. ** 3/4 |
| GO
TIGERS! (2001, d. Kenneth Carlson) **** |
| GO
WEST (2006, d. Ahmed Imamovic) *** |
| GO
(2001, d. Isao Yukisada) *** 1/4 |
| GOAL
II: LIVING THE DREAM (2008, d. Jaume Collet-Serra) I'm not into
soccer; but this is one sports film which satisfies. Kuno Becker!, Nivola,
Hauer, Dillane, great f/x. *** |
| GOAL!
THE DREAM BEGINS (2006, d. Danny Cannon) Totally clichéd, predictable
script; but damn, this film rocked my world. Kuno Becker! ** 3/4 |
| GOATS (2012, d. Christopher
Neil) Nice indie coming-of-age, prep school film with original characters,
fine cast & superb photography. Graham Phillips one to watch. *** 1/4 |
| GOD
IS GREAT, AND I'M NOT (2002, d. Pascale Bailly) **
3/4 |
| GODS
AND GENERALS (2003, d. Ronald Maxwell) Civil War epic, centered on
Stonewall Jackson. Well made; but not as good as Gettysburg.. **
3/4 |
| GODSEND
(2004, d. Nick Hamm) Almost a good film, sort of a secular Omen, effectively
and darkly shot, directed & acted. But can't surmount its
ridiculous premise. ** |
| GO-GETTER,
THE (2009, d. Martin Hynes) V. Typical indie road flick, but a
good vehicle for Lou Taylor Pucci. ** 1/2 |
| GOING
SOUTH (2010, d. Sebastien Lifshitz) ** 3/4 |
| GOING
THE DISTANCE (2010, d. Natalie
Burstein) Strange mixture of raunchy guy and emotional chick flick &
doesn't quite gel as either despite amiable cast. ** 1/2 |
| GOING
THRU SPLAT: STEWART STERN (2005, d. Jon Ward) Conventional docu about
embittered ex-film screenwriter, only occasionally interesting. ** 1/4 |
| GOLDEN
BOWL, THE (2001, d. James Ivory)
*** |
| GOLDEN
COMPASS, THE (2007, d. Chris Weitz) Great f/x, muddled script. ** |
| GOLDEN
DOOR, THE (2006, d. Emanuele Crialese; Italy) *** |
| GOMORRA
(2008, d. Matteo Garrone; Italy) ** 3/4 |
| GONE (2012, d. Heitor Dhalia)
Well done strong-damaged-young-women in peril thriller; but so predictable
that it really didn't need to be made. ** 1/2 |
| GONE
BABY GONE (2007, d. Ben Affleck) Nicely directed. Story too
far-fetched; but Casey Affleck especially fine. *** 1/4 |
| GONE
IN SIXTY SECONDS (2000, d. Dominic Sena) **
1/2 |
| GONE
WITH THE WOMAN (2007, d. Peter Naess) Norway Academy foreign film
submission *** |
| GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
(2012, d. Michael Akers) V. 2003 film about an affair between an amnesiac
& a ranger who saved him from suicide. Slow & poorly acted. ** |
| GONZO: THE LIFE
AND WORK OF DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON (2008, d. Alex Gibney) *** 1/2 |
| GOOD
BOY! (2003, d. John Robert Hoffman) A sweet and inoccuous kids film,
with some tacky effects, but mostly successful on the level it was
intended. *** |
| GOOD
BOYS (2005, d. Yair Hochner) * 3/4 |
| GOOD
BYE, LENIN! (2004, d. Wolfgang Becker) A political satire about the
Wall and German unification which is amusing and affecting. *** 1/4 |
| GOOD
FOOD (2008, d. Melissa Young & Mark Dworkin) ** |
| GOOD
GERMAN, THE (2006, d. Steven Soderbergh) Glorious B&W
cinematography doesn't disguise ambiguous plot & lack of involvement. **
1/2 |
| GOOD
GIRL, THE (2002, d. Miguel Arteta)
*** |
| GOOD GUY, THE (2010, d. Julio
DePietro) Corruption & sexual hi-jinks among young Wall Street traders?
Here well done & creepy. Bryan Greenberg rules. *** 1/4 |
| GOOD
HANDS (2002, d. Peeter Simm) *** |
| GOOD
LAWYER’S WIFE, A (2004, d. Im Sang-soo) Very sexy drama about the
corrosive effects of marital infidelity by a lawyer & his wife. *** |
| GOOD
MORNING, NIGHT (2006, d. Marco Bellocchio) Impressionist docudrama of
Aldo Moro kidnapping. Talky & political. ** 3/4\ |
| GOOD NEIGHBORS (2011,
d. Jacob Tierney) Diverting, predictable urban bad neighbor flick spoiled by
terribly written, truncated 3rd act. Baruchel fine here. ** |
| GOOD
NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK (2005, d. George Clooney) *** 1/2 |
| GOOD
NIGHT TO DIE, A (2003, d. Craig Singer) Arty, ironic thriller
about 2 hit men and their destiny. Good cast, but pretentious. *
3/4 |
| GOOD
NIGHT, THE (2007, d. Jake Paltrow) Totally forgettable story about a
shlub who lives a vivid dream life. ** |
| GOOD
SHEPHERD, THE (2006, d. Robert De Niro) Absorbing, well achieved CIA
story, but Matt Damon seems too young & callow for role. *** |
| GOOD
SON, THE (2007, d. Joseph Rubin)V. Elija Wood, great kid actor...Culkin
ok. Convincing film, except for unlikely ending. ** 3/4 |
| GOOD
THIEF, THE (2003, d. Neil Jordan) Based on Bob le flambeur which was
infinitely better. Atmospheric caper film with large holes. * 3/4 |
| GOOD
YEAR, A (2006, d. Ridley Scott) The French do this sort of romantic
comedy of terroir much better (e.g. Rohmer's Autumn Tale). ** 1/2 |
| GOOD
YEAR, A (2008, d. Ridley Scott) V.+ Minor Scott film; but Provence and
Russell Crowe are lovely. ** 3/4 |
| GOOD
(2008, d. Vicente Amorim) A misguided but fairly involving Holocaust film
about a "good" German SS man & his Jewish buddy. ** 1/2 |
| GOOD,
THE BAD AND THE UGLY (2008, d. Sergio Leone) 195 min. extended version
is *long*, but visual feast; Eli Wallach steals the film. *** 1/2 |
| GOODBYE
DRAGON INN (2003, d. Tsai Ming-Liang) Weirdly paced allegory? ghost
story? shaggy dog story? Tsai's most formal exercise in boredom as
style. *** |
| GOODBYE FIRST
LOVE! (2012, d. Mia Hansen-Love) ** 3/4 |
| GOODBYE
MOTHERS (2008, d. Mohammed Ismail; Morocco) ** 3/4 |
| GOODBYE (2012, d. Mohammad
Rasoulof) ** 1/2 |
| GOOSE
FEATHER (2005, d. Ljubisa Samardzic; Serbia) Psychologically iffy,
soapy melodrama about a peasant who loves one woman but marries another rich
one. ** 1/4 |
| GORBACIOF
(2011 d. Stefano Incerti) * 3/4 |
| GORDOS (2010, d.
Daniel Sánchez Arévalo) *** 1/4 |
| GOSFORD
PARK (2001, d. Robert Altman) *** 3/4
|
| GOTHIKA
(2003, d. Mathieu Kassovitz) Kassovitz stories tend towards supernatural
claptrap. Excellent acting & direction overcome ridiculous plot.
*** |
| GOYA
IN BORDEAUX (2000, d. Carlos Saura) * 1/4 |
| GOYA'S
GHOST (2007, d. Milos Forman) *** |
| GRACE
IS GONE (2007, d. James Strause) Subtle, well crafted & acted
(especially the girls): mom killed in war. *** 1/4 |
| GRAFFITI
ARTIST, THE (2004, d. James Bolton) Slow, hypnotic digital video
about a young, gay graffiti artist who befriends another boy & tags the
NW. *** |
| GRAN
GATO, EL (2004, d. Ventura Pons) Doc. about songwriter in vein of
Shadow of Motown & Buena Vista Club. Good music. *** |
| GRAN
TORINO (2008, d. Clint Eastwood) The gran curmudgeon as sassy as
ever. Neatly plotted if a tad obvious. *** |
| GRAND SONS (2012, d. Ilan
Duran Cohen) V. Touching cinéma verité-ish story: relationship between young
gay man & the mildly dotty grandmother who raised him. *** |
| GRAND
VOYAGE, LE (2005, d. Ismael Ferroukhi) Involving, picturesque road pic
of father & son driving Paris to Mecca. *** |
| GRANDE
ÉCOLE (2005, d. Robert Salis) V. Empassioned film about young people's
sexual obsessions. Arty bi-sexual frontal nudity a plus. ** 3/4 |
| GRANDPA
IS DEAD (2009, d. Soxie H. Topacio; Philippines) * |
| GRASSROOTS (2012, d.
Stephen Gyllenhaal) Sporadically funny political comedy. Aced city of
Seattle, double bogied transportation policy. Joel Moore too frenetic. ** |
| GRAVE
DECISIONS (2007, d. Marcus H. Rosenmüller) ** 1/2 |
| GRAVEHOPPING
(2006, d. Jan Cvitkovic) ** |
| GRAVITY (2010, d.
Maximilian Erlenwein) *** |
| GRBAVICA
(2006, d. Jasmila Zbanic; Bosnia & Herzegovina) *** 1/4 |
| GREAT
BUCK HOWARD, THE (2008, d. Sean McGinly) ** 3/4 |
| GREAT
DEBATERS, THE (2007, d. Denzel Washington) Better than I expected.
Predictable, but moving. *** |
| GREAT EXPECTATIONS (2012, d. Brian Kirk) V. Nicely staged, if too
concised, version of the novel. Fine acting, but Gillian Anderson was over
the top. *** |
| GREAT
NEW WONDERFUL, THE (2006, d. Danny Leiner) 5 post-9/11 NY stories of
ordinary people in search of meaning. ** 1/2 |
| GREAT
RAID, THE (2005, d. John Dahl) *** |
| GREAT
WATER (2005, d. Ivo Trajkov) Nicely directed and acted drama about a
dying Macedonian politician recalling his youth. *** |
| GREATEST
GAME EVER PLAYED, THE (2005, d. Bill Paxton) *** |
| GREEN
BUTCHERS, THE (2004, d. Anders Jensen) Dutch black comedy about a
couple of losers who make a macabre go of a new butcher shop. ** 3/4 |
| GREEN
DRAGON (2002, d. Timothy Linh Bui) ** 3/4
|
| GREEN
HAT (2005, d. Liu Fendou) Quirky dramedy about 3 inep bankrobbers &
a cuckolded cop with marital impotence. Amusing, but confusing, script.
* 3/4 |
| GREEN ZONE (2010, d. Paul
Greengrass) Offensively political, overwrought and never believeable. Makes
one appreciate The Hurt Locker all the more. ** |
| GREENBERG (2010, d.
Noel Baumbach) Stiller's character is so unsympathetic that it skews an
otherwise interesting, familiar & authentic L.A. story. ** 3/4 |
| GREENFINGERS
(2001, d. Joel Hershman) ** 1/2 |
| GREY
ZONE, THE (2002, d. Tim Blake Nelson)
**** |
| GRID,
THE (2004, d. Mikael Salomon)V. Mini-series about a multi-national war
on terrorism involving the CIA, NSC, FBI, MI-5 & MI-6. Gripping, with
some fine performances. *** |
| GRIFFIN
AND PHOENIX (2006, d. Ed Stone) ** |
| GRILL
POINT (2002, d. Andreas Dresen) ** |
| GRIMM
LOVE (2007, d. Martin Weisz) ** 1/2 |
| GRIND (2012, d. Casey La
Scala) V. Medicre 2003 skateboard exploitation flick with (in retrospect)
A-list cast. Mike Vogel's debut & he lights up the screen. ** 1/4 |
| GRIZZLY
MAN (2005, d. Warner Herzog) *** 1/2 |
| GROCER'S
SON, THE (Le Fils de l'épicier) (2008, d. Eric Guirado) *** 1/4 |
| GRÖNHOLM
METHOD, THE (El Metodo Grönholm) (2005, d. Marcelo Piñero) *** |
| GROOMSMAN,
THE (2006, d. Edward Burns) *** 1/4 |
| GROUND
TRUTH, THE (2006, d. Patricia Foulkrod) V. Docu of plight of returning
Iraq vets. More than I wanted to know, but vital. *** 1/4 |
| GROWN
UPS (Les grandes personnes) (2009, d. Anna Novion) ** 1/4 |
| GROWN UPS (2010, d.
Dennis Dugan) Silly, poorly directed comedy about 5 families, almost redeemed
by its insightful grasp of current American values. ** 1/4 |
| GUARD, THE (2011, d.
John Michael McDonagh) The "other" McDonagh bro even improves on In
Bruges. Is there an auteur theory for brothers? *** 1/2 |
| GUARDIAN,
THE (2006, d. Andrew Davis) Nicely scripted action flick; both Costner
& Kutcher are fine. Storm f/x top of line. *** |
| GUARDIAN'S
SON (2007, d. Dimitis Koutsiabassakos) ** 3/4 |
| GUESS
WHO (2005, d. Kevin Sullivan) Unfunny, borderline offensive...but
Ashton Kucher actually desplays some talent for timing & star
quality. ** 1/2 |
| GUIDE
TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS, A (2006, d. Dito Montiel) Truish life Mean
Streets. Great cast, indie at its best. *** 1/2 |
| GUIDE
TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS, A (2008, d. Dito Monteil) V.+ Great cast,
life as art. *** 1/4 |
| GUILTY (Présumé
coupable) (2012, d. Vincent Garenq) *** 1/2 |
| GUILTY,
THE (2004, d. Anthony Waller)V. Totally contrived murder mystery
thriller with a good cast, Bill Pullman and Devon Sawa especially. **
1/2 |
| GUN
HILL ROAD (2011, d. Rashaad Green) ** 1/2 |
| GUY
AND MADELINE ON A PARK BENCH (2009, d. Damien Chazelle) ** |
| GUYS,
THE (2004, d. Jim Simpson) An emotional, talky film about FDNY coping
with 9/11. Anthony LaPaglia great, Sigorney Weaver also pretty good. **
1/2 |
| GYPSY
CARAVAN (2007, d. Jasmine Dellal) *** |
| H
(2003, S. Korea d. Lee Jeong-hyuk) Serial killer melodrama with the
creepiest villains since Hannibal Lector. Very much in the same vein as
Cure. *** |
| HABITANTE
INCIERTO, EL (The Uninvited Guest) (2007, d. Guillem Morales) V.
*** |
| HACHIKO: A DOG'S
STORY (2009, d. Lasse Hallstrom) ** 3/4 |
| HAIKU
TUNNEL (2001, d. Jacob & Joshua Kornbluth)
*** |
| HAIL (2012, d. Amiel
Courtin-Wilson) 3/4* |
| HAIRSPRAY
(2007, d. Adam Shankman) *** 1/2 |
| HALF
LIFE OF TIMOFEY BEREZIN, THE (2006, d. Scott Z. Burns) *** 1/4 |
| HALF
NELSON (2006, d. Ron Fleck) *** 1/4 |
| HALF-LIFE
(2008, d. Jennifer Phang) ** |
| HAMILL
(2010, d. Oren Kaplan) *** 1/4 |
| HAMLET
(2000, d. Michael Almereyda) ** 1/2 |
| HANA
& ALICE (2005, d. Shunji Iwai) Intermittantly clever &
interesting, quirky film about two teenage girls & their crush on a
reserved boy. ** 1/2 |
| HANA (2006, d.
Hirokazu Kore-eda) ** 3/4 |
| HANCOCK
(2008, d. Peter Berg) Ridiculous premise, reasonably good f/x. Superhero with
a human face; but I strongly disliked script. * 1/2 |
| HANGING
OFFENSE (2004, d. Guillame Nicloux) Atmospheric, puzzling thriller
about possible murders and the woman Colombo-like detective on the case. *** |
| HANGOVER,
THE (2009, d. Todd Phillips) One of those great bad comedies:
earned laughs, surprising plot development, fresh acting by 4 comic actors.
*** 1/4 |
| HANNA (2011, d. Joe Wright)
Wow! Exciting filmmaking, great score!, Run Lola Run with a dash of
Welles & Kubrick, fabulous editing, Wright scores again! *** 3/4 |
| HANNIBAL
RISING (2007, d. Peter Webber) Now just an ordinary slasher/revenge
genre pic, though Gaspard Ulliel is a very interesting actor. ** |
| HANNIBAL
(2001, d. Ridley Scott) ** 1/4 |
| HANSEL
AND GRETEL (2009, d. Yim Phil-sung) W/O |
| HAPPENING,
THE (2008, d. M. Night Shyamalan) Good acting (Betty Buckley's classic
camp), ridiculous script (plot holes to spare). ** |
| HAPPILY
EVER AFTER (2005, d. Yvan Attal) Ironically titled, interesting enough
film about 2 married guy & single friend and their failing relationships.
** 3/4 |
| HAPPINESS
OF THE KATAKURIS, THE (2002, d. Takashi Miike)
* 1/2 |
| HAPPY
ACCIDENTS (2001, d. Brad Anderson)
*** |
| HAPPY
AS ONE (2006, d. Vanessa Jopp) *** |
| HAPPY
ENDINGS (2005, d. Don Roos) Somewhat sprawling, well observed black
comedy of 21st century families with a brilliant perf by Maggie Gyllenhaal
*** 1/2 |
| HAPPY EVENT, A
(2012, d. Rémi Bezançon) *** |
| HAPPY
FAMILY (2010, d. Gabriele Salvatores) *** 1/4 |
| HAPPY FEET TWO (2011,
d. George Miller) Loved the original; but this sequel adds nothing and
was a confusing mess. * 3/4 |
| HAPPY
FEET (2006, d. George Miller) Simply wonderful 3-D animation combined
with a timeless, appealing story. A triumph. *** 3/4 |
| HAPPY
HOUR (2003, d. Mike Bencivenga) Anthony LaPaglia doing a Leaving Las
Vegas dramatic turn, well acted but ultimately derivative. ** 1/2 |
| HAPPY
TIMES (2002, d. Zhang Yimou) **
1/2 |
| HAPPY,
HAPPY (2011, d. Anne Sewitsky) *** 1/4 |
| HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
(2008, d. Mike Leigh) Formless, well acted character study centered around a
happy-go-lucky young woman and her angst ridden driving teacher. ** 3/4 |
| HARD
CANDY (2006, d. David Slade) *** |
| HARD
GOODBYES: MY FATHER (2003, Greece/Germany d. Penny
Panayotopoulou) Slight story about young boy in denial about his father's
death. ** 1/4 |
| HARD
PILL (2005, d. John Baumgartner) *** |
| HARD
WORD, THE (2003, Australia/Great Britain d. Scott Roberts)
Delightful caper film. *** |
| HARDBALL
(2001, d. Brian Robbins) ** 1/2 |
| HARI
OM (2005, d. Bharatbala Ganapathy) Another travelog, this one better,
though also contrived: French girl roving thru India with a rickshaw
driver. ** 1/2 |
| HAROLD
& KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE (2004, d. Danny Leiner) Silly teen farce
with too many stupid bathroom & fag bashing jokes...but fun anyway.
** 1/4 |
| HARRY
AND MAX (2004, d. Chris Munch) Brutally honest, well written story of 2
boy-band brothers with incest overtones. Bryce Johnson is a major find!
*** 1/4 |
| HARRY
AND MAX (2004, d. Christopher Munch) + Still one of the most truthful
& insightful films about boybands and gay life in general. Better the 2nd
time. *** 1/2 |
| HARRY
POTTER #3 (2004, d. Alfonso Cuarón) Darker, better directed; but still
relatively uninvolving. Maybe I should read the books. ** 1/2 |
| HARRY POTTER & THE
DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (2010, d. David Yates) Impeccably made, designed,
acted. Fine f/x. But for me a long, one-note, loud bore. ** 3/4 |
| HARRY
POTTER 5 (2007, d. David Yates) *** 1/4 |
| HARRY POTTER 8 (2011, d.
David Yates) Non-stop, propulsive action. Total immersion into the story,
really splendid f/x, solid acting. Best Potter flick; but sort of
predictable. *** 1/4 |
| HARRY
POTTER AND THE CHAMBE OF SECRETS (2002, d. Chris
Columbus) *** |
| HARRY
POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (2005, d. Mike Newell) *** |
| HARRY
POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2009, d. David Yates) Series marking
time; but excellent script and f/x make it worthwhile. *** 1/4 |
| HARRY
POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (2001, d. Chris
Columbus) ** 3/4 |
| HARSH
TIMES (2006, d. David Ayer) Tough action film with scintillating acting
and superreal dialog. Bale is a phenom. *** |
| HART'S
WAR (2002, d. Gregory Hoblit) **
1/2 |
| HARVARD
MAN (2002, d. James Toback) ** 1/4 |
| HATE
CRIME (2005, d. Tommy Stovall) * |
| HAVANASTATION
(2011, d. Ian Padrón, Cuba) ** 1/4 |
| HAVEN
(2006, d. Frank E. Flowers) Good actors in a mess of a film about Cayman
Island life and dire financial schemes. ** |
| HAVRE,
LE (2011, d. Aki Kaurismaki, Finland) ** 1/2 |
| HAWAII,
OSLO (2004, d. Erik Poppe) Norway AFF: slick, complex multi-strand
drama of a group of Oslo residents as they play out one character's
portentious dream. *** |
| HAYFEVER
(2011, d. Laura Luchetti) ** 1/4 |
| HAYWIRE (2012, d. Steven
Soderbergh) Somewhat repetitive action flick with a fine cast and a kick-ass
female protagonist. The boys were fine, too. *** |
| HE
KNEW HE WAS RIGHT (2005, d. Tom Vaughan) Psychologically modern
Trollope novel of 4 Victorian relationships given average Masterpiece Theater
treatment. ** 1/2 |
| HE
LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT (2003, d. Laetetia Columbani) Clever thriller
about a woman literally crazy about a cardiologist. *** |
| HEAD
IN THE CLOUDS (2004, d. John Duigan) Old fashioned big WWII romance, a
tear jerker that didn't jerk but never bored. Theron fine; but Townsend too
callow for role. ** 3/4 |
| HEAD
OVER HEELS (2001, d. Mark Waters) ** |
| HEADHUNTERS (2012, d. Morten
Tyldum) Norwegian thriller where antihero is chased by implacable evil. Fun,
provocative, stylish; story maybe too slick. *** 1/4 |
| HEADING
WEST (2011, d. Nicole van Kilsdonk) ** 1/2 |
| HEADLESS
WOMAN, THE (2009, d. Lucrecia Martel) ** 1/2 |
| HEAD-ON
(2004, d. Fatih Akin) Off center love story about troubled German Turkish
couple. Good film, but not as good as rep. *** 1/4 |
| HEART
IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, THE (2004, d. Asia Argento) Mind blowing
adaptation from life of a young boy being raised by his disaster of a
mother. *** 1/2 |
| HEART
OF ME, THE (2003, Great Britain/Germany d. Thaddeus
O'Sullivan) Unabashed weepy romance about 2 sisters in love with the same
man. *** |
| HEART
OF THE BEAR, THE (2001, d. Arvo Iho) *** 1/4 |
| HEARTBEAT
DETECTOR (2008, d. Nicolas Klotz) ** 1/4 |
| HEARTBEATS
(2010, d. Xavier Dolan) *** |
| HEARTBREAKER
(L'Arnacoeur) (2010, d. Pascal Chaumeil) ** 1/2 |
| HEARTS
IN ATLANTIS (2001, d. Scott Hicks)
** |
| HEAVEN
(2002, d. Tom Tykwer) *** 1/2 |
| HEAVENS
BLUE (Tengri) (2008, d. Marie Jaoul de Poncheville; Kyrgyzstan) *** 1/4 |
| HEAVEN'S
BURNING (2005, d. Craig Lahiff)V. Russell Crowe & Japanese chick in
a corkingly over-the-top (a la Robert Rodriguez) violent road pic from Oz.
*** |
| HEDGEHOG
(Le hérisson) (2010, d. Mona Ashashe) *** 3/4 |
| HEDWIG
AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001, d. John Cameron
Mitchell) *** |
| HEIGHTS
(2005, d. Chris Terrio) + Second time to watch this one. Superbly well done.
Another great Glenn Close role. My kinda film! *** 1/2 |
| HEIGHTS
(2005, d. Chris Terrio) Multi-character 24 hours in the lives of N.Y. arty
types. Superbly well done. My kinda film! *** 1/2 |
| HEIR
TO AN EXECUTION (2003, d. Ivy Meeropol)V. Doc. Rosenberg's grandaughter
searches for the truths of family's past. Moving, well made, informative.
***1/2 |
| HEIST
(2001, d. David Mamet) ** 3/4 |
| HELL AND BACK AGAIN (2011, d.
Danfung Dennis) V. Weirdly edited docu of marines in Afghan. & one
wounded man's scary life after coming home. ** 1/2 |
| HELL
HOUSE (2002, d. George Ratliff)
*** |
| HELL
(2006, d. Danis Tanovic) *** 1/2 |
| HELLBOY
II: THE GOLDEN ARMY (2009, d. Guillermo del Toro) Bombastic fantasy
with del Toro's nightmarish imagery, but a soporific, predictable plot. ** |
| HELLO
GOODBYE (2009, d. Graham Guit) ** 1/2 |
| HELLO I MUST BE
GOING (2012, d. Todd Louiso) *** 1/2 |
| HELP, THE (2011, d.
Tate Taylor) Beautifully acted, somewhat pat and predictable, but ultimatelly
affecting story. Olivia Spencer just about steals the picture. *** 1/4 |
| HEMEL (2012, d. Sacha
Polak) * 1/2 |
| HENRY
OF NAVARRE (2010, d. Jo Baier) *** |
| HENRY
POOLE IS HERE (2008, d. Mark Pellington) Luke Wilson in a film totally
without irony doesn't compute. * 1/4 |
| HENRY
VIII (2004, d. Pete Travis) V. Abridged PBS version of British series
with an interesting Ray Winstone perf. Pop history, but too short to be
meaningful. ** 1/4 |
| HER
MAJESTY (2002, d. Mark J. Gordon) * 1/2 |
| HER
MINOR THING (2005, d. Charles Matthau) Silly romantic comedy with a
trite, predictable story but nice production values. * 1/2 |
| HERE (2012, d. Braden King)
Aimless travelog (Armenia) + love story with pretensions of indie cred. But
Ben Foster is wonderful & vistas were beautiful. ** 1/2 |
| HERE
ON EARTH (2000, d. Mark Piznarski) **
1/2 |
| HEREAFTER (2010, d. Clint
Eastwood) Superbly written & crafted film, subtle, mature, moving and
emotionally fulfilling...especially the twin boys' story. *** 3/4 |
| HEREAFTER (2012, d. Clint
Eastwood)V+ Still one of the best films ever, incredibly moving, brilliantly
written and acted, and Clint's score is special. An upgrade. **** |
| HERENCIA
(2002, d. Paula Hernandez) *** |
| HERMANO
(2011 d. Marcel Rasquin; Venezuela) *** 1/2 |
| HERO
(2003, d. Zhang Yimou) China AFF. Huge marshall arts epic in Crouching
Tiger vein. Gorgeous & well made; but cold. *** |
| HE'S
JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU (2009, d. Ken Kwapis) Attractive cast, but
clichés abound in this all too clever rom-com about coupling. ** 1/2 |
| HESHER (2012, d. Spencer
Susser) V. Strange, compelling coming of age flick, boy loses mom, dad
depressed, & a hippie sociopath comes to rescue. Gordon-Levitt great. *** |
| HEY,
HAPPY! (2001, d. Noam Gonick) 0* |
| HI,
TERESKA (2002, d. Robert Glinski) *** |
| HIDALGO
(2004, d. Joe Johnston) Entertaining western variant, true (if transparently
enhanced) story of a mustang competing with thoroughbred Arabians. ** 3/4 |
| HIDDEN
(Caché) (2005, d. Michael Haneke) *** 1/2 |
| HIDDEN
BLADE, THE (2006, d. Yoji Yamada) *** 1/2 |
| HIDDEN
DIARY (Mères et filles) (2010, d. Julie Lopes-Curval) *** 1/4 |
| HIDDEN
FACE (2008, d. Bernard Campan) * 1/4 |
| HIDDEN
LOVE (L'amour caché) (2007, d. Alessandro Capone) * 3/4 |
| HIDEAWAY
(2010, d. François Ozon) *** 1/2 |
| HIDING
AND SEEKING (2004, d. Menachem Daum) V. Enormously moving docu about a
family of Holocaust survivors and their reconciliation with the past.
*** 3/4 |
| HIGH
CRIMES (2002, d. Carl Franklin)
** |
| HIGH
FIDELITY (2000, d. Stephen Frears) ***
1/2 |
| HIGH
LANE (Vertige) (2010, d. Abel Feray) *** |
| HIGH
ROAD (2011, d. Matt Walsh) ** |
| HIGH
SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 (2008, d. Kenny Ortega) Surprisingly good, fun and
frothy. High energy, ok score, great choriography make for a diverting
experience. *** |
| HIGH
SCHOOL MUSICAL (2006, d. Kenny Ortega) V. By far the best musical of
the last year is a Disney TV film. Zac Ephron can move & even lip sync.
*** |
| HIGH
TENSION (2004, d. Alexandre Aja) Vividly graphic and gory mass-murder
horror thriller, well made, but based on a cheat which compromises it.
*** |
| HIGHER
FORCE, THE (2009, d. Olaf de Fleur Johannesson) * 3/4 |
| HIGHER
FORCE, THE (2008, d. Olaf de Fleur Johannesson) Silly Iceland comedy
which went nowhere for 45 minutes so I walked. W/O |
| HIGHWAY
(2005, d. James Cox) V. Messy, faintly homoerotic '02 road movie with stoned
out Jake Gyllenhaal & Jared Leto looking fine. * 3/4 |
| HIMALAYA
(2001, d. Eric Valli) *** |
| HINDENBERG,
THE (2006, d. Robert Wise) V. Fairly good old fashioned disaster flick.
F/x sort of lame. ** 1/4 |
| HIPSTERS
(2010, d. Valery Todorovsky) *** 1/2 |
| HIS
MOTHER'S EYES (Les Yeux de sa mère) (2011 d. Thiery Klifa) *** 1/4 |
| HIS
SECRET LIFE ("Ignorant Fairies") (2001, d. Ferzan
Ozpetek) *** 1/2 |
| HIS WAY (2011, d. Douglas
McGrath) V. Docu about Jerry Weintraub. Interesting life, big stars,
unconventioinal mogul, boringly made documentary. ** 1/2 |
| HISTORY
BOYS, THE (2006, d. Nicholas Hytner) Yorkshire Dead Poets Society with
a fine, literate script. Totally absorbing. *** 3/4 |
| HISTORY
OF VIOLENCE, A (2005, d. David Cronenberg) *** 1/2 |
| HIT AND RUN (2012, d.
Dax Shepard) Another adrenalin rush flick, only badly over-written with ocean
size plot holes & reprehensible characters (exc. Kristen Bell). * 1/2 |
| HIT
AND RUNWAY (2001, d. Christopher Livingston)
*** 1/4 |
| HIT
SO HARD (2011, d. David Ebersole) ** 1/4 |
| HIT,
THE (2003, d. Stephen Frears) V. 1984 noir with superb
performances. Wonderfully nihlistic & typical of later Frears. ***
1/4 |
| HITCHHIKER'S
GUIDE TO THE GALAXY (2005, d. Garth Jennings) Banal, arch as only the
Brits can. I was incredibly bored, even with the great f/x. * 1/2 |
| HOAX,
THE (2007, d. Lasse Hallstrom) Competent, but predictable and not
involving. ** 1/2 |
| HOLD
MY HEART (2003, d. Trygve Allister Diesen) Norway AFF. Drama about
father who kidnaps estranged young daughter. *** 1/4 |
| HOLDING TREVOR (2012, d.
Rosser Goodman) V.+ I overrated this at OUTFEST in 2007; but it still is a
well acted, realistic & tender slice of young modern gay life in L.A. ***
1/4 |
| HOLDING
TREVOR (2007, d. Rosser Goodman) *** 1/2 |
| HOLES
(2003, d. Andrew Davis) It's sort of churlish to complain about a bad script
with such a feel-good movie. Shia LaBeouf is great. ** 3/4 |
| HOLIDAY,
THE (2006, d. Nancy Meyers) I loved every minute of this chick
flick despite its flaws. *** 1/4 |
| HOLLOW
MAN (2000, d. Paul Verhoeven) * 3/4 |
| HOLLYWOOD
ENDING (2002, d. Woody Allen)
*** |
| HOLLYWOOD
HOMICIDE (2003, d. Ron Shelton) Cop flick where quirky cops are more
interesting than the case. Shelton better director here than writer. **
1/2 |
| HOLLYWOODLAND
(2006, d. Allen Coulter) TV director's style more suited to noir. Fine cast
(esp. Brody & Affleck) good script! *** |
| HOLY
GIRL, THE (2005, d. Lucrecia Martel) Turgid and pointless drama about
the effect on a teen girl of an almost molestation by a married older
man. * 1/2 |
| HOLY
LOLA (2005, d. Bertrand Tavernier) Just about the same movie as John
Sayles' Casa de los babys except in Cambodia. Too protracted and long.
** 1/2 |
| HOLY
ROLLERS (2010, d. Kevin Tyler Asch) *** |
| HOME (2009, d.
Ursula Meier) *** |
| HOME
AT THE END OF THE WORLD, A (2004, d. Michael Mayer) Extraordinarily
well made, literate gay film which nails its '60s-'80s eras. Great
acting. *** 3/4 |
| HOME
OF DARK BUTTERFLYS, THE (2008, d. Dome Karukoski; Finland) ** 3/4 |
| HOME
OF THE BRAVE (2004, d. Paola di Florio) V. Well made docu, informative
& emotionally powerful about civil rights martyr Viola Liuzzo & her
surviving family. *** 1/2 |
| HOME
OF THE BRAVE (2006, d. Irwin Winkler) Powerful affects-of-war film
about current Iraq soldiers. Too on point, but well acted. ** 3/4 |
| HOME
SONG STORIES, THE (2008, d. Tony Ayres; Australia) *** 1/4 |
| HOMEGROWN
(2004, d. Stephen Gyllenhaal) V. Authentic '98 pot growing paranoia movie
thriller/comedy with good cast (Ryan Phillippe is fine). ** 3/4 |
| HOMELESS
TO HARVARD (2003, d. Peter Levin) (V) Lifetime tv movie (Thora Birch)
about girl who surmounts incredible odds to get an education. ** 3/4 |
| HOMESICK
(Koti-ikävä) (2006, d. Petri Kotwica) Superb, raw Finnish film about a
teenage boy committed to a mental institution, similar plot to Manic. *** 1/4 |
| HOMME
DE SA VIE, L' (2006, d. Zabou Breitman) *** 3/4 |
| HONEY
(Bal) (2010, d. Semih Kaplanoglu; Turkey) *** |
| HONEY
(2003, d. Bille Woodruff) Is there a cookie-cutter factory for recycled plots
like this? Ok music & dancing don't make up for terrible direction. * 1/4 |
| HONEYDRIPPER
(2007, d. John Sayles) Good music, but very predictable. ** 3/4 |
| HOOKED (2009, d.
Adrian Sitaru) ** 1/2 |
| HOOKED (2011, d.
Pavel Sanayev) *** |
| HOOT
(2006, d. Wil Shriner) Ernest flick from teen book. Interesting young actors,
but lacking directoral spark. * 3/4 |
| HOPE
ETERNAL (2008, d. Karl Francis; United Kingdom) ** 1/2 |
| HOPE SPRINGS (2012, d.
David Frankel) Fine, adult script, superb acting, straightforward direction.
I wanted to love it....got the emotional heart; but too predictable. *** |
| HORAS
DEL DIA, LAS (2004, d. Jaime Rosales) Boring (cf. Bruno Dumont) film
about the boring quotidien life of a boring shopowner with one little
quirk. ** |
| HORIZON
OF EVENTS, THE (2006, d. Daniele Vicari) ** 3/4 |
| HORNBLOWER:
DUTY (2003, d. Andrew Grieve)V. #8, not quite up to #7. Still, this
series is best thing ever to happen on high seas, despite Russell
Crowe. *** |
| HORNBLOWER:
LOYALTY ( 2003, d. Andrew Grieve) V. #7 in the series, and one of the
best. Ioan Gruffudd was born to play this role. *** 1/4 |
| HORRIBLE BOSSES (2011,
d. Seth Gordon) For 3/4 it was one hell of a funny, inventive R-rated
comedy with some marvelous comic acting. Script loses bite final 1/4. *** |
| HOST
AND GUEST (2006, d. Shin Dong-il) ** 3/4 |
| HOST,
THE (Gue-Mool) (2006, d. Bong Joon-ho) ** |
| HOSTAGE
(2005, d. Constantine Giannaris) Gripping based on true story variation of
Bus 174. Stathis Papadopoulis wonderful as the bus hostage taker. ***
1/4 |
| HOSTAGE
(2005, d. Florent Siri) Visually dazzling thriller with multiple layers of
jeopardy. Plot has several holes; but effective filmmaking
nevertheless. ** 3/4\ |
| HOT TUB TIME MACHINE (2010,
d. Steve Pink) I have no nostalgia for the '80s and this The Hangover wannabe
was raucus, homophobic & ugly. * 3/4 |
| HOTEL
RWANDA (2004, d. Terry George) Epic, shocking and sad. Don
Cheadle towers as a strong man in a crumbling society. Maybe too much on
target. *** 1/4 |
| HOTTEST
STATE, THE (2006, d. Ethan Hawke) ** 3/4 |
| HOUNDS (2007, d.
Ann-Kristin Reyels) *** 1/4 |
| HOURS,
THE (2002, d. Stephen Daldry) *** 3/4
|
| HOUSE
OF ADAM, THE (2008, d. Jorge Ameer) Gay ghost story. A film of
towering badness in every aspect: acting, direction, script, all the
technicals, yet somehow watchable. * |
| HOUSE OF BOYS (2011, d.
Jean-Claude Schlim) Earnest, glossy gay film about boy dancers in 1984
Amsterdam, sort of sexy, sort of truthful of that era (AIDS etc.) **
1/2 |
| HOUSE
OF D (2005, d. David Duchovny) Sappy but watchable period piece ('70s
N.Y) coming of age story. Anton Yelchin is quite good; but script has
holes. * 3/4 |
| HOUSE
OF FLYING DAGGERS (2004, d. Zhang Yimou) Visually stunning, emotionally
resonant, remarkable f/x; but too much of a good thing is too much. ***
1/4 |
| HOUSE
OF FOOLS (2002, d. Andrei Konchalovsky) ** 1/2 |
| HOUSE
OF FOOLS (2003, d. Andrei Konchalovsky) Russia AFF. Off-center
drama. Chechan war comes to insane asylum. ** 1/2 |
| HOUSE
OF MIRTH, THE (2000, d. Terence Davies) **
1/2 |
| HOUSE
OF SAND AND FOG (2003, d. Vadim Perelman) Classic tragedy: good but
flawed people who make fateful mistakes. Incredibly well acted &
directed. *** 1/2 |
| HOUSE
OF SAND (2006, d. Andrucha Waddington) *** 1/4 |
| HOUSE
ON THE CLOUDS, THE (La casa sulle nuvole) (2009, d. Claudio Giovannesi)
*** |
| HOUSE
WITH A VIEW OF THE SEA, A (2001, d. Alberto Arvelo Mendoza)
** 1/2 |
| HOUSE!
(2000, d. Julian Kemp) * 1/2 |
| HOUSE, THE (2012, d. Zuzana
Liová) *** |
| HOUSEBOY, THE (2012, d.
Spencer Schilly) V.+ Despite hard drugs, sex & despair, this is a sweet
& life affirming gay film. Nick May is a find. *** 1/4 |
| HOUSEBOY,
THE (2008, d. Spencer Schilly) Totally realistic & sexy portrayal
of 20-ish gay boy's life & times. Watch for actor Nick May. *** 1/4 |
| HOUSEKEEPER,
THE (2003, France d. Claude Berri) Wry, romantic comedy about a
May-November romance. *** |
| HOUSEWARMING
(Travaux, on sait quand ça commence...) (2006, d. Brigitte Roüen) Silly
Paris apt. money pit/illegal alien worker comedy. ** 1/2 |
| HOW DO YOU KNOW (2010,
d. James L. Brooks) V. Cookie-cutter romcom with wildly divergent acting
styles. Silly set-up, sappy ending. Disappointing. ** |
| HOW
FUNNY (OUR COUNTRY IS) (2011 d. Deddy Mizwar; Indonesia) W/O |
| HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER
(2010, d. Alexei Popogrebsky) Tense,
well acted Russian film about conflict between 2 men serving in Arctic
weather station. *** 1/2 |
| HOW I
KILLED MY FATHER (2002, d. Anne Fontaine)
*** |
| HOW
IS YOUR FISH TODAY (Jin tian de yu zen me yang?) (2007, d. Xiaolu
Guo) ** 3/4 |
| HOW
MUCH DO YOU LOVE ME (Combien tu m'aimes?) (2006, d. Bertrand Blier)
Monica Bellucci as sexy prostitute; fun, not my cuppa. ** 3/4 |
| HOW
THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000, d. Ron Howard) **
1/2 |
| HOW
THE WEST WAS WON (2003, d. Henry Hathaway et al)+ Pristine print in
3-screen Cinerama of gorgeous overblown star-driven turkey. Great experience.
** 1/4 |
| HOW
TO COOK YOUR LIFE (2007, d. Dorris Dörrie) *** 1/2 |
| HOW TO
DEAL (2003, d. Clare Kilner) Rather innocuous teen romantic comedy. Mandy
Moore is OK, Trent Ford one to watch; but Nina Foch steals the film. **
1/2 |
| HOW
TO DIE IN OREGON (2011, d. Peter D. Richardson) *** 1/2 |
| HOW TO
LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003, d. Donald Petrie) Fairly clever high
concept romantic farce: 2 people trying not to fall in love. Empty
calories. ** |
| HOW TO
ROB A BANK (2007, d. Andrews Jenkins) Talky, pretentious caper thriller
that doesn't work at all. Even Nick Stahl can't save. * 1/2 |
| HOW TO STEAL 2
MILLION (2012, d. Charlie Vundla) ** 1/4 |
| HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
(2010, d. Sanders & DeBlois) At times thrilling 3D amusement park ride
& Baruchel is fine. But story is sketchy & silly. ** 1/2 |
| HOWARD
ZINN: YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN (2005, d. Ellis
& Mueller) V. Didactic docu about a lifetime activist against war &
prejudice. ** 3/4 |
| HOWL (2010, d.
Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman) *** 3/4 |
| HOWL'S
MOVING CASTLE (2005, d. Hayao Miyazaki) Good story, well dubbed
(especially Christian Bale as Howl), nice animation. I was surprised. *** 1/4 |
| HUACHO (2010, d.
Alejandro Fernandez & Almendras) *** |
| HUDDERSFIELD
(Hadersfild) (2008, d. Ivan Zivkovic) ** 1/2 |
| HUDSON
RIVER BLUES (2004, d. Nell Cox)V. '95 film chick flick about a large
family. Some good actors, and a script with possibilities; but mostly
mediocre filmmaking. ** |
| HUGH
HEFNER: PLAYBOY, ACTIVIST AND REBEL (2010, d. Brigitte Berman)
*** 1/2 |
| HUGO (2012, d. Martin
Scorsese) + 2nd time still magical, wonderful flick with fabulous 3D and a
palpable love for cinema which brings me to tears. *** 3/4 |
| HUGO (2011, d. Martin
Scorsese) Gorgeous paean to early days of cinema. Fabulous visuals &
director's style make up for simplistic plot. *** 1/2 |
| HUKKLE
(2002, d. György Pálfi) ** 3/4 |
| HULA
GIRLS (2006, d. Lee Sang-il; Japan) ** |
| HULK
(2003, d. Ang Lee) Turgid, overlong King Kong vs. Crouching Tiger takeoff.
Good effects, but constant barrage of novel transition device wearing. * 1/2 |
| HUMAN
NATURE (2002, d. Michel Gondry)
* |
| HUMAN RESOURCES (2010, d.
Laurent Cantet)V. Beautifully underplayed labor vs. management, father vs.
son drama. Ambiguities abound to the novice director's credit. *** 1/4 |
| HUMAN
RESOURCES MANAGER, THE (2010, d. Eran Riklis; Israel) *** 1/4 |
| HUMAN
STAIN, THE (2003, d. Robert Benton) Surprisingly effective melodrama
with a star-making debut by Wentworth Miller and another Kiddman
triumph. *** |
| HUMANITÉ
(2000, d. Bruno Dumont) *** 1/2 |
| HUMPDAY (2009, d.
Lynn Shelton) *** 1/4 |
| HUNGER GAMES, THE (2012, d.
Gary Ross) Disappointingly low key PG-13 action...but good acting (Josh
Hutcherson fine) overcame story flaws. ** 3/4 |
| HUNGER (2011, d. Steve
McQueen) V. Fascinating direction: contrast between vivid acting and still
compositions. Hard stuff to watch; but Fassbender scintillating. *** |
| HUNKY DORY (2012, d. Marc
Evans) ** 3/4 |
| HUNTED,
THE (2003, d. William Friedkin) Well made, exciting chase film: army
trained killer on a rampage hunted by his teacher. *** 1/4 |
| HUNTER,
THE (2005, d. Serik Aprymov) A youthful juvenile deliquent in rural
Khazagstan is tought by a lone wolf hunger. Fabu scenery, not much of a plot.
** 3/4 |
| HUNTER, THE
(2011, d. Rafi Pitts) * 3/4 |
| HUNTING
AND GATHERING (Ensemble, c'est tout) (2007, d. Claude Berri) *** 1/2 |
| HUNTING
OF THE PRESIDENT, THE (2004, d. Perry & Thomason) V. Docu which
nails slimy Ken Starr and his corrupt attack dogs as they tried to get
Clinton. *** 1/4 |
| HUNTING
PARTY, THE (2007, d. Richard Shepard) ** 1/2 |
| HURT LOCKER, THE (2010, d.
Kathryn Bigelow) + Still amazing, definitive war film 1 1/2 years later; but
now I notice episodic structure & middle drags a little. *** 3/4 |
| HURT
LOCKER, THE (2008, d. Kathryn Bigelow) **** |
| HUSH!
(2002, d. Ryosuke Hashiguchi) ** 1/2 |
| HUSH!
(2002, d. Ryosuke Hashiguchi) **
1/2 |
| HUSTLE
& FLOW (2005, d. Craig Brewer) Effective filmmaking about Tenn.
underclass dealer & pimp (amazing Terrence Howard) & his need to be a
rap star. ** 3/4 |
| HYPNOTIZED
& HYSTERICAL (HAIRSTYLIST WANTED) (2002, d. Claude Duty) **
1/2 |
| I
ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A SAINT (2003, d. Geneviève Mersch) Luxembourg AFF
(though Belgian), about disfunctional family from the pov of the daughter.
*** |
| I AM
DAVID (2006, d. Paul Feig) V. Moving, if fairly pat, story of boy who
escapes from Bulgarian camp in '52. *** |
| I AM
GLAD MY MOTHER'S ALIVE (Je suis heureux que ma mère soit vivante)
(2010, d. Claude Miller & Nathan Miller) *** 1/4 |
| I AM
LEGEND (2007, d. Francis Lawrence) Too similar to 28 Days Later; but
effective filmmaking, fine f/x. *** |
| I AM
LOVE (Io sono l'amore) (2010, d. Luca Guadagnino) *** 1/4 |
| I AM
LOVE (Io sono l'amore) (2010, d. Luca Guadagnino) + SIFF crossed me up
& switched films. I watched this again, mystified but fascinated. *** 1/4 |
| I AM NOT A HIPSTER (2012, d.
Destin Cretton) *** 1/2 |
| I AM NUMBER 4 (2011 d. D.J.
Caruso) This year's Jumper, alien teen with superpower. Plot barely holds
together. Olyphant wasted; but young actors are attractive. ** 1/2 |
| I AM
SAM (2001, d. Jessie Nelson)
*** |
| I
AM (2006, d. Dorota Kedzierzawska) *** 1/4 |
| I AM (2010, d.
Igor Voloshin) * 1/2 |
| I
CAPTURE THE CASTLE (2003, United Kingdom d. Tim Fywell) Three
hankey weeper, British upper class period romance better than most. ***
1/4 |
| I
DON'T WANT TO SLEEP ALONE (2007, d. Tsai Ming-liang) ** 1/2 |
| I
DREAMED OF AFRICA (2000, d. Hugh Hudson)
** |
| I HOPE
THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL (2009, d. Bob Gosse) The Hangover with twice
the raunch & characters half the age; but as funny & well played as
it is tasteless. *** |
| I
IMAGINE A DREAM LIKE THAT (Pense che un sogno cosi) (2009, d. Marco De
Luca) ** 1/2 |
| I
JUST DIDN'T DO IT (2007, d. Masayuki Suo) Japan Academy foreign film
submission *** 1/2 |
| I
KILLED MY MOTHER (J'ai tué ma mère) (2009, d. Xavier Dolan) *** 1/2 |
| I
KILLED MY MOTHER (J'ai tué ma mère) (2009, d.Xavier Dolan) + Actually
better the second time around. Dolan is like a reincarnation of young Orson
Welles. *** 3/4 |
| I
KISSED A VAMPIRE (2010, d. Chris Sean Nolan) W/O |
| I KNOW YOU KNOW
(2009, d. Justin Kerrigan) *** |
| I
LOVE CINEMA (2004, d. Osamma Fawzy) Egypt AFF. Annoying comedy about a kid
raised in a raucus Coptic Christian family in 1966. * 3/4 |
| I LOVE
YOU BETH COOPER (2009, d. Chris Columbus) Horrible teen
nerd+cheerleader comedy. Jack Carpenter as gay best friend can't redeem it. * |
| I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS
(2010, d. John Requa, Glenn Ficarra) Weird script even if true. A bomb, of
course; but for me a guilty pleasure. McGregor shines. *** |
| I LOVE
YOU, MAN (2009, d. John Hamburg) Great to see an endearing, straight
male bonding flick not based on homo panic! Rudd & Segal are
wonderful. *** 1/4 |
| I LOVE YOUR WORK (2010,
d. Adam Goldberg) V. Crazed actors
maybe shouldn't make super-arty films about crazy actors. But Giovanni Ribisi
is fine here. ** |
| I
MISS YOU (2010, d. Fabian Hofman) *** 1/4 |
| I
MURDER SERIOUSLY (2003, Mex. d. Antonio Urrutia) Off kilter
serial killer film, midnight movie fare. W/O |
| I
NOT STUPID (2003, Singapore d. Jack Neo) Raucus, amusing comedy about 3
educationally challenged kids in a Singapore school & their zany
parents. ** 1/2 |
| I
PREFER THE SOUND OF THE SEA (Mimmo Calopresti) *** 1/2 |
| I
REALLY HATE MY JOB (2007, d. Oliver Parker) * 3/4 |
| I
REMEMBER (2007, d. Edgard Nevarro) ** |
| I
SAW THE SUN (2009, d. Mahsun Kirmizigül; Turkey) ** 3/4 |
| I
SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND (2007, d. Jiri Menzel; Czech Republic) ***
1/4 |
| I WANT YOUR LOVE
(2012, d. Travis Mathews) Commendably realistic, ambling S.F. gay scene
quasi-porno, amateur actors, real sex, rudimentary uninvolving story. ** 1/4 |
| I
WAS HERE (2008, d. René Vilbre; Estonia) *** |
| I WILL
SURVIVE (2001, d. Sobreviveré) (2001, d. Alfonso Albacete
& David Menkes) *** |
| I
♥ HUCKABEES (2004, d. David O. Russell) Who green lighted
this script? Russell's style and his fine cast can't overcome the silly,
pseudo profound script. ** |
| I,
ROBOT (2004, d. Alex Proyas) Surprisingly good adaptation of Asimov,
though also filled with cheesy movie clichés and some ragged CGI f/x.
** 1/2 |
| I.O.U.S.A.
(2008, d. Patrick Creadon) Very well made pov docu about the crushing future
economic deficits facing the U.S. Nobody wants to hear this, but
everybody should. *** 1/2 |
| ICE
AGE THE MELTDOWN (2006, d. Carlos Saldanha) Funny, silly, watchable 3-D
animated Road-Runnerish film. ** 3/4 |
| ICE
AGE (2003, d. Chris Wedge) DVD. Animated film, road trip with
Mammoth, Sabre Tooth, Sloth & Neanderthal baby ** 1/2 |
| ICE
AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (2009, d. Carlos Saldanha) Nice 3-D
animation...but boring, clichéd and not up to previous. * 3/4 |
| ICE
CREAM, I SCREAM (2007, d. Yüksel Aksu; Turkey) * 1/4 |
| ICE
HARVEST, THE (2005, d. Harold Ramis) * 3/4 |
| ICE
PRINCESS (2005, d. Tim Fywell) Another tired teen flick about a girl's
struggle against her good mother & bad mother. Nice skating. ** |
| ICEBERG
(2006, d. Abel, Gordon & Romy) ** 1/2 |
| ICELANDIC
DREAM, THE (2001, d. Robert I. Douglas) ** 1/4 |
| IDENTITY
(2003, d. James Mangold) Stifling psycho thriller which holds together pretty
well, considering it's pure claptrap. Figured it out too early. ** 1/2 |
| IDES OF MARCH (2011,
d. George Clooney) Cynical look at presidential politics.
Strong perfs at all levels, with a relevant script developing in surprising
ways. *** 1/2 |
| IDIOCRACY
(2006, d. Mike Judge) Intriguing, clever set-up, well written; ok f/x; just
sort of boring and disappointing. ** 1/4 |
| IDIOT
LOVE (Amor Idiota) (2006, d. Ventura Pons) *** 1/4 |
| IDIOTS,
THE (2000, d. Lars von Trier) *** 3/4
|
| IDLEWILD
(2006, d. Bryan Barber) Annoying, overly stylish film with lousy songs by
Outkast...but Big Boi can act. ** |
| IF A TREE FALLS: STORY OF
EARTH LIBERATION FRONT (2011, d. Curry & Cullman) V. Terrorists? or
Eco-freedom fighters? Involving people story. *** 1/2 |
| IF I
HAD YOU (2006, d. John Deery) V. Underplayed English murder
mystery with triple whammy. Nice script. *** |
| IF I
WANT TO WHISTLE, I WHISTLE (2011 d. Florin Serban; Romania) ***
1/2 |
| IF...
(2001, d. Lindsay Anderson) *** |
| IGBY GOES
DOWN (2002, d. Burr Steers)
*** |
| IL
DIVO (2009, d. Paolo Sorrentino) ** 3/4 |
| I'LL
SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD (2004, d. Mike Hodges) Atmospheric Brit revenge
thriller. Works despite disappointingly abrupt ending. *** |
| ILLEGAL
(2010, d. Olivier Masset-Depasse; Belgium) *** |
| ILLUSION
OF FEAR, THE (2008, d. Aleksandr Kirienko; Ukraine) * 3/4 |
| ILLUSIONIST,
THE (2006, d. Neil Burger) *** |
| ILLUSIONIST, THE (2010,
d. Sylvain Chomet) Silent bittersweet comedy with nice 2D animation
from a Jacques Tati script. Typical retro Tati...I just don't get him.
** 1/2 |
| I'M
FROM TITOV VELES (2009, d. Teona Mitevska; Macedonia) ** |
| I'M
GOING HOME (2002, d. Manoel de Oliveira)
*** |
| I'M
NOT SCARED (Io non ho paura) (2010, d. Gabriele Salvatores) + *** 1/4 |
| I'M
NOT SCARED (2003, d. Gabriele Salvatores) 10 year Sicilian boy makes
friends with victim of his village's kidnapping plot. Beautiful & well
acted. *** |
| I'M
NOT THERE (2007, d. Todd Haynes) Fascinating, but completely
inscrutable, just like most of Dylan's songs for me. *** |
| I'M
TARANEH, 15 (2003, d. Rassul Sadr-Ameli) Iran AFF.
"Good" young girl gets in trouble in modern Iran. *** |
| I'M
THE FATHER (2003, Germany d. Dani Levi) A German Kramer vs.
Kramer, which ultimately worked for me, though it sometimes flagged.
*** |
| I'M
THE KING OF THE CASTLE (2003, d. Régis Wargnier) Gothic thriller cum Lord of
the Flies with some remarkably naturalistic acting by 2 French kids. *** 1/2 |
| I'M
WITH LUCY (2002, d. Jon Serman II) * 1/2 |
| IMAGINARIUM
OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (2009, d. Terry Gilliam) Diverting...but
what?! Depp, Law & Farrell do fine channelling Heath. ** 1/2 |
| IMAGINARY
HEROES (2004, d. Dan Harris) Fabulous script, an enthralling &
moving disfunctional family black comedy with an awesome ensemble
cast. *** 3/4 |
| IMAGINARY
HEROES (2004, d. Dan Harris) V.+ 2nd time around some of the acting
& direction came off stilted. Still, great script and a moving very
realistic drama. *** 1/2 |
| IMANI (2010, d.
Caroline Kamya) * 3/4 |
| IMMACULATE (Sans
laisser de traces) (2010, d. Grégoire Vigneron) *** |
| IMMORTALS (2011, d.
Tarsem Singh) Bombastic, but approaching perfection for what it is.
Henry Cavill's sculptured body a work of art in 3D. *** |
| IMPORTANCE
OF BEING EARNEST, THE (2002, d. Oliver Parker)
** 1/2 |
| IMPOSTER, THE (2012,
d. Bart Layton) *** 1/4 |
| IMPULSOS
(2003, d. Miguel Alcantud) Thriller about a Ted Bundy type of serial killer
who meet his match with a suicidal woman. ** 3/4 |
| IN A
BETTER WORLD (2011 d. Susanne Bier; Denmark) **** |
| IN A
DREAM (2008, d. Jeremiah Zagar) Raw nerve of a docu about Phila mosaic
artist Isiah Zagar & his wife by the 2nd son. Fascinating but difficult.
*** |
| IN
AMERICA (2003, d. Jim Sheridan) Tender weeper which earns tears
honestly with flawless performances & heartfelt script. A near perfect
little gem. *** 1/2 |
| IN
BRUGES (2008, d. Martin Mcdonagh) Witty, terrific black comedy thriller
with Colin Farrell's best perf. *** 1/2 |
| IN
DARKNESS (2011, d. Agnieszka Holland, Poland) *** 3/4 |
| IN
GOOD COMPANY (2004, d. Paul Weitz) Clever office comedy with Dennis
Quaid's best performance in years & a charming Topher Grace. It
really worked for me. *** 1/4 |
| IN
GOOD COMPANY (2004, d. Paul Weitz) V.+ Watched this well written &
acted comedy again, and appreciated Scarlett Johanson more this time. Good
ensemble. *** 1/4 |
| IN
GOOD COMPANY (2001, d. Nikos Zapatinas) * 1/2 |
| IN HER
SHOES (2005, d. Curtis Hanson) ** 3/4 |
| IN
HIS HANDS (2006, d. Anne Fontaine) ** 1/2
|
| IN
JULY (2003, Germany d. Fairth Akin) Delightful road
film. *** |
| IN
MEMORY OF MYSELF (2008, d. Saverio Costanzo) ** 3/4 |
| IN MY
COUNTRY (2005, d. John Boorman) Earnest, but sporadically affecting
film about reporting on the S. African reconciliation trials. ** 1/2 |
| IN
MY FATHER'S DEN (2005, d. Brad McGann) Involving, complex New Zealand
drama with a superb Matthew MacFadyen performance. *** 1/4 |
| IN
PRAISE OF LOVE (Éloge de l'amour) (2001, d. Jean-Luc
Godard) 0* |
| IN SEACH OF
KENNEDY (2008, d. Chuck Workman) * 1/2 |
| IN
SEARCH OF PEACE, PART ONE: 1948-1967 (2001, d. Richard
Trank) ** |
| IN
THE ARMS OF MY ENEMY (2008, d. Micha Wald) *** |
| IN THE
BEDROOM (2001, d. Todd Field) *** 1/2 |
| IN
THE BEGINNING (À l'origine) (2010, d. Xavier Giannoli) *** 1/4 |
| IN
THE BOSOM OF THE ENEMY (2001, d. Gil Portes) *** |
| IN
THE CITY (2003, d. Cesc Gay) 3 couples explore variations of marital
infidelity in modern Barcelona. Mostly boring, til it clicked after an hour.
** 3/4 |
| IN THE
CUT (2003, d. Jane Campion) Stylish, creepy, sexy, edge of seat
thriller. Meg Ryan is Oscar-worthy, Ruffalo miscast, but fine.
*** 1/4 |
| IN
THE HELIOPOLIS FLAT (2008, d. Mohamed Khan; Egypt) ** 1/4 |
| IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND
HONEY (2011, d. Angelina Jolie) V. Romeo & Juliette Bosnian war story,
nicely underplayed and well directed. *** 1/4 |
| IN THE
LAND OF WOMEN (2007, d. Jon Kasdan) Brody is legitimate leading man.
Ryan impressive. Fine debut by young Kasdan. *** 1/4 |
| IN THE LOOP
(2009, d. Armando Iannucci) *** |
| IN THE
MOOD FOR LOVE (2001, d. Wong Kar-wai) **
1/2 |
| IN THE
REALM OF THE UNREAL (2004, d. Jessica Yu) Docu with weird, unsavory
subject matter but interesting art and fine animation. I just didn't enjoy
the experience. ** |
| IN
THE SHADOW OF THE MOON (2007, d. David Sington) ***1/4 |
| IN THE
VALLEY OF ELAH (2007, d. Paul Haggis) Strong perfs, especially Tommy
Lee Jones. Resonant script. *** 1/4 |
| IN
THEIR SLEEP (Dans ton sommeil) (2010, d. Caroline & Éric Du
Potet) * 3/4 |
| IN
THIS TRICKY LIFE (2001, d. Biatriz Flora Silva) ** 1/2 |
| IN
THIS WORLD (2003, d. Michael Winterbottom) Quasi-documentary style film
about 2 refugees trip from Pakistan to England. I wasn't engaged
enough. ** 3/4 |
| IN TIME (2012, d. Andrew
Niccol) V. A good premise gone bad. Tacky looking f/x film, mediocre
over-acting, plot holes bigger than L.A., no chemistry by leads. Why?
** |
| IN
YOUR ABSENCE (2009, d. Iván Noel) *** |
| INBETWEENERS, THE (2012, d.
Ben Palmer) Expansion of Brit tv comedy (I watched!), sex & scatology
4-some end-of-hi trip to Crete. Well done, but too American Pie. ** 1/2 |
| INCENDIARY: THE WILLINGHAM
CASE (2011, d. Bailey & Mims) V. Strong pov docu that Texas (and Gov.
Perry) quashed investigation of execution of innocent man. *** 3/4 |
| INCENDIES
(2010, d. Denis Villeneuve; Canada) *** 3/4 |
| INCEPTION (2010, d.
Christopher Nolan) Too complex plot makes for fascinating conjectures. Great
f/x & driving, propulsive score overcomes too much exposition. ***
1/4 |
| INCEPTION (2011 d.
Christopher Nolan) + 2nd time I followed it better. One speedy, propulsive
movie with great f/x & design, stalled by constant necessary exposition.
*** |
| INCH'ALLAH
DIMANCHE (2001, d. Yamina Benguigui) ** 3/4 |
| INCIDENT
AT LOCH NESS (2004, d. Zak Penn) Amusing, slick mockumentary in the
Charlie Kaufmanesque mode. *** |
| INCONVENIENT
TRUTH, AN (2006, d. Davis Guggenheim) V. More than a slide show,
America's fall happened in Nov. 2000. *** 3/4 |
| INCREDIBLE
HULK, THE (2008, d. Louis Leterrier) King Kong meets Godzilla except
they're people. Good f/x, Norton fine, film flawed. ** 1/4 |
| INCREDIBLES,
THE (2005, d. Brad Bird) V. I guess I'm just not into Bird's genre of
animated film. Well made, but overly obvious. ** 1/2 |
| INDIANA
JONES & THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (2008, d. Steven
Spielberg) Great f/x can't mask stupid escapist fantasy story. ** 1/4 |
| INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE (2012,
d. Pajot & Swirsky) V. Fascinating, emotionally involving docu of 4 indie
nerd computer game developers & their process and passion. **** |
| INDUSTRIALIST,
THE (2012, d. Giuliano Montaldo) ** 3/4 |
| INFAMOUS
(2007, d. Douglas McGrath) V. Better in every particular than Capote.
Stunning acting by Jones & Craig. *** 1/2 |
| INFERNAL
AFFAIRS #1 (2004, d. Andrew Lau) + Thriller that is only slightly
clearer watching it a 2nd time. Still rivitingly fascinating. *** 1/4 |
| INFERNAL
AFFAIRS #2 (2004, d. Andrew Lau) A prequel to the initial film which
does explain some of the backstory. Still confusing, but entertaining.
** 3/4 |
| INFERNAL
AFFAIRS #3 (2004, d. Andrew Lau) An expansion of the first film,
fleshing out some of the events and going a little haywire
psychologically. ** 1/2 |
| INFERNAL
AFFAIRS (2003, Hong Kong d. Andrew Lau, Alan Mak) High production
value policier about long-term moles infiltrating an evil gang. *** 1/4 |
| INFORMANT,
THE! (2009, d. Steven Soderbergh) Matt Damon is great, film has its
funny moments but just falls short with unconvincing Keystone Feds. ** 3/4 |
| INFORMERS,
THE (2009, d. Gregor Jordan) Glossy, trashy film based on Bret Easton
Ellis depraved L.A. novel. More meandering than Crash. Nobody wins. *
1/2 |
| INGLORIOUS
BASTARDS (2010, d. Enzo Castellari; 1978) ** 3/4 |
| INGLOURIOUS
BASTERDS (2009, d. Quentin Tarantino) Not being a Tarantino fan, I was
blown away by the Wellesian imagery & great alternate history plot. ***
1/2 |
| INHERITANCE
(2003, d. Per Fly) Heavy, well made drama about scion of a steel factory
owning family and his choice between business and happiness. *** 1/4 |
| INHERITANCE,
THE (2002, d. Daniel Filho) ** |
| INHERITANCE:
A FISHERMAN'S STORY (2003, d. Peter Hegedus) V. Australian doc about an
ecologic disaster in Hungary. Well put together, somewhat slight. ** 3/4 |
| INJU, LA BÊTE DANS
L'OMBRES (Inju, the Beast in the Shadow) (2008, d. Barbet Schroeder) **
3/4 |
| INNOCENCE
(2000, d. Paul Cox) *** 1/2 |
| INNOCENCE
(2012, d. Jan Hrebejk) *** 1/2 |
| INNOCENT
VOICES (2005, d. Luis Mandoki) El Salvador guerilla war from pov of 11
year old boy in a small village. Shattering, powerful, excellent film.
*** 1/2 |
| INSIDE
HANNA'S SUITCASE (2010, d. Larry Weinstein) *** 1/2 |
| INSIDE JOB (2010, d. Charles
Ferguson) V. Well deserved hatchet job docu on the banks, government &
most everybody responsible for the current Depression. *** 3/4 |
| INSIDE
MAN (2006, d. Spike Lee) Close to perfect bank heist film: original,
unpredictable, involving. Clive Owens...wow! *** 1/2 |
| INSOMNIA
(2002, d. Christopher Nolan) *** 1/4 |
| INSPECTOR
LEWIS: AND THE MOONBEAMS... (2009, d. Dan Reed) V. Superb whodoneit
reminiscent of "The Secret History". Tom Riley amazing as autistic
artist. *** 1/2 |
| INSPECTOR
LEWIS: EXPIATION (2009, d. Dan Reed) V. My kind of mystery show, good
cast, reasonable psychology, & interesting detectives. Lame case, tho. **
3/4 |
| INSPECTOR
LEWIS: LIFE BORN OF FIRE (2009, d.Richard Spence) V. Intriguing
religion vs. gay guilt serial killer plot...but I fgured it out way too
soon. *** |
| INSPECTOR
LEWIS: MUSIC TO DIE FOR (2009, d. Bill Anderson) V. Disappointingly
opaque episode. Auspicious debut for Merlin's Bradley James. ** 1/2 |
| INTACTO
(2002, d. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo) *** |
| INTERMISSION
(2004, d. John Crowley) Unsparing Irish film which might be called Hate
Actually. Good acting, inventive script. *** |
| INTERNATIONAL,
THE (2009, d. Tom Tykwer) Competent, disappointingly concluded
thriller with 1 great shoot-out at the Guggenheim Museum, NY. ** 3/4 |
| INTERPRETER,
THE (2005, d. Sidney Pollack) Disappointing thriller pastiche (Man Who
Knew Too Much + 3 Days of Condor). Star power aint enough. ** |
| INTERVIEW
(2007, d. Steve Buscemi) *** |
| INTIMACY
(2001, d. Patrice Chéreau) **
1/2 |
| INTIMATE
ENEMIES (L'ennemi intime) (2007, d. Florent-Emilio Siri) *** 1/4 |
| INTIMATE
STRANGERS (2004, d. Patrice Leconte) Talky, if nicely written
2-character unconventional love story. Too one-note and buttoned-up for my
taste. ** 3.4 |
| INTO
THE ARMS OF STRANGERS (2000, d. Mark Jonathan
Harris) *** 1/2 |
| INTO
THE STORM (2009, d. Thaddeus O'Sullivan) V. Astonishing perf. by
Brendon Gleason. History lite...but quite absorbing. *** 1/4 |
| INTO
THE WILD (2007, d. Sean Penn) I've been haunted by this story of a
young man's spiritual journey. *** 1/2 |
| INTOLERABLE
CRUELTY (2003, d. Joel Coen) The usual Coen Bros. hipster triumph
of style over substance, only much too cynical for my tastes. ** 1/2 |
| INTOUCHABLE,
L' (2006, d. Benôit Jacquot) *** |
| INTOUCHABLES, THE
(2012, d. Eric Toledano, Olivie Nakache) *** 1/2 |
| INTRODUCING
THE DWIGHTS (2007, d. Cherie Nowlan) *** |
| INVADER, THE (2012, d. Nicolas
Provost) *** |
| INVENTION
OF LYING, THE (2009, d. Ricky Gervais) A less bloated Evan Almighty but
just as misguided. Gervaise is tiresome, the humor curdles. Only the
surprising cameos work. ** |
| INVESTIGATION
OF A CITIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION (2012, d. Elio Petri) ** 3/4 |
| INVESTIGATION
(2008, d. Iglika Trifonova) *** |
| INVICTUS
(2009, d. Clint Eastwood) Morgan Freeman is eerily perfect, bringing
Mandela's heroism home. Film is truly affecting and unexpected. *** 1/2 |
| INVINCIBLE
(2006, d. Ericson Core) Fun football true story. Mark Wahlberg is fine
as Vince Papale. Well made, moving. *** 1/4 |
| INVINCIBLE
(2002, d. Werner Herzog) *** |
| INVISIBLE
CHILDREN, THE (2003, d. Lisandro Duque Naranjo) Columbia AFF.
Nostalgic comedy about boys & black magic. ** 1/2 |
| INVISIBLE WAR, THE (2012, d.
Kirby Dick) V. Some advocacy documentaries are so important that they surpass
the format; but are didactic & hard to watch. *** 1/2 |
| INVISIBLE
WAVES (2006, d. Pen-ek Ratanaruang) ** 1/2 |
| INVISIBLE,
THE (2007, d. David Goyer) Ridiculous plot, guilty pleasure...I like
Justin Chatwin, so sue me. ** 1/4 |
| INVOLUNTARY
(2009, d. Ruben östlund) *** |
| IP5
(2001, d. Jean-Jacques Beineix) *** 1/2 |
| IRA FINKELSTEIN'S
CHRISTMAS (2012, d. Sue Corcoran) * 3/4 |
| IRAQ
IN FRAGMENTS (2006, d. James Langley) V. 3 part docu about today's
Iraq. Beautifully shot, difficult to follow. ** 1/2 |
| IRÈNE
(2010, d. Alain Cavalier) * 1/4 |
| IRINA
PALM (2008, d. Sam Garbarski) *** |
| IRIS
(2001, d. Richard Eyre) ** |
| IRISH
EYES (2004, d. Daniel McCarthy) Daniel Baldwin vehicle...he's a Boston
Irish gangster. But it wasn't holding my interest, though it wasn't all that
bad. W/O |
| IRON CROSS (2010, d. Joshua
Newton)V. Post-Holocaust affect story, ludicrously plotted, poorly
acted (poor Roy Scheider, bad way to go.) * 3/4 |
| IRON
JAWED ANGELS (2004, d. Katja von Garnier) V. Sufferagette biopic about
fight for 19th Amendment. Good cast, clichéd filmmaking. ** 1/4 |
| IRON
LADIES (2001, d. Y. Thongkongtoon) ** |
| IRON LADY, THE (2011,
d. Phylida Lloyd) Streep's Thatcher her meatiest role in years
& she attacks it with rare gusto. Film structured better than
expected. *** |
| IRON MAN 2 (2010, d.
Jon Favreau) Downey is fine, some good set pieces; but film loses traction
and peters out to disappointing climax. ** 1/4 |
| IRON
MAN (2008, d. Jon Favreau) Smart, with good script & a great perf
by Downey's mature & sarcastic superhero. *** 1/4 |
| IRREVERSIBLE
(2003, d. Gaspar Noe) Assault by celluloid? Or masterpiece of
modern cinema. I'm firmly in the latter camp. **** |
| IS
IT JUST ME? (2010, d. J. C. Calciano) *** 1/4 |
| IS
THERE ANYBODY THERE? (2008, d. John Crowley) *** 1/4 |
| ISKA'S
JOURNEY (Iszka Utazása) (2007, d. Csaba Bollók) ** 1/2 |
| ISLAND
ETUDE (2008, d. Huai-en Chen; Taiwan) W/O |
| ISLAND OF LOST SOULS,
THE (De Fortabte Sjaeles O) (2008, d. Nikolaj Arcel) ** 3/4 |
| ISLAND PRESIDENT, THE (2011,
d. Jon Shenk) V. Vitally informative docu of Pres. Nasheed of the Maldives
and his quest to save his nation from global warming. *** 1/2 |
| ISLAND,
THE (2005, d. Michael Bay) More plot holes than swiss cheese, shameful
stealing from past films; but still a diverting mishmosh. ** |
| ISLAND, THE
(2007, d. Pavil Lounguine) *** |
| ISLAND,
THE (2009, d. Sherif Arafa; Egypt) ** 3/4 |
| IT ALL
STARTS TODAY (2000, d. Bertrand Tavernier) ***
1/2 |
| IT
ALWAYS RAINS ON SUNDAY (2008, d. Robert Hamer, 1947) ** 1/2 |
| IT
DOESN'T HURT (Mne ne bolno) (2007, d. Alexey Balabanov) ** |
| IT
MIGHT GET LOUD (2009, d. Davis Guggenheim) Great subjects & superb
guitar playing subverted by poor editing scheme in otherwise excellent rock
docu. *** |
| IT
RUNS IN THE FAMILY (2003, d. Fred Schepisi) Unaccountably entertained
by this schlocky piece of emotionally manipulative crap. Family star
power. ** |
| ITALIAN
FOR BEGINNERS (2001, d. Lone Scherfig) *** 1/4 |
| ITALIAN
JOB, THE (2003, d. F. Gary Gray) Caper thriller which works like
gangbusters until it runs out of steam at the end. *** |
| ITALIAN,
THE (2005, d. Andrey Kravchuk; Russia) *** 1/2 |
| ITALY LOVE IT OR
LEAVE IT (2012, d. Gustav Hofer & Luca Ragazzi) *** 1/4 |
| ITINÉRARIES
(2006, d. Christophe Otzenberger) *** 1/4 |
| IT'S
ALL ABOUT LOVE (2004, d. Thomas Vinterberg) Pretentious, opaque
melodrama about a near future world catastrophy. Nobody comes out a winner
here. * |
| IT'S
ALL GONE PETE TONG (2005, d. Michael Dowse) Funny satirical mocumentary
about a deaf disco DJ with a splendid central performance (Paul Kaye) *** |
| IT'S
COMPLICATED (2009, d. Nancy Meyers) Funny, even enchanting rom-com
which hit the right notes for me. Streep & esp. Alec Baldwin are so good.
*** 1/2 |
| IT'S
COMPLICATED (2009, d. Nancy Meyers) V.+ Funny, lush rom-com which hit
the right notes for me. Streep, Baldwin & Krasinski are so good. *** 1/2 |
| IT'S
HARD TO BE NICE (2007, d. Srdan Vuletic; Bosnia/Herzogovina) *** |
| IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY
(2010, d. Fleck & Boden) Fine,
well directed coming of ager with a career making perf. by Keir Gilchrist.
Neat montages, absorbing. *** 1/2 |
| IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY
(2012, d. Boden & Fleck) V.+ Lovely, moving humanistic story with great
perfs by Gilchrist & Galifianakis. 2nd time as good. *** 1/2 |
| IT'S
NOT ME, I SWEAR! (2009, d. Philippe Falardeau) ** 3/4 |
| IT'S
WINTER (2007, d. Rafi Pitts (86 min.) ** |
| I'VE
LOVED YOU SO LONG (2008, d. Philippe Claudel) Superb, original &
unpredictable family drama with towering perfs from Kristin Thomas & Elsa
Zylberstein. *** 1/2 |
| J. EDGAR (2011, d.
Clint Eastwood) Well made - DiCaprio is fine; but its mild whitewash of
Hoover & his life was unsettling. *** |
| JACK GOES BOATING (2010,
d. Philip Seymour Hoffman) Unlikable,
unattractive people trying to cope. I couldn't get interested or
involved. ** |
| JACK
SMITH & THE DESTRUCTION OF ATLANTIS (2006, d. Mary Jordan) ** 1/4 |
| JACK
THE DOG (2001, d. Bobby Roth) *** |
| JACK
(2004, d. Lee Rose)V. Beautifully written coming of age story of 15 year old
boy coming to terms with his father's gayness in 1982. Anton Yelchin is
perfect. *** 1/4 |
| JACKET,
THE (2005, d. John Maybury) Stylish timebending thriller which
overcomes its unlikely premise with some fine acting. Brody is
wonderful. *** |
| JACKPOT
(2001, d. Michael Polish) 1/2* |
| JAGGED
HARMONIES (2004, d. Dominique de Rivaz) Nicely done historical drama:
J.S. Bach meets Frederick II. *** |
| JAIL
BREAKERS (2003, S. Korea d. Kim Sang-jin) Well made
slapstick comedy about two jailbreakers who have to break back into
prison. *** |
| JALLA!
JALLA! (2001, d. Josef Fares) *** 1/4 |
| JAMES DEAN (2011 d. Mark
Rydell) V. ++ If this nifty tv biopic is a tad overdramatized, it still
doesn't detract from 22 yr.-old James Franco's fabulous perf. *** 1/4' |
| JAMES
DEAN (2008, d. Mark Rydell)V. + Superior 2001 TV movie biopic with
spectacular perf. by James Franco. *** 3/4 |
| JAMES
DEAN: FOREVER YOUNG (2005, d. Michael Sheridan) V. ** 1/2 |
| JAMILA
& THE PRESIDENT (2009, d. Ratria Sarumpaet; Indonesia) ** |
| JANE
AUSTIN BOOK CLUB, THE (2007, d. Robin Swicord) ** 3/4 |
| JANE EYRE (2011, d. Cary
Fukunaga) My problem is that I'd always choose Jamie Bell over Michael
Fassbender. Great sets & costumes, tho! Story...eh. *** |
| JANE'S JOURNEY (2011, d.
Lorenz Knauer) V. Jane Goodall is doing wonderful stuff with kids & for
environment at age 77. Still too hagiographic for me. ** 3/4 |
| JANI
GAL (2008, d. Jamil Rostami; Iraq) ** |
| JANIS
(2006, d. Howard Ilk) V. + Filled with great footage of Janis Joplin,
otherwise ordinary docu bio. ** 3/4 |
| JAPANESE
STORY (2003, d. Sue Brooks) Road movie which shifts from romance to
some other place in the blink of an eye. Enjoyed ; but not much happens. **
3/4 |
| JAR
CITY (Mýrin) (2007, d. Baltasar Kormákur) *** 1/4
|
| JARHEAD
(2005, d. Sam Mendes) *** 1/2 |
| JAY
& SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK (2003, d. Kevin Smith) (V) Why? I knew it
was crap; but I've seen everything else on tv tonight. 1/2* |
| JAY
AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK (2001, d. Kevin
Smith) * 1/4 |
| JE
PRÉFÈRE Q'ON RESTE AMIS (2005, d. Tolidano & Nakache) Painful to
watch buddy comedy about a shy guy & a heel looking for love in today's
Paris. ** 1/4 |
| JEALOUSY
IS MY MIDDLE NAME (2003, Korea d. Park Chan-Ok) Weird
relationship drama about older man and younger man involved with the same
women. ** 1/2 |
| JEFF,
WHO LIVES AT HOME (2011, d. Jay & Mark Duplass) *** 1/4 |
| JELLYFISH
(2007, d. Etgar Keret, Shira Gefen) ** 3/4 |
| JERICHOW
(2009, d. Christian Petzold) A German riff on The Postman Always Rings
Twice, with a different twist. Good atmosphere & acting. *** |
| JERSEY
GIRL (2004, d. Kevin Smith) So kill me, I loved this film. Sure
it's sappy & Affleck is supposed to be washed up. But it worked for
me. *** |
| JERUSALEMA
(2009, d. Ralph Ziman; South Africa) *** 1/4 |
| JESS + MOSS
(2011, d. Clay Jeter) ** 1/4 |
| JESUS
CAMP (2006, d. Ewing & Grady) V. Viscerally disturbing docu of kids
that religious right are indoctrinating with Jesus. *** 1/4 |
| JESUS'S
SON (2000, d. Alison Maclean) ***
1/2 |
| JET
LAG (2003, France d. Daniele Thompson) Overblown romantic comedy
about two people meeting frenetically at a closed De Gaulle airport. ** |
| JIMMY
NEUTRON BOY GENIUS (2001, d. John A. Davis) ** |
| JIMMY
OF THE HILL (2008, d. Enrico Pau) ** 1/2 |
| JINDABYNE
(2007, d. Ray Lawrence) Intolerance Aussie style. Well directed & acted
(esp. Laura Linney per usual). *** 1/4 |
| JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (2011,
d. David Gelb) V. Beautifully shot docu about 85 yr. old sushi master Jiro
Ono & his obsessiveness. Phil Glass score drones. *** 1/4 |
| JOAN
RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK (2010, d. Ricki Stern, Annie
Sundberg) *** 1/4 |
| JOE
LOUIS: AMERICA'S HERO BETRAYED (2008, d. Joe Lavine) Excellent &
moving docu with a point of view. *** 1/2 |
| JOE
STRUMMER: THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN (2007, d. Julian Temple) Fabu music
docu. I had no idea. *** 1/2 |
| JOHAN (2012, d. Philippe
Vallois) V. '75 daring gay Fr. Warholian film with no story, but lots of
sex. "Making-of" on DVD much more interesting than the film.
** 1/4 |
| JOHN CARTER (2012, d. Andrew
Stanton) Good 3D f/x; but that's the last praise. Overlong, hero with no
charisma, ridiculous dilemmas, bombastic. Ugh. * 3/4 |
| JOHNNY
BE GOOD (2003, d. Bud Smith) V. Horrendous '88 teener Anthony Hall
football movie. Watched to see early Robert Downey Jr. & Uma Thurman.
Ugh. 1/2* |
| JOINT
SECURITY AREA (2001, d. Park Chan-wook) *** 1/2 |
| JOLENE (2008, d.
Dan Ireland) *** |
| JONESTOWN:
THE LIFE & DEATH OF THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE (2006, d. Stanley Nelson)
V. Horrendous footage; but I didn't end up with more understanding. **
3/4 |
| JO'S
BOY (Le Fils à Jo) (2011, d. Philippe Guillard) ** 1/2 |
| JOSÉ
AND PILAR (2012, d. Miguel Gonçalves Mendes, Portugal) ** 3/4 |
| JOSHUA TREE,
1951: A PORTRAIT OF JAMES DEAN (2012, d. Matthew Mishory) *
3/4 |
| JOSHUA (2007, d.
George Ratliff) *** 1/2 |
| JOSIE
AND THE PUSSYCATS (2001, d. Deborah Kaplan & Harry
Elfont) *** |
| JOURNEY
TO JERUSALEM (2004, d. Ivan Nichev) Bulgaria AFF. Strong narrative
about a gypsy troupe which adopts 2 Jewish refugee kids in 1940. ** 3/4 |
| JOURNEY,
THE (Yatra) (2006, d. Goutam Ghosh) * 3/4 |
| JOY
RIDE (2001, d. John Dahl) ** |
| JOYEUX
NOËL (2005, d. Christian Carion; France) *** |
| JUDAS KISS (2012, d. J.T.
Tepnapa) V. Queer cinema at its most pretentious, with an ambitious, but
unsatisfying timebinding plot. Cute, realistic gay guys is it. ** |
| JUDY
BERLIN (2000, d. Eric Mendelsohn) ***
1/2 |
| JULIA (2010, d. Erick Zonca) V. Tilda Swinton is amazingly
blowzy in this unlikely, unpleasant, if strangely affecting kidnapping
story. *** |
| JULIE
& JULIA (2009, d. Nora Ephron) A delectible dish of a movie.
Streep is marvelous, Amy Adams almost keeps up. Clever & funny, Ephron is
back! *** 1/2 |
| JULIE
WALKING HOME (2003, Canada/Germany/Poland d. Agnieszka Holland)
Riviting & involving film about a housewife & a Russian faith
healer. *** 14 |
| JUMPER
(2008, d. Doug Liman) Curiously inert and truncated action thriller.
Only Jamie Bell has any life. ** |
| JUNEBUG
(2005, d. Phil Morrison) Idiosyncratic No. Carolina family & the new
in-law wife that visits. Suprisingly good script & great acting.
*** 1/4 |
| JUNO (2007, d.
Jason Reitman) ** 1/4 |
| JUST
A FATHER (Solo un padre) (2009, d. Luca Lucini) *** 1/4 |
| JUST A
KISS (2002, d. Fisher Stevens)
** |
| JUST A
QUESTION OF LOVE (2005, d. Christian Fauré) V. *** |
| JUST
BURIED (2007, d. Chaz Thorne) ** 3/4 |
| JUST
LIKE HEAVEN (2005, d. Mark Waters) ** 3/4 |
| JUST
LIKE HOME (Hjemve) (2007, d. Lone Scherfig) ** 1/2 |
| JUST
MARRIED (Oggi sposi) (2010, d. Luca Lucini) *** |
| JUST
MARRIED (2004, d. Shawn Levy) V. Cookiecutter, predictable plot.
Kutcher is an amiable comedian/romantic lead. ** |
| JUST
ONE TIME (2000, d. Lane Janger) *
1/4 |
| JUSTINE
(2003, d. George Cukor) V. Nicely mounted large-scale adaptation of the
Alexandria Quartet, good cast but a mishmash of a script. ** 3/4 |
| K-19:
THE WIDOWMAKER (2002, d. Kathryn Bigelow)
*** |
| KABEI
(2009, d. Yôji Yamada) *** 3/4 |
| KABLUEY
(2007, d. Scott Prendergast) Amusing Woody Allenish comedy. Prendergast
is an actor/writer/filmmaker to watch. *** |
| KABOOM (2011 d. Gregg Araki)
Old style pan-sexual Araki, starts promisingly with some wonderfully kooky
perfs (Dekker so fine). Devolves to 3rd act ridiculousness. *** 1/4 |
| KAIFECK
MURDER (2009, d. Esther Gronenborn) ** 1/2 |
| KAMATAKI
(2006, d. Claude Gagnon, Takako Miyahira) *** 1/4 |
| KAMCHATKA
(2003, d. Marcelo Piñeyro) Argentina AFF. Superb family drama about
"The Disappeared" from the pov of a 10 year old. *** 3/4 |
| KANCHIVARAM
(2009, d. Priyadarshan) ** 3/4 |
| KANIKOSEN
(2010, d. Sabu) W/O |
| KARAMAZOVS,
THE (2008, d. Petr Zelenka; Czech Republic) ** 1/2 |
| KARL
ROVE I LOVE YOU (2008, d. Butler & Leirness) Trenchant mocumentary,
fun and just real enough to fool me for a while. *** |
| KATALIN VARGA
(2010, d. Peter Strickland) ** 1/2 |
| KATE
& LEOPOLD (2001, d. James Mangold) **
1/4 |
| KATYN
(2007, d. Andrzej Wajda; Poland) *** 1/2 |
| KAWASAKI ROSE (2010, d. Jan
Hrebejk) *** 1/4 |
| KAWASAKI'S
ROSE (2010, d. Jan Hrebejk; Czech Republic) + *** |
| KEEP THE LIGHTS ON
(2012, d. Ira Sachs) *** 1/2 |
| KEEPING
THE FAITH (2000, d. Edward Norton) *** |
| KEILLERS PARK (2012, d.
Susanna Edwards) V. Stylish, infuriating Swedish noir: gay
romance/murder/policier. True story (?!); but so very flawed
psychology. * 3/4 |
| KEKEXILI:
MOUNTAIN PATROL (2005, d. Lu Chuan) Vigilante group patrols Tibetian
plains to catch antelope pelt poachers. Disturbing, gorgeous. *** |
| KELIN:
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW (2010, d. Yermek Zursunov; Kazakhstan) **** |
| KEN
PARK (2005, d. Larry Clark)V. The king of transgressive pedo-cinema is
in fine form in this pornographic film of skater youths in extremis.
*** 1/4 |
| KEPT
AND DREAMLESS (2005, d. Fogwill & Desalvo) 9 yr. old girl comes of
age among poor Argentine extended family. Good characters but
uninspired. ** |
| KEYS
TO THE HOUSE, THE (2004, d. Gianni Amelio) Quietly moving, beautifully
made film of a father getting to know his 15 yr. old disabled son for the
first time. *** 1/2 |
| KHALED (2002, d.
Asghar Massombagi) ** 1/2 |
| KHAMSA (2008, d.
Karim Dridi) ** 3/4 |
| KHARGOSH
(2010, d. Paresh Kamdar) * 1/2 |
| KICK-ASS (2010, d. Matthew
Vaughn) Haven't had more fun in a movie in ages. Impressive script
(fresh, unjaded),spot-on direction. *** 1/2 |
| KICKING
IT (2008, d. Susan Koch) Uplifting, if predictable docu about
contestants at the 2006 Homeless World Cup soccer tournament in Capetown. *** |
| KID
& I, THE (2005, d. Penelope Spheeris) ** 3/4 |
| KID
STAYS IN THE PICTURE, THE (2002, d. Brett Morgen & Nanette
Burstein) *** 1/2 |
| KID WITH A BIKE (2011,
d. Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne) Continuing Dardennes' obsession with
dysfunctional kids and tracking shots. Still, very affecting stuff. *** |
| KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, THE (2010,
d. Lisa Cholodenko) A perfect acting ensemble, a daringly post-modern
family drama. Best film of the year so far? **** |
| KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, THE
(2011 d. Lisa Cholodenko) V.+ Superb script & acting undiminished
on video. This time Moore's perf. stood out (!) *** 3/4 |
| KIKI
& TIGER (2003, d. Alan Gsponer) Boring, ugly DV about a straight
Albanian illegally in Germany and the Serb closet case who loves him. * 1/2 |
| KILL
BILL - VOL. 2 (2004, d. Quentin Tarantino) Unlike Vol. 1, this one has
a real story to go with Terantino's obvious filmmaking genius. *** |
| KILL
BILL VOL. 1 (2003, d. Quentin Tarantino) Stylized violence to no
purpose. Looks great, but empty and boring...but then I'm no fan of the
genre. ** |
| KILL
ME TENDER (2003, d. Ramon de España) Another Spanish winner, a sexy,
romantic black comedy, a gentle farce, well acted with a good script.
*** |
| KILL
THEM ALL (2009, d. Esteban Schroeder; Uruguay) *** |
| KILLER INSIDE ME, THE
(2010, d. Michael Winterbottom) Confusing, ultra-violent & misogynistic.
Also chilling, repellant, & maybe brilliant. ** 1/4 |
| KILLER JOE (2012, d. William
Friedkin) Outrageous, occasionally over-the-top black comedy with fine actors
& deft direction. Nifty Tracy Letts transgressive script works. *** |
| KILLER,
THE (Le Tueur) (2008, d. Cédric Anger) ** 3/4 |
| KILLING
BONO (2011, d. Nick Hamm) *** |
| KING
AND CLOWN (2006, d. Lee Jun-ik) *** 1/4 |
| KING
ARTHUR (2004, d. Antoine Fuqua) Stirring mideval action film which
takes the legend and gives reality to it. Great sequence on ice; but the rest
is ordinary. ** 3/4 |
| KING
IS ALIVE, THE (2001, d. Kristian Levring) **
1/4 |
| KING
KONG (2005, d. Peter Jackson) **** |
| KING
OF ANTS (2003, U.S. d. Stuart Gordon) Weird midnight movie
type noir about young guy turned hired killer who wrecks revenge. Gruesome
fun. *** |
| KING
OF DEVIL'S ISLAND (2011, d. Marius Holst) *** 1/2 |
| KING
OF FIRE (2007, d. Chatrichalerm Yukol; Thailand) *** |
| KING
OF KONG (2007, d. Seth Gordon) *** |
| KING
OF PING PONG (Ping Pong Kingen) (2008, d. Jens Jonsson) ** 1/2 |
| KING
OF THE HILL (El Rey de la Montaña) (2007, d. Gonzalo López-Gallego) ***
1/4 |
| KING
OF THIEVES (2003, d. Ivan Fila) Energetic, splendid drama-2 Ukranian
kids sold by father to Berlin circus & into life of thievery &
prostitution. ***1/4 |
| KING,
THE (2006, d. James Marsh) *** 1/4 |
| KINGDOM
OF HEAVEN (2005, d. Ridley Scott) Bloom is charismatic, if a trifle
lightweight in this spectacular period epic which transports. *** |
| KINGDOM,
THE (2007, d. Peter Berg) Berg's docudrama style works; but the film's
script is problematical. ** 3/4 |
| KINGS
& QUEEN (2005, d. Arnaud Desplechin) Well acted drama with farcial
overtones & plot holes: an extended family facing death, taxes &
insanity. *** 1/4 |
| KING'S
GAME (2005, d. Nicolai Arcel) Beautifully constructed political
thriller about high level Danish politics and a reporter caught in the
middle. *** 1/4 |
| KING'S SPEECH, THE (2010, d.
Tom Hooper) Just about perfect in tone and historical accuracy & import.
Firth & Rush are truly wonderful together. Splendid. *** 1/2 |
| KINGS
(2007, d. Tom Collins) Ireland Academy foreign film submission ** 3/4 |
| KINKY
BOOTS (2006, d. Julian Jerrold) Predictable, Full Montyish film about
making boots for drag queens. Chiwetel Ejiofor fabu! ** 3/4 |
| KINSEY
(2004, d. Bill Condon) Another groundbreaking biopic, this time about the
polarizing sex researcher. Fine script, acting & direction (I love Peter
Sarsgaard here). *** 1/4 |
| KISS
KISS BANG BANG (2005, d. Shane Black) ** |
| KISS
THE BRIDE (2008, d. C. Jay Cox) ** |
| KISSED
BY WINTER (Vinterkyss) (2005, d. Sara Johnsen; Norway) *** |
| KISSES
FOR EVERYONE (2001, d. Jaime Chavarri) *** 1/2 |
| KISSES
(2008, d. Lance Daly) *** 1/2 |
| KISSING
JESSICA STEIN (2001, d. Charles Herman-Wurmfeld) ***
1/4 |
| KIT
KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL (2008, d. Patricia Rozema) Fine depiction
of '30s Depression, kid's film with adult resonance. ** 3/4 |
| KITCHEN
STORIES (2003, d. Bent Hamer) Minimalist, wry comedy about a '70s
Swedish "scientific" study of single men's activities in the
kitchen. ** 3/4 |
| KITE
RUNNER, THE (2007, d. Marc Forster) No big name stars; but boy what an
emotional wallop. *** 1/2 |
| KITE,
THE (2004, d. Randa Chahal Sabbag) Lebanese AFF, bettersweet comedy
about girl coming of age on Israel-Lebanon border. ** 3/4 |
| KM.
0 (2001, d. Yolanda Serrano & J.L. Iborra) *** 1/4 |
| KNIGHT AND DAY (2010,
d. James Mangold) Absurd plot with predictable surprises, good action &
star power, but SO OBVIOUSLY FAKE. * 3/4 |
| KNIGHT'S
TALE, A (2001, d. Brian Helgeland)
*** |
| KNOCKED
UP (2007, d. Judd Apatow) *** 1/4 |
| KNOT,
THE (2007, d. Li Yin) China Academy foreign film submission *** |
| KNOWING
(2009, d. Alex Proyas) Good f/x, great sound; but Proyas is no
Spielberg. Distubing plot which only fitfully holds water. ** 1/2 |
| KONTAKT
(2006, d. Sergej Stanojkovski; Macedonia) ** 3/4 |
| KONTROLL
(2005, d. Nimród Antal) Hungarian AFF. Well shot but overly bleak and obscure
allegory of hell in the Budapest subway. ** 1/2 |
| KOPS
(2004, d. Josef Fares) Genuinely funny farce about a small town police force
trying to avoid getting shut down for lack of crime. A big step up from Jalla
Jalla. *** |
| K-PAX
(2001, d. Iain Softley) ** 1/2 |
| KRABAT (2009, d.
Marco Kreuzpaintner) + *** 1/2 |
| KRABAT (2008, d.
Marco Kreuzpaintner) *** 1/2 |
| KREUTZER
SONATA, THE - WHAT IS LOVE? (Quale amore) (2007, d. Maurizio Sciarra)
*** 1/2 |
| KRYPTONITE!
(2012, d. Ivan Cotroneo) *** |
| KUNG
FU HUSTLE (2005, d. Stephen Chow) People enjoy this? Not
me. Of course I rooted for Willie Coyote against Roadrunner. ** |
| KUNG
FU PANDA (2009, d. Osborne & Stevenson) Fine opening dream
animation; but rest of film is quite ordinary 3-D with silly story. **
1/2 |
| KUNG FU PANDA 2 (2012, d.
Jennifer Yuh Nelson) Over amped, predictable, unfunny, soporific non-stop
action 3D animation had frequent flaws. * 1/2 |
| KYLE (2007, d.
John Bradburn) 1/2* |
| L (2012, d. Babis
Makridis). W/O |
| L.A.
PLAYS ITSELF (2004, d. Thom Anderson) V. Fascinating docu of clips from
movies about L.A. Anderson's droning, but brilliant narration is key.
*** 1/2 |
| L.I.E.
(2001, d. Michael Cuesta) ** 3/4 |
| LA
FRANCE (2008, d. Serge Bozon) ** 1/2 |
| LA LEÓN (2007, d.
Santiago Otheguy) * 1/2 |
| LABYRINTH
(2003, d. Miroslav Lekic) Yugoslavia AFF. Enigmatic political
allegory mystery. ** 1/2 |
| LADDER
49 (2004, d. Jay Russell) Straightforward feelgood drama about
firefighters with a fine perf by Joaquim Phoenix and some great fire
f/x. *** |
| LADIES
IN LAVENDER (2005, d. Charles Dance) Well acted (Judi Dench, Maggie
Smith, Daniel Brüel!) film about 2 old maids & the boy who drops in. **
3/4 |
| LADY
AND THE DUKE, THE (2002, d. Eric Rohmer)
*** |
| LADY
CHATTERLEY (2007, d. Pascale Ferran) A very French take of smoldering
love in upper class Britain, a heterosexual Maurice. *** 1/4 |
| LADY
EVE, THE (2004, d. Preston Sturges)V. Romantic comedy old style. The
abrupt ending breaks the spell of a good Stanwyck-Fonda pairing. ** 3/4 |
| LADY
IN THE WATER (2006, d. M. Night Shyamalan) Boring, simplistic
"bedtime story". Giamatti excellent. ** |
| LADY
JANE (2008, d. Robert Guédiguian) *** |
| LADY, THE (2011, d. Luc
Besson) Conventional, old fashioned biopic of important Myanmar rebel lady
with fine perfs by Yeoh and Thewlis. *** |
| LAGAAN:
ONCE UPON A TIME IN INDIA (2001, d. Ashutosh
Gowariker) *** |
| LAILA'S BIRTHDAY
(2009, d. Rashid Masharawi) ** 1/2 |
| LAKAWANNA
BLUES (2005, d. George Wolfe) Epatha Merkerson should win an Emmy for
this marvellous HBO tv movie of life among blacks in a small NY town. *** 1/4 |
| LAKE
HOUSE, THE (2006, d. Alejandro Agresti) Unabashed timebinding romance
with too many paradoxes. Keanu Reeves surprises. *** |
| LAKE
OF FIRE (2007, d. Tony Kaye) Long, fascinating, apparently neutral docu
re abortion. Some hard to take shots! *** 1/4 |
| LAKE
TAHOE (2008, d. Fernando Eimbcke) ** 3/4 |
| LAKEVIEW
TERRACE (2008, d. Neil LaBute) Crash like dystopian view of L.A.,
Overwrought & unsettling, if effective filmmaking. Hit too close to
home. ** 3/4 |
| LAKSHMI AND ME
(2008, d. Nishtha Jain) ** 1/4 |
| LALEE'S
KIN: THE LEGACY OF COTTON (2001, d. Deborah Dickson &
Susan Frömke) ** |
| L'AMOUR,
L'ARGENT, L'AMOUR (2001, d. Philip Gröning) *** 1/4 |
| LAN YU
(2002, d. Stanley Kwan) *** 1/2 |
| LAND
HAS EYES, THE (2005, d. Vilsoni Hereniko; Fiji) ** 1/2 |
| LAND
OF PLENTY (2005, d. Wim Wenders) John Diehl is outstanding as a Viet
vet obsessed by a mission to save the U.S. from terrorists. *** |
| LAND
OF THE DEAF (2010, d. Valery Todorovsky) ** 1/2 |
| LANDSCAPE
NO. 2 (2009, d. Vinko Möderndorfer; Slovenia) *** 1/2 |
| LANTANA
(2001, d. Ray Lawrence) *** |
| LARA
CROFT: TOMB RAIDER (2001, d. Simon West)
* 3/4 |
| LAREDOANS SPEAK: VOICES ON
IMMIGRATION (2011, d. Martinez & Schafer) V. Interview heavy pov docu
about fallacies of US southern border policy. ** 1/4 |
| LARS AND THE REAL
GIRL (2007, d. Craig Gillespie) *** 1/4 |
| LAST AIRBENDER, THE
(2010, d. M. Night Shyamalan) Ambitious concept, mediocre
performances, lousy 3D, convincing f/x add up to so so. ** 1/4 |
| LAST
CALL (2002, d. Henry Bromell) ** |
| LAST CALL AT THE OASIS (2012,
d. Jessica Yu) V. Docu of world's fresh water crisis, interviews &
beautiful photography. Tries to bring hope to a hopeless cause. *** 1/4 |
| LAST
CASTLE, THE (2001, d. Rod Lurie)
*** |
| LAST
CHANCE HARVEY (Joel Hopkins) Predictable, adult romantic comedy with fine
acting. London has rarely looked better. ** 3/4 |
| LAST
DANCE (2003, d. Mirra Bank) (V) Docu. Pilobolus dance
troupe collaborates with Maurice Sendak on Holocaust ballet. *** |
| LAST
DAY, THE (2005, d. Rodolphe Marconi) Very French, very dreamlike film
about a teenage boy's coming to understand the mystery of his family.
*** 1/2 |
| LAST
DAYS (2005, d. Gus Van Sant) Slow meditative film about Kurt Cobain
wandering to his death. Michael Pitt is fine; film is pretty. *** |
| LAST DEADLY MISSION, THE
(2012, d. Olivier Marchal) V. Gritty French policier, superbly played by
Auteuil, Se7en like serial killers & realistic angst. *** |
| LAST
GREAT WILDERNESS, THE (2003, Great Britain d. David
Mackenzie) Weird combo of road movie & horror show house. **
1/4 |
| LAST
KING OF SCOTLAND, THE (2006, d. Kevin Macdonald) Whitaker is
superbly over the top; McAvoy is my boy. Strong film. *** 1/4 |
| LAST
KING, THE (2004, d. Joe Wright) Excellent tv mini-series about Charles
II and his court. Rufus Sewel was splendid, as was the
production. *** |
| LAST
KISS, THE (2006, d. Tony Goldwyn) Dispite iffy casting of leads, great
adapted script - better than original Italian film! *** 1/2 |
| LAST
KISS, THE (2002, d. Gabriele Muccino) *** 1/4 |
| LAST
LEGION, THE (2007, d. Doug Lefler) ** 1/2 |
| LAST
LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE (2003, d. Pen-ek Ratanaruang) Superb, absurdist
film about suicidal, obsessive Japanese Yukasa who meets messy Thai B-girl.
*** 1/2 |
| LAST
MAN ON EARTH, THE (2012, d. Gian Alfanso Pacinotti) ** |
| LAST
MIMZY, THE (2007, d. Robert Shaye)V. Pleasant enough fantasy/sf, fine
kid actors; not very meaty stuff. ** 3/4 |
| LAST
MINUTE MOROCCO (2008, d. Francesco Falaschi) ** 3/4 |
| LAST
MISTRESS, THE (Une vieille maîtress) (2007, d. Catherine Breillat) ***
1/2 |
| LAST
MOGUL, THE (2005, d. Barry Avrich) Interesting docu about Lou
Wasserman with great interviews but fatally marred by the worst mix I've ever
heard. ** |
| LAST
MOUNTAIN, THE (2011, d. Bill Haney) *** 1/2 |
| LAST
ORDERS (2002, d. Fred Schepisi) ** 3/4
|
| LAST
PULCINELLA, THE (L'ultimo Pulcinella) (2009, d. Maurizio Scaparro) **
1/2 |
| LAST
SAMURAI, THE (2003, d. Edward Zwick) Zwick does it again, imbue an
action flick with veracity & emotional truth. Maybe Cruise's best
role ever. *** 1/4 |
| LAST
SCENE (2003, d. Hideo Nakata) Nostalgic, slow drama about an old
man, once a successful leading man, returning to his last film acting
job. ** 1/2 |
| LAST
SEPTEMBER, THE (2000, d. Deborah Warner)
** |
| LAST
SHOT, THE (2004, d. Jeff Nathanson) Occasionally funny comedy about FBI
mob sting creating a fake movie. Alec Baldwin especially good. ** 3/4 |
| LAST
STATION, THE (2009, d. Michael Hoffman) Superb perfs by Mirren, Plummer
& McAvoy make this otherwise tedious, if good looking, historical biopic
watchable. *** |
| LAST
STOP 174 (2009, d. Bruno Barreto; Brazil) *** 3/4 |
| LAST
TRAIN HOME (2010, d. Lixin Fan) ** 1/2 |
| LAST
TRAIN, THE (2004, d. Alexei A German) B&W bleak, brutal, boring
Russian WWII film about a German doctor stuck in the winter retreat. ** |
| LAST
TRAIN, THE (2003, d. Diego Arsuaga) Uruguay AFF. Old codgers
steal a steam locomotive to keep it in Uruaguay. ** 3/4 |
| LAST
WEDDING (2002, d. Bruce Sweeney) *** |
| LAST WILL & EMBEZZLEMENT
(2012, d. Deborah Robinson) V. Informative, dry docu re elder financial abuse
by relatives & trustees. Poorly made, but important. ** 1/4 |
| LAST
WINTER (2012, d. John Shank) ** 3/4 |
| LATE
BLOOMERS (2007, d. Bettina Oberli; Switzerland) ** 1/4 |
| LATE
MARRIAGE (2001, d. Dover Kosashvili) *** 1/2 |
| LATTER
DAYS (2004, d. C.J. Cox) The perfect festival gay film, sexy, sweet,
sentimental and realistic with some star-making performances. *** 1/4 |
| LAUREL
CANYON (2003, d. Lisa Cholodenko) Hi-jinx up the block from me.
Dialog so real, acting so spot on, I loved it more than it deserved.
*** 1/4 |
| LAW
ABIDING CITIZEN (2009, d. F. Gary Gray) Intriguing revenge script, well
executed; but unrealistic in the real world and a singularly unsavory
experience. ** 3/4 |
| LAW OF
DESIRE (Pedro Almodóvar) V. +7 The romantic gay melodrama that first defined
the genre. *** 1/2 |
| LAWLESS
HEART (2002, d. Tom Hunsinger) *** 1/2 |
| LAWLESS (2012, d. John
Hillcoat) Splendid direction, perfect evocation of period & several
sterling acting jobs (esp. Hardy & LaBeouf) make a fine pop film.
*** 1/4 |
| LAWS
OF ATTRACTION (2004, d. Peter Howitt) Hideously bad, predictable
screwball romantic comedy. Cast chemistry can't save flat direction. Ugh. *
1/4 |
| LAYER
CAKE (2005, d. Matthew Vaughn) Stylish Brit noir à la Guy Richie, only
better. Daniel Craig wonderful as a smart drug dealer. *** 1/4 |
| LEARNING
TO LIE (2004, d. Hendrik Handloegten) Well constructed romantic comedy
about a guy who is unable to forget his first love or commit to any
others. *** 1/4 |
| LEATHERHEADS
(2008, d. George Clooney) Clichéd failure proves screwball comedy is harder
than it looks. * 1/4 |
| LEAVING
BARSTOW (2009, d. Peter Paige) ** 1/2 |
| LEAVING
METROPOLIS (2003, d. Brad Fraser) Ludicrously pretentious straight
melodrama masquerading as a gay film. Beware films from Winnepeg!
1/2* |
| LEAVING (2010, d.
Catherine Corsini) *** |
| LEBANON
(2010, d. Samuel Maoz) *** 1/4 |
| LEDGE, THE (2011, d.
Matthew Chapman) Existential moral dilemma drama with luminous perf. by
Charlie Hunnam. Somewhat pat - but suspensful & moving. *** 1/4 |
| LEFT
SIDE OF THE FRIDGE (2001, d. Philippe Falardeau) *** 1/4 |
| LEGALLY
BLONDE 2 (2004, d. Charles Herman-Wurmfeld)V. A script of such colossal
stupidity that even Reese Witherspoon can't save the film. * 1/4 |
| LEGALLY
BLONDE (2001, d. Robert Luketic) **
1/2 |
| LEGEND
OF 1900, THE (2004, d. Giuseppi Tornatore) V. Sumptuous, sentimental
1998 film about a musical progedy who never left the ship he was born in. **
3/4 |
| LEGEND
OF BAGGER VANCE, THE (2000, d. Robert Redford)
** 1/2 |
| LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS
(2010, d. Zack Snyder) Looks 10, story
0. Nice 3-D animation. Let's just say I found it overly plotted
and unsatisfactory. * 3/4 |
| LEMONY
SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (2004, d. Brad Silberling) I
was *not* charmed by Carrey's overacting; but the film worked anyway.
** 3/4 |
| LEÓN
AND OLVIDO (2005, d. Xavier Bermúdez) Downer but well-made drama about
Downs Syndrome brother & his normal twin sister. *** |
| LEONARD
COHEN - I'M YOUR MAN (2006, d. Lian Lunson) ** 3/4 |
| LEO'S
ROOM (2010, d. Enrique Buchichio) *** |
| LEROY (2008, d.
Armin Volckers) ** 1/2 |
| LES MISERABLES: 25th ANN.
CONCERT (2011 d. Nick Morris) V. I adore the musical and this concert version
does it wonderfully. Even Nick Jonas & Matt Lucas. *** 1/2 |
| LESSON
PLAN (2011, d. Philip Neel, David H. Jeffrey) *** 1/4 |
| LET IT RAIN (Parlez-moi de la
pluis) (2010, d. Agnès Jaoui) Mildly funny farce with a game Jean-Pierre
Bacri playing denser than usual. *** |
| LET ME IN (2010, d.
Matt Reeves) Slow and intense reworking of original Swedish film. Fine
performances & some of the most consistent vampire lore ever. *** |
| LET
THE CHURCH SAY AMEN (2004, d. David Petersen) V. Boring docu about a
neighborhood church in D.C. and its troubled, but positive,
parishoners. * 3/4 |
| LET
THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008, d. Tomas Alfredson) *** |
| LETTER
FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN (2005, d. Xu Jinglei) Gorgeously shot kind
of trivial "woman's pic" about a lifetime of unrequited love. **
1/4 |
| LETTERS
FROM IWO JIMA (2006, d. Clint Eastwood) **** |
| LETTERS
FROM THE BIG MAN (2011, d. Christopher Münch) *** |
| LETTERS
TO ANGELS (2011, d. Sulev Keedus, Estonia) 3/4* |
| LETTERS
TO FATHER JACOB (2009, d. Klaus Härö; Finland) *** 1/4 |
| LETTERS TO JULIET
(2010, d. Gary Winick) Enjoyable chick flick, even though at times
excessively absurd. Vanessa Redgrave is truly wonderful. ** 1/2 |
| LETTING
GO OF GOD (2008, d. Julia Sweeney) *** 3/4 |
| LEVITY
(2003, d. Ed Solomon) Film about redemption with no redeeming qualities.
Manipulative, predictable, dreary. Great cast directed on downers. *
3/4 |
| LEWIS - "THE QUALITY OF
MERCY" (2010, d. Billie Eltringham) V. Murder in Oxford student
theatricals; smart, fairly gripping & better than average. *** |
| LEWIS: COUNTER CULTURE BLUES
(2010, d. Bill Anderson) V. Murders
abound around '60s Brit rock royalty. Interesting characters, contrived
plot. ** 1/4 |
| LEWIS:
POINT OF VANISHING (2009, d. Maurice Phillips) V. Overly convoluted
Brit mystery episode. Left me unsure about who did what to whom. ** 1/4 |
| LEWIS: THE DEAD OF WINTER
(2010, d. Bill Anderson) V. Hijinx & murder in the lord's manor;
unsatisfactory resolution - but Sgt. Hathaway shines here. ** 1/2 |
| LEWIS: DARK MATTER
(2011 d. Bille Eltringham) V. Usually competent mystery Oxford whodunit with
multiple suspects & MacGuffins. ** 3/4 |
| L'HEURE D'ÉTÉ (Summer
Hours) (2008, d. Olivier Assayas) *** 3/4 |
| LIAM
(2001, d. Stephen Frears) *** 1/4 |
| LIBERAL ARTS (2012,
d. Josh Radnor) *** |
| LIBERTADOR
MORALES, EL JUSTICIERO (2009, d. Efterpi Charalambidis;
Venezuela) ** 1/4 |
| LIBERTAS
(2007, d. Veljko Bulajic; Croatia) ** 1/4 |
| LIBERTINE,
THE (2005, d. Laurence Dunmore) ** 1/2 |
| LIBERTY
STANDS STILL (2002, d. Kari Skogland) ** 1/4 |
| LICENSE
TO WED (2007, d. Ken Kwapis) * |
| LIFE
& DEATH OF PETER SELLERS, THE (2004, d. Stephen Hopkins) V. PoMo
and meta biopic. Rush is amazing; but Sellers was an asshole, if this to be
believed. *** |
| LIFE
AFTER WAR (2003, U.S. doc. d. Brian Knappenberger)
Re-building a village destroyed in the Afghani war against the Taliban.
Propaganda. W/O |
| LIFE
AND TIMES OF YVA LAS VEGAS, THE (2007, d. Wiley Underdown) ** |
| LIFE
AQUATIC, THE (2004, d. Wes Anderson) As his budgets go up his films
become more hipster, ironic & detached. Cousteau deserves a better
satire. ** |
| LIFE
AS A HOUSE (2001, d. Irwin Winkler) ** 3/4
|
| LIFE AS WE KNOW IT (2010, d.
Greg Berlanti) Berlanti is a fine show-runner; but as a director not so much.
Predictable, unrealistic plot & mediocre all around. ** |
| LIFE
BEFORE HER EYES, THE (2008, d. Vadim Perelman) Difficult. I
wanted to escape the theater throughout. ** 1/4 |
| LIFE
DURING WARTIME (2010, d. Todd Solondz) *** |
| LIFE
HITS (2008, d. Christian Christiansen) *** |
| LIFE
IN LOOPS (A MEGACITIES RMX) (2007, d. Tina Novotny) * 1/2 |
| LIFE
OF DAVID GALE, THE (2003, d. Alan Parker) Drama about Texas
anti-death penalty group and their condemned member. ** 1/2 |
| LIFE
OF FISH, THE (2010, d. Matías Bize; Chile) *** 1/4 |
| LIFE
ON LIBERTY STREET (2004, d. David Cass) V. Well acted if predictable
Hallmark tv movie. Ethan Embry is having a great (2004, and nobody's
watching. ** 1/2 |
| LIFE
ON THE EDGE (2007, d. Ventura Pons) ** 3/4 |
| LIFE
OR SOMETHING LIKE IT (2002, d. Stephen Herek)
** 1/2 |
| LIFE
THAT I WANT, THE (La Vita Che Vorrei) (2006, d. Giuseppe Piccioni) ***
1/2 |
| LIFE
WITH MY FATHER (2005, d. Sébastien Rose) W/O |
| LIFE,
ABOVE ALL (2011 d. Oliver Schmitz; South Africa) *** 1/4 |
| LIFT
(2001, d. DeMane Davis/Streeter) ** 1/2 |
| LIGHT
GRADIENT (Rückenwind) (2010, d. Jan Krüger) ** 1/2 |
| LIGHT
OF MINE (2011, d. Brett Eichenberger) ** 1/2 |
| LIGHT
THIEF, THE (2010, d. Aktan Arym Kubat; Kyrgyzstan) *** |
| LIKE A BROTHER (Comme un
frère) (2012, d. Alapetite & Legann) V. Boy comes out in Paris while
pining for straight chum from past. Involving, cute guys. ** 1/2 |
| LIKE A
BROTHER (Comme un frére) (2006, d. Alapetite & Legann) Shortish,
disappointment: gay boy in love with straight boy. ** |
| LIKE CRAZY (2011, d.
Drake Doremus) Predictable, depressing mash-up of 500
Days of Summer & Green
Card. Well acted, if lacking chemistry. **
3/4 |
| LIKE
MINDS (2007, d. Gregory J. Read) *** 1/4 |
| LIKE
YOU KNOW IT ALL (2010, d. Hong Sang-Soo) ** 1/4 |
| LILJA
4-EVER (2003, d. Lukas Moodysson) Sweden AFF. Drama of child
abuse in modern Russia. Downer; but great film. *** 3/4 |
| LILO
& STICH (2002, d. Chris Sanders & Dean
Deblois) *** |
| LILY
SOMETIMES (Pieds nus sur las limaces) (2011 d. Fabienne Berthaud) ** 1/2 |
| LIMELIGHT
(2003, U.S. d. Terry Lukemire) Mocumentary about karaoke
competitors gone horribly wrong. * |
| LIMITLESS (2011 d. Neil
Burger) Visually inventive, even exciting. Total wish-fulfillment flick with
major plot hole at the center. Still, one of those films down my alley. ***
1/4 |
| LINCOLN LAWYER, THE (2011 d.
Brad Furman) Nicely constructed, ironic lawyer flick. Phillippe &
McConaughey well matched. But direction nothing special. ** 3/4 |
| LINE
OF BEAUTY, THE (2006, d. Saul Dibb) *** 1/2 |
| LINHA DE PASSE
(2008, d. Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas) *** 1/2 |
| LION
FOR LAMBS (2007, d. Robert Redford) Overly talky & schematic; but
brilliant, important and utterly topical! *** 1/2 |
| LION'S
DEN, THE (2008, d. Pablo Trapero; Argentina) *** 1/2 |
| LIPSTIKKA
(2012, d. Jonathan Sagall) *** |
| LITTLE
ASHES (2009, d. Paul Morrison) Overwrought but fascinating
hodge-podge,drama of famed true-life gay artists in '30s Spain. Javier
Beltran is true find. ** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
BIG SOLDIER (2010, d. Ding Sheng) ** 1/2 |
| LITTLE
BIT OF FREEDOM, A (2003, d. Yueksel Yavuz) Stunningly real drama: life
of illegal Kurd boy in Hamburg. Exciting, relevant filmmaking. *** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
BLACK BOOK (2004, d. Nick Hurran) Good acting can't save this stupid
film, though it briefly works during the climactic live tv show. * 3/4 |
| LITTLE
BOOK OF REVENGE (2007, d. Jean-François Pouliot) ** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
CHILDREN (2006, d. Todd Field) "Golden Boy" Patrick Wilson
& Kate Winslet plus remarkable script! Great film. *** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
CITY (2003, d. Roberto Benabib) V. Sympathetic '97 romantic rondelay
comedy re young S.F. couples. Worthy Josh Charles & ensemble. **
3/4 |
| LITTLE
CRUMB (2000, d. Maria Peters) * 1/2 |
| LITTLE DANCER (2012,
d. George Jecel) V. ** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
FUGITIVE (2006, d. Joanna Lipper) ** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
GIRL BLUE (2004, d. Anna Luif) Unexceptional, though well acted drama about
teenage love thwarted by an affair by the kid's parents. ** 1/2 |
| LITTLE
HELP, A (2010, d. Michael J. Weithorn) *** 1/4 |
| LITTLE
JOE (2009, d.Nichole Haeusser) ** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
MEN (2004, d. Nariman Turebayev) Interesting & likable character
study of two salesmen in Kazakhstan, one aggressive, one passive. *** |
| LITTLE
MISS SUNSHINE (2006, d. Dayton & Faris) Good script, acting.
Enormously entertaining depressed family comedy. *** 1/4 |
| LITTLE
MONK, A (2003, S. Korea d. Joo Kyung-jun) Story of an 8
year old kid in a Buddhist monestary yearning for his mother. ** 1/2 |
| LITTLE
RED FLOWERS (2006, d. Zhang Yuan) ** 1/2 |
| LITTLE
SECRETS (2002, d. Blair Treu)
*** |
| LITTLE
SECRETS (2007, d. Pol Cruchten; Luxembourg) ** 1/2 |
| LITTLE
SENEGAL (2000, d. Rachid Bouchareb) ** 1/2 |
| LITTLE
SOLDIER (2009, d. Annette K. Olesen) ** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
THIEF, THE (La petite voleuse) (2010, d. Claude Miller) *** |
| LITTLE
THING CALLED MURDER, A (2006, d. Richard Benjamin) V. Fun, campy
retelling of Kimes family of grifters. Judy Davis remarkable as usual. *** |
| LITTLE
TRAITOR, THE (2009, d. Lynn Roth) *** 1/4 |
| LITTLE TRIP TO HEAVEN, A
(2010, d. Baltasar Kormákur) V. Atmospheric insurance con thriller with good
cast; but plot had enough holes to drive through! * 3/4 |
| LITTLE WHITE LIES
(2012, d. Guillaum Canet) + Saw this thinking I hadn't seen it before.
Other than a weird déjà vu at the gay panic scenes, I hardly recalled
it. ** 3/4 |
| LITTLE
WHITE LIES (Les Petits mouchoirs) (2011, d. Guillaume Canet) ** 3/4 |
| LIUBI
(2006, d. Layia Yiourgou) *** |
| LIVE
AND BECOME (2008, d. Radu Mihaileanu) Epic story of Ethopian non-Jew
kid living & growing up in Israel. Quite moving. *** 1/2 |
| LIVE
AND REMEMBER (2009, d. Alexander Proshkin) *** 1/4 |
| LIVE
BLOOD (2001, d. Edoardo Winspeare) ** |
| LIVE
FREE OR DIE HARD (2007, d. Len Wiseman) Non-stop action, overly
convoluted plot. Better than expected. ** 3/4 |
| LIVE
FREE OR DIE (2006, d. Gregg Kavet, Andy Robin) *** |
| LIVE
FROM BAGHDAD (2003, d. Mick Jackson) V. HBO film docudrama
about CNN crew in Baghdad during Gulf War I. *** |
| LIVES
OF OTHERS, THE (2006, d. Florian Henckel von Donnersmark; Germany) ***
3/4 |
| LIVING
IN EMERGENCY: STORIES OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS (2009, d. Mark
Hopkins) V. Viscerally affecting docu about 4 doctors in dire Africa.
*** 1/4 |
| LIVING
WAKE, THE (2007, d. Sol Tyson) * 1/2 |
| LJUBLJANA
(2002, d. Igor Sterk) *** |
| LOGGERHEADS
(2005, d. Tim Kirkman) *** 1/2 |
| LOLA
(2011, d. Jacques Demy) + *** |
| LOLA VERSUS (2012, d. Daryl
Wein) Most self-absorbed heroine ever has 3 attractive men, but never the
right one. Joel Killerman is a knock out; but terrible dialog defeats
all. ** |
| LONDON
RIVER (2009, d. Richard Bouchareb) *** 1/4 |
| LONELIEST
PLANET, THE (2011, d. Julia Loktev) ** 1/4 |
| LONESOME
JIM (2005, d. Steve Buscemi) Depression & despair has never been
more amusing. Casey Affleck finally lives up to his promise. *** |
| LONG
DARK NIGHT (2004, d. Anton Vrdoljak) Croatia AFF. Moving and well made
WWII epic of the fight between pro-Germans and pro-Communists. *** |
| LONG
FALLING, THE (Où va la nuit) (2011, d. Martin Prevost) *** 1/4 |
| LONGEST
YARD, THE (2006, d. Peter Segal) V. Surprisingly entertaining con vs.
guards prison football. Sandler actually convincing. ** 3/4 |
| LONGFORD
(2007, d. Tom Hooper) V. HBO biopic about dotty, saintly lord (fabulous Jim
Broadbent) who visits hopless prisoners. *** 1/4 |
| LONGING (Saudade-Sehnsucht)
(2012, d. Jürgen Brüning)V. Terrible '03 flick: 3 German gays in Brazil, the
cute blond longs fetchingly telenovela style. No story, bad acting. * |
| LONGTIME
COMPANION (2003, d. Norman René) V.+++ Remarkable document of '80s, not
dated, still rings true. The first & one of the best AIDS films.
*** 1/2 |
| LOOK
AT ME (2005, d. Agnès Jaoui) Slice of life, bittersweet romantic about
a disfunctional French arty family & friends. Quite enjoyable, if
minor. *** |
| LOOK,
THE (2003, d. David Sigel) Mockumentary about a NY contest for
models. Some good bits; but overall pretty average. I've seen
worse. ** 1/4 |
| LOOKING
FOR ERIC (2009, d. Ken Loach) ** 1/2 |
| LOOKOUT,
THE (2007, d. Scott Frank) Nicely written & directed psych.
thriller, with 3 super perfs. espec. Joseph Gorden-Levitt *** 1/4 |
| LOOPER (2012, d. Rian
Johnson) Dystopian time travel thriller, mostly true to its rules. Another
amazing Gordon-Levitt perf. + pitch perfect Emily Blunt. Gritty, sociopathic
fun. *** 1/2 |
| LOOSE
CANNONS (2010, d. Ferzan Ozpetek) *** 1/4 |
| LOPE
(2011 d. Andrucha Waddington) ** 1/4 |
| LORD
OF THE RING: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (ext. edition) (2003, d.
Peter Jackson)++ Stunningly re-edited with quiet scenes added. Brand new
experience on big screen. **** |
| LORD
OF THE RING: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003, d. Peter Jackson) Quibble
about too many endings; but exceded expectations. Whole is greatest film of
all time. **** |
| LORD
OF THE RING: THE TWO TOWERS (ext. version) (2003, d. Peter
Jackson)+ Making it longer didn't help the sagging middle. Helm's Deep
still a great set piece. *** 1/2 |
| LORD
OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE (2001, d. Peter
Jackson) *** 1/4 |
| LORD
OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002, d. Peter
Jackson) *** 1/2 |
| LORD
OF WAR (2005, d. Andrew Niccol) *** |
| LORDS
OF DOGTOWN (2005, d. Catherine Hardwicke) Fictionalized story of
original Venice, CA skateboard punks. Good acting & action. ** 3/4 |
| LORNA'S
SILENCE (Le silance de Lorna) (2008, d. Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne)
*** 1/2 |
| LOS
OLVIDADOS (2005, d. Luis Buñuel) 1950 B&W drama about disaffected
teens in Mexico City. Dali's influence felt in dream sequences. Very
affecting. *** 1/4 |
| LOSER
(2009, d. Amy Heckerling) V. Jason Biggs is pretty good here, but the
film is all NYC & collegiant clichés...and unforgivably, sort of
boring. ** 1/4 |
| LOSER
(2000, d. Amy Heckerling) ** 1/4 |
| LOSERS, THE (2010, d. Sylvain
White) Lived up to its title: too frenetic & comic-booky,
ridiculous action; more amusing than thrilling - & Chris Evans
rules. ** |
| LOSS
OF A TEARDROP DIAMOND (2009, d. Jodie Markell) Tennessee Williams'
script (& Bryce Howard's Southern belle) should've remained lost. But
Chris Evans is ideal. ** 1/2 |
| LOSS
(2008, d. Maris Martinsons; Lithuania) ** |
| LOST
AND DELIRIOUS (2001, d. Léa Pool) *** |
| LOST
BOYS OF SUDAN, THE (2003, d. Megan Mylan & Jon Shenk) V.
Documentary about two Sudanese refugees in U.S. Interesting, if somewhat
uninvolving. ** 3/4 |
| LOST
CHILDREN (2005, d. Ahadi and Stoltz)V. ** 1/4 |
| LOST
COAST, THE (2008, d. Gabriel Fleming) Antoniesque, arty drama of 2
20ish guys reliving hi-school affair in Castro Halloween night. ** 3/4 |
| LOST
EMBRACE, A (2004, d. Daniel Burman) Warm, franetic Argentine comedy
about a Jewish family and their shopping mall denizen friends. *** 1/4 |
| LOST IN
PARADISE (2012, d. Ngoc Dang Vu) *** |
| LOST
IN THE PERSHING POINT HOTEL (2000, d. Julia Jay Pierrepont II) **
1/2 |
| LOST
IN TRANSLATION (2003, d. Sofia Coppola) Minimalist wry comedy; 2 people
adrift in Tokyo who fleetingly connect. Beautifully performed & directed.
***1/4 |
| LOST
MAN, A (Un homme perdu) (2008, d. Danielle Artid) ** 1/2 |
| LOST
ROOM, THE (2006, d. Baxley & Watkins) V. Fairly original s/f
premise until unsatisfactory ending. ** 1/2 |
| LOT
LIKE LOVE, A (2005, d. Nigel Cole) Kutcher is turning into a major
star...love his line readings. Nicely made, predictable romantic
comedy. ** 3/4 |
| LOTTERY, THE (2010, d.
Madeleine Sackler) V. Another sad docu on state of eductation & their
savior, charter schools. Not as comprehensive as Superman. *** |
| LOUISE WIMMER (2012,
d. Cyril Mennegun) ** 3/4 |
| LOUISE-MICHEL
(2009, d. Benoît Delépine, Gustave Kervern) * |
| LOVE
& DANCE (Sipur Hatzi Russi) (2007, d. Eitan Anner) ** 3/4 |
| LOVE
& SEX (2000, d. Valerie Breiman)
** |
| LOVE
ACTUALLY (2003, d. Richard Curtis) Pleasant enough multi-story romantic
comedy. About 1/3 of the stories misfired, the others really
worked. ** 3/4 |
| LOVE
AND HONOR (Bushi No Ichibun) (2008, d. Yôji Yamada) **** |
| LOVE
AND OTHER CRIMES (Liebe und Andere Verbrechen) (2008, d. Stefan
Arsenijevic) ** 3/4 |
| LOVE
AND OTHER DISASTERS (2010, d. Alek Keshishian) My fave film of 2006 &
maybe the best straight to video film ever made! *** 1/2 |
| LOVE
AND OTHER DISASTERS (2006, d. Alek Keshishian) *** 1/2 |
| LOVE
AND OTHER DRUGS (2010, d. Edward Zwick) Jake & Anne have real
chemistry. Zwick made a rare uneven film. Pfizer is the bad guy.
Haha. ** 3/4 |
| LOVE
AT 7-11 (2003, Taiwan d. Teng Yung-shing) Languid, moody,
arty, boring story of two couples who fail to connect. ** 1/4 |
| LOVE CRIME (2011, d.
Alan Corneau) *** 1/4 |
| LOVE
DON'T COST A THING (2003, d. Troy Beyer) Nick Cannon, worthy star; but
this paean to mindless consumerism and teen conformity is horrendous
film. 1/2* |
| LOVE
FOR SHARE (2007, d. Nia Dinata; Indonesia) ** 3/4 |
| LOVE
FORBIDDEN (2003, France d. Rodolphe Marconi) Dark drama about a
sexually confused young filmmaker who gets hung up on an Italian man.
*** |
| LOVE FREE OR DIE (2012, d.
Macky Alston) V. Extremely well made, moving docu featuring gay Episcopal
bishop & the advances in the American church. *** 3/4 |
| LOVE
HAPPENS (2009, d. Brandon Camp) Unoriginal romance; but actors make it
work up to a point. John Caroll Lynch is fine in moving supporting role. **
1/2 |
| LOVE
IN A PUFF (2010, d. Pang Ho-Cheung) ** 1/4 |
| LOVE
IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA (2007, d. Mike Newell) Bardem is really fine, a
moving "elderly" love story, but... ** 3/4 |
| LOVE
IN THE TIME OF MONEY (2002, d. Peter Mattei) *** 1/4
|
| LOVE
IS IN THE AIR (Ma vie en l'air) (2010, d. Rémi Bezançon) *** |
| LOVE
LIKE POISON (Un Poison violent) (2011 d. Katell Quillévéré) ** |
| LOVE
LIZA (2002, d. Todd Louiso)
** |
| LOVE
ME IF YOU DARE (2004, d. Yann Samuell) A wildly inventive,
super-romantic trip of a film about 2 kids growing up playing an obnoxious
game full tilt. *** |
| LOVE
OF SIAM, THE (2008, d. Chukiat Sakveerakul) Thai film about gay boy
band singer & his first love. Affecting, but inscrutable. ** 1/2 |
| LOVE
SONG FOR BOBBIE LONG, A (2005, d. Shainee Gabel) Gentle, amiable, N.O.
peculiar family drama. Fine acting ensemble (Johansson, Macht &
Travolta). *** |
| LOVE
SONGS (Les chansons d'amours) (2007, d. Christophe Honoré) *** |
| LOVE
SONGS (2008, d. Chtrisophe Honoré) +1; I stand by my TIFF review, only
2nd time around liked it even more. *** 1/4 |
| LOVE
THE HARD WAY (2002, d. Peter Sehr) *** |
| LOVE
TO HIDE, A (2006, d. Christian Fauré) Remarkably effective WWII French
Jewish/gay Holocaust tv movie. *** 1/4 |
| LOVELORN
(2005, d. Yavuz Turgul) W/O |
| LOVELORN
(2006, d. Yavuz Turgul; Turkey) *** |
| LOVELY
AND AMAZING (2002, d. Nicole Holofcener) **
3/4 |
| LOVELY
BONES (2009, d. Peter Jackson) Looks great, but eyerollingly earnest
and obvious, emotionally misfiring. ** 1/2 |
| LOVELY
LONELINESS (2009, d. Victoria Galardi & Martin Carranza) ** 3/4 |
| LOVER,
THE (2003, Russia d. Valery Todorovsky) Involving drama about a man who
discovers is recently deceased wife had had a secret long time lover.
*** 1/4 |
| LOVERBOY
(2012, d. Catalin Mitulescu) *** |
| LOVER'S
PRAYER (2004, d. Reverge Anselmo)V. Boringly made pastiche of Turganev
& Chekhov. Nick Stahl was good, Kirsten Dunst beautiful, but film
sucked. * 3/4 |
| LOVE'S
LABOUR LOST (2000, d. Kenneth Branagh) **
1/4 |
| LOVESICKNESS
(Maldeamores) (2007, d. Carlitos Ruíz Ruíz & Mariem Pérez) ** 3/4 |
| LOVING STORY, THE
(2011, d. Nancy Buirski) V. Outstanding, emotionally satisfying docu
about interracial couple whose fight changed America. *** 3/4 |
| LOW
COST (2011, d. Maurice Barthelemy) *** |
| LOW
PROFILE (Falscher Bekenner) (2006, d. Christoph Hochäusler) *** |
| LOWER
CITY (2006, d. Sergio Machado) *** |
| LUCIE
AUBRAC (2007, d. Claude Berri) V. Gripping trueish French Resistance
film, like Black Book or Sophie Scholl, only better. *** 1/4 |
| LUCKY
BREAK (2002, d. Peter Cattaneo) **
1/2 |
| LUCKY
DAY, A (2002, d. Sandra Gugliotta) * |
| LUCKY
NUMBER SLEVIN (2006, d. Paul McGuigan) Peculiar, atmospheric gangster
revenge film. Josh Hartnett good; but after 5 min. I figured it all out. **
1/4 |
| LUCKY
NUMBERS (2000, d. Nora Ephron) **
1/2 |
| LUCKY ONE, THE (2012, d.
Scott Hicks) Romance/drama -soldier seeks out woman he thinks saved him.
Nicely underplayed by Zac Ephron, or it wouldn't work. *** |
| LUCKY ONES, THE (2011, d.
Neil Burger) V. Touching, beautifully acted, unpredictable road trip of 3
soldiers on leave. McAdams, Peña & Robbins perfect. *** 1/2 |
| LUCKY
YOU (2007, d. Curtis Hanson) Predictable romantic drama; but at least
they got the poker right. ** 1/2 |
| LUGAR
DONDE ESTUVO EL PARAISO, EL (2003, d. Gerardo Herrero) Diverting melodrama of
intrigue in the Peruvian Amazon. ** 3/4 |
| LULA,
SON OF BRAZIL (2010, d. Fábio Barreto; Brazil) ** 1/2 |
| LUNACY
(2006, d. Jan Svankmajer; Czech Republic) * 3/4 |
| LUNATICS,
LOVERS & POETS (2009, d. John Scoular) * 3/4 |
| LUST
(El Shooq) (2012, d. Khaled El Hagar, Egypt) W/O |
| LUST,
CAUTION (2007, d. Ang Lee) Gorgeous, perverse love and revolt story
with a phenominal perf by Wei Tang. *** 1/2 |
| LUSTER
(2003, d. Everett Lewis) + Forgot I'd seen this primative, sexy, minor gay
film effort before. Justin Herwick memorable, not much else. ** 1/2 |
| LUV (2012, d. Sheldon
Candis) ** 1/2 |
| LUZHIN
DEFENCE, THE (2001, d. Marleen Gorris)
** |
| LYMELIFE
(2009, d. Derick Martini) Culkin brothers are quite fine; but
unremitting miserablism overwhelms slender plot. ** 1/2 |
| LYS (2011,
d. Krystof Zlatnik) * |
| M
FOR MOTHER (2007, d. Rasool Mollagholi Poor; Iran) * 3/4 |
| MA SAISON SUPER 8 (2012, d.
Alessandro Avellis) V. Amateurish, plot lite 2003 film about start of
Parisian gay liberation/female empowerment movements. * 3/4 |
| MA
VRAIE VIE À ROUEN (2003, d. Ducastel and Martineau) Coming of age video
diary by a proto-gay ice skater, wonderfully observent, my cuppa! ***
1/2 |
| MAANGAMIZI
(2001, d. Martin Mhando and Ron Mulvihill) ** |
| MACHINIST,
THE (2004, d. Brad Anderson) This director makes creepy films, and this
is one of the most. Christian Bale is phenomenal, but viscerally hard to
watch. *** |
| MACHUCA
(2005, d. Andrés Wood) Chilean AFF: an 11 year old privileged boy's pov
of society at the end of Allende's regime. Politically slanted left, but
powerful stuff. *** |
| MAD
DETECTIVE (Shentan) (2008, d. Johnnie To & Wai Ka-Fai) *** |
| MAD
HOT BALLROOM (2006, d. Marilyn Agrelo) The kids and their dreams raise
this docu out of the ordinary. Wilson is a star. *** 1/2 |
| MAD
LOVE (Juana la Loca) (2001, d. Vicente Aranda) *** 3/4 |
| MADAME
SATA (2003, Brazil/France d. Karim Ainouz) Period biopic of
famous drag queen in Rio in the '30s. Steamy sex, well made film.
*** 1/4 |
| MADE
IN AMERICA (2008, d. Stacy Peralta) Flashy docu of history of gangs in
L.A., affecting, frightening & ultimately uplifting. *** 1/4 |
| MADE IN DAGENHAM (2010, d.
Nigel Cole) V. Valiant actors try; but script and direction so pedestrian and
predictable even if it is based on real story. ** 1/4 |
| MADE
OF HONOR (2009, d. Paul Weiland) V. Horribly clichéed and predictable
if slick romantic comedy. Even McDreamy couldn't save this one. * 3/4 |
| MADE
OF HONOR (2009, d. Paul Weiland) V. Horribly clichéed and predictable
if slick romantic comedy. Even McDreamy couldn't save this one. * 3/4 |
| MADE
UP (2003, d. Tony Shalhoub) Clever, well made mockumentary about making
a documentary about women aging. *** 1/4 |
| MADE
(2001, d. Jon Favreau) ** 1/2 |
| MADEINUSA
(2006, d. Claudia Llosa) ** 3/4 |
| MADELEINE
(2003, d. Park Kwang-Chung) Korean story of kooky, modern young
romance. Simple story, fun and touching. *** |
| MADEMOISELLE
CHAMBON (2010, d. Stéphane Brizé) ** 1/2 |
| MADISON
(2005, d. William Bindley) Slick, banal, feel-good period (early 70s) film
about speed boats in Madison, IN. Nothing original. * 3/4 |
| MAELSTROM
(2002, d. Denis Villeneuve) *** |
| MAGDALENE
SISTERS (2003, UK d. Peter Mullan) Disturbing drama about the
abuses of the Catholic "fallen women" nunneries in Ireland.
Fine acting. *** 1/4 |
| MAGIC
BOX, THE (2003, d. Ridha Behi) Tunisia AFF. Drama about film
director writing a script about his childhood. *** 1/4 |
| MAGIC
FLUTE, THE (2006, d. Kenneth Branagh) ** 3/4 |
| MAGIC LIFE, THE (2012, d.
Nelson Cheng) V. Very entertaining, if lightweight docu re: art of magic
featuring 3 fledgling magicians & their struggles, education etc.
*** 1/4 |
| MAGIC MIKE (2012, d. Steven
Soderbergh) Until the cop-out ending hard hitting & sexy romp. Tatum is a
great dancer, still can't act tho pulls his weight. Guilty pleasure. *** |
| MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE, THE
(2012, d. Rob Reiner) Old fashioned, sentimentalized film- an old man learns
from child. Morgan Freeman does Morgan Freeman well. ** 1/2 |
| MAGIC
OF ORDINARY DAYS, THE (2005, d. Brent Shields) V. Hallmark romantic
feel-good tv pic with an excellent Skeet Ulrich & Keri Russell looking
'40's pretty. ** 1/2 |
| MAGIC
TRIP: KEN KESEY'S SEARCH FOR A KOOL PLACE (2011, d. Alison
Ellwood & Alex Gibney) *** 1/2 |
| MAGNUS (2008, d.
Kadri Köusaar) ** 3/4 |
| MAHLER
ON THE COUCH (2010, d. Felix O. Adlon & Percy Adlon) ** 3/4 |
| MAID
IN MANHATTAN (2002, d. Wayne Wang) *
1/4 |
| MAID,
THE (2009, d. Sebastian Silva) *** |
| MAISON
DE NIÑA, LA (2006, d. Richard Dembo) *** 1/2 |
| MAJECTIC,
THE (2001, d. Frank Darabont)
*** |
| MAJORITY,
THE (2011, d. Seren Yüce) *** |
| MAKING
LOVE (2009, d. Arthur Hiller) V.+ Watched again 25 yrs. later at
a friend's behest. Still one of the most romantic, realistic gay stories
ever; but just misses. ** 3/4 |
| MAKING
PLANS FOR LENA (Non, ma fille tu n'iras pas danser) (2010, d.
Christophe Honoré) ** 1/4 |
| MALAS
TEMPORADAS (Hard Times) (2006, d. Manuel Martín Cuenca) ** 3/4 |
| MALÈNA
(2000, d. Giuseppe Tornatore) *** 1/2 |
| MALFUNKSHUN:
THE ANDREW WOOD STORY (2005, d. Scot Barbour) Interesting docu about
Seattle grunge rocker Wood, who died at 24. ** 3/4 |
| MALUNDE
(2002, d. Stefanie Sychott) ** 3/4 |
| MAMA
GÓGÓ (2010, d. Fridrik Thor Fridriksson; Iceland) *** |
| MAMAY
(2004, d. Oles Sanin) Gorgeous to look at; but fatally pretentious and opaque
Cossack legend, or something like that. * 1/4 |
| MAMBO
ITALIANO (2003, d. Émile Gaudreault) Gay family comedy, nice
performance by Luke Kerby which almost makes up for clichéd ethnic coming out
plot. ** 1/2 |
| MAMBO
ITALIANO (2007, d. Émile Gaudreault) V.+ Enjoyable gay family dramedy
with a nice, sympathetic perf by Luke Kerby. ** 3/4 |
| MAMMA
MIA! (2008, d. Phyllida Lloyd) Silly plot, ABBA music which doesn't add
to story...the cast gives all; but the direction is so lame. ** |
| MAN
ABOUT DOG (2005, d. Paddy Breathnach) Irish film greatly in need of
subtitles. An occasionally funny comedy about dog racing betters. ** |
| MAN
EXPOSED, THE (2007, d. Aku Louhimies) ** 3/4 |
| MAN
FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS, THE (2002, d. George
Hickenlooper) *** 1/2 |
| MAN
FROM LONDON, THE (2008, d. Bela Tarr) *** |
| MAN
IN THE CHAIR (2007, d. Michael Schroeder) *** |
| MAN OF
MY LIFE, THE (2007, d. Zabou Breitman)+ *** 3/4 |
| MAN OF
THE HOUSE (2005, d. Stephen Kerek) Utterly stupid and exploitive film
about a cop tending cheerleader witnesses. 1/2* |
| MAN
OF THE YEAR (2004, d. José Henrique Fonseca) Fine Brazilian film about
a guy who bleaches his hair and turns into a cold killer anti-hero. *** 1/4 |
| MAN ON
FIRE (2004, d. Tony Scott) Another rage/revenge story, stylishly made
with another great Denzel performance, though ending a cop out. ** 3/4 |
| MAN
ON THE TRAIN (2002, d. Patrice Leconte) *** 1/4 |
| MAN
ON WIRE (2008, d. James Marsh) *** 3/4 |
| MAN
WHO LOVED YNGVE, THE (2009, d. Stian Kristiansen; Norway) Confused punk
rocker straight boy falls for new boy in class. Beautiful & involving
despite. *** |
| MAN
WHO LOVES, THE (L'uomo che ama) (2009, d. Marie Sole Tognazzi) *** |
| MAN
WHO WASN'T THERE, THE (2001, d. Joel Coen) **
1/2 |
| MAN
WHO WILL COME, THE (2011 d. Giorgio Diritti) *** 1/4 |
| MAN
WITHOUT A FACE, THE (2004, d. Mel Gibson) V. Well intended film about a
troubled boy & the troubled tutor who helps him. Nick Stahl was wonderful
at 13. *** |
| MAN
WITHOUT A PAST, THE (2003, d. Aki Kaurismäki) Finland AFF.
Amnesiac man builds a new life. ** 3/4 |
| MANCHURIAN
CANDIDATE, THE (2004, d. Jonathan Demme) OK thriller, except for the
incoherent narrative lapses and utter inferiority to the
original. ** |
| MANCORA (2008, d.
Recardo de Montreuil) ** 3/4 |
| MANDERLAY
(2006, d. Lars Von Trier) *** |
| MANDRAGORA (2012, d. Wiktor
Grodecki) V. Czech cautionary fable of 15 yr. old runaway boy prostitute lost
to debauchery in Prague in '90s. Well acted, total downer. ** 3/4 |
| MANHOOD
AND OTHER MODERN DILEMMAS (2001, d. Ronan Girre) * |
| MANIC
(2001, d. Jordan Melamed) *** 1/2 |
| MANOS
VACIAS, LAS (2004, d. Marc Recha) Silly "lost dead body"
farce (in French) with a plot I found impossible to follow. * 1/4 |
| MAN'S
BEST FRIEND (2003, d. Rob Lundsgaard) Fun, screwball romantic comedy
about straight guy who is supposedly gay. . *** |
| MAN'S
JOB, A (2007, d. Aleksi Salmenperä) Finland's foreign film submission
*** |
| MANSFIELD
PARK (2008, d. Iain MacDonald) V. Short & sweet. But Blake Ritson
made a remarkably good Edmond. *** |
| MANSFIELD
PARK (2008, d. Patricia Rozema)V. Not Austen's best story; but a
fine "film of quality". Jonny Lee Miller especially
noteworth. *** 1/4 |
| MANSION
BY THE SEA (2004, d. Lester James Peries) Sloooooow, well shot but
overdrawn Sri Lankan AFF about the economic upheavals in that country.
* 1/2 |
| MANSLAUGHTER
(Drabet) (2006, d. Per Fly) Another Danish mid-life crisis
film...teacher falls for eco-terrorist former student. Stark, fine
drama. *** 1/4 |
| MANUELA
AND MANUEL (2007, d. Paul Marchand Sanchez) *** |
| MANUFACTURED
LANDSCAPES (2007, d. Jennifer Baichwal) *** |
| MAO'S
LAST DANCER (2010, d. Bruce Beresford) *** 1/4 |
| MAP
OF SEX AND LOVE (2002, d. Evans Chan) *** |
| MAP
OF THE HEART, A (2002, d. Dominik Graf) *** 1/2 |
| MARATHON BOY (2011, d.
Gemma Atwal) V. Docu "thriller" about massive political controversy
surrounding slumdog, Indian 4-year old boy marathon runner. *** |
| MARCELLO
MARCELLO (2009, d. Denis Rabaglia) *** 3/4 |
| MARCELLO
MARCELLO + *** 1/2 |
| MARCH
OF THE PENGUINS (2005, d. Luc Jacquet) Involving nature docu done
beautifully in extraordinarily difficult shooting conditions. *** 1/4 |
| MARGARET (2011, d.
Kenneth Lonergan) A young Anna Paquin plays an unsympathetic, spoiled
teenager in this overlong, well-intentioned drama. ** 1/2 |
| MARGIN CALL (2011, d.
J.C. Chandor) Talky, stagy film about cut-throat Wall St. firm central
to recent derivitive meltdown. Great cast & smart dialog keep it
interesting. *** |
| MARGOT
AT THE WEDDING (2007, d. Noah Baumbach) Dysfunctional sisters squared.
Fabu acting, ugly story. *** |
| MARIA
FULL OF GRACE (2004, d. Joshua Marston) Straightforward audience
pleaser about a Columbian girl who becoms a drug mule. *** |
| MARIAGES
(2002, d. Catherine Martin) ** 1/2 |
| MARIE
ANTOINETTE (2006, d. Sofia Coppola) Sort of boring, sort of frivolous,
sort of anachronistic. But fun. ** 3/4 |
| MARINA ABRAMOVIC: THE ARTIST
IS PRESENT (2012, d. Matthew Akers) V. Performance art docu...hypnotic at
times, but ultimately insightful. Just not my cuppa. *** |
| MARION
BRIDGE (2003, d. Wiebke Von Carolsfeld) 3 sisters play out their
neuroses as mother lay dying in bleak Nova Scotia. Molly Parker was
fine. *** |
| MARIO'S
WAR ( La Guerra Di Mario) (2006, d. Antonio Capuano) ** 3/4 |
| MARKET
- A TALE OF TRADE, THE (2009, d. Ben Hopkins) ** 1/4 |
| MARLEY (2012, d. Kevin
Macdonald) V. Long & comprehensive docu of Bob Marley's life & music.
Well written & edited with great concert footage & interviews. ***
1/4 |
| MAROA
(2006, d. Solveig Hoogesteijn; Venezula) *** 1/4 |
| MARPLE:
MURDER IS EASY (2009, d. Hettie Macdonald) V. Dense vedy British
whodunit with talky, unsatisfying denoument. ** 1/4 |
| MARPLE:
POCKET FULL OF RYE (2009, d. Charles Palmer) V. One of the best of this
Mystery series, good plot, nicely acted and directed. *** |
| MARRIAGE
OF MARIA BRAUN, THE (2003, d. W.R. Fassbinder) V. Schygulla's riviting
perf lifts this post-WWII German reconstruction epic to greatness. ***
1/2 |
| MARRIED
LIFE (2008, d. Ira Sachs) Elegant adult dramedy which copped out and
wasted some fine actors. ** 1/4 |
| MARS
(2005, d. Anna Melikian) A totally incomprehensible allegorical comedy about
today's Russia. Sort of poor man's Kusterica. * 1/4 |
| MARSHALL
TITO'S SPIRIT (2000, d. Vinko Bresan) |
| MARTHA MARCY MAY
MARLENE (2011, d. Sean Durkin) Creepy, parania inducing, open-end
story of girl escaping cult to stay with middle class sister &
husband. *** |
| MARTIAN
CHILD (2007, d. Menno Meyjes) How this script aborted my friend David
Gerrold's true story! ** 1/2 |
| MARTIN (HACHE) (2012, d.
Adolfo Aristarain) V. Talky, cerebral '97 film, distant father, lost son, gay
best friend, druggy girlfriend. Brilliant acting. Luppi! Roth! Botto!
*** 1/4 |
| MARUJAS
ASESINAS (2008, d. Javier Rebollo) V. 2001 black comedy...murderous,
crazy wife, and her loser friends. ** 1/2 |
| MASCULIN
FEMININE (2005, d. Jean-Luc Godard) I wanted to like this '60s Godard
b&w film; but it's pretty boring. ** 1/2 |
| MASQUERADES
(2008, d. Lyes Salem; Algeria) *** 1/4 |
| MASSEUR,
THE (Masahista) (2006, d. Brillante Mendoza) Another naive Philipine
gay film with bad acting & predictable story. * 3/4 |
| MASTER
& COMMANDER (2003, d. Peter Weir) Rip-roaring seafaring epic, no
disappointments here. Crowe does it again. A 2nd viewing seems called
for. *** 1/4 |
| MASTER, THE (2012, d. Paul
Thomas Anderson) Gorgeous (70mm, prod. design perfection), fabu acting. But I
don't get its elliptical plot, yet that doesn't matter.. *** 1/4 |
| MATADOR,
THE (2005, d. Richard Sheperd) ** |
| MATAHARIS
(2008, d. Isiar Bollain) *** |
| MATCH
POINT (2005, d. Woody Allen) *** 1/2 |
| MATCHMAKER,
THE (Pa'am ha'yi'ti) (2011 d. Avi Nesher) *** 1/2 |
| MATCHSTICK
MEN (2003, d. Ridley Scott) Morally ambiguous multi-level con scam film
- good performances and solid direction, but a hole-filled script. **
1/2 |
| MATRIX
RELOADED, THE (2003, d. Bros. Wachowski) About what I expected: fun;
but the novelty of invention has worn thin. Dynamite effects, too
wordy. ** 3/4 |
| MATRIX:
REVOLUTIONS, THE (2003, d. Washovski Brothers) Another visual &
sonic tour de force. Much better than the 2nd film, though slow parts
boring. *** |
| MATTER
OF TASTE, A (2011, d. Sally Rowe) *** 1/2 |
| MATTER
OF TASTE, A (2001, d. Bernard Rapp) **** |
| MATTI
(2007, d. Aleksi Mäkelä) ** 1/4 |
| MAUVAIS
SANG (2001, d. Leos Carax) [1986] ** 3/4
|
| MAX
HAVELAAR (2007, d. Fons Rademakers) *** |
| MAX
MANUS (2009, d. Espen Sandberg, Joachim Roenning; Norway) *** 3/4 |
| MAX
RULES (2004, d. Robert Burke) Silly kids movie, sort of a cheezy Spy
Kids without the special effects budget. The audience ate it up,
though. * 1/4 |
| MAX
(2002, d. Menno Meyjes) * 1/4 |
| MAXED
OUT (2006, d. James D. Scurlock) ** 1/2 |
| MAZE
(2000, d. Rob Morrow) *** |
| McLIBEL
(2005, d. Franny Armstrong) Docu about famous British libel case won in a
truly Pyrrhic victory by McDonalds. Engaging, but familiar stuff. *** |
| ME
AND ORSON WELLES (2008, d. Richard Linklater) *** 1/4 |
| ME
AND YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW (2005, d. Miranda July) Uniquely voiced
comedy about a broken family & connecting. *** |
| ME TOO (Yo,
también) (2010, d. Alvaro Pastor & Antonio Naharro) *** |
| ME
TWO (La personne aux deux personnes) (2009, d. Bruno Lavaine, Nicolas
Charlet) ** |
| ME
WITHOUT YOU (2002, d. Sandra Goldbacher) ***
3/4 |
| ME YOU
THEM (2001, d. Andrucha Waddington) **
1/2 |
| MEAN
CREEK (2004, d. Jacob Estes) Involving indie, sort of Rivers Edge mixed
with Deliverance. Scott Mechlowicz is a find! *** |
| MEAN
GIRLS (2004, d. Mark Waters) Well written, trenchant high school satire
reminiscent of Heathers. Silly fun, but smart. *** |
| MECHANISM
(2001, d. Djordje Milosavljevic) ** 3/4 |
| MEDIATOR
(2009, d. Dito Tsintsadze; Georgia) *** |
| MEDICINE
SHOW, THE (2001, d. Wendell Morris) ** 3/4 |
| MEDITERRANEAN
FOOD (2010, d. Joaquin Oristrell) *** 1/2 |
MEEK'S CUTOFF (2011, d. Kelly
Reichardt) Interesting anti-western take with fine acting. *** 1/4
|
| MEET
MONICA VELOUR (2010, d. Keith Bearden) ** |
| MEET
THE PARENTS (2000, d. Jay Roach) **
1/2 |
| MEETING
RESISTANCE (2007, d. Connors & Bingham) Excellent, scary docu about
Iraqi resistance fighters. *** 1/2 |
| MEGAMIND (2010, d. Tom
McGrath) Amusing enough superhero 3D animation with some fine vocal
talent. I preferred the similar Despicable Me; but that's just me. *** 1/4 |
| MELANCHOLIA (2011, d.
Lars von Trier) Unremitting, lugubrious, if watchable, downer where end
of the world comes as a blessed relief. *** |
| MELINDA
AND MELINDA (2005, d. Woody Allen) Will Farrell is a strange Allen
avatar; but this overly clever, hit-&-miss dual-plot film worked for
me. ** 3/4 |
| MELODRAMA
HABIBI (2009, d. Hany Tamba) ** |
| MELODY'S
SMILE (La chambre des morts) (2008, d. Alfred Lot) *** |
| MEMENTO
MORI (2001, d. Min Kyu-Dong & Kim Tae-Yong) ** |
| MEMENTO
(2001, d. Christopher Nolan) *** 1/2 |
| MEMOIRS
OF A GEISHA (2005, d. Rob Marshall) ** 3/4 |
| MEMORIES
OF ANNE FRANK (2010, d. Alberto Negrin) * 1/4 |
| MEMORIES
OF MURDER (2004, d. Bong Joon-ho) Diverting, comic Korean policier
about a serial killer and the Keystone Kops who hunt him. ** 1/2 |
| MEMORIES
OF TOMORROW (Ashita No Kioku) (2006, d. Yukihiko Tsutsumi) *** |
| MEMORY
THIEF, THE (2007, d. Gil Kofman) *** 3/4 |
| MEN
AND WOMEN (2005, d. Claude Lelouch) Somewhat foced amalgam of 2 complex
relationship films, nicely done until it turns too meta midway. ** 1/4 |
| MEN
AT BATH (2011, d. Christophe Honoré) *** 1/4 (personal
rating); * 3/4 (objectively as a film) |
| MEN IN THE NUDE (Férfiakt)
(2012, d. Károly Esztergályos) V. Serious, well-played drama: older straight
writer falls "Death in Venice" style with teen boy. ** 3/4 |
| MEN IN
THE NUDE (2007, d. Károly Esztergályos) *** |
| MEN OF
HONOR (2000, d. George Tillman, Jr.)
*** |
| MEN
WHO STARE AT GOATS, THE (2009, d.Grant Heslov) Satire of supposed U.S.
army psy-ops, half funny, half ridiculous. ** 1/2 |
| MEN
WITH BROOMS (2002, d. Paul Gross) ** 3/4 |
| MERCHANT
OF VENICE, THE (2005, d. Michael Radford) "The quality of this
film is strained; it droppeth like a gentle thud from pretention."
** 1/2 |
| MERCI
DOCTEUR REY (2003, d. Andrew Litvack) Farce, a fine international cast
but plot holes and a silly resolution kept it from living up to
promise. ** 3/4 |
| MERCI
POUR LE CHOCOLAT (2002, d. Claude Chabrol) ***
1/4 |
| MERCY
(2010, d. Patrick Hoelck) *** |
| MERMAID,
THE (2008, d. Anna Melikyan; Russia) *** |
| MERRY
GENTLEMEN, THE (2009, d. Michael Keaton) ** 3/4 |
| MESKADA (2012, d. John
Sternfeld) V. Atmospheric straight-to-video policier about murder/robbery in
small town & the detective whose roots lead to killer. ** 1/2 |
| MESRINE:
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE (Part 1) (2009, d. Jean-François Richet) ***
1/2 |
| MESRINE:
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE (Part 2) (2009, d. Jean-François Richet) ***
1/4 |
| MESSAGES
FROM THE SEA (2010, d. Daoud Abdel Sayed; Egypt) *** 1/4 |
| MESSENGER,
THE (2009, d. Oren Moverman) Simple perfection. Nicely understated
perfs by Foster & Morton, best perf ever by Harrelson. Touching and
relevant. **** |
| MESSIAH
1: THE FIRST KILLINGS (2005, d. Diarmuid Lawrence) V. ***
1/4 |
| MESSIAH
2: VENGENCE IS MINE (2005, d. David Richards) V. *** 1/4 |
| MESSIAH
3: THE PROMISE (2005, d. David Drury) V. ** 3/4 |
| METALLICA:
SOME KIND OF MONSTER (2004, d. Berlinger & Sinofsky) A fascinating
documentary that really examines the angsts of aging rock idols. ***
3/4 |
| METROSEXUALITY
(2001, d. Rikki Beadle Blair) *** |
| MEXICAN SUITCASE, THE (2012, d. Trisha
Ziff) ** 3/4 |
| MEXICAN,
THE (2001, d. Gore Verbinski) ** 1/2 |
| MIAMI
VICE (2006, d. Michael Mann) More plot holes than Swiss cheese;
but usual Mann atmosphere makes a good film. ** 3/4 |
| MIAO
MIAO (2009, d. Hsiao-Tse Cheng) *** |
| MICHAEL PETRUCCIANI
(2012, d. Michael Radford) *** 1/2 |
| MICHAEL
(2011, d. Marcus Schleinzer) *** 1/4 |
| MICHOU D'AUBER
(2008, d. Thomas Gilou) *** 1/4 |
| MICMACS
(2010, d. Jean-Pierre Jeunet) *** 1/4 |
| MICROPHONE
(2011, d. Ahmad Abdalla) ** 1/4 |
| MID-AUGUST
LUNCH (2009, d. Gianni di Gregorio) *** |
| MIDDLE MEN (2010, d. George Gallo) Overamped, overacted,
narration riddled caper flick loosely based on fact...but unlikely and
unlikable. * 3/4 |
| MIDDLE
OF THE WORLD, THE (2004, d. Vicente Amorim) V. A family bicycles
through Brazil in this beautifully shot road film. ** 3/4 |
| MIDDLEMARCH (2012, d. Anthony
Page) V. 6-part Masterpiece costume mini-series, complex, informative but
rather cold. I've always wanted to read the book. *** |
| MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011, d.
Woody Allen) Historical, timebinding whimsy, Allen style. Owen Wilson didn't
cut it, imo; but the script is clever & costumes great. *** 1/4 |
| MIDWINTER'S
NIGHT DREAM, A (2005, d. Goran Paskaljevic) Depressing, if beautifully
acted, drama about a luckless Serbian man. ** 3/4 |
| MIENTE
(2010, d. Rafi Mercado: Puerto Rico) ** 1/2 |
| MIFUNE
(2000, d. Søren Kragh-Jacobsen) **
1/2 |
| MIGHTY
HEART, A (2007, d. Michael Winterbottom) Great docu like feeling; but
film failed to affect me emotionally. ** 3/4 |
| MIGHTY
WIND, A (2003, d. Christopher Guest) Folksinging mocumentary. Not
as funny as Guest's previous...sort of forced. But enjoyable. **
1/2 |
| MIGRATION
OF THE ANGEL, THE (2001, d. Nodar Managadze) 1/2* |
| MILA
FROM MARS (2005, d. Zornitsa Sophia) An involving love story, a Christ
allegory, a post-modern road trip all rolled into one. ** 3/4 |
| MILANO
PALERMO - IL RITORNO (2008, d. Claudio Fragasso) *** 1/4 |
| MILK (2009, d.
Gus Van Sant) + A 2nd viewing discloses subtleties unseen before.
Superb script, direction & acting make this the year's most important
film. **** |
| MILK
OF SORROW, THE (2009, d. Claudia Llosa; Peru) *** |
| MILK (2008, d.
Gus Van Sant) *** 3/4 |
| MILLENNIUM
MAMBO (2001, d. Hou Hsiao-Hsien) ** |
| MILLION
DOLLAR BABY (2004, d. Clint Eastwood) Beautifully realized drama about
a female boxer who is all heart. Stunning cinematography & great
acting. *** 1/2 |
| MILLIONS
(2005, d. Danny Boyle) Gentle fable about a kid finding stolen money.
Technically adept & well made; but I'm too cynical for the message.
** 1/2 |
| MILWAUKEE,
MINNESOTA (2003, U.S. d. Allan Mandel) Quirky character
study of greedy people trying to fleece a somewhat retarded young man.
*** 1/4 |
| MINIMAL
STORIES (2003, Argentina d. Carlos Sorin) Road pic about 36 hours
of nice ordinary people living ordinary lives, only without irony. *** |
| MINISTER, THE
(2012, d. Olivier Gourmet) *** |
| MINOR
MISHAPS (2004, d. Annette Olesen) An eccentric family comedy which put
me to sleep. I couldn't follow it when I awoke so I walked. W/O |
| MINORITY
REPORT (2002, d. Steven Spielberg)
*** |
| MINUS
MAN, THE (2003, d. Hampton Fancher) V. Ted Bundy type serial killer
(good job Owen Wilson!), great Brian Cox role, stylish well made
thriller. *** |
| MINUTE
OF SILENCE, A (Une Minute de silence) (2008, d. Florent Emilio Siri) **
1/2 |
| MIRACLE
ACCORDING TO SALOMÉ, THE (2005, d. Mário Barroso) Lush, beautifully
shot tragedy about the affairs of a virtuous prostitute. ** 3/4 |
| MIRACLE
OF BERNE, THE (2003, d. Sonke Wortmann) Crowd pleaser about Germany's
world cup victory in 1954. Made soccer interesting even to me. ** 3/4 |
| MIRACLE
OF MORGAN CREEK (2003, d. Preston Sturges) V. Nicely structured comedy, if
too silly for my taste; but almost Capraesque in its earnestness. **
3/4 |
| MIRACLE
SELLER (2010, d. Pawica & Szoda) ** 3/4 |
| MIRACLE
(2001, d. Natasha Arthy) *** 1/2 |
| MIRACLE
(2006, d. Gavin O'Connor) V. Feel good replay of '80 Olympic hockey team. **
3/4 |
| MIRAGE (2012, d. Jung-Ho
Yang) ** |
| MIRAL (2011, d. Julian
Schnabel) Arty film about Palistinian travails from 1947 to Oslo accords,
political, a tinge of anti-Israel; but I was moved despite myself. *** |
| MIRANDA
(2003, Great Britain d. Mark Munden) Cross between a caper film and a
romantic comedy. Enjoyable, but minor. ** 3/4 |
| MIRROR MIRROR (2012, d.
Tarsem Singh) Gorgeous costumes, uninspired script & cheesy f/x. Armie
Hammer is a convincing prince. ** |
| MIRUSH
(2008, d. Marius Holst) *** |
| MIS: HUMAN SECRET WEAPON
(2012, d. Junichi Suzuki) V. Docu of Japanese WWII intelligence soldiers,
good interviews, moving, timely but not unique. *** |
| MISFORTUNATES,
THE (2009, d. Felix van Groeningen; Belgium) ** 3/4 |
| MISS
AUSTEN REGRETS (2008, d. Jeremy Lovering)V. Fair if fictionalized
biopic in the style of an Austen novel. ** 1/2 |
| MISS
BALA (2012, d. Gerardo Naranjo, Mexico) *** 1/4 |
| MISS
CONGENIALITY 2 (2005, d. John Pasquin) Slick caper comedy & female
buddy pic with a ridiculous plot. Nice use of Enrique Murciano. * 3/4 |
| MISS
CONGENIALITY (2000, d. Donald Petrie)
** |
| MISS
ENTEBBE (2003, Israel d. Omri Levy) Afterschool Specialish
film about Israeli kids running wild during the Entebbe air hijacking.
*** |
| MISS
NOBODY (2010, d. Tim Cox) * 1/2 |
| MISS
PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY (2008, d. Bharat Nalluri) Academy audience
loved it; but sort of insipid. ** 3/4 |
| MISS
POTTER (2006, d. Chris Noonan) Sort of charming, esp. Emily Watson; but
a little too sugary for my taste. ** 3/4 |
| MISSING
IN AMERICA (2005, d. Gabrielle Savage Dockterman) Affecting story
of lost Viet vet (Danny Glover) and the child that comes into his life. **
1/2 |
| MISSING
PERSON, THE (2009, d. Noah Buschel) ** |
| MISSING
STAR, THE (2006, d. Gianni Amelio) *** |
| MISSING,
THE (2003, d. Ron Howard) One of the better westerns of the last few
decades, marred only by excessive spiritualty and predictability. *** 1/4 |
| MISSION
IMPOSSIBLE: 2 (2000, d. John Woo) **
1/2 |
| MISSION IMPOSSIBLE:
GHOST PROTOCOL (2011, d. Brad Bird) Great stunts, lousy film. I didn't
believe one minute of realistic possibility. * 3/4 |
| MISSION
TO MARS (2000, d. Brian De Palma) **
1/2 |
| MISSION, LA
(2009, d. Peter Bratt) *** 1/4 |
| MISSION,
THE (2000, d. Johnnie To & Cheng Ka-Sang) *** |
| MISTERIO
GALÍNDEZ, EL (2004, d. Gerardo Herrero) Competent, if turgid, political
thriller based on true disappearance of Basque nationalist in the Dominican
Republic. ** 1/4 |
| MITCHELL 20 (2011, d.
Murray & Benson) V. Effective, moving & important advocacy docu for
teachers in poor districts progressing from below by board certification. ***
1/2 |
| MIX
(2004, d. Steven Lovy) A sex and music comedy about an American boy who
returns to his roots in Hungary and has quite an adventure. Great
music! *** 1/4 |
| MOI
CÉSAR (2004, d. Richard Berry) A kid flick about a 10 year old chubby
boy's adventures. Nothing great; but a lark. ** 1/4 |
| MOLIÈRE
(2007, d. Laurant Tirard) *** 1/4 |
| MOLLY'S
WAY (2006, d. Emily Atef) *** |
| MOMMA'S
MAN (2008, d. Azazel Jacobs) ** 1/2 |
| MOMMY
IS AT THE HAIRDRESSER'S (2009, d. Léa Pool) *** 1/2 |
| MON
ANGE (2007, d. Serge Frydman) V. Farfetched prostitute bonds with
teenage boy story. Again, Vincent Rottiers steals a film. ** 1/4 |
| MON
COLONEL (2006, d. Laurent Herbiet) *** 1/4 |
| MON
RAK TRANSISTOR (2002, d. Pen-Ek Ratanaruang) ** |
| MONA
LISA'S SMILE (2003, d. Mike Newell) The Dead Poetesses Society with
Julia R in the Williams role. 50's sexual politics too obvious. Pleasant. **
1/2 |
| MONDAYS
IN THE SUN (2003, d. Fernando Leon de Aranoa) Spain AFF. Drab
bar-room drama about out-of-work laborors. *** 1/4 |
| MONDOVINO
(2005, d. Jonathan Nossiter)V. ** 1/2 |
| MONEYBALL (2011, d. Bennett
Miller) Pitt & especially a subdued Jonah Hill are wonderful. Sorkin's
hand is obvious: more Social Network than baseball flick. *** 1/2 |
| MONGA
(2010, d. Doze Niu; Taiwan) *** 1/4 |
| MONGOL
(2007, d. Sergei Bodrov) ** 3/4
|
| MONGOLIAN
PING PONG (2005, d. Ning Hao) Like Weeping Camel, a charming tale of
culture clash on the Mongolian grasslands featuring 3 young kids. *** |
| MONK,
THE (2012, d. Dominik Moll) ** 3/4 |
| MONKEY
LOVE (2002, d. Mark Stratton) ** 3/4 |
| MONKEY
WARFARE (2006, d. Reg Harkema) * 3/4 |
| MONKEYS
IN WINTER (2006, d. Milena Andonova; Bulgaria) ** |
| MONKEY'S
MASK, THE (2001, d. Samantha Lang) ** 3/4
|
| MONKEY'S
MASK, THE (2001, d. Semantha Lang) ** 3/4 |
| MONOGAMY
(2010, d. Dana Adam Shapiro) ** 1/4 |
| MONSIEUR
BATIGNOLE (2003, d. Gérard Jugnot) Another Jews vs. Nazis (French
colabos) & oldster-learns-life-lesson-from-young-kid film. ** 1/2 |
| MONSIEUR
IBRAHIM (2003, d. François Dupeyron) Subtle coming of age film about 16
year old Jewish boy and his elderly Sufi mentor. Pierre Boulanger! ***
1/4 |
| MONSIEUR
LAZHAR (2011, d. Philippe Fatardeau, Canada) *** 1/2 |
| MONSIEUR
N (2004, d. Antoine de Caunes) Intimate, well made, wide screen epic
about Napoleon's last days on St. Helena. *** |
| MONSIEUR
PAPA (2011, d. Kad Merad) *** |
| MONSOON
WEDDING (2002, d. Mira Nair)
*** |
| MONSTER
( 2003, d. Patty Jenkins) Excruciating (for me) to watch "true"
story of a female serial killer. Theron was remarkable, but I wanted to
walk out. ** |
| MONSTER
HOUSE (2006, d. Gil Kenan) Almost perfectly made 3-D animated film with
levels of meaning. *** 1/2 |
| MONSTER-IN-LAW
(2007, d. Robert Lutetik) V. Totally predictable, forgettable
comedy. Unwatchable. W/O |
| MONSTER'S
BALL (2001, d. Marc Forster) ***
1/2 |
| MONSTERS,
INC. (2001, d. Pete Docter)
*** |
| MONTE CARLO (2011, d. Thomas
Bezucha) Thoroughly mediocre "teen girls adventures in France"
flick. Yet, some fresh faces & an ok script...I enjoyed it.
** 1/2 |
| MONTEVIDEO:
TASTE OF A DREAM (2011, d. Dragan Bjelogrlic, Serbia) ** 1/2 |
| MOON (2009, d.
Duncan Jones) ** 3/4 |
| MOONHUNTER,
THE (2001, d. Bhandit Rittakol) * |
| MOONLIGHT
MILE (2002, d. Brad Silberling) **
1/2 |
| MOONRISE
KINGDOM (2012, d. Wes Anderson) *** |
| MORGAN (2012, d. Michael D.
Akers) Occasionally moving, afternoon-specialish gay film about newly
paraplegic guy finding love. Attractive straight actors, coy sex. ** 3/4, |
| MORGEN
(2012, d. Marian Crisan, Romania) ** 1/2 |
| MORNING (2010, d.
Joseph Mitacek) ** 3/4 |
| MOROCCAN
SYMPHONY, THE (2006, d. Kamal Kamal; Morocco) * 3/4 |
| MORTAL
TRANSFER (2001, d. Jean-Jacques Beineix) ** 3/4 |
| MORVERN
CALLAR (2002, d. Lynne Ramsay) *** 1/4
|
| MOSCOW,
BELGIUM (2009, d. Christophe van Rompaey) *** |
| MOSQUITA Y
MARI (2012, d. Aurora Guerrero) ** 1/2 |
| MOST
DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA (2009, d. Ehrlich & Goldsmith) V. Great
year for docus & this one is important, informative & well
crafted. *** 3/4 |
| MOST
IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT BEING DEAD, THE (2011, d. Pictel, Torrado,
Recuenco) ** 1/4 |
| MOSTLY
MARTHA (2002, d. Sandra Nettelbeck) ***
1/2 |
| MOSTLY
UNFABULOUS LIFE OF ETHAN GREEN, THE (2006, d. George Bamber) Bad, bad
gay film which I sort of enjoyed. * 1/2 |
| MOTEL,
THE (2006, d. Michael Kang) Chinese-American chubby 13 yr. old motel
owner's kid. Truthful, but sort of boring. ** 3/4 |
| MOTHER & CHILD
(2010, d. Rodrigo Garcia) Emotionally satisfying complex story of 3
women/mothers/daughters. Garcia, Benning, Watts all incredibly good. *** 3/4 |
| MOTHER
(2009, d. Bong Jong-ho; South Korea) *** 1/4 |
| MOTHER
OF MINE (2005, d. Klaus Härö; Finland) *** 1/2 |
| MOTHER,
THE (2004, d. Roger Michell) A simply extraordinary, wonderfully done
drama about an older woman's adjustment when her husband dies. *** 3/4 |
| MOTHERS
AND DAUGHTERS (2009, d. Carl Bessai) *** 1/4 |
| MOTHERS
(2011 d. Milco Mancevski; Macedonia) ** 3/4 |
| MOTHMAN
PROPHECIES,THE (2002, d. Mark Pellington)
* |
| MOTORCYCLE
DIARIES (2004, d. Walter Salles) Moving, beautiful, insightful road pic
about young Che Guivara with a career perf. by Gael Bernal. Oscar
calibre. *** 3/4 |
| MOULIN
ROUGE (2001, d. Baz Luhrmann) ***
|
| MOUNT
ST. ELIAS (2010, d. Gerald Salmina) *** 1/2 |
| MOUNTAIN,
THE (2011, d. Ole Glaever) ** 3/4 |
| MOURNING
(2012, d. Morteza Farshbaf) ** 1/2 |
| MOUSTACHE,
LA (2006, d. Emmanuel Carrère) Unsettling, atmosphericx film with
unreliable narrative, who's insane? *** |
| MR.
& MRS. SMITH (2005, d. Doug Liman) Brad Pitt has never been better.
Flawed script with some missing pieces; but a super entertainment. *** |
| MR.
BROOKS (2007, d. Bruce A. Evans) Wonderful script, this audacious
serial killer as anti-hero film just works. *** 1/2 |
| MR.
DEEDS (2003, d. Steven Brill) V. Adam Sandler vehicle which mostly
misses due to lame, unfunny script. But I like him, what can I say? * 1/2 |
| MR.
LONELY (2008, d. Harmony Khorine) Inscrutible, occasionally visually
interesting, mostly boring...good actors wasted. * 3/4 |
| MR.
MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM (2007, d. Zach Helm) Nice special f/x, but
nothing else special here. ** 1/2 |
| MR.
RIGHT (2009, d. Jacqueline Morris) 3 gay couples live & romance in
modern day London. Clunky, confusing exposition, but nifty resolution &
well observed. ** 3/4 |
| MRS.
HENDERSON PRESENTS (2005, d. Stephen Frears) ** 1/2 |
| MRS.
PALFREY AT THE CLAIRMONT (2005, d. Dan Ireland) I'd give Joan Plowright
the Oscar for this. Plus Rupert Friend is a true find. *** 1/2 |
| MUDGE
BOY, THE (2003, U.S. d. Michael Burke 94 min.) Drama
about a sexually confused teen-age farm boy. *** |
| MUGABE
AND THE WHITE AFRICAN (2009, d. Bailey & Thompson) V. Shocking docu
about violent land reform in Mugabe's Zimbwabe & legal struggles. *** 1/2 |
| MUGGER,
THE (2007, d. Pablo Fendrik) ** |
| MULLHOLLAND
DRIVE (2001, d. David Lynch) *** 3/4
|
| MUMMY:
TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR (2008, d. Rob Cohen) Excessive use of every
action cliché in the book. Corny, stupid, but good f/x. * |
| MUNA
MADAN (2004, d. Gyanendra Bahadur Deuja) Honestly, one of the worst
films I've ever seen, every aspect an embarrassment. WO |
| MUNDO ALAS (2010, d. Gieco,
Molnar, Schindel) V. Docu about a troup of handicapped artists in Argentina.
Gratifying for its humanity, sort of boring as a film. ** 1/2 |
| MUNICH
(2005, d. Steven Spielberg) *** 1/4 |
| MUPPETS, THE (2011, d.
James Bobin) Cleverly meta, nice musical numbers, altogether delightful
film even if Muppets have no nostalgic value for me. *** 1/4 |
| MURDER
BY NUMBERS (2002, d. Barbet Schroeder)
*** |
| MURDERBALL
(2005, d. Rubin & Shapiro) Effective, emotionally satisfying &
extremely well shot docu about paraplegic wheelchair rugby at high level. ***
1/4 |
| MUSA
THE WARRIOR (2003, d. Kim Sung-su) Well constructed epic of 14th
Century Mongol-Chinese wars and a Korean delegation caught in the middle. *** |
| MUSHISHI
(2007, d. Katsuhiro Otomo) ** 1/2 |
| MUSIC
AND LYRICS (2007, d. Marc Lawrence) Great fake '80s music videos.
Uninvolving romantic comedy. Grant's shtick is getting tired. ** 3/4 |
| MUSIC
MAN, THE (2003, d. Jeff Bleckner) (V) Disneyfied tv version. Love
Matthew Broderick; but he didn't make it as Harold Hill. * 3/4 |
| MUSIC NEVER STOPPED, THE
(2012, d. Jim Kohlberg) V. Amnesiac brought back by 70s rock, true story,
moving nostalgia. Lou Pucci & J.K. Simmons really fine. *** 1/2 |
| MUST
LOVE DOGS (2005, d. Gary David Goldberg) Cookie-cutter romantic comedy.
Good perfs don't make up for clichéd script & lack of chemistry. ** |
| MUTUAL
APPRECIATION (2009, d. Andrew Bujalski) V. Involving slice of Gen-Y
life per a 3-way friends relationship. B&W, talky, ugly: Woody Allen +
Cassavetes. *** |
| MY
AFTERNOON WITH MARGUERITTE (La Tête in friche) (2011 d. Jean Becker) *** 1/4 |
| MY
ARCHITECT (2003, d. Nathaniel Kahn) Touching documentary of an
illigitimate son searching for the soul of his famed, but flawed, architect
father. *** 1/2 |
| MY
AUSTRALIA (2012, d. Ami Drozd) *** 1/2 |
| MY
BEST ENEMY (2012, d. Wolfgang Murnberger) *** 1/4 |
| MY
BEST FRIEND (2007, d. Patrice Laconte) *** 1/2 |
| MY BIG
FAT GREEK WEDDING (2002, d. Joel Zwick)
** |
| MY BOY JACK (2011, d. Brian
Kirk) V. + Watched again for Daniel Radcliffe. Admirable, poetic script
about war and loss, and misplaced patriotism (?). *** |
| MY BOY
JACK (2008, d. Brian Kirk) V. Beautifully written (by the actor who
plays Rudyard!) teleplay. *** |
| MY
BROTHER IS AN ONLY CHILD (Mio fratello è figlio unico) (2007, d.
Daniele Luchetti) *** 1/2 |
| MY BROTHER THE
DEVIL (2012, d. Sally El Hosaini) ** 3/4 |
| MY
COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY (2006, d. Laura Poitras) V. Docu about a Sunni
Iraqi family leading up to election. Gripping, informative. *** 1/2 |
| MY DAD IS
BARYSHNIKOV (2012, d. Dmitry Povolotski & Mark Drugol) *** |
| MY DAD
IS INTO TERRORISM (La fille du juge) (2006, d. William Karel) Well made
docu; reminiscences by 24 yr.old daughter of suicide judge. *** |
| MY
DEAR ENEMY (2009, d. Yoon-Ki Lee) ** 3/4 |
| MY DOG
SKIP (2000, d. Jay Russell) **
1/2 |
| MY
EFFORTLESS BRILLIANCE (2008, d. Lynn Shelton) ** 1/2 |
| MY
FIRST MISTER (2001, d. Christine Lahti) **
1/2 |
| MY
FLESH AND BLOOD (2003, d. Jonathan Karsh) V. Heartbreaking, emotionally
devastating doc - a woman raising a family of disabled adopted
children. *** 3/4 |
| MY
FRIEND AND HIS WIFE (Naeui Chingu, geneui anae) (2007, d. Shin Dong-il)
*** |
| MY
HOUSE IN UMBRIA (2003, d. Richard Loncraine) V. Terrorism survivors
recovering in sprightly Maggie Smith's home amid gorgeous Italian
scenery. ** 1/2 |
| MY
LIFE AS A TROLL (2001, d. Dominick Brascia) * |
| MY
LIFE WITHOUT ME (2003, d. Isabel Coixet) Wonderful, emotionally
shattering film, some great acting, esp. Sarah Polley & Mark
Ruffalo. *** 3/4 |
| MY
MAGIC (2008, d. Eric Khoo; Singapore) ** 1/2 |
| MY
NIKIFOR (2006, d. Krzystof Krauze) ** 3/4 |
| MY ONE
AND ONLY (2009, d. Richard Loncraine) Fun, involving '50s biopic &
road flick: Zellweger, Lerman & especially Rendall are fine, but script
is formulaic. *** |
| MY
PIECE OF THE PIE (Ma Part du gâteau) (2011, d. Cédric Klapisch) *** 1/4 |
| MY
RUSSIA (2003, d. Barbara Gräftner) Family drama about Austrian guy
marrying a Ukranian girl & the interactions of the two families.
Way too long. * 3/4 |
| MY
SISTER'S KEEPER (2009, d. Nick Cassavetes) Emotionally over-the-top,
but satisfying weeper. Watch "Medium" kid Sofia Vassilieva &
Tom Dekker spark. *** |
| MY
SO CALLED ENEMY (2011, d. Lisa Gossels) *** |
| MY SOUL TO TAKE (2011, d. Wes
Craven) Silly horror genre flick obvious & predictabile. But Max Thieriot
& John Magaro's chemistry almost make it worth watching. ** |
| MY
STEP BROTHER FRANKENSTEIN (2004, d. Valery Todorovsky) Quirky,
entertaining film about a psychologically damaged returning soldier & his
family. *** |
| MY
SUICIDE (2009, d. David Lee Miller) *** 3/4 |
| MY
SUMMER OF LOVE (2005, d. Pawel Pawlikowski) More civil version of
Heavenly Creatures, only in the English moors. Nicely acted. ** 3/4 |
| MY
TINY UNIVERSE (2004, d. Scantlebury & Phillips) American indie, a
wryly clever farce, nicely written and acted, especially by newcomer lead
Andy Comeau. *** |
| MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
(2011, d. Simon Curtis) Williams' Monroe is an amazing
characterization, and Redmayne sold the truth of the story. *** 1/4 |
| MY
WIFE IS AN ACTRESS (2002, d. Yvan Attal)
*** |
| MY
WINNIPEG (2009, d. Guy Maddin) V. Hypnotic docu-fantasia and amusing
psychic personal history of this filmmaker. Michel Gondry + David Lynch +
snow. *** 1/4 |
| MY
YEAR WITHOUT SEX (2010, d. Sarah Watt) *** |
| MYSTERIES
OF LISBON (2011, d. Raul Ruiz) *** |
| MYSTERIES
OF PITTSBURGH (2008, d. Rawson Marshall Thurber) ** 3/4 |
| MYSTERIOUS
SKIN (2005, d. Greg Araki )V. + *** 1/2 |
| MYSTERIOUS
SKIN (2005, d. Gregg Araki) Mindblowingly accurate and well made
drama about sexual abuse & its affects on two boys. *** 3/4 |
| MYSTIC
RIVER (2003, d. Clint Eastwood) I'd read the strong book and knew all
the surprises, seemed clunky and overwrought. Still, good Hollywood fare. **
3/4 |
| MYTH
OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER, THE (2010, d. David Robert Mitchell) ** 1/2 |
| NAKED
BOYS SINGING (2007, d. Schrock & Christian) Gimmicky staged musical
review. Good songs, not cinematic. ** |
| NAKED
IN ASHES (2006, d. Paula Fouce) V. Instructive, if slow docu
about several yogis in India. ** 1/2 |
| NAKED
PROOF (2003, U.S. d. Jamie Hook) Amateurville romantic
comedy about a blocked PhD candidate whose life is in upheaval. * 3/4 |
| NAMELESS,
THE (Los sin nombre) (2000, d. Jaume Belaguero) W/O |
| NAMES
OF LOVE, THE (2011, d. Michel Leclerc) ** 3/4 |
| NAMESAKE,
THE (2007, d. Mira Nair) Terrific immigrant family drama with a
surprisingly fine perf by Kal Penn. *** 3/4 |
| NANCY
DREW (2008, d. Andrew Fleming) V. Poorly acted, silly, misjudged and
failed attempt at a film series for girls. * 1/2 |
| NANKING
(2007, d. Guttentag & Sturman) Horrific pictures & well cast readings
by actors make effective docu. *** 1/4 |
| NANNY
DIARIES, THE (2007, d. Shari Singer Berman, Robert Pulcini) ** 3/4 |
| NAPOLA
(2005, d. Dennis Gansel) Story of a teenage boxer given a scholarship to an
elite Nazi school. Incredibly involving, one of those films I flip out
over. *** 1/4 |
| NAPOLEON
DYNAMITE (2004, d. Jared Hess) Weirdly episodic, but very funny geek
chic teen flick. We laugh at the hick characters; but it works. ** 3/4 |
| NARC
(2002, d. Joe Carnahan) ** 1/4 |
| NARNIA
2: PRINCE CASPIAN (2008, d. Andrew Adamson) Much better than the
1st; but still pallid & a little boring in the mid section. ** 3/4 |
| NARROWS, THE
(2008, d. François A. Velle) *** |
| NATE
DOGG (2003, U.S. d. Thomas Farone) El cheapo digital production
about a boy with ADHD who goes bad. ** |
| NATHALIE
(2004, d. Anne Fontaine) Very French adult drama about a wife's strategy for
a finagling husband. Overlong and left me cold. ** 1/2 |
| NATIONAL
TREASURE (2004, d. Jon Turtletaub) Totally implausable pastiche of
Indiana Jones & Da Vinci Code. But I loved it anyway, esp. Justin Bartha,
quite a find. ** 3/4 |
| NATIONAL
TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS (2007, d. Jon Turteltaub) Excessive,
ridiculous, a 2 Excedrin mess. * 1/2 |
| NATURAL
SELECTION (d. Robbie Pickering) * 1/4 |
| NEARING
GRACE (2006, d. Rick Rosenthal) Excellent Gregory Smith & David
Morse perfs. raise this coming-of-age story. *** |
| NECESSITIES
OF LIFE (Ce quíl faut pour vivre) (2008, d. Benoit Pilon; Canada)
*** 1/2 |
| NED
KELLY (2004, d. Gregor Jorday) True, though suspiciously sympathetic
story of Australian version of Jesse James gang. A downer despite attractive
leads. ** 1/2 |
| NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS (2012, d.
Jonathan Demme) V. Beautifully shot concert docu with road trip
interview...but I just wasn't engaged, so I quit watching at half. W/O |
| NEMESIS
GAME (2004, d. Jesse Warn) V. Silly, poorly acted thriller about a
group obsessed with a game of riddles which turn fatal. Jay Baruchel is
creepy, nerdy here. ** 1/2 |
| NEST,
THE (2005, d. Florent Emilio Siri)V. Above average, tense French action
flick about a warehouse under seige with lots of anonymous bad guys. **
3/4 |
| NEVER
AGAIN AS BEFORE (Mai più come prima) (2007, d. Giacomo Campiotti) ***
1/4 |
| NEVER
BACK DOWN (2008, d. Jeff Wadlow) Karate Kid on steroids. Way better
than expected, esp. actingwise. *** |
| NEVER LET ME GO (2010,
d. Mark Romanek) Likable, attractive
"people" trying to cope. I *was* interested & involved;
but alternate universe aspect bothered. *** 1/4 |
| NEW
COUNTRY, THE (2001, d. Geir Hansteen Jorgensen) ** 3/4 |
| NEW
MAN, THE (2008, d. Klaus Haro) *** 1/4 |
| NEW
TWENTY, THE (2008, d. Chris Mason Johnson) Involving story of 5 college
friends nearing 30 encountering NY business & sex life. *** |
| NEW
WORLD, THE (2005, d. Terrence Malick) ** 3/4 |
| NEW
YORK I LOVE YOU (2009, d. Various) Intermittently interesting
portmanteau film; NY with no gays? Some sequences worked, most didn't.
** 1/2 |
| NEW
YORK SERENADE (2007, d. Frank Whaley) *** |
| NEWCASTLE
(2008, d. Dan Castle) *** |
| NEXT
DOOR (2005, d. Pol Sletaune) *** |
| NEXT THREE DAYS, THE (2010,
d. Paul Haggis) Fairly taut thriller with a premise just this side of
absurd. Crowe is fine. ** 3/4 |
| NEXT
(2007, d. Lee Tamahori) Deja Vu with none of that films brilliant f/x &
an inferior Phil Dick concept. ** |
| NICELAND
(2005, d. Fridrik Thór Fridriksson) A strange but pleasant fable about a boy
(Martin Compston) searching for the purpose of life. ** 3/4 |
| NICHOLAS
NICKLEBY (2002, d. Douglas McGrath) ***
|
| NICK
AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST (2008, d. Peter Sollett) "Nice"
NYC version of Superbad. Fun and funny, even smart wasted teens story. Cera's
a true pomo hero. *** |
| NICO
AND DANI ( "Krámpack") (2000, d. Cesc Gay)
*** |
| NICOTINA
(2003, d. Hugo Rodriguez) Black comedy noir - misadventures of gang of
cyberthieves. Diego Luna fine; Lucas Crespi a future latino star. *** |
| NICOTINA
(2003, d. Hugo Rodriguez)+ Worth a 2nd look, never underestimate the babe
factor and Lucas Crespi is for me the ultimate. A real audience film. *** |
| NIGHT
BUS (2008, d. Davide Marengo) *** |
| NIGHT
CLERK, THE (Avant l'aube) (2011, d. Raphaël Jacoulot) *** 1/4 |
| NIGHT
LARRY KRAMER KISSED ME, THE (2000, d. Tim
Kirkman) *** |
| NIGHT
LISTENER, THE (2006, d. Patrick Stettner) Echos of JT Leroy. Collette
great. I felt I lived this story once upon a time. *** |
| NIGHT
SHIFT (2001, d. Philippe Le Guay) *** |
| NIGHT
WATCH (2005, d. Timur Bekmambetov) Messy Russian pastiche of every big
f/x film from The Omen to The Matrix. Vampires rule for 1000 years. ** |
| NIGHTGUARDS
(2010, d. Namik Kabil; Bosnia-Herzegovina) * 1/4 |
| NIGHTS
IN RODANTHE (2008, d. George C. Wolfe) Every romantic cliché.
Nicely acted, but unbelieveable, contemptuous script. * 3/4 |
| NIGHTWATCHING
(2007, d. Peter Greenaway) ** 1/2
|
| NINA'S
TRAGEDIES ( 2003, d. Savi Gavison) Involving coming of age story of 14
year old boy and his crush on his pretty aunt (and weird family
dynamic). *** |
| NINE
DEAD GAY GUYS (2003, d. Ky Mo Lab) Fun, frothy comedy: People keep
dying all around 2 Irish hustlers in London. Some yuks pretty silly
stuff. ** 1/4 |
| NINE
QUEENS (2001, d. Fabián Bielinsky) *** |
| NINE
QUEENS (2003, d. Fabián Bielinsky) V. + Fine Argentinian caper
film worth a 2nd look via TiVo. I expect a Hollywood remake is in the
cards. *** |
| NINE
(2009, d. Rob Marshall) Liked: intercutting of singing with story,
Cruz, Fergie's singing and her one song, Day-Lewis's accent. Disliked most
everything else. ** 3/4 |
| NINTH
DAY, THE (2005, d. Volker Schlöndorff) Dark, slow, philosophical drama
about Catholic priest on leave from Dachau & his duel of wits with an SS
officer. ** 3/4 |
| NINTH
GATE, THE (2000, d. Roman Polanski)
** |
| NIRVANA
(2008, d. Igor Voloshin) *** |
| NO
COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007, d. Joel and Ethan Coen) Ultra bloody, almost
perfectly achieved thriller. *** 1/2 |
| NO
DEBES ESTAR AQUI (2003, d. Jacobo Rispa) Spanish thriller about
killings in an internet chat room. Potboiler. * |
| NO END
IN SIGHT (2007, d. Charles Furguson) Impressive docu indicting the Bush
administration. *** 1/4 |
| NO
MAN'S LAND (2001, d. Danis Tanovic) **** |
| NO NEWS FROM
GOD (2002, d. Agustin Diaz-Yanes) * 1/2 |
| NO
NIGHT IS TOO LONG (2004, d. Tom Shankland) V. Canadian TV movie: a gay
psychological thriller from Ruth Rendell novel. Extraordinary acting.
*** 1/4 |
| NO
NIGHT IS TOO LONG (2005, d. Tom Shankland) V. + Wonderfully written
& acted Ruth Rendell story; a Canadian gay TV film to be cherished.
*** 1/2 |
| NO
ONE'S SON (Niciji sin) (2008, d. Arsen Ostojic; Croatia) *** 1/4 |
| NO
PLACE TO GO (Die Unberührbare) (2000, d. Oskar Roehler) *
1/2 |
| NO
PUEDO VIVIR SIN TI (I Can't Live Without You) (2009, d. Leon Dai;
Taiwan) *** |
| NO
REGRET (2007, d. Leesong Hee-il) *** |
| NO
REGRETS (2002, d. Benjamin Quabeck) ** 3/4 |
| NO
SONGS OF LOVE (2005, d. Lars Kraume) Talky, boring pseudo-docu of a guy
making a doc about his brother's affair with his girlfriend. * 3/4 |
| NO
SUBTITLES NECESSARY: LASZLO & VILMOS (2008, d. James Chressanthis)
Revelatory docu about 2 Hungarian cinematographers. Fine visuals, well
constructed. *** 1/4 |
| NO
SUCH THING (2002, d. Hal Hartley) * 1/4 |
| NO
TRAINS, NO PLANES (2000, d. Jos Stelling) * |
| NO.
2 (2006, d. Toa Fraser) *** |
| NOBEL
SON (2008, d. Randall Miller) Absurd plot; but stylish enough to keep
me interested...but just falls apart in 3rd act. * 3/4 |
| NOBODY
KNOWS HOW TO TALK TO CHILDREN (2004, d. George Roca) The White Stripes
playing a NYC club. Poor sound & picture; but the music is great. ** 1/2 |
| NOBODY
KNOWS (2004, d. Hirokazu Kore-Eda) Japanese AFF about 3 kids deserted
by their mother to fend. Overlong, but powerful critique of neglectful
society. ** 3/4 |
| NOBODY
TO WATCH OVER ME (2009, d. Ryoichi Kimizuka; Japan) *** 1/2 |
| NOBODY (2011, d.
Christos Nikoleris) *** |
| NOBODY'S
BABY (2003, d. David Seltzer) V. Silly, but watchable dumb &
dumber comedy melodrama with two fine leads in Gary Oldman and Skeet
Urich. ** 1/2 |
| NOI
THE ALBINO (2004, d. Kagar Kari) Bleak, but affecting, Icelandic AFF.
Coming-of-age story about an underachiever small town boy. *** |
| NOISE (2007, d.
Matthew Saville) *** |
| NOITE
ESCURA (2005, d. João Canijo; Portugal) * |
| NOMAD
(2007, d. Sergei Bodrov; Kazakhstan) *** 1/2 |
| NORDESTE
(2006, d. Juan Solanas) ** 3/4 |
| NORMAL (2007, d.
Carl Bessai) *** |
| NORMAN
(2011 d. Jonathan Segal) *** 1/2 |
| NORTH (2009, d.
Rune Denstad Langlo) ** 1/2 |
| NORTH
COUNTRY (2005, d. Niki Caro) *** |
| NORTH
FACE (2009, d. Philipp Stölzl) *** 3/4 |
| NORTH
KOREA-DAY IN THE LIFE (2005, d. Pieter Fleury) Docu with no narration,
just showing the activities of typical N. Korean workers in one day. ** 3/4 |
| NORTH
SEA TEXAS (2012, d. Bavo Defurne) *** 1/4 |
| NORTH SEA
TEXAS (2012, d. Bavo Defurne) + *** 1/4 |
| NORTHANGER
ABBEY (2008, d. Jon Jones) V. Most minor of Austin stories despite
Andrew Davies script...but JJ Field was great. ** 1/2 |
| NORTHFORK
(2003, U.S. d. Michael Polish) Another boring allegory by the
Polish brothers. * |
| NOT
HERE TO BE LOVED (Je ne suis pas lã pour être aimé) (2006, d. Stéphane
Brizé) Slow, lugubrious; 50ish man redeemed by too much tango. ** 1/2 |
| NOTEBOOK,
THE (2004, d. Nick Cassavetes) + Emotionally cathartic melodrama, even
better the 2nd time around. Rachel McAdams a major find. *** 1/2 |
| NOTEBOOK,
THE (2004, d. Nick Cassevetes) 3-hankey weeper, beautifully acted &
directed old fashioned romantic drama. *** |
| NOTES
ON A SCANDAL (Richard Eyre) Creepy, strange, literate writing, fabulous
acting by both women. *** 1/4 |
| NOTHING
BUT THE TRUTH (2008, d. Rod Lurie) Clever, satisfying adaptation of
Valerie Plame affair. Superb acting ensemble. *** 1/4 |
| NOTHING
IS PRIVATE (2007, d. Alan Ball) *** |
| NOTHING
MORE (2002, d. Juan Carlos Malberti) * |
| NOTHING
TO DECLARE (Rien à déclarer) (2011, d. Dany Boon) *** |
| NOTHING
(2003, d. Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti) Cuba AFF+. Wacky comedy set in
Cuban post office. Tries too hard * 1/2 |
| NOTHING'S
ALL BAD (2010, d. Mikkel Munch-Fals) ** 3/4 |
| NOTHING'S
ALL BAD (2011, d. Mikkei Munch-Fals) + ** 3/4 |
| NOTORIOUS
BETTIE PAGE, THE (2006, d. Mary Harron) ** 3/4 |
| NOTRE
MUSIQUE (2004, d. Jean-Luc Godard) Overly intellectualized snoozer
about Bosnia...but nicer to look at and better than most recent Godard
oeuvre. ** 1/4 |
| NOUVELLE
CHANCE (2006, d. Ann Fontaine) *** |
| NOVEMBER
(2005, d. Greg Harrison) Pretentious and mysterious recreation of a
convenience store robbery. James LeGros & Courtney Cox are just ok.
** |
| NOVIA
DE LAZARO, LA (2003, d. Fernando Merinero) Life and loves among
the Cuban immegrants in Madrid. ** 3/4 |
| NOVIEMBRE
(2004, d. Achero Mañas) Mockumentary about a revolutionary street theater
troup in late '90s Madrid. Gorgeous wide screen & fine job all
around. *** 1/2 |
| NOVOCAINE
(2001, d. David Atkins) ** 1/2 |
| NOWHERE
BOY (2010, d. Sam Taylor-Wood) *** 1/4 |
| NOWHERE
IN AFRICA (2003, d. Caroline Link) German AFF Epic of refugees in
Africa during WWII. *** 1/2 |
| NOY
(2010, d. Dondon Santos; Philippines) ** 1/4 |
| NU. (2007, d.
Jan-Willem van Ewijk) ** 3/4 |
| NUE
PROPRIÉTÉ (2006, d. Joachim Lafosse) *** 1/2 |
| NUIT
DE CHIEN (Tonight) (2008, d. Werner Schroeter) * |
| NUITS
D'ARABIE (2008, d. Paul Kieffer; Luxembourg) *** 1/4 |
| NURSE
BETTY (2000, d. Neil LaBute) ** 1/4
|
| NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY
(2009, d. Charles Officer) *** |
| NUUMMIOQ
(2011 d. Torben Bech, Otto Rosing; Greenland) ** 1/4 |
| NYNKE
(2001, d. Pieter Verhoeff) ** |
| O
BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (2000, d. Joel Coen)
*** |
| O
DELFIM (2003, d. Fernando Lopes) Portugal AFF. Insufferably pretentious
drama about poor suffering rich people. * |
| O
FANTASMA (2001, d. João Pedro Rodrigues) * |
| O
(2001, d. Tim Blake Nelson) ** 3/4 |
| OASIS
(2002, d. Lee Chang-dong) *** 3/4 |
| OBABA
(2005, d. Montxo Armendariz; Spain) ** 3/4 |
| OBSERVE
AND REPORT (2009, d. Jody Hill) Very black, obscene, mostly unfunny
comedy...however surprisingly entertaining with Rogan & Anna Faris
standouts. *** |
| OCCUPATION
DREAMLAND (2005, d. Olds and Scott; docu) V. *** |
| OCEANS (2010, d. Perrin &
Cluzaud) Great nature footage of ocean & shore life, a little too obvious
narration...all in all a big screen experience to treasure. *** 1/4 |
| OCEANS
12 (2004, d. Steven Soderbergh) A ridiculous plot, off-hand acting and
sloppy direction made for an overblown disaster, IMHO * 1/4 |
| OCEAN'S
ELEVEN (2001, d. Steven Soderbergh) ** 3/4 |
| OCTOBER
(2011, d. Daniel Vega Vidal, Peru) ** 3/4 |
| OCULTO
(2008, d. Antonio Hernández) V. Woman's revenge thriller. Leonardo
Sbaraglia & Angie Cepeda have real chemistry. *** |
| ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN,
THE (2012, d. Peter Hedges) Innocuous, watchable fantasy about a
"real" cabbage patch kid. Good cast, premise almost works. **
3/4 |
| ODD
LITTLE MAN (Da jeg traff Jesus... med sprettert) (2000, d. Stein
Leikanger) *** |
| ODE,
THE (2008, d. Nilanjan Neil Lahiri) Overwrought, heavy handed So.
Asian/American gay drama. Guilt, screwed up childhood. Ugh. * 1/4 |
| OF
GODS AND MEN (2010, d. Xavier Beauvois; France) ** 3/4 |
| OF
LOVE AND OTHER DEMONS (2010, d. Hilda Hidalgo; Costa Rica) *** |
| OFF
HOURS, THE (2011, d. Megan Griffiths) ** |
| OFF
SCREEN (2006, d. Pieter Kuijpers) ** 1/4 |
| OFF
THE MAP (2004, d. Campbell Scott) Wonderfully atmospheric coming of age
story of young girl in a close rural New Mexico family. *** 1/2 |
| OFFSCREEN
(2007, d. Christopher Boe) ** 1/4 |
| OGU
& MAMPATO ON EASTER ISLAND (2003, d. Alejandro Teilez) Chile
AFF. Children's cartoon. WO |
| OH
HAPPY DAY (2007, d. Ian Poitier) * 3/4 |
| OH IN
OHIO, THE (2006, d. Billy Kent) Ograsmic hi-jinx in Cleveland. OK
script, good acting, end sort of peters out. ** 3/4 |
| O'HORTEN
(2008, d. Bent Hamer; Norway) *** |
| OKAY
(2002, d. Jesper W. Nielsen) *** 1/4 |
| OLD
GOATS (2011, d. Taylor Guterson) *** 1/4 |
| OLD
JOY (2006, d. Kelly Reichardt) *** |
| OLGA
(2004, d. Jayme Monjardim) Interesting, if overblown production based on true
events about a Jewish Communist woman revolutionary caught in a Nazi
net. ** 1/2 |
| OLIVE
HARVEST, THE (2004, d. Hanna Elias) Overwrought triangle romantic drama
about 2 Palestinian brothers & the woman they both covet. * 3/4 |
| OLIVER
SHERMAN (2011, d. Ryan Redford) ** 3/4 |
| OLIVER
TWIST (2005, d. Roman Polanski) *** 1/4 |
| OMAGH
(2004, d. Pete Travis) Muted dramatic re-enactment of '98 N. Ireland bombing
& aftermath with quietly great performance by Gerard McSorley. *** |
| ON
EDGE (2001, d. Karl Sloven) ** |
| ON
GUARD (2002, d. Philippe De Broca) [1997] **
1/2 |
| ON
NATIVE SOIL: THE DOCUMENTARY OF THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT (2005,
d. Linda Ellman; docu) *** 1/2 |
| ON THE BUS
(2001, d. Dustin Lance Black) *** 1/4 |
| ON THE
DOWNLOW (2004, d. Tadeo Garcia) Latino gangs do an ugly gay West Side
Story. Utterly talentless cast & crew. Why are we subjected to these
terrible films? 1/2* |
| ON
THE ICE (2011, d. Andrew Okpeaha MacLean) *** |
| ON
THE ROAD WITH JUDAS (2007, d. JJ Lask) *** |
| ON
THE SEA (2012, d. Alessandro D'Altari) *** |
| ON
THE TOWN (2010, d. Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly) ** 1/2 |
| ON THE
WATERFRONT (2004, d. Elia Kazan) Missed this when I was 13. For my
tastes overly melodramatic with an annoyingly heavy Bernstein score. I do get
Brando, tho. ** 1/2 |
| ON
THE WINGS OF DREAMS (2008, d. Golem Rabbany Biplop; Bangladesh) ** |
| ON TOUR (2011, d.
Mathieu Amalric) *** 1/4 |
| ON_LINE
(2003, d. Jed Weintrob) Digitally shot indie drama about
relationships made and broken on a net sex line. Clever, innovative and
involving. *** |
| ONCE
IN A LIFETIME: STORY OF NEW YORK COSMOS (2006, d. Crowder & Dower)
V. Fast moving, involving docu about pro soccer. *** 1/4 |
| ONCE
IN THE LIFE (2000, d. Laurence Fishburne)
** |
| ONCE
UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA (2012, d. Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Turkey) **
1/2 |
| ONCE
UPON A TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL: SPIRIT OF JEET KUNE DO (2004, d. Ha Yu)
Sang woo Kwong great as shy high school student beset by bullies. ***
1/4 |
| ONCE
UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (2003, d. Robert Rodriguez) Some good set-pieces
and interesting acting; but ultra-violent and shrill. ** 1/2 |
| ONCE
UPON A TIME IN THE MIDLANDS (2003, Great Britain d. Shane
Meadows) Predictable British family drama with inaudible dialog.
** 1/4 |
| ONCE
YOU'RE BORN YOU CAN NO LONGER HIDE (2006, d. Marco Tullio Giordana) ***
1/4 |
| ONCE (2007, d.
John Carney) *** |
| ONDINE (2010, d.
Neil Jordan) ** 1/2 |
| ONE
DAY IN SEPTEMBER (2000, d. Kevin Macdonald) ***
1/2 |
| ONE
DAY LIKE RAIN (2007, d. Paul Todisco) 1/2* |
| ONE DAY ON EARTH (2012, d.
Kyle Ruddick) V. 3,000 hours were gorgeously shot on 10/10/10 & this was
edited from that. Informative, but mostly a stunt. *** 1/4 |
| ONE DAY (2011, d. Lone
Scherfig) Old fashion star power can't elevate contrived script. But Jim
Sturgess is truly wonderful, Hathaway's Brit accent distracting. ** 3/4 |
| ONE
HOUR PHOTO (2002, d. Mark Romanek) ** 3/4
|
| ONE
HUNDRED NAILS (Centochiodi) (2007, d. Ermanno Olmi) ** 1/4 |
| ONE
NIGHT AT MCCOOL'S (2001, d. Harald Zwart) * |
| ONE
NIGHT WITH SABRINA LOVE (2001, d. Alejandro Agresti) *** |
| ONE
WEEK (2008, d. Michael McGowan) *** |
| ONE-HANDED
TRICK, THE (2009, d. Santiago Zannou) ** |
| ONLY
GOD KNOWS (2006, d. Carlos Bolado) *** 1/4 |
| ONLY
HUMAN (2006, d. Dominic Harari and Terisa Pelagri) Occasionally silly
Spanish family farce...Jewish girl/Palestinian man. ** 3/4 |
| ONLY
JOURNEY OF HIS LIFE, THE (2002, d. Lakis Papasthathis) * 1/2 |
| ONLY
JOURNEY OF HIS LIFE, THE (2003, d. Lakis Papasththis)
Greece AFF. Magical realism with no coherent plot. * 1/2 |
| OPEN
HEARTS (2003, d. Susanne Bier) Denmark AFF. Dogma drama about
fear of loss and love. *** |
| OPEN
RANGE (2003, d. Kevin Costner) Gorgeously photographed western - almost
overcomes cliché plot with some superb acting esp. by Robert Duval. **
1/2 |
| OPEN
ROAD, THE (2009, d. Michael Meredith) Jeff Bridges, in best dissipated
Dude mode & game Timberlake do road trip clichés. Predictable; but better
than expected. ** 3/4 |
| OPEN
WATER (2004, d. Chris Kentis) Viscerally disturbing, small film about a
scuba diving couple lost at sea. ** 3/4 |
| OPERATION
HOMECOMING (2007, d. Richard Robbins) Out of the tragedy of war, true
art in the best of this years docus. **** |
| OPIUM - DIARY OF A
MADWOMAN (2008, d. János Szász) *** |
| OPIUM
WAR (2008, d. Siddiq Barmak; Afghanistan) * 3/4 |
| OPPONENT,
THE (2000, d. Eugene Jorecki) *** |
| ORA
DI PUNTA, L' (2007, d. Vincenzo Marra) ** 3/4 |
| ORA O
MAI PIÚ (2003, d. Lucio Pellegrini) Energetic & well made coming of
age story-leftist group during Genoa 8 fracas. Jacopo Bonvicini actor to
watch. *** |
| ORANGE
COUNTY (2002, d. Jake Kasdan) *** |
| ORATOR,
THE (2011, d. Tusi Tamasese, New Zealand) W/O |
| ORCHESTRA
SEATS (Fauteuils d'Orchestre) (2006, d. Danièle Thompson) Nicely
edited, involving Parisian mult-character romantic comedy. *** 1/4 |
| ORDER OF CHAOS (2010, d.
Vince Vieluf) Strong, snarky, atmospheric thriller. Fine perfs (Coiro and
Ventimiglia). Vieluf is writer/director/composer to watch! *** 1/2 |
| ORDER,
THE (2003, d. Brian Helgeland) Dark parable of black popes and sin
eaters. Surprisingly not bad filmically, though ludicrously overwrought &
cheesy. * |
| ORDINARY
EXECUTION, AN (Une exécution ordinaire) (2010, d. Marc Dugain)
*** |
| ORDINARY MIRACLES: THE PHOTO
LEAGUE'S NEW YORK (2012, d. Nina Rosenblum) V. Narration heavy docu with
gorgeous photos & leftist politics. ** 3/4 |
| ORFEU
(2000, d. Carlos Diegues) ** 1/2 |
| ORIGINAL
SIN (2001, d. Michael Cristofer) *** |
| ORLY
(2010, d. Angela Schanelec) ** 1/4 |
| ORPHAN, THE
(2002, d. Sun-fung Lee) ** |
| ORPHANAGE,
THE (2007, d. J.A. Bayona) Spain's foreign film submission ** 1/2 |
| OSAMA
(2004, d. Siddiq Barmak) Highly politicized, simplistic indictment of Taliban
as anti-women to extreme. Involving story of girl masquerading as
boy. ** 1/4 |
| OSLO,
AUGUST 31 (2011, d. Joachim Trier) *** 3/4 |
| OSO
ROJO, UN (2003, d. Israel Adrián Caetano) Loner outlaw, larger than
life character in a film noir notable for its cruelty and compassion.
*** |
| OSS
117: NEST OF SPIES (2006, d. Michel Hazanavicius) * 1/4 |
| OSSESSIONE
(2005, d. Luchino Visconti)V. Fine, neo-realist B&W noir based on Postman
Always Rings Twice. Massimo Girotti is revelatory. *** 1/4 |
| OT:
OUR TOWN (2003, d. Scott Hamilton Kennedy) V. Docu feature
about 1st high school play in Compton in 20 years. *** 1/4 |
| OTHER
BANK, THE (2009, d. George Ovashvili) *** 1/2 |
| OTHER
BOLEYN GIRL, THE (2008, d. Justin Chadwick) Bad history, great
jewelry. ** 1/4 |
| OTHER
END OF THE LINE, THE (2008, d. James Dodson) Every romantic cliché in
the book; but Jesse Metcalfe isn't half bad. ** |
| OTHER
GIRLS, THE (2001, d. Caroline Vignal) ** 3/4 |
| OTHER GUYS, THE (2010,
d. Adam McKay) I simply have no
tolerance for dumb comedies. I did laugh...but the action sequences were
boring & it didn't work for me. * 3/4 |
| OTHER
MAN, THE (2008, d. Richard Eyre) *** |
| OTHER
SIDE OF HEAVEN, THE (2005, d. Mitch Davis) V. *** |
| OTHER
SIDE OF HEAVEN, THE (2002, d. Mitch Davis) **
1/2 |
| OTHER
SIDE OF THE STREET, THE (2004, d. Marcos Bernstein) Fine film romance about
an elderly lady who gets involved in witnessing a possible crime. ***
1/4 |
| OTHER
SIDE, THE (Al Otro Lado) (2005, d. Gustavo Loza) ** 1/2 |
| OTHERS,
THE (2001, d. Alejandro Amenábar) ** 3/4
|
| OTRO
LADO DE LA CAMA, EL (2003, d. Emilio Martinez-Lazaro) Spanish sex
comedy with music & dance, about couples playing musical beds.. *** |
| OUR
BELOVED MONTH OF AUGUST (2008, d. Miguel Gomes; Portugal) W/O |
| OUR
DAY WILL COME (Notre jour viendra) (2011 d. Romain Gavras) ** 1/4 |
| OUR IDIOT BROTHER (2011, d.
Jesse Peretz) Rudd is especially fine, but film sputters from
unrealistic relationships & situations. ** 3/4 |
| OUR
LADY OF THE ASSASSINS (2001, d. Barbet Schroeder) ***
3/4 |
| OUR
LADY OF THE ASSASSINS (2001, d. Barbet Schroeder) + *** 1/2 |
| OUR
LAND (La Terra) (2006, d. Sergio Rubini) *** 1/4 |
| OUR
LIFE (2011, d. Daniele Luchetti) *** 1/2 |
| OUR
OWN (2005, d. Dmitry Meskhiyev) Interesting, involving variant on the
Russian WWII film, about escaped soldiers behind German lines. *** |
| OUR PARADISE (Notre paradis)
(2012, d. Gaël Morel) 30ish hustler meets gorgeous young thing & sex
& murder ensue. Gripping. Visceral. Dimitri Durdaine...my god! *** 1/2 |
| OUT
AT THE WEDDING (2007, d. Lee Friedlander) * |
| OUT OF
ORDER (2003, Pilot d. Wayne Powers) V. This works as a standalone
feature. Realistic family drama of a pair of screenwriters. Outstanding
acting. *** |
| OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY
(2012, d. Danielle Gardner) V. As tastefully done as a 9/11 tribute docu can
be, by & for the families etc. of decimated Cantor Fitzgerald. *** 1/4 |
| OUT
OF THE CLOSET: THE WILLIAM HAINES STORY (2001, d. Fenton
Bailey & Randy Barbado) ** 1/2 |
| OUT OF
TIME (2003, d. Carl Franklin) A policier/sting film with more plot
holes than a pound of swiss cheese. Diverting at times, but
predictable. * 3/4 |
| OUT
OF TIME (2007, d. Harald Friedl) ** 3/4 |
| OUT
(2002, d. Hideyuki Hirayama) *** |
| OUT
(2003, d. Hideyuki Hirayama) Japan AFF. Black comedy
reminiscent of Weekend at Bernie's only emontionally resonant. *** |
| OUTBREAK
(2003, d. Wolfgang Peterson) V. Catching up (yes, just got TiVo, which
explains the videos). Viral thriller. Good suspense, lousy science. **
1/2 |
| OUTING
RILEY (2007, d. Pete Jones) *** |
| OUTPATIENT
(2002, d. Alec Carlin) *** 1/4 |
| OUTRAGE
(2009, d. Kirby Dick) V. Confrontational docu, intriguingly edited,
about hypocritical gay Congresscritters and the harm they foist on the
Republic. *** 1/2 |
| OUTRAGE
(Autoreiji) (2011 d. Takeshi Kitano) ** 1/2 |
| OUTRAGE
AT GLEN RIDGE (2004, d. Guy Ferland)V. Earnest, effective TV message
movie with outstanding Heather Matarazzo as retarded girl raped by footall
team. ** 3/4 |
| OUTSIDE
THE LAW (Hors la loi) (2010, d. Rachid Bouchareb; Algeria) ***
1/2 |
| OUTSOURCED
(2006, d. John Jeffcoat) ** |
| OVER
THE HILL BAND (2010, d. Geoffrey Enthoven) ** 1/2 |
| OVER
YOUR CITIES GRASS WILL GROW (2011, d. Sophie Fiennes) * 3/4 |
| OVERBROOK
BROTHERS (2009, d. John Bryant) *** |
| OVERHEARD 2
(2012, d. Alan Mak & Felix Chong) ** 3/ |
| OVERLORD
(2005, d. Stuart Cooper) 1975 B&W docudrama about a Brit soldier
preparing and participating in D-Day. No Private Ryan, sort of blah. ** 1/4 |
| OVERNIGHT
(2003, U.S. doc. d.Mark Brian Smith) Excellent documentary about a
megalomanic filmmaker/rock singer who tangles with Harvey Weinstein.
*** 1/2 |
| OVERTURE,
THE (2004, d. I Vichailak) Well made, if overwrought, Thai film about a
traditional musician's life from child prodigy to regime threatening elder
master. ** 3/4 |
| OWNING
MAHOWNY (2003, d. Richard Kwietniowski) Hoffman is great as
banker-gambler. The film struck close to home to this gambling addict.
Good job. *** |
| p.s.
(2004, d. Dylan Kidd) Kidd makes movies smack dab in my wheelhouse. I loved
the film (and Grace and Linney) more than its problematic script
deserved. *** |
| P.T.U.
(2003, Hong Kong d. Johnny To) Stylized policier/comedy
about one frenzied night in the streets of Hong Kong. Great fun.
*** |
| PACIFIC, THE (2010, d.
various) Major HBO miniseries, not quite as good & memorable as Band of
Brothers, but ultimately moving in its own right with a fine cast. ***
1/2 |
| PADRE
NUESTRO (2007, d. Rodrigo Sepulveda; Chile) *** |
| PAGE
ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES (2011, d. Andrew Rossi) *** 1/4 |
| PAHELI
(2005, d. Amol Palekar; India) ** |
| PAIN
IN THE ASS, A (2009, d. Francis Veber) ** |
| PAINTED
HOUSE, A (2003, d. Alfonso Arau) (V.) Faithful adaptation, spare &
underplayed TV movie. Scott Glenn's grandfather very strong. **
3/4 |
| PAINTED
SKIN (2008, d. Gordon Chan; Hong Kong) ** 1/4 |
| PAINTED
VEIL, THE (2006, d. John Curran) Old fashioned story telling, but
beautiful and nicely done. *** |
| PALAIS
ROYAL! (2006, d. Valérie Lemercier) * 3/4 |
| PALENDROMES
(2005, d. Todd Solondz) Ebony black comedy with Solondz's patented mordant
sardonic wit. Uneven, but always interesting. ** 3/4 |
| PALM
BEACH STORY (2005, d. Preston Sturges) V. Amiable, wordy, classy
screwball comedy with finally made me see why Sturges has such a rep for
wit. *** |
| PANIC
ROOM (2002, d. David Fincher) ***
1/4 |
| PAN'S
LABYRINTH (2006, d. Guillermo del Toro) *** 1/2 |
| PAPA
(2006, d. Maurice Barthélémy) Touching, nicely made, well observed French
road pic, sort of young boy Ponette travels with his father. *** |
| PAPER BIRDS
(2011, d. Emilio Aragón) *** 1/2 |
| PAPER
DOVE (2003, d. Fabrizio Aguilar) Campañeros in the Andes: gorgeously
photographed drama about a small town & boy 11 under seige by
terrorists. *** |
| PAPER
HEART (2009, d. Nicholas Jasenovec) *** 1/4 |
| PAPER WILL BE BLUE, THE
(Hirtia va fi Albastra) (2007, d. Radu Muntean) *** |
| PAPRIKA (2007, d.
Satoshi Kon) ** |
| PA-RA-DA
(2008, d. Marco Pontecorvo) *** 1/4 |
| PARADE
(2010, d. Isao Yukisada) *** 1/2 |
| PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY
(2011, d. Berlinger & Sinofsky) V. That rarity, a docu series that
changed history. Perfect filmmaking at every level. **** |
| PARADISE
NOW (2005, d. Hany Abu-Assad; Palestine) *** 1/2 |
| PARALLEL
WORLDS (dir: Petr Vaclav) ** |
| PARANOID
PARK (2008, d. Gus Van Sant) Spare, non-acted skate board epic.
Gabe Nevins a natural. *** 1/2 |
| PARANOIDS,
THE (Los Paranoicos) (2008, d. Gabriel Medina) ** 3/4 |
| PARC (2008, d.
Arnaud des Pallières) * 1/2 |
| PARENTS
(2008, d. Ragnar Bragason) *** 1/4 |
| PARIS
(2009, d. Cédrick Klapisch) Sprawling romcom with large, fine cast but
too many characters and unfocused script and direction. Too bad.
** 1/4 |
| PARIS BY NIGHT
(2012, d. Philippe Lefebre) *** 1/4 |
| PARIS
RETURN (2010, d. Yossi Aviram) *** 1/4 |
| PARIS,
JE T'AIME (2007, d. various) *** 1/4 |
| PARKOUR
(2010, d. Marc Rensing) *** 1/2 |
| PARSLEY
DAYS (2001, d. Andrea Dorfman) *** 1/4 |
| PARTICLES
OF TRUTH (2004, d. Jennifer Elster) V. Insufferably pretentious film
with amateurish direction, though the actors are interesting. W/O |
| PARTING
SHOT, A (2007, d. Pas douce) (2007, d. Jeanne Waltz) *** 1/4 |
| PARTLY
PRIVATE (2009, d. Danae Elon) V. Excellent, if discomforting docu of a
secular Jewish family's struggles with idea of circumcision. My reaction was
visceral. *** 3/4 |
| PARTS
LEFT OVER, THE (2009, d. Roy Wageman) ** 3/4 |
| PARTY
MONSTER (2003, d. Bailey & Barbato) Witty, trueish story of
'80s legendary partyboy & murderer. Seth Green superb, Macaulay Culken
less so. ** 3/4 |
| PASSCHENDAELE
(2008, d. Paul Gross) ** 1/2 |
| PASSION
OF THE CHRIST, THE (2004, d. Mel Gibson) Effective filmmaking, if long
on sadism. But too many repetitive images, and left me cold. ** 1/2 |
| PASSION
OF THE MIND (2000, d. Alain Berliner)
** |
| PASSIONADA
(2002, d. Dan Ireland) *** 1/4 |
| PAST
IS A FOREIGN LAND, THE (Il passato e'una terra straniera) (2008, d.
Daniele Vicari) *** 1/2 |
| PAST, THE (El
Pasado) (2007, d. Héctor Babenco) *** 1/2 |
| PATAGONIA
(2010, d. Marc Evans) *** |
| PATAGONIA
(2011, d. Marc Evans, United Kingdom) + *** |
| PATER
FAMILIAS (2004, d. Francisco Patierno) Complex multi-threaded drama
about a group of doomed Neapolitan ragazzi. *** |
| PATERNAL
INSTINCT (2004, d. Murray Nossei) Wonderful, emotionally satisfying
doc. about a gay couple who employ a surrogate mother to have children. ***
1/2 |
| PATHOLOGY (2010, d. Marc Schoelermann) V. Michael Weston &
Milo Ventimiglia are well matched as smart adversaries in this stylish,
evil-doing thriller. *** |
| PATRIK, AGE 1.5
(2008, d. Ella Lemhagen) *** 1/2 |
| PATRIK, AGE 1.5
(2008, d. Ella Lemhagen) + Second time around even better...this time I could
appreciate more the outstanding filmmaking. *** 1/2 |
| PATRIOT,
THE (2000, d. Roland Emmerich)
*** |
| PAUL WILLIAMS STILL ALIVE
(2012, d. Stephen Kessler) V. Combo of celebrity bio-doc and bromance. Maybe
too much Kessler. Williams is fascinating subject. *** 1/2 |
| PAULINE
& PAULETTE (2001, d. Lieven Debrauwer) ** 3/4 |
| PAULINE
AT THE BEACH (Pauline à la plage) (2010, d. Eric Rohmer)
*** 1/2 |
| PAULISTA
(2010, d. Roberto Moreira) ** 3/4 |
| PAY IT
FORWARD (2000, d. Mimi Leder) ** 1/2 |
| PAYCHECK
(2003, d. John Woo) Phil Dick story, full of paranoia & plot holes; but
Woo does great action flicks, even if the slo-mo dove is forced here. ** 1/4 |
| PEACEFUL
WARRIOR (2006, d. Victor Salva) Setting aside the New Agey hokum,
thrilling film. Mechlowicz amazes. *** |
| PEACHES
(2001, d. Nick Grosso) ** 1/4 |
| PEARL
HARBOR (2001, d. Michael Bay) *** |
| PEAS
AT 5:30 (2004, d. Lars Buechel) Richly rewarding, intensely moving
romantic road pic about a newly blind stage director & the blind woman
that fate brings him. *** 3/4 |
| PEDRO (2009, d.
Nick Oceano) V.+ MTV is a natural place to show this superior biopic. Dustin
Lance Black should now add an Emmy to his Oscar for Milk. *** 1/2 |
| PEDRO (2008, d.
Nick Oceano) *** 1/2 |
| PEEPLI
LIVE (2010, d. Anusha Rizvi; India) ** 1/4 |
| PELICAN
BRIEF, THE (2006, d. Alan Pakula) V. Finally saw this; holds up
well, tho Grisham stories are predictable. ** 3/4 |
| PENELOPE
(2008, d. Mark Palansky) Modern fairy tale with great production design, but
what's with the accents? ** 3/4 |
| PENITENT
MAN, THE (2010, d. Nicholas Gyeney) ** 3/4 |
| PEOPLE LIKE US (2012,
d. Alex Kurtzman) Film about screwed up family, marvelous perfs by Pine &
especially Banks. Keeps improving to beautiful, emotional ending. *** |
| PEPPERMENT
(2000, d. Castas Kapakas) ** 1/2 |
| PERCY JACKSON & THE
OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF (2010, d. Chris Columbus) More fun than Harry
Potter 1; but some plot holes detract. ** 3/4 |
| PERFECT AGE OF ROCK 'N' ROLL,
THE (2011, d. Scott Rosenbaum) Jason Ritter is enormously likable &
Zegars is sexy; RnR film works until unmotivated ending. *** |
| PERFECT
DAY, A (Un Giorno perfetto) (2008, d. Ferzan Ozpetek) *** 1/4 |
| PERFECT
DAY, A (2007, d. Peter Levin) V. Sappy TV movie wannabe Wonderful
Life. * 3/4 |
| PERFECT
GETAWAY, A (2009, d. David Twohy) Gorgeous Kawaii scenery is all that's
good about this predictable Natural Born Killers wannabe. ** |
| PERFECT
MATCH (2008, d. Anne-Marie Étienne) *** |
| PERFECT
SCORE, THE (2004, d. Brian Robbins) Unoriginal, but enjoyable
Hughesish teener flick. Chris Evans shines and Leonardo Nam is very funny as
an Asian stoner. ** 3/4 |
| PERFECT
SCORE, THE (2005, d. Brian Robbins) V. ** 3/4 |
| PERFECT
SENSE (2011, d. David Mackenzie) ** 3/4 |
| PERFECT
SON, THE (2001, d. Leonard Farlinger) *** 1/4 |
| PERFECT
SPORT (2008, d. Anthony O'Brien) *** |
| PERFECT
STORM, THE (2000, d. Wolfgang Petersen) ** 3/4
|
| PERFECT
STRANGERS (2004, d. Gaylene Preston) Romantic thriller about a woman
kidnapped to a desert island. Unlikely, but well made. ** 1/2 |
| PERFECTIONIST,
THE (La perfezionista) (2009, d. Cesare Lanza) 1/2* |
| PERFUME
- THE STORY OF A MURDERER (2006, d. Tom Tykwer) Amazing gorgeous
production, creepy, original concept. *** 1/2 |
| PERFUME
DE VIOLETAS, NADIE TE OYE (2001, d. Marisa Sistach) ***
|
| PERHAPS
LOVE (2005, d. Peter Ho-Sun Chan; Hong Kong) ** 3/4 |
| PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER,
THE (2012, d. Stephen Chbosky) Brilliant hi-school film, early '90s
nerd culture expressed with keen eye & great writing & acting. ***
3/4 |
| PERPETUUM
MOBILE (2009, d. Nicolas Pareda) * 1/4 |
| PERRIER'S
BOUNTY (2010, d. Ian FitzGibbon) ** 1/4 |
| PERRO
DEL HORTELANO, EL (2003, d. Pilar Miro 1996) Historical Lope de Vega
comedy about a fickle countess. ** 1/2 |
| PERSEPOLIS
(2007, d. Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi; France) *** 1/4 |
| PERSONAL
VELOCITY (2002, d. Rebecca Miller) *** 1/4
|
| PERSONALS,
THE (2001, d. Chen Kuo-fu) **
1/2 |
| PERSUASION
(2008, d. Adrian Shergold) V. Austin is well served by this tv prod.
cast, esp. Sally Hawkins. *** |
| PERSUIT
OF HAPPYNESS, THE (2006, d. Gabriele Muccino) Too much
miserablism for too long; but Smith & son are quite good. *** |
| PETER
PAN (2003, d. P.J. Hogan) Wasn't enchanted by this honorable, boring
attempt at authentic Pan. Sorry, every aspect seemed forced &
artificial. * 3/4 |
| PETIT
LIEUTENANT, LE (2006, d. Xavier Beauvoir) Spare, Bressonian French
policier...sublimely realistic, Nathalie Baye great. *** 1/2 |
| PETITE
CHAMBRE, LA (2010, d. Stéphanie Chuat & Véronique Reymond;
Switzerland) *** 1/2 |
| PETITE
LILI, LA (2004, d. Claude Miller) Amiable trifle about a group of film
people cavorting in a French chateau whose story is then made as a film
within a film. ** 3/4 |
| PETYA ON THE WAY TO
HEAVEN (2010, d. Nikolai Dostal) * 1/2 |
| PHANTOM
OF THE OPERA (2004, d. Joel Schumacher) Maybe I'm just not into Lloyd
Weber; a visual treat, great sets, costumes etc...but I was bored. **
1/2 |
| PHARMICIST,
THE (2004, d. Jean Veber) Entertaining claptrap, thriller/buddy
comedy/policier. Guillaume Depardieu and Vincent Perez have true chemistry.
** 3/4 |
| PHILANTHROPY
(2003, d. Nae Caranfil) Romania AFF. Black comedy about begging as
theater in modern Romania. ** 3/4 |
| PHNOM PENH LULLABY (2011, d.
Pawel Kloc) V. Stressful docu follows poor Israeli man & Cambodian woman
as they try to find a home for one of their daughters. ** 1/4 |
| PHOEBE
IN WONDERLAND (2009, d. Daniel Barnz) Simplistic psycho stuff well
presented. Fine acting; but just not all that original. ** 3/4 |
| PHONE
BOOTH (2003, d. Joel Schumacher) Taut, tense thriller about a psycho
sniper in NY. Colin Farrell is great here...remember at awards time.
*** 1/4 |
| PIANIST,
THE (2002, d. Roman Polanski) *** 3/4
|
| PIANO
SOLO (2011 d. Riccardo Milani) *** 1/4 |
| PIANO
TEACHER, THE (2001, d. Michael Haneke) *** 3/4 |
| PIECES
OF APRIL (2003, d. Peter Hedges) Another cliché disfunctional
family/Thanksgiving trifle until a neat ending ties it all up. Somehow it
worked. *** |
| PIEDRAS
(2003, d. Ramon Salazar) Rapturously romantic parallel story of several women
and gay men. My kind of film! *** 1/2 |
| PIERRE
RISSIENT: MAN OF CINEMA (2008, d. Todd McCarthy) ** 1/4 |
| PIERREPOINT - THE LAST
HANGMAN (2010, d. Adrian Shergold) V. Somber, well acted (Timothy Spahl!)
story of man who hung 608 criminals. *** |
| PIERROT
LE FOU (2010, d. Jean-Luc Goddard) ** |
| PILLERS OF THE EARTH, THE
(2010, d. Sergio Mimica-Gezzan) V. A
miracle of novel adaptation to a superb mini-series. Ideal cast &
extraordinary prod'n. values. **** |
| PINA
(2011, d. Wim Wenders, Germany) *** 1/4 |
| PINEAPPLE
EXPRESS (2008, d. David Gordon Green) Genuinely funny stoner chase
comedy with brain, wit & originality. *** 1/4 |
| PIÑERO
(2001, d. Leon Ichaso) ** |
| PINGPONG
(2007, d. Matthias Luthardt) *** 1/4 |
| PINK RIBBONS, INC. (2012, d.
Léa Pool) V. Issue docu (breast cancer charities are businesses) which isn't
hard hitting enough, although well made. *** 1/4 |
| PINNOCHIO
(VO) (2003, d. Roberto Benigni) Italy AFF. Even with subtitles, a
major train wreck of a film. * |
| PINOY
SUNDAY (2011, d. Wi Ding-Ho) ** 3/4 |
| PIPE
DREAM (2002, d. John C. Walsh) ** 3/4 |
| PIRATE
RADIO (2009, d. Richard Curtis) Wonderful evocation of the mid-60's
with a dynamite song score (gotta get the CD). Great double bill with Across
the Universe! *** 1/2 |
| PIRATES
OF THE CARIBBEAN 2 (2007, d. Gore Verbinski) Exhaustingly repetitive,
boring empty calories. * 1/2 |
| PIRATES
OF THE CARIBBEAN 3 (2008, d. Gore Verbinski) Better than #2, not saying
much. ** |
| PIRATES
OF THE CARIBBEAN (2003, d. Gore Verbinski) 1st half is wonderful, then
sort of topples from excesses; but Depp and Bloom are great. ** 3/4 |
| PIVELLINA,
LA (2010, d. Tizza Covi & Rainer Frimmel; Austria) *** |
| PIZZA
(2004, d. Mark Christopher) DV eccentric comedy: one night's adventure of a
lonely fat girl turning 18 & a 30ish pizzaboy (sparkling turn by Ethan
Embry). ** 1/4 |
| PLACE
NEARBY, A (2000, d. Kaspar Rostrup) ** 3/4 |
| PLACE OF EXECUTION
(2010, d. Daniel Percival) V. 1964 murder investigation revisited by present
day docu crew in gripping & surprising policier thriller. *** 1/2 |
| PLACE
VENDÔME (2000, d. Nicole Garcia) * 1/2 |
| PLAN
B (2010, d. Marco Berger) *** 1/4 |
| PLANET
OF THE APES (2001, d. Tim Burton) * |
| PLAY
(2006, d. Alicia Scherson; Chile) *** 1/4 |
| PLAYTIME
(2004, d. Jacques Tati) 70mm presentation of this Chaplanesque (i.e. Modern
Times) large canvas, subtle, visually extraordinary slapstick comedy. *** 1/2 |
| PLEASANT
MOMENTS (2007, d. Vera Chytilová) *** 1/2 |
| PLEASE GIVE (2010, d.
Nicole Holofcener) Holofcener & her avatar Catherine Keener +
Oliver Platt in fine fettle in this NY tale. *** 1/4 |
| PLEASE
VOTE FOR ME (2007, d. Weijun Chen) Illuminating Chinese docu: 3rd
graders' 1st election of class monitor. *** 1/4 |
| PLEASE,
PLEASE ME (Fais-moi plaisir!) (2010, d. Emmanuel Mouret)
*** 1/4 |
| PLEDGE,
THE (2001, d. Sean Penn)
*** |
| PLENILUNIO
(2000, d. Imanol Uribe) ** 3/4 |
| PLONING
(2008, d. Dante Nico Garcia; Philippines) ** |
| PLOY (2008, d.
Pen-ek Ratanauang) ** 1/4 |
| PLUS
TARD, TU COMPREHENDRA (2008, d. Amos Gitaï) ** 1/2 |
| POCO
PIÚ DI UN ANNO FA (2003, d. Marco Filiberti) Oddly affecting drama
about an upper class Italian gay porn star & his familial
relationships. ** 3/4 |
| POINT BLANK (2011, d. Fred
Cavayé) Non-stop action thriller with crooked Parisian police, pregnant
wife in peril, kitchen sink stuff; but well mounted. *** 1/4 |
| POIROT:
MRS. MCGINTY'S DEAD (2009, d. Ashley Pearce) V. Fussy & talky
British Agatha Christie whodunit with a ridiculous plot, but a nice noir
look. ** |
| POISON
FRIENDS (Les amitiés maléfique) (2009, d. Emmanuel Bourdieu) V.
Literary, unpleasant story of college students taken in by a pathological
liar friend. *** |
| POLA
X (2000, d. Leos Carax) ***
1/2 |
| POLAR
EXPRESS (2005, d. Robert Zemeckis) Nice animation, trite story...but it
works on an elemental level. I enjoyed more than I expected from the
lousy reviews. *** |
| POLICE
BEAT (2005, d. Robinson Devor) Stream of consciousness experiences of a
Seattle cop originally from Senegal. Wide screen video transfer. ** 1/4 |
| POLICE
ROMANCE, A (2009, d. Stéphanie Duvivier) *** 1/4 |
| POLICE,
ADJECTIVE (2009, d. Corneliu Porumbolu; Romania) *** |
| POLICEMAN
(2012, d. Nadav Lapid) *** |
| POLIGONO
SUR (2004, d. Dominique Abel) Doc. about Gypsy flamenco artists living
in the projects and making a life of music. *** 1/2 |
| POLISSE (2012,
d. Maïwenn) *** 1/4 |
| POLL
DIARIES, THE (2011, d. Chris Kraus) *** 1/2 |
| POLLOCK
(2000, d. Ed Harris) *** |
| PONIENTE
(WESTERN) (2003, d. Chus Gutierrez) Drama about labor strife in rural
greenhouse farms in Andelusia. ** 1/4 |
| PONYO
(2009, d. Hayao Miyazaki) Gorgeous 2-D animation; but I just couldn't
relate to the plot's flights of fancy, inscrutable message and dare I say
boring characters. ** 1/2. |
| POP
& ME (2000, d. Chris Roe) ** 1/2 |
| POP
STAR ON ICE (2009, d. David Barba) *** |
| POPE'S
TOILET, THE (2007, d. Enrique Fernández) Uruguay foreign film
submission. ** 3/4 |
| POR EL CAMINO
(2011, d. Charly Braun) ** 3/4 |
| PORN
THEATER (2003, France d. Jacques Nolot) Very sexy film about men
making it with other men in a straight porn theater in today's Paris.
*** |
| PORNOGRAFIA
(2004, d. Jan Jakub Kolski) Another WWII story, a drama about a group of
Poles on a country farm. ** |
| PORNOGRAPHY
(2009, d. David Kittredge) Disquieting, arty thriller/ghost story set in
porno world...a gay EYES WIDE SHUT as if directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.
*** 1/4 |
| PORTRAIT OF WALLY (2012, d.
Andrew Shea) V. Fascinating docu of restitution of stolen Shiele painting.
Great use of artwork + complex legal story told well. *** 1/2 |
| POSEIDON
(2006, d. Wolfgang Petersen) Well directed old fashioned disaster thriller,
if predictable and ridiculous. ** 1/2 |
| POSSESSION
(2002, d. Neil LaBute) *** 1/2 |
| POSSIBLE
LOVES (2001, d. Sandra Werneck) *** 1/4 |
| POST
GRAD (2009, d. Vicky Jenson) Attractive, interesting actors wasted in a
totally cliché ridden family comedy. Whoever greenlit this waste of
celluloid should be fired. * 3/4 |
| POSTCARD
(2011, d. Kaneto Shindo, Japan) ** 1/2 |
| POSTCARDS
FROM LENINGRAD (2007, d. Mariana Rondón; Venezuela) ** |
| POSTER
BOY (2004, d. Zak Tucker) Well acted, romantic political film about a
Jesse Helms-ish senator's closeted gay son & his encounter with gay
activists. ** 3/4 |
| POTICHE
(2011 d. François Ozon) ** 3/4 |
| POUPOUPIDOU
(Nobody Else But You) (2011, d. Gerald Hustache-Mahieu) ***
3/4 |
| POWER
TRIP (2003, U.S. doc. d. Paul Devlin) Well edited
documentary about an American company which buys the ex-Soviet Georgian power
utility. *** 1/2 |
| PRAGUE
(2007, d. Ole Christian Madsen) *** 1/2 |
| PRAIRIE
HOME COMPANION (2006, d. Robert Altman) ** 1/2 |
| PRAY
THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL (2008, d. Gini Reticker) Talky docu with
important subject: women getting together to stop bloodshed in Liberia. **
3/4 |
| PRAYERS
FOR BOBBY (2009, d. Russell Mulcahy)V. Well acted tear jerker tv movie
based on true story of gay boy's suicide. Emotionally devistating.. *** 1/4 |
| PRECINCT,
THE (Ilgar Safat; Azerbaijan) ** (W/O) |
| PRECIOUS LIFE (2010, d.
Shlomi Eldar) V. Personal docu of Gaza bubble baby's fight for life in
Israeli hospital. Symbolic of mideast situation & emotionally shattering.
*** 3/4 |
| PRECIOUS:
BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE (2009, d. Lee Daniels)
Difficult to watch drama, but quite fine & amazingly well acted and
ultimately uplifting. *** 3/4 |
| PREMIUM RUSH (2012, d.
David Kopp) Superior adrenalin rush flick with cohesive script. Another
winner for Gordon-Levitt & "Baba O'Riley" should have a new
life. *** 1/2 |
| PRESSURE
COOKER (2009, d. Becker & Grausman) V. Inspiring docu about an
inner city high school, a dedicated Culinary Arts teacher, & 3
students. *** |
| PRESTIGE,
THE (2006, d. Christopher Nolan) Wonderfully scripted enigmatic period
mystery which really delivers the goods. *** 1/4 |
| PRESTON
TYLK (2000, d. John Jon Bokenkamp) ** 1/2 |
| PRETTY
PERSUASION (2005, d. Marcos Siega) Teen black comedy satire designed to
offend everybody; with a great perf. by Evan Rachel Wood. ** 1/2 |
| PRICE CHECK
(2012, d. Michael Walker) *** 1/2 |
| PRICE
OF GLORY (2000, d. Carlos Avila) **
1/2 |
| PRICE
OF SUGAR, THE (2007, d. Bill Haney) Admirable docu which also works:
Priest in Domin.Rep. vs. sugar industry. *** 1/4 |
| PRICELESS
(Hors de prix) (2008, d. Pierre Salvadori) Typical French romantic
comedy, sumptuous but uninspired. ** 1/2 |
| PRIDE
& PREJUDICE (2005, d. Joe Wright) **** |
| PRIDE
AND GLORY (2008, d. Gavin O'Connor) Good acting and produciton values
don't make up for plot clichés. ** 1/2 |
| PRIME SUSPECT (2011 d.
Christopher Menaul) V. Catching up in order. 1st series about female cop
empowerment. Mirren truly a revelation. *** 1/2 |
| PRIME SUSPECT 2 (2011 d. John
Strickland) V. Nicely twisty, turny policier with a racial element. Intricate
police work, marred by predictable, messy resolution. *** |
| PRIME SUSPECT 3 (2011 d.
David Drury) V. Complex rent boys plot with nothing neatly sewn up. Some
fascinating future stars in minor roles. I expected more. *** |
| PRIME SUSPECT 5 (2011, d.
Philip Davis) V. Steven Mackintosh makes a convincing prime suspect, D.S.
Tennison banashed to the sticks. Predictable script. ** 3/4 |
| PRIME SUSPECT: INNER CIRCLES
(2011, d. Sarah Anderson) V. Minor, not very involving story of political
corruption & murder. ** 1/4 |
| PRIME SUSPECT: LOST CHILD
(2011, d. John Madden) V. Well acted policier of a pedophile accused of
kidnapping a baby. ** 3/4 |
| PRIME SUSPECT: SCENT OF
DARKNESS (2011, d. Paul Marcus) V. Police intrigue & infighting over
copycat murders. Gripping & best of current (#4) group. *** 1/4 |
| PRIME TIME SOAP
(2012, d. Odilon Rocha) ** |
| PRIME
(2005, d. Ben Younger) *** 1/2 |
| PRIMER
(2004, d. Shane Carruth) Fascinating, realistic low-budget
time-machine-built-in-a-garage story. I couldn't follow it; but it was
entertaining as hell. *** 1/4 |
| PRINCE
& THE PAGODA BOY, THE (2011, d. Luu Trong Ninh, Viet Nam) *
1/2 |
| PRINCE OF PERSIA (2010,
d. Mike Newell) A film of monumental badness, although Jake G.
wasn't terrible. Flashy F/X, cringeworthy dialog. * 1/4 |
| PRINCE
OF TEARS, THE (2010, d. Yonfan) ** 3/4 |
| PRINCESA
(2001, d. Henrique Goldman) ** 3/4 |
| PRINCESS AND THE FROG, THE
(2010, d. Clements & Musker) Nicely imagined 2D Disney animation & a
reasonably amusing musical comedy. ** 3/4 |
| PRINCESS
AND THE WARRIOR, THE (2001, d. Tom Tykwer) *** 1/4
|
| PRINCESS
DIARIES 2 (2004, d. Garry Marshall) Inane teenage girl wish
fullfillment fantasy even dumber than part 1. Chris Pine a find,
however. * 1/4 |
| PRINCESS
DIARIES, THE (2001, d. Garry Marshall) *
1/2 |
| PRINCESS
OF MONTPENSIER, THE (2011 d. Bertrand Tavernier) + Even better on 2nd
viewing, superbly written & acted costume drama of French court amours.
*** 3/4 |
| PRINCESS
OF MONTPENSIER, THE (2010, d. Bertrand Tavernier) *** 1/2 |
| PRINCESS
OF THE SUN (La reine soleil) (2008, d. Philippe Leclerc) * 1/2 |
| PRINCESS
RACOON (2006, d. Seijun Suzuki) ** |
| PRINCESSES
(2006, d. Fernando de Aranoa) ** 1/2 |
| PRISONER
OF PARADISE (2003, d. Malcolm Clarke, Stuart Sender) (V)
Great Holocaust docu. about Thereisenstadt & actor/director Kurt
Gerron *** 3/4 |
| PRIVATE LESSONS (2010,
d. Joachim Lafosse) Story of a teen
boy's education, both academic and sexual, by an older man. Riveting,
shocking, and yes, truthful. *** 1/2 |
| PRIZE
WINNER OF DEFIANCE OHIO, THE (2006, d. Jane Alexander) V. Sentemenatl
& hokey, but Julianne Moore is fine, Woody H. is a hambone. ** 1/2 |
| PROBLEM
WITH FEAR, A (2004, d. Gary Burns) Urban angst runs riot in this funny
satire set in Canada in the near future. *** 1/4 |
| PRODUCING
ADULTS (2004, d. Aliksi Salmenperä) Complex Finnish relationship drama
about a woman's desire to have a child with a partner unable to commit.
*** 1/4 |
| PROFESSIONAL,
THE (2003, d. Dusan Kovacevic) Black comedy - secret policeman's
raprochement with his prey in "new" Serbia. Obscure Balkan
politics.** 1/4 |
| PROFESSOR,
THE (Il camorrista) (2012, d. Giuseppe Tornatore) *** |
| PROJECT NIM (2011, d.
James Marsh) V. Involving docu with so many re-creations that it comes off as
a clone of new Planet of the Apes flick. *** |
| PROMISE
KEPT, A (2004, d. Daniel Milligan) Turgid, predictable, badly acted and
directed policier about a child molester and a mysterious avenger. 1/2
* |
| PROMISE
TO THE DEAD, A (2007, d. Peter Raymont) Docu: Ariel Dorfman's paean to
Pinochet's Chilean disappeared. *** |
| PROMISE,
THE (Wuji) (2005, d. Chen Kaige; China) *** |
| PROMISED
LAND, THE (Ziemia obiecana) (2008, d. Andrzej Wajda) V. Epic
masterpiece of 19th Century capitalism in Lodz, Poland. *** 3/4 |
| PROMISES
(2002, d. Justine Shapiro & B.Z. Goldberg) ***
1/2 |
| PROOF
OF LIFE (2000, d. Taylor Hackford)
*** |
| PROOF
(2005, d. John Madden) ** 3/4 |
| PROPHET,
A (Un prophète) (2010, d. Jacques Audiard; France) *** 3/4 |
| PROPOSAL,
THE (2009, d. Anne Fletcher) Adequate, if predictable romcom with
revelatory leading man perf by Ryan Reynolds. ** 3/4 |
| PROPOSITION,
THE (2006, d. John Hillcost) ***1/4 |
| PROTEKTOR
(2009, d. Marak NajbrtCzech Republic) ** 1/2 |
| PROTEUS
(2004, d. John Greyson) Remarkably crude, but somehow effective drama about
gay prisoners in 18th century South Africa. ** 1/4 |
| PUBLIC
ENEMIES (2009, d. Michael Mann) Mann's direction is claustrophobic
& confusing - but visually striking. Lots of shoot-em-ups, little
emotional involvement. ** 3/4 |
| PUBLIC
ENEMY (2003, S. Korea d. Kang Woo-suk) Satisfying, well
written and acted policier about a slovenly policeman getting his man.
*** 1/4 |
| PUFFY
CHAIR, THE (2007, d. Jay Duplass) V. Typical talky indie, sort of
annoying but occasionally quite amusing. ** 1/2 |
| PULSAR (2011, d. Alex
Stockman) Belgian Matthias Schoenaerts plays internalized paranoia to
perfection in this weird, aimless film about a rampant computer intrusion. **
1/2 |
| PULSE
(2001, d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) ** |
| PUMP
UP THE VOLUME (2003, d. Alan Moyle) V.+ Slater's definitive perf of
teen alienation still relevant & thrills. Among my top 5 fave teen
films. *** 1/4 |
| PUMPKIN (2002, d.
Adam Larson Broder & Tony R. Abrams) *** |
| PUNCH-DRUNK
LOVE (2002, d. Paul Thomas Anderson) *** 1/4
|
| PUNISHER,
THE (2004, d. Jonathan Hensleigh) Another revenge comic novel/film.
Much better than expected. Thomas Jane is perfect. ** 3/4 |
| PUNK
IS NOT DEAD (2011, d. Vladimir Blazevski, Macedonia) ** |
| PUNKS
(2001, d. Patrik-Ian Polk) ** 1/2 |
| PUNTO
ROSSO, IL (2008, d. Marco Carlucci) ** 1/4 |
| PUNTO
Y RAYA (2005, d. Elia Schneider) Silly Venezuelan black comedy about
two opposing soldiers, one corrupt, one pure, & their adventures in the
jungle. * 1/4 |
| PUPENDO
(2003, d. Jan Hrebejk) DV slice-of-life: '80s Czech society centering on
out-of-favor sculptor and circle around him. Pleasant, but minor. **
3/4 |
| PUPS
(2000, d. Ash) *** |
| PURPLE
STORM (Chi yu fungbo) (2000, d. Teddy Chan) ** |
| PUSH
(2009, d. Paul McGuigan) Psi powers thriller with muddled,
contradictory plot but some nifty acting, especially Fanning and Evans.
** 1/2 |
| PUSHER
II (2006, d. Nicolas Winding Refn) *** 1/4 |
| PUSHER
III (2006, d. Nicolas Winding Refn) *** 1/4 |
| PUSHER
(2006, d. Nicolas Winding Refn) ** 3/4 |
| PUSS IN BOOTS (2012, d. Chris
Miller) Story & vocal acting well done; flawless 3D animation. Too many
familiar chase scenes! (but unusually inventive). ** 3/4 |
| PYTHON,
THE (2004, d. Laila Pakalnina) Boring Latvian comedy about a school
where several wild animals are loose. The metaphor was beyond me. * 1/4 |
| QUAI
DES ORFÈVRES (2003, d. Henri-George Clouzot) '47 light hearted murder
mystery among the Music Hall crowd. ** 3/4 |
| QUANTUM
OF SOLACE (2008, d. Mark Forster) High production values & a fine
Bond don't make up for hyperactive cutting and horrendously confusing plot. *
1/2 |
| QUEEN
OF THE NIGHT (2001, d. Branco Schmidt) * 1/2 |
| QUEEN OF THE SUN: WHAT BEES
ARE TELLING US? (2011, d. Taggart Seigel) Beautifully shot, on nose docu of
yet another horrible example of man vs. nature. *** |
| QUEEN OF VERSAILLES (2012, d.
Lauren Greenfield) V. Riveting docu that follows a classic hubristic fall,
riches to rags story. Incredible "get" by filmmaker. *** 1/2 |
| QUEEN
TO PLAY (2010, d. Caroline Bottaro) ** 1/2 |
| QUEEN,
THE (2006, d. Stephen Frears) Superb script, great performances by
Mirren and Michael Sheen. Remarkable film. *** 1/2 |
| QUEENS
(Reinas) (2006, d. Manuel Gómez Pereira) + ***
|
| QUEENS
(Reinas) (2005, d. Manuel Gomez Pereíra) *** 1/4 |
| QUEST FOR HONOR (2010, d.
Mary Ann Smothers Bruni) V. Straighforward interview docu of women victims of
honor killings in Iraqi Kurdistan. Old news; but important. ** 3/4 |
| QUICK
& THE DEAD, THE (2004, d. Sam Raimi)V. Spaghetti western takeoff
with great cast (Russell Crowe!, Leo DiCaprio); Raimi channeling Richard
Rodriguez. ** 1/4 |
| QUIET
AMERICAN, THE (2002, d. Phillip Noyce) ***
1/2 |
| QUIET
CHAOS (2009, d. Antonello Grimaldi) *** 1/2 |
| QUIET
LIFE, A (2011, d. Claudio Cupellini) *** 1/4 |
| QUILLS
(2000, d. Philip Kaufman) ** 3/4 |
| QUINCEAÑERA
(2006, d. Wash Westmoreland, Richard Glatzer) *** 1/4 |
| QUITTING
(2002, d. Zhang Yang) ** 3/4 |
| QUO
VADIS (2001, d. Jerzy Kawalerwicz) ** 3/4 |
| QUO
VADIS, BABY (2010, d. Gabriele Salvatores) *** |
| R
(2010, d. Tobias Lindholm & Michael Noer) *** |
| RABBIT HOLE (2010, d.
John Cameron Mitchell) Moving film about loss, incredible acting ensemble.
Honestly, I thought I was watching a wonderful Todd Field film. *** 1/2 |
| RABBIT
ON THE MOON (2004, d. Jorge Suárez) Superior, gripping political
thriller about Mexican government corruption & its affect on innocent
people. *** |
| RABBIT-PROOF
FENCE (2002, d. Phillip Noyce) *** 1/4 |
| RACE
TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (2009, d. Andy Fickman) Loveably dumb scrip and just
ok f/xt; but then I'm not the target audience. ** 1/2 |
| RACE
YOU TO THE BOTTOM (2005, d. Russell Brown) Surprisingly enjoyable,
caustic affair of bi-guy & faghag in wine country. Nicely written. *** |
| RACHEL
GETTING MARRIED (2008, d. Jonathan Demme) Superbly acted and perfectly
executed Dogme 95 filmmaking. *** 1/2 |
| RACHIDA
(2003, d. Yamina Bachir-Chouikh) Algeria AFF. Melodrama about
terrorism & its effect on a young lady teacher. ** 3/4 |
| RACING
DREAMS (2009, d. Marshall Curry) V. Superb, involving docu about three
12-13 year old circuit go-kart racers & their dreams during a year of
racing. *** 3/4 |
| RADIO
(2003, d. Mike Tollin) Like Patch Adams, a true story which should pull the
heartstrings, but so much liberal crap that it fails on every level. * 3/4 |
| RAGE
IN PLACID LAKE, THE (2003, d. Tony McNamara) Coming-of-age film about a
non-conformist (a wonderful turn by Ben Lee)...an Australian Rushmore.
*** 1/4 |
| RAGE,
THE (La Rabbia) (2008, d. Louis Nero) * 1/4 |
| RAGING
SUN, RAGING SKY (2009, d. Julián Hernández) *** 1/2 |
| RAIN (2002,
d. Katherine Lindberg) ** |
| RAISE YOUR HEAD (Alza la
testa) (2010, d. Alessandro Angelini) *** 1/4 |
| RAISING
VICTOR VARGAS (2003, d. Peter Sollett) Cocky latino boy courts
romance and his family copes. Well intentioned; but didn't do it for
me. ** 1/2 |
| RAJA
(2004, d. Jacques Doillon) V. Strange, incomprehensible love affair between a
Frenchman & his Moroccan maid. ** 1/4 |
| RAMCHAND
PAKISTANI (2008, d. Mehreen Jabbar) *** |
| RAMPART (2011, d. Oren
Moverman) V. Subdued, minimalist corrupt policeman story with fine
naturalistic perfs. But doesn't really go there. ** 3/4 |
| RANG
DE BASANTI (2006, d. Rakesh Omprakash Mehra; India) *** 1/4 |
| RANGO (2012, d. Gore
Verbinsky) Inventive animal characters & fine animation doesn't make up
for director's excesses & hackneyed fake western plot. ** 1/2 |
| RAPE
OF EUROPA, THE (2007, d. Berge & Cohen) Well researched docu: WWII
and stolen art. Unique footage. *** 1/4 |
| RAPT
(2010, d. Lucas Belvaux) *** 1/2 |
| RAT
RACE (2001, d. Jerry Zucker) ** 1/2 |
| RATATOUILLE
(2007, d. Brad Bird) My fave of all the Pixar films; its basically adult
theme exalting foodie culture appeals. *** 1/2 |
| RATCATCHER
(2000, d. Lynne Ramsay) *** 3/4 |
| RATIONAL
SOLUTION, A (2010, d. Jörgen Bergmark) ** 1/2 |
| RAY
(2004, d. Taylor Hackford) One of all-time best biopix with a searingly great
perf by Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Well structured script, top flight credits
all around. *** 1/2 |
| RAZOR (BSG-4) (2010, d. Fé
lix Enriquez Alcalá) V. Backstory TV movie covering Pegasus & Adm.
Kane's prior loony obsessions. High production values, but confusing. ** 1/2 |
| RE:GENERATION (2012, d. Amir
Bar-Lev) V. Docu of making of 5 songs, created by modern masters in different
categories. Interesting view of creative processes. *** 1/4 |
| READ
MY LIPS (2002, d. Jacques Audiard. France) ***
3/4 |
| READER,
THE (2008, d. Stephen Daldry) Exquisite film, tender, moving; with
astounding central perfs. David Kross fulfills promise of Krabat. ***
1/2 |
| READY?
OK! (2009, d. James Vasquez) *** |
| REAL
DIRT ON FARMER JOHN, THE (2005, d. Taggart Siegel) Liberal
crowd-pleaser docu about an organic farmer & his collective farm in
Illinois. *** |
| REAL STEEL (2011, d.
Shawn Levy) Predictable script (sci-fi re-imagining of The Champ) trumps nicely done f/x
and effective robot boxing scenes. ** 1/2 |
| REAL
TIME (2008, d. Randall Cole) ** 3/4 |
| REAL
WOMEN HAVE CURVES (2003, d. Patricia Cardoso) (V) Latina Star Maps,
only college vs. sweatshop. ** 3/4 |
| REBEL TRUCE: HISTORY OF THE
CLASH (2011, d. Alan G. Parker) Not my band at the time, their story is
tragic & still fresh. Too sketchy; but made its points. *** |
| REBELLION
(2012, d. Mathieu Kassovitz) *** |
| REBIRTH (2011, d. Jim
Whitaker) V. Mostly interview docu showing 10 years progression of several
survivors of 9/11. Great time lapse of site, interesting & moving*** 1/4 |
| RECALLED
(2012, d. Michael Connors) *** 1/4 |
| RECKONING,
THE (2004, d. Paul McGuigan) An almost can't miss genre and cast...and
it misses. Too murky, though quite faithful to 14th Century. **
1/4 |
| RECLAIM
YOUR BRAIN (Free Rainer -- Dein Fernseher Lügt) (2007, d. Hans
Weingartner) ** 1/2 |
| RECONSTRUCTION
(2004, d. Christoffer Boe) Danish wide screen experimental drama about writer
manipulating a man in a love affair. ** 3/4 |
| RECOUNT
(2009, d. Jay Roach) V. The 2000 election still hurts & it's taken
me several false starts to finish this fine, well acted, well written tv
film. *** 1/4 |
| RECRUIT,
THE (2003, d. Roger Donaldson) Formulaic thriller, no surprises.
But Colin Farrell is a star who leaps off the screen. ** 3/4 |
| RED AWN, THE
(2008, d. Cai Shangjun) ** 3/4 |
| RED
CLIFF (2009, d. John Woo) Even the truncated US version is fantastic
filmmaking. Leung & Kaneshiro are so fine, the battle scenes lucid &
unsurpassed in memory. *** 3/4 |
| RED
DRAGON (2002, d. Brett Ratner)
*** |
| RED
DUST (2005, d. Tom Hooper) Very well made and well acted, though
familiar plotwise, drama about the S.African reconciliation. *** |
| RED
EYE (2005, d. Wes Craven) ** 3/4 |
| RED
EYES (2011, d. Juan Pablo Sallato, Ismael Larrain, Juan Ignacio
Sabatini) * 1/2 |
| RED
LIGHTS (2004, d. Cedric Kahn) Cautionary, spellbinding drama about a
marriage in trouble and a drunken road trip where it all comes to a head. ***
1/4 |
| RED
MACHINE, THE (2010, d. Stephanie Argy, Alec Boehm) ** 1/2 |
| RED
PLANET (2000, d. Antony Hoffman) **
1/2 |
| RED
RIDING: 1974 (2009, d. Julian Jarrold) *** |
| RED
RIDING: 1980 (2009, d. James March) *** 1/4 |
| RED
RIDING: 1983 (2009, d. Anand Tucker) ** 3/4 |
| RED
ROAD (2007, d. Andrea Arnold) Moral ambiguity abounds in this well
made, subtle thriller. *** 1/4 |
| RED
WITHOUT BLUE (2007, d. Brooke Sebold, Todd & Benita Sills) *** 1/4 |
| RED (2011, d. Robert
Schwenke) V. Idiosyncratic actioner with a top cast...but a narrative
mess. ** 1/4 |
| RED,
WHITE AND BLUES (2003, d. Mike Figgis) Full length film from The Blues
series, fascinating stuff about the '60s British invasion re-introducing
blues to U.S. *** 1/2 |
| REDBELT
(2008, d. David Mamet) Typical venial and corrupt Mametworld, but even more
so than usual. ** |
| REDEEMER
(2005, d. Claudio Torres) A wildly uneven, but ultimately too far-out film
about a crooked real estate empire in Rio and how God got even. * 3/4 |
| REDLAND (2011, d. Asiel
Norton) |
| REDWOODS (2012, d. David
Lewis) V. Borderline sappy gay affair among the redwoods. But legitimately
moving, tight script overcomes some mediocre acting. *** |
| REEL
PARADISE (2005, d. Steve James) V. *** |
| REFLET, LE (2012, d. Morgane
Rousseau) Handsome, studious bourgeois teen crushes on young farmboy.
Bucolic, pretentious meditation on Narcissus myth & class conflict. ** |
| RÈGLE
DU JEU, LA (2007, d. Jean Renoir) ++ A gem, beautifully constructed
social satire/French farce. *** 3/4 |
| REIGN
OF FIRE (2002, d. Rob Bowman) ** |
| REIGN
OVER ME (2007, d. Mike Binder) Binder bites off a lot; but Cheadle
& Sandler (nervy, spot on perf) make it work. *** |
| RELIGULOUS
(2008, d. Larry Charles) I agree with everything in this film; but Maher's
script depends too much on editing cheats, unlike much superior Letting Go of
God. . ** 3/4 |
| REMEMBER
ME, MY LOVE (2004, d. Gabriele Muccino) Fast paced troubled family
drama with some great performances. *** 1/4 |
| REMEMBER
THE TITANS (2000, d. Boaz Yakin)
*** |
| RENART,
THE FOX (2005, d. Thierry Schiel; Luxembourg) * |
| RENDITION
(2007, d. Gavin Hood) Another well directed film with a story that just
doesn't add up. ** 3/4 |
| RENNIE'S
LANDING (2001, d. Marc Fusco) ** 1/4 |
| RENT
(2005, d. Chris Columbus) * 3/4 |
| REPLACEMENTS,
THE (2000, d. Howard Deutch) **
1/2 |
| REPO MEN (2010, d. Michael
Sapochnik) Absurd plot, terribly wrenching surprise ending. Yet production
values quite high & all in all a diverting sci-fi dystopia. ** 3/4 |
| REPORTER
(2009, d. Eric Metzgar) V. Committed docu about NY Times journalist
Nicholas Kristof & his trip with two young contest winners to war ravaged
east Congo. ** 3/4 |
| REPRISE
(2007, d. Joachim Trier; Norway) *** 1/2 |
| REQUIEM
FOR A DREAM (2000, d. Darren Aronofsky) ** 3/4
|
| REQUIEM
OF SNOW (2005, d. Jamil Rostami; Iraq) ** |
| REQUIEM
(2006, d. Hans Christian Schmid) *** |
| RESCUE
DAWN (2006, d. Werner Herzog) *** 3/4 |
| RESERVATION
ROAD (2007, d. Terry George) Unlikely coincidence mars a well told,
predictable story. ** 3/4 |
| RESOLVED
(2007, d. Greg Whiteley) Gripping & a little scary docu about HS debaters
now (so different from the '50s when I was one.) *** 1/2 |
| RESPIRO
(2002, d. Emanuele Crialese) *** 1/4 |
| REST
IS SILENCE, THE (2008, d. Nae Caranfil; Romania) *** 1/4 |
| RESTLESS (2011, d. Gus
Van Sant) Terrible script, maudlin, precious dialog that no actor should have
to deliver. But Henry Hopper is an interesting young actor. * 3/4 |
| RESTREPO
(2010, d. Tim Hetheringon & Sebastian Junger) *** 1/4 |
| RESURRECTING
THE CHAMP (2007, d. Rod Lurie) *** 1/4 |
| RESURRECTION
OF THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL (2003, d. Sun-Woo Jang) Korean Matrix like
videogame playing adventure film. ** 1/2 |
| RETRIBUTION
(Sakebi) (2007, d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) ** 3/4 |
| RETRIEVAL
(2006, d. Slawomir Fabiciki; Poland) *** 1/4 |
| RETURN
OF THE STORKS (2007, d. Martin Repka; Slovakia) *** |
| RETURN TO CRANFORD (2010, d.
Simon Curtis) V. Treakly sequel, ows much to Dickens. Pretty & authentic
but too sentimental compared to original. ** 1/2 |
| RETURN
TO ME (2000, d. Bonnie Hunt) ** |
| RETURN,
THE (2003, d. Andrei Zvagintsev) Russia's AFF: a beautiful, moody road
picture about 2 kid brothers and their long absent father. *** 1/2 |
| RETURNING
TO THE "A" (2011, d. Egor Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky, Kazakhstan)
* |
| REUNION,
THE (2002, d. Mans Hemgren) *** |
| REVANCHE
(2008, d. Götz Spielmann) *** 1/2 |
| REVENGE
OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, THE (2011, d. Chris Paine) *** 1/4 |
| REVERSE
(Rewers) (2009, d. Borys Lankosz; Poland) *** 1/2 |
| REVOLUTION
OF PIGS (2004, d. Kilmi & Reinumägi) Ambitious, but sprawling film
about an '85 Young Communist camp gone to riot in Estonia. ** 1/4 |
| REVOLUTIONARY
ROAD (2008, d. Sam Mendes) Kate is pheomenal, Leo less so; but
unpleasant film is caustic, dramatic dynamite with ring of truth. ***
1/4 |
| REY,
EL (2005, d. Antonio Dorado) Involving history of a '60s Columbian drug
lord, Scarface revisited. ** 3/4 |
| REYKJAVIK-ROTTERDAM
(2010, d. Oskar Jonasson; Iceland) *** 1/4 |
| RICE
RHAPSODY (2005, d. Kenneth Biroli) Singapore woman with 3 gay
sons tries to get one to turn straight. A fun, lush foodie confection of a
film. ** 3/4 |
| RIDING
GIANTS (2004, d. Stacy Peralta) A documentary about the history and
addiction of riding the biggest waves in the world. *** 1/4 |
| RIDING
IN CARS WITH BOYS (2001, d. Penny Marshall)
** |
| RIEN
A FAIRE (2000, d. Marion Vernoux) *** |
| RIGHT
OF THE WEAKEST, THE (La Raison du plus faible) (2007, d. Lucas Belvaux)
*** 1/2 |
| RING
OF DARKNESS (2004, d. David DeCoteau) Overamped Satinist "boy
band" potboiler. The guys are very good looking; but the film is pretty
bad. * 3/4 |
| RING
TWO, THE (2005, d. Hideo Nakata) A truly ridiculous premise so
outlandish that it's impossible to be scared. Still, effective acting &
direction. * 3/4 |
| RING,
THE (2002, d. Gore Verbinski) **
3/4 |
| RIO (2012, d. Carlos
Saldanha) 3D animated film with some fast, pretty sequences (esp. jungle
birds flocking), but a silly, predictable story. ** 1/4 |
| RIPLEY
UNDER GROUND (2005, d. Robert Spottiswoode) ** 3/4 |
| RIPLEY'S
GAME (2003, d. Liliana Cavani) V. Unaccountably STV murder-for-hire and
sociopathic intrigue plot from Highsmith. Quite stylish and well
made. *** |
| RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE
APES, THE (2011, d. Rupert Wyatt) The best of the summer
tentpoles with a clear narrative & excellent f/x. *** 1/2 |
| RISOTTO
(2002, d. Olga Malea) ** 1/2 |
| RITCHIE
BOYS, THE (2004, d. Christian Bauer) Nicely made docu about German Jews
who served in army intelligence during WWII. Great interviewees. ***
1/2 |
| RITTENHOUSE
SQUARE (2005, d. Robert Downey) V. ** 1/2 |
| RIVALS
(Les Liens du sang) (2008, d. Jacques Maillot) *** |
| RIVER,
THE (2010, d. Jean Renoir) ** 3/4 |
| RIVER,
THE (2001, d. Jarmo Lampela) ** 1/2 |
| RIVER,
THE (2001, d. Tsai Ming-liang) [1997] ***
1/4 |
| RIVERMAN,
THE (2004, d. Bill Eagles) V. Murky, poor man's Manhunter tv movie
about the Green River serial killer and Ted Bundy's last days on death
row. ** |
| RIVERS
WASH OVER ME (2009, d. John G. Young) Nicely shot and acted issue film
about gay black boy returned to small town South. *** |
| RIZE
(2005, d. David LaChapelle; docu) V. ** 1/4 |
| ROAD
FROM ELEPHANT PASS, THE (2009, d. Chandran Rutnam; Sri Lanka) ** 1/2 |
| ROAD
HOME, THE (2001, d. Zhang Yimou) ** 3/4
|
| ROAD
MOVIE (2003, d. Kim In-Sik) Mediocre but visually interesting Korean
melodrama - an itinerate gay man's love for a failed straight
stockbroker. ** 1/2 |
| ROAD
TO EL DORADO, THE (2000, d. Eric "Bibo" Bergeron &
Don Paul) ** |
| ROAD
TO GUANTANAMO (2006, d. Michael Winterbottom) **** |
| ROAD
TO PERDITION (2002, d. Sam Mendes) ***
1/2 |
| ROAD
TRIP (2000, d. Todd Phillips) **
1/2 |
| ROAD,
THE (2009, d. John Hillcoat) Bleak story drenched in miserablism
& puzzling causality. Impressive acting, especially cameos by
Robert Duval & unrecognizable Guy Pearce. *** |
| ROAD,
THE (2006, d. Zhang Jiarui) ** 3/4 |
| ROADIE (2011, d.
Michael Cuesta) *** 1/2 |
| ROADS
TO KOKTEBEL, THE (2004, d. Khlebnikov & Popogrebsky) OK, if slow,
kid and father road-trip-to-nowhere Russian flick. ** 3/4 |
| ROBBER
BRIDE, THE (2007, d. David Evans) V. Canadian tv thriller with plot
gyrations, but rather predictable, if well acted. ** 1/4 |
| ROBBER,
THE (2010, d. Benjamin Heisenberg) *** 1/4 |
| ROBERT
CAPA: IN LOVE AND WAR (2003, US doc. d. Anne Makepeace)
Uninspired documentary about the photo-journalist. ** 1/2 |
| ROBERT
ZIMMERMANN IS TANGLED UP IN LOVE (2009, d. Leander Haussmann) *** |
| ROBERTO
SUCCO (2004, d. Cedric Kahn) Frighteningly real true story of an insane
Italian who charms women and serial kills randomly in France. *** 1/4 |
| ROBIN HOOD (2010, d.
Ridley Scott) So a-historical, overamped, even boring that some good acting
& prod. design are wasted. * 3/4 |
| ROBOT & FRANK
(2012, d. Jake Schreier) Insightful well cast combo of Alzheimer & family
melodrama plus heist comedy. SciFi elements add to fun; but plot too
pat. *** |
| ROBOTS
(2005, d. Chris Wedge) Kinetic, beautifully designed 3-D animated
roller-coaster with a predictable script. Marred by Greg Kaneer's incipidly
voiced villainy. *** |
| ROCK
SCHOOL (2005, d. Don Argott) Enormously entertaining docu about a
Philadelphia school for kids to learn to perform rock. *** 1/2 |
| ROCK
STAR (2001, d. Stephen Herek) ** 1/2 |
| ROCKET
SCIENCE (2007, d. Jeffrey Blitz) *** 1/4 |
| ROCKNROLLA
(2008, d. Guy Ritchie) Some clever bits looking for a coherent
narrative. Typical Ritchie, not a good thing imo. ** 1/2 |
| ROCKY
BALBOA (2006, d. Sylvester Stallone) I may be the sole ideal
demographic for this film; but Stallone hits a perfect tone here. *** 1/4 |
| ROGER
DODGER (2002, d. Dylan Kidd) *** 3/4
|
| ROGER
DODGER (2006, d. Dylan Kydd) V+ 2nd viewing not as great as remembered.
Searing performances, though. *** |
| ROI
DANSE, LE (2001, d. Gérard Corbiau) ** 1/2 |
| ROLE
MODELS (2008, d. David Wain) Sweet comedy with a perfect cast. *** |
| ROLE
OF A LIFETIME, THE (2005, d. François Favat) Pleasant, involving
dramidy about a famous film actress & the woman she makes her
assistant. *** |
| ROLE/PLAY
(2010, d. Rob Williams) ** 1/2 |
| ROLLERBALL
(2002, d. John McTiernan) ** |
| ROLLING
FAMILY (2005, d. Pablo Trapero) Earthy road pic about an extended
family's 1000km journey by camper through north Argentina. *** 1/4 |
| ROMA
(2005, d. Adolfo Aristarian) Poignant, lovely, wonderful epic drama about an
elderly writer's reminiscences of his mother. Juan Diego Boto rules! **** |
| ROMAN ARK [short]
(2011, d. Seth Larney) ** |
| ROMAN
DE GARE (2008, d. Claude Lelouch) *** |
| ROMANCE
& CIGARETTES (2007, d. John Turturro) Virtually unwatchable
embarrassment for all. * |
| ROMANCING IN THIN
AIR (2012, d. Johnnie To) *** 1/2 |
| ROMANOVS:
AN IMPERIAL FAMILY (2001, d. Gleb Panfilov) *** 1/2 |
| ROMEO
IS BLEEDING (2004, d. Peter Medak) V. Nihilistic, stylish, '93 film
noir with memorable performances by Gary Oldman and Lena Olin. *** |
| ROMEOS (2011, d.
Sabine Bernardi) *** |
| ROMULUS,
MY FATHER (2008, d. Richard Roxburgh) Superb acting, spare, slow, but
beautifully made weeper. *** 1/2 |
| RON
CLARK STORY, THE (2006, d. Randa Haines) V. Matthew Perry is good as
inspiring teacher in Harlem. Predictable. ** 3/4 |
| RONDA
NOCTURNA (2005, d. Edgardo Cozaninsky) Delightful rondelay of one
enchanted night of an attractive male hustler in Buenos Aires. *** 1/4 |
| ROOKIE,
THE (2002, d. John Lee Hancock)
*** |
| ROOM
FOR ROMEO BRASS, A (2000, d. Shane Meadows)
*** |
| ROOM
IN ROME (2010, d. Julio Médem) *** 1/4 |
| ROOM
WITH A VIEW, A (2008, d. Nicholas Renton) V. Andrew Davis's unnecessary
remake; still, enjoyable. ** 1/2 |
| ROOSTER'S
BREAKFAST, THE (Petalinaji zajtrk) (2008, d. Marco Nabersnik; Slovenia)
*** |
| ROOTS
(2006, d. Pavel Lungin) *** 1/2 |
| RORY
O'SHEA WAS HERE (2004, d. Damien O'Donnell) Moving, uplifting disabled
youths story with some great acting (James McAvoy!) and a story which sticks
to the ribs. *** 1/2 |
| ROSARIO (2011, d.
Alberto Martinez) *** 1/4 |
| ROSENSTRASSE
(2003, d. Margarethe von Trotta) Somehow uninspiring, earnest Holocaust drama
about Aryan wives of German Jewish men taken in 1943. ** 1/2 |
| ROSE'S
SONGS (2003, d. Andor Szilágyi) Excellent, unique Hungarian Holocaust
film: group of Jews trying to avoid living in the ghetto. *** 1/4 |
| ROUND
DA WAY (Lascars) (2010, d. Albert Pereira Lazaro, Emmanuel Klotz) * |
| ROUND
TWO (2006, d. Daniel Cebrián) *** 1/4 |
| ROUTE, LA
(2002, d. Darezhan Omirbaev) W/O |
| ROYAL
TENENBAUMS, THE (2001, d. Wes Anderson)
*** |
| RUBY SPARKS (2012, d. Dayton
& Faris) Ultimate solipsistic wish fulfillment fantasy, except from the
female pov of the wishee. Well made; but I didn't enjoy it. ** 3/4 |
| RUDO Y
CURSI (2009, d. Carlos Cuarón) Bernal & Luna are good enough; but
soccer story and direction don't ignite. ** 3/4 |
| RUINS,
THE (Rusevine) (2005, d. Janez Burger) ** 1/2 |
| RUINS, THE (2010, d.
Carter Smith) V. Even I know better than to wander to a lost Mayan pyramid.
The actors, all attractive, pretty good horror flick. ** 3/4 |
| RULE OF THE GAME,
THE (2002, d. Ho Ping) * 1/2 |
| RULES
OF ATTRACTION, THE (2002, d. Roger Avary)
*** 1/4 |
| RULES
OF ENGAGEMENT (2000, d. William Friedkin)
*** |
| RUMBLE
OF THE STONES (2011, d. Alejandro Bellame Palacios, Venezuela)
*** |
| RUMOR
HAS IT... (2005, d. Rob Reiner) *** |
| RUMOR
OF ANGELS, A (2003, d. Peter O'Fallon) V. Vanessa Redgrave & Trevor
Morgan shine in this melodrama of grieving. Minor, but moving for all
that. ** 3/4 |
| RUN
FOR MONEY, A (2000, d. Reha Erdem) *** 1/4 |
| RUN
IF YOU CAN (2010, d. Dietrich Brüggemann) *** 1/4 |
| RUNAWAY
JURY (2003, d. Gary Fleder) A screen adaptation which is superior to
the original book. Good acting, direction & editing save a hole filled
plot. *** |
| RUNAWAYS, THE (2010, d. Fiona
Sigismondi) Loved the music. Dakota was great, Kristen less so; script too
typical of biopic genre. ** 1/2 |
| RUNNING
ON EMPTY (2007, d. Akinci Bülent) ** 3/4 |
| RUNNING
ON KARMA (2004, d. Johnny To, Wai Ka-fai) A female cop and a karma
seeing ex-monk expiate past lives in this grizzly, confusing thriller.
** 1/2 |
| RUNNING
WITH SCISSORS (2006, d. Ryan Murphy) Excessive bio which struck gold
for me. Great performances. *** |
| RUNWAY,
THE (2011 d. Ian Power) ** 1/2 |
| RUPERT'S
LAND (2000, d. Jonathan Tammuz) *** |
| RUSSIAN
ARK (2003, d. Aleksandr Sokurov) Brilliant tour de force 1-take
Russian historical pageant. *** 1/2 |
| RUSSIAN
DOLLS (2006, d. Cédric Klapisch) *** 1/4 |
| RUSSIAN
TRIANGLE, THE (2007, d. Aleko Tsabadze; Georgia) *** 1/4 |
| S.W.A.T.
(2003, d. Clark Johnson) Overly loud, violent, predictable L.A. police drama
with enough originality & raging testosterone to be involving. ** 1/2 |
| S1M0NE
(2002, d. Andrew Niccol) ** 3/4 |
| SABAH
(2005, d. Ruba Nadda) Traditional Muslem woman falls for white guy in this
Canadian film. It's an old story; but done well enough here to work for me.
** 3/4 |
| SACRED
HEART (2006, d. Ferzan Ozpetek) *** 1/4 |
| SACRED
PLANET (2004, d. Jon Long) IMAX doc with pretty images - an ecologic
world tour; but derivitive and with nothing new to say. ** |
| SAD
VACATION (2007, d. Shinji Aoyama) * 3/4 |
| SADDEST
MUSIC IN THE WORLD, THE (2004, d. Guy Madden) Demented visual master's
'30s retro fabulosity. *** 1/4 |
| SADE
(2002, d. Benoît Jacquot) *** |
| SAFE
CONDUCT (2002, d. Bertrand Tavernier) **
3/4 |
| SAFE HOUSE (2012, d. Daniel
Espinosa) Endless spy/chase flick about corruption high up in CIA etc. etc.
Reynolds best foil for Denzel in a while. ** 1/4 |
| SAFE
PASSAGE (2004, d. Robert Ackerman) V. A moving, if minor, '94 film
dysfunctional family film with a wonderful Susan Sarandon perf. as mother of
7 boys. ** 3/4 |
| SAFETY NOT
GUARANTEED (2012, d. Colin Trevarrow) *** |
| SAFETY
OF OBJECTS, THE (2002, d. Rose Troche) *** |
| SAHARA
(2005, d. Breck Eisner) Big scope, empty calorie adventure film about
skullduggery and treasure hunting in Africa. Mindless entertainment. ** |
| SAIGON
ELECTRIC (2011, d. Stephane Gauger) ** 1/4 |
| SAINT
RALPH (2005, d. Michael McGowan) Heartening, feel-good period film
about a teenage boy in Catholic School who needs to make a miracle. *** |
| SA-KWA
(2006, d. Kang Yi-kwan) *** 1/4 |
| SAL
(2012, d. James Franco) ** 1/2 |
| SALAWATI
(2008, d. Marc X. Grigoroff) *** |
| SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN
(2012, d. Lasse Hallström) Smart, heartwarming, entrancing & ecumenical
ecological adventure. Fine script & direction. *** 1/4 |
| SALOME
(2003, d. Carlos Saura) Film about the creation of a Spanish ballet of
Salome, mostly the performance. * 3/4 |
| SALT
OF LIFE, THE (2012, d. Gianni Di Gregorio) ** 1/2 |
| SALT
OF THIS SEA (2009, d. Annemarie Jacir: Palestine) *** |
| SALT (2010, d.
Philip Noyce) Surprisingly effective thriller...preposterous, over-the-top;
but Jolie at top of game and Noyce keeps all the balls up in the air.
*** 1/4 |
| SALTON
SEA, THE (2002, d. D.J. Caruso)
*** |
| SALTY
AIR (2007, d. Alessandro Angelini) *** 1/2 |
| SALVADOR
(2007, d. Manuel Huerga) *** |
| SALVATION
BOULEVARD (2011, d. George Ratliff) ** 1/2 |
| SALVATORE:
THIS IS LIFE (2007, d. Gian Paolo Cugno) *** |
| SAMSARA
(2002, d. Pan Nalin) **** |
| SAMSON
& DELILAH (2009, d.Warwick Thornton; Australia) ** 1/4 |
| SANCTUARY:
LISA GERRARD (2007, d. Clive Collier) ** 3/4 |
| SAND
AND SORROW (2007, d. Paul Freedman) Darfur docu. Admirable
subject, boring straightforward filmmaking. ** 1/2 |
| SANGRADOR
(2003, d. Leonardo Henriquez) B&W retelling of the Macbeth story
with Andean bandits. Overwrought, badly acted, but visually
interesting. * 3/4 |
| SANGRE
(2006, d. Arnat Escalante) ** 1/4 |
| SARABAND
(2005, d. Ingmar Bergman) Starts slow; but accumulates great strength with
story of disaffected family. *** 1/4 |
| SARAH'S KEY (2011, d.
Gilles Parquet-Brenner) Another moving take on Holocaust story in France,
with interesting contemporary angle. Good cast, well directed. *** 1/4 |
| SASHA
(2010, d. Dennis Todorovic) ** 1/2 |
| SASS
(2002, d. Carlo Rola) *** |
| SATANAS
(2007, d. Andrés Baiz; Columbia) *** |
| SATURDAY
NIGHT AT THE BATHS (2006, d. David Buckley) 1974 groundbreaking
film. Fair story, great history ** 3/4 |
| SATURN IN
OPPOSITION (2008, d. Ferzan Ozpetek) + *** 3/4 |
| SATURN IN
OPPOSITION (2008, d. Ferzan Ozpetek) Building evacuation with 10
minutes to go! So a provisional *** 3/4 |
| SAVAGE
GRACE (2008, d. Tom Kalin) *** 1/4 |
| SAVAGES (2012, d.
Oliver Stone) Over the top & ridiculous drug war story; but it holds
together, has a great cast, and is entertaining as hell. Aaron Johnson is so
fine. *** 1/4 |
| SAVAGES,
THE (2007, d. Tamara Jenkins) So real, so personally identifying, great
acting, just too much of a downer. *** 1/4 |
| SAVE
THE LAST DANCE (2001, d. Thomas Carter) * 1/4 |
| SAVED!
(2004, d. Brian Dannelly) Comedy take off on a X-tian high school which
is pretty well done, some good actors but uninspired direction. ** 1/2 |
| SAVING
FACE (2005, d. Alice Wu) Lesbian approx. of The Wedding Banquet...a
feelgood comedy of a family & a girl coming to grips with being gay. **
3/4 |
| SAVING
GRACE (2000, d. Nigel Cole) **
1/2 |
| SAY
UNCLE (2005, d. Peter Paige) Strangely discomforting film about a naive
gay man whose innocent love for children is misunderstood. ** |
| SCANNER
DARKLY, A (2006, d. Richard Linklater) Phil Dick is well served, nice
animation. But ultimately unsatisfying. ** 3/4 |
| SCENES OF A CRIME (2012, d.
Babcock & Hadaegh) V. Powerful, infuriating docu of apparent child abuse
murder miscarriage of justice. Coerced confession, no crime! **** |
| SCHOOL
DAYS WITH A PIG (2009, d. Tetsu Maeda) *** |
| SCHOOL
OF ROCK (2003, d. Richard Linklater) Jolt of pure entertainment,
probably Jack Black's ultimately defining performance. Everyone wins
here. *** 3/4 |
| SCHOOL
TIES (2005, d. Robert Mandel, '92) V. Good, if predictable, drama, a
prep school in mid '50s; Jewish student (Brendan Fraser) vs. rich snob (Matt
Damon). ** 1/2 |
| SCHOOLBOY CRUSH (2012, d.
Kotaro Terauchi) V. Homoerotic, well written if sappy, Japanese prep school
drama of teacher who falls for new hustler student. ** 3/4 |
| SCIENCE
OF SLEEP, THE (2006, d. Michel Gondry) ** 1/2 |
| SCOOBY-DOO
(2002, d. Raja Gosnell) * 3/4 |
| SCOOP
(2006, d. Woody Allen) Woody is in a clever caper story rut. Fun, but not
nearly as good as similar Match Game. ** 3/4 |
| SCORE,
THE (2001, d. Frank Oz) **
1/2 |
| SCOTLAND,
PA (2003, d. Billy Morrissette) V. Silly, amiable retelling of the
Macbeth story in a 60's small town. Points for originality and humor.
** 3/4 |
| SCOTLAND,
PA (2002, d. Billy Morrissette) **
1/2 |
| SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
(2012, d. Edgar Wright) V.+ Comic book meets video games. Fine f/x. Cera
perfect nerd hero, but just too silly for me. ** 1/2 |
| SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE
WORLD (2010, d. Edgar Wright)
Stylization run amok; Cera is perfect, music & f/x weirdly intriguing.
But it all spins out of control by end. *** |
| SCOTTSBORO:
AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY (2001, d. Barak Goodman & Daniel
Anker) *** 1/4 |
| SCRATCH (2009, d.
Michal Rosa) ** 3/4 |
| SCUSA
MA TI CHIAMO AMORE (2008, d. Federico Moccia) ** |
| SEA
INSIDE, THE (2004, d. Alejandro Amenábar) Spanish AFF, remarkably
sentimental, but moving true story about non-state sanctioned
euthenasia. *** |
| SEA
OF SILENCE (2003, d. Stijn Cominx) Belgium's so-so Academy nomination
about a disfunctional farm family from the pov of the middle daughter.
** 1/2 |
| SEA
WALL, THE (Un barrage contre le Pacifique) (2008, d. Rithy Panh) ***
1/4 |
| SEA,
THE (2003, d. Baltasar Kormakur) Iceland AFF. Dysfunctional
family drama...non Dogmatic Conversation. *** 1/2 |
| SEABISCUIT
(2003, d. Gary Ross) Excellent docu-drama with fine cast and a resonant,
spellbinding script - left me wanting more (to read the book?) *** 1/4 |
| SEAGULL'S
LAUGHTER, THE (2001, d. Agust Gudmundsson) ** 1/2 |
| SEANCE
(2001, d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) *** 1/4 |
| SEARCH
FOR JOHN GISSING, THE (2001, d. Mike Binder) 1/2* |
| SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN (2012,
d. Malik Bendjelloul) V. Stranger than fiction, incredible docu: forgotten
70's Detroit singer famed in So. Africa gets re-discovered. *** 3/4 |
| SEASIDE
(2003, France d. Julie Lopes-Curval) Multi-character, small-town
drama of repressed yearnings for better things. *** 1/4 |
| SEAWARDS
JOURNEY (2004, d. Guillermo Casanova) Slight, but revelatory pastoral
road picture about a group of men from the interior who journey to the sea.
** 1/2 |
| SEBASTIAN (2012, d. Svend
Wam) V. Norwegian gay coming of ager from '95. Naive, unrealistic &
poorly acted (though the 2 main boy actors are attractive.) * 1/2 |
| SECOND
COMING, THE (2005, d. Jack Walsh) V. 0* |
| SECOND
SKIN (2001, d. Gerardo Vera)
* |
| SECONDHAND
CHILD (2004, d. Karola Hattop) German "tv afterschool
special" about a troubled, fatherless 13 year old boy who bonds with a
new neighbor. ** 3/4 |
| SECONDHAND
LIONS (2003, d. Tim McCanlies) 2 eccentric uncles raise teenage boy.
Fine actors don't overcome shamelessly manipulative if amiable script. * 3/4 |
| SECRET
BALLOT (2002, d. Babak Payami)
** |
| SECRET
BEYOND THE DOOR (2008, d. Fritz Lang) ** 3/4 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #1 (2006) *** 1/2 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #1 (2002) *** |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #2 (2005) Already seen this one, admittedly at L.A.'s worst
big screen venue; but hated it and had no desire to see it again. W/O |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #2 (2006) *** |
| SECRET FESTIVAL #2 +
Seen before in a shorter version; liked it much more this time.
(2011) ** 1/2 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #2 (2002) *** |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #2 (2008) *** 1/2 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #3 (2008) *** |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #3 (2002) *** 1/2 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #3 (2006) *** |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #3 (2007) ** 3/4 |
| SECRET FESTIVAL #3
(2010, SIFF) ** 3/4 |
| SECRET FESTIVAL #3
(2011) *** 1/4 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #4 (2002) ** 1/4 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #4 (2006) *** |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #4 (2007) Redeemed the entire concept of Secret Festival for
the year. *** 3/4 |
| SECRET
FESTIVAL #4 (2008) *** 1/2 |
| SECRET FESTIVAL #4
(2011) ** 1/2 |
| SECRET
IN THEIR EYES, THE (El secreto de sus ojos) (2009, d. Juan José
Campanella; Argentina) *** 3/4 |
| SECRET
LIFE OF BEES (2008, d. Gina Bythewood) Color Purplish film with a fine
cast. Dakota Fanning is great; but Paul Bettany surprises playing a
Southern redneck. *** |
| SECRET
LIFE OF DENTISTS, THE (2003, U.S. d. Alan Rudolph)
Beautifully written and acted drama about a marriage in trouble. ***
3/4 |
| SECRET
LIFE OF HAPPY PEOPLE, THE (2006, d. Stephane Lapointe) *** |
| SECRET
LIFE OF WORDS, THE (2006, d. Isabel Coixet) 2 wounded souls in another
moving Coixet. Tim Robbins & Sarah Polley great. *** |
| SECRET OF KELLS, THE (2010,
d. Tomm Moore) Pretty watercolor animation; but legendary story of monks,
Vikings & enchanted forest bored me. ** 1/2 |
| SECRET
OF THE GRAIN, THE (2008, d. Abdellatif Kechiche) *** 1/4 |
| SECRET
SUNSHINE (2007, d. Lee Chang-dong; Korea) *** |
| SECRET
THINGS (2003, France d. Jean-Claude Brisseau) Soft porn
with a lesbian bent. Good looking bodies, but total trash and a
ridiculous story. * |
| SECRET
THINGS (2004, d. Jean-Claude Brisseau) + Re-saw in theater by accident
(I forgot I'd seen it) a ridiculous, if sexy, film that is way
over-the-top. ** |
| SECRET
WINDOW (2004, d. David Koepp) Depp is the only reason to watch this
ridiculous Stephen King story which rings psychologically false. * 3/4 |
| SECRET,
UN (2008, d. Claude Miller) *** 1/2 |
| SECRETARIAT (2010, d.
Randall Wallace) Old fashioned filmmaking; but enthralling in the way it
recalls my memories of the era. I loved this horse. *** |
| SECRETARY
(2002, d. Steven Shainberg) ** 1/4 |
| SECRETS
OF A YOUNG GIRL (2003, d. Magdi Ahmed Ali) Egypt AFF. Courageous
family drama about 15 year old girl's pregnancy. *** |
| SECRETS
OF STATE (Secret défence) (2009, d. Philipe Haïm) *** |
| SEDUCING
DR. LEWIS (2004, d. Jean-François Pouliot) Small, eccentric, mediocre
French Canadian town shaggy dog story à la Waking Ded Devine. ** 1/4 |
| SEE
YOU OFF TO THE EDGE OF TOWN (2002, d. Ching C. Ip) ** 3/4 |
| SEED
OF DISCORD, THE (Il seme della siscordia) (2009, d. Pappi Corsicato) **
1/4 |
| SEEKER:
THE DARK IS RISING, THE (2009, d. David L. Cunningham) V.+ Adolescent
fantasy with an interesting hero in Alex Ludwig. ** 1/2 |
| SELF-MADE
HERO, A (2002, d. Jacques Audiard) **** |
| SEMPER FI: ALWAYS
FAITHFUL (2011, d. Hardmon & Libert) V. Case of docu with important
eco message in a pedestrian production. ** 3/4 |
| SENIOR
PROM (2010, d. Nicholas Terry) *** |
| SENNA (2011, d. Asif Kapadia)
V. Fascinating, suspenseful docu about Formula One driver Ayrton Senna. I
knew *nothing* of him & his sport, but was blown away. *** 3/4 |
| SENSE
& SENSIBILITY (2008, d. John Alexander) V. Andrew Davis' superb
mini-series adaptation with a fine cast. *** 1/4 |
| SENTIMENTAL
ENGINE SLAYER, THE (2010, d. Omar Rodriguez Lopez) ** 1/4 |
| SENTIMENTS,
LES (2004, d. Noémie Lvovsky) Two couples & the consequences of
infidelity. Nice acting, but somehow unpleasant. *** |
| SENTINAL,
THE (2006, d. Clark Johnson) Good Secret Service thriller. Kiefer
Sutherland will henceforth always be Jack Bauer in every role. *** |
| SEOUL
TRAIN (2005, d. Lubansky, Butterworth, Sleeth) Mainly talking heads
docu about plight of N. Korean refugees in China. Bad sound. ** 1/4 |
| SEPARATE
LIES (2005, d. Julian Fellowes) *** |
| SEPARATE
PEACE, A (2004, d. Peter Yates) V. Nicely done TV movie from the
novel. Well cast, well directed...but the script needed fleshing
out. ** 3/4 |
| SEPARATION,
A (2011, d. Asghar Farhadi, Iran) *** 1/2 |
| SEQUESTRO (Kidnapping)
(2010, d. Jorge W. Atalla) v. Action docu made like TV series
"Cops", often touching stories of Sao Paulo kidnapping squad &
victims. *** 1/2 |
| SEQUESTRO
EXPRESS (2004, d. Jonathan Jakubowicz) Caracas slum dwellers carjack &
kidnap a priveleged couple. Frenetic, visceral, frightening film. **
3/4 |
| SÉRAPHINE
(2009, d. Martin Provost) *** 1/4 |
| SERENDIPITY
(2001, d. Peter Chelsom) ** 1/2 |
| SERENITY
(2005, d. Joss Whedon) * 3/4 |
| SERGIO
(2009, d. Greg Barker) V. Docu of the 2003 bombing by al-Qaeda of the
UN mission in Iraq led by martyred Sergio de Mello. Gripping recreations.
Affecting. *** |
| SERIES
7 (2001, d. Daniel Minahan) ***
1/2 |
| SERIOUS
MAN, A (2009, d. Joel & Ethan Coen) Different Coens film: personal,
very Jewish, amusing riff on the Job story. Loved it until the weird
unsatisfactory conclusion, again! *** 1/2 |
| SESSION
9 (2001, d. Brad Anderson)
* |
| SET ME
FREE (2000, d. Léa Pool)
*** |
| SEUL
CONTRE TOUS (2005, d. Gaspar Noé) V. Noé is a great stylist. This film
is hard to warch, but a fascinating character study of a loser. *** |
| SEVDAH FOR
KARIM (2011, d. Jasmin Durakovic) ** 1/2 |
| SEVEN
DAYS, THE (2009, d. Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz) * 1/2 |
| SEVEN
POUNDS (2008, d. Gabriele Muccino) ** 1/4 |
| SEVEN
SWORDS (2006, d. Tsui Hark) * 3/4 |
| SEVERANCE
(2007, d. Christopher Smith) *** |
| SEX
& BREAKFAST (2007, d. Miles Brandman) Reprises the least
interesting thread of HBO's Tell Me You Love Me. ** 1/2 |
| SEX
AND DEATH 101 (2007, d. Daniel Waters) ** |
| SEX
AND LUCIA (2002, d. Julio Medem) *** 1/2 |
| SEX
AND LUCIA (2002, d. Julio Medem) + **** |
| SEX
AND THE CITY (2008, d. Michael Patrick King) Great fashions, sappy,
predictable...but it kept getting better as it went on. ** 3/4 |
| SEX
IS COMEDY (2004, d. Catherine Breillat) Comedy about an annoying, talky
female director making a sexy movie. Actually more fun than I expected.
*** |
| SEX OF THE ANGELS, THE (2012, d.
Xavier Villaverde) *** 1/4 |
| SEX&DRUGS&ROCK&ROLL
(2010, d. Mat Whitecross) ** 3/4 |
| SEXY
BEAST (2001, d. Jonathan Glazer)
*** |
| SHADE
(2004, d. Damian Nieman) Interesting movie about crosses and double crosses
among poker players, card mechanics & gangsters. Very entertaining. *** |
| SHADOW
MAGIC (2001, d. Ann Hu) ** 1/4 |
| SHADOW
OF THE VAMPIRE (2000, d. E. Elias Merhige)
** |
| SHADOWBOXER
(2006, d. Lee Daniels) No cops in sight in this hired assassin
story. Mirren as usual is great. ** 3/4 |
| SHADOWS
IN THE PALACE (Goong-Nyuh) (2008, d. Kim Mee-jung) ** 3/4 |
| SHADOWS
(2008, d. Milcho Manchevski; Macedonia) *** |
| SHADOWS,
THE (2007, d. Guillermo Rodriguez) ** |
| SHAFT
(2000, d. John Singleton) ** |
| SHAKE
THE DEVIL OFF (2007, d. Peter Entell) OK post Katrina docu:
parish church & beloved reverend disbanded. ** 3/4 |
| SHALL
WE KISS? (Un baiser s'il vous plait) (2008, d. Emmanuel Mouret)
*** 1/2 |
| SHALLOW
HAL (2001, d. Peter & Bobby Farrelly)
** |
| SHAME (2011, d. Steve
McQueen) Story of sexual predator psychopath...yet Fassbender (and Carrie
Mulligan) give the story vibrant sympathy. *** 1/4 |
| SHANGHAI
DREAMS (2006, d. Wang Xiaoshuai) ** 3/4 |
| SHANGHAI
NOON (2000, d. Tom Dey) **
1/2 |
| SHAPE
OF THINGS, THE (2003, d. Neil Labute) Clever reversal of Company of
Men. Attractive ensemble; stagey line readings. Why isn't Fred Weller a
star? *** |
| SHARK
TALE (2004, d. Bergeron, Jenson, Litterman) Predictable, clichéd,
hip-hop animated comedy with star cast & lovely 3-D computer graphics but
no heart. * 3/4 |
| SHARPE'S PERIL (2010, d. Tom
Clegg) V. Nicely produced tv film about a Brit soldier in India in
1820. Suddenly Luke Ward-Wilkinson (Beautiful People) is a fave.
*** |
| SHATTERED
GLASS (2003, d. Billy Ray) True story: journalist faker Stephen Glass.
Great acting & veracity, tho psychological insight is rather thin.
*** 1/4 |
| SHATTERED
GLASS (2002, d. Chris Kraus) *** 1/2 |
| SHE
HATE ME (2004, d. Spike Lee) Slick, but hateful & misogynist
miscalculation. One of the worst films by a good filmmaker ever. * |
| SHELTER (2012, d.
Jonah Markowitz) V. + YouTube is now carrying this seminal film which I
really enjoyed at a film fest in 2008. It's still one hell of a tender coming
out story. *** |
| SHELTER
ME (Riparo) (2007, d. Marco Simon Puccioni) *** 1/4 |
| SHELTER
(2008, d. Jonah Markowitz) *** |
| SHEM
(2006, d. Caroline Roboh) A bisexual English Everything is Illuminated.
Ash Newman is a real find; the film doesn't pay off. ** 3/4 |
| SHERLOCK
HOLMES (2009, d. Guy Richie) It looks like Victorian London; but its
criminally anachronistic rock-and-roll sensibility is all Richie's
fault. * 1/4 |
| SHERLOCK: BLIND BANKER (2010,
d. Duros Lyn) V. Rather ordinary who-done-it script based on
codes. ** 3/4 |
| SHERLOCK: GREAT GAME (2010,
d. Paul McGuigan) V. The game's truly afoot with a fine over-the-top
supervillian in "John". Fast moving, gotta say. *** |
| SHERLOCK: GREAT GAME (2012,
d. Paul McGuigan) V. + Timely re-play of final epi of series 1 leading to May
start of season 2. I love the villain Moriarty! *** |
| SHERLOCK: STUDY IN PINK
(2010, d. Paul McGuigan) V. Clever present day remaking of familiar
tropes. Both leads quite well suited. *** 1/4 |
| SHERRYBABY
(2006, d. Laurie Collyer) Maggie Gyllenhaal is fine; but film about junkie
mom is very hard to take. ** 1/4 |
| SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE (2010,
d. Jim Field Smith) 1st hour: fun stuff with perfectly cast Jay Baruchel. But
film has nowhere to go but predictable. Still enjoyable. *** |
| SHE'S
THE MAN (2006, d. Andy Fickman) A teener "12th Night"; but a
mediocre script. Channing Tatum is worth watching. ** |
| SHINE
A LIGHT (2008, d. Martin Scorsese) Great, intimate concert film; an
historical flawless production! **** |
| SHINER
(2004, d. Christian Calson) Horrendously directed but strangely erotic gay
Fight Club imitator. Amateur boxers lovingly & boringly pummel each
other. * |
| SHINOBI
(2006, d. Ten Shimoyaina) ** 3/4 |
| SHIPPING
NEWS, THE (2001, d. Lasse Hallström) ** 3/4
|
| SHOCKING
BLUE (2011, d. Mark de Cloe) ** 1/2 |
| SHOOT
'EM UP (2008, d. Michael Davis)V. Hyperviolent, imaginative, totally
absurd film. Fine cast wasted. Clive Owen's BMW ads taken to extreme. ** 3/4 |
| SHOOTER
(2007, d. Antoine Fuqua) Better than average paranoid govt. out of control
thriller - Mark Wahlberg is quite good. *** |
| SHOOTING
GALLERY (2006, d. Keoni Waxman) V. Mediocre crooked cop/poolhall hustle
STV. Ving Rhames & Prinze Jr. ok. ** 1/4 |
| SHOP
OF DREAMS (Stiilipidu) (2006, d. Peeter Urbla; Estonia) ** 1/2 |
| SHOPGIRL
(2005, d. Anand Tucker) *** |
| SHORT
CIRCUITS (Kratki Stiki) (2007, d. Janez Lapajne) Slovenia's foreign
film submission ** 3/4 |
| SHORT
FILM COLLECTION (2010, SIFF) - Playing Doctor Average score:
** |
| SHORT
FILM COLLECTION (2010, SIFF) - Boys to
Men Average score: *** 1/4 |
| SHORTBUS (2012, d.
John Cameron Mitchell) V.+ Unique, better, more focused, beautiful &
important on video than I recall watching in public 6 years ago. *** 1/2 |
| SHORTBUS
(2006, d. John Cameron Mitchell) *** 1/4 |
| SHOT
IN THE HEART (2002, d. Agnieszka Holland) **
1/2 |
| SHOTGUN
STORIES (2009, d. Jeff Nichols) V. Quietly powerful, reflective Amer.
indie pitting half-brothers against each other. *** |
| SHOWER
(2000, d. Zhang Yang) *** |
| SHREK
2 (2005, d. Adamson, Asbury, Vernon) V. Best animated film since Toy
Story 2. Clever schtick, a story which holds together & real characters.
*** 1/2 |
| SHREK
THE THIRD (2007, d. Chris Miller & Raman HuI) ** |
| SHREK
(2001, d. Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson)
*** |
| SHRINK (2009, d.
Jonas Pate) *** 1/4 |
| SHUT
UP AND SING (2006, d. Barbara Kopple, Cecelia Peck) V. I'm not a
Dixie Chicks fan; but this politically satisfying docu works. *** 1/4 |
| SHUTKA
BOOK OF RECORDS, THE (2005, d. Aleksandar Manió) V. * 1/4 |
| SHUTTER ISLAND (2010, d.
Martin Scorsese) I got the twist about 5 minutes into the film...well made,
of course, & Leo is fine; but ridiculously overwrought plot. ** 1/2 |
| SHWAAS
(2005, d. Sandeep Sawant) Overamped heart tugger about 6 year old boy with
cancer who must lose both his eyes. * 3/4 |
| SHY
AMOL CHAYA (2006, d. Humayun Ahmed; Bangladesh) * |
| SICILIAN
GIRL, THE (2010, d. Marco Amenta) *** 3/4 |
| SICKO
(2007, d. Michael Mann) The Cuba trick is overly cute; but docu is
entertaining & useful. *** |
| SIDEWALKS
OF NEW YORK (2001, d. Edward Burns) *** 1/2 |
| SIDEWAYS
(2004, d. Alexander Payne) A Calif. subculture comedy, like Swingers. Note
perfect performances, great wine lore, but 2nd act longeurs detracted.
*** |
| SIGNS
(2002, d. M. Night Shyamalan) *** |
| SILENCE,
THE (2007, d. Cate Shortland) ** 3/4 |
| SILENT
HOUSE, THE (2011, d. Gustavo Hernandéz, Uruguay) ** |
| SILENT
LIGHT (2007, d. Carlos Reygadis; Mexico) *** 3/4 |
| SILENT
SOULS (2011, d. Aleksei Fedorchenko) *** |
| SILENT
VOICES (Qu'un seul tienne et les autres suivront) (2010, d. Léa Fehner)
*** |
| SILK
(2007, d. François Gerard) Slow and reflective, but beautiful. ** 3/4 |
| SILLY
AGE, THE (2007, d. Pavel Giroud) Cuba Academy foreign film
submission *** |
| SILMIDO
(2004, d. Woo-suk Kang) S. Korea forms a platoon of convicted criminals to
fight North, and then it goes wrong. Well directed with incredible
cast. *** 1/4 |
| SILVER
CITY (2004, d. John Sayles) Boring, turgid political eco-thriller,
great take-off on George W. by Chris Cooper...but otherwise too long and
overly complicated. ** |
| SIMIAN
LINE, THE (2001, d. Linda "Old" Yellen)
* |
| SIMON
AND THE OAKS (2012, d. Lisa Ohlin) *** 3/4 |
| SIMON
(2004, d. Eddy Terstall) Dutch AFF, remarkably un-sentimental story about a
flamboyant dying man and state sanctioned euthenasia. *** 1/4 |
| SIMPLE
LIFE, A (2011, d. Ann Hui, Hong Kong) *** 1/2 |
| SIMPLE
SIMON (2011 d. Andreas Ohman; Sweden) *** 1/2 |
| SIMPSONS
MOVIE, THE (2007, d. David Silverman) *** |
| SIN BIN (2012, d. Billy
Federighi) * 1/2 |
| SIN
NOMBRE (2009, d. Cary Joji Fukunaga) Superbly executed drama of Central
American gangs & the plight of immigrants with a believeable, moving
romance. *** 1/2 . |
| SINCE
OTAR LEFT (2004, d. Julie Bertucelli) An old Georgian lady's triumph of
the spirit when the death of her emmigré son is kept from her. *** 1/4 |
| SING YOUR SONG (2011, d.
Susanne Rostock) V. Effective, if perhaps excessively hagiographic, bio of
Belafonte. Nicely edited & does make its point. *** |
| SINGER,
THE (Quand j'étais chanteur) (2007, d. Xavier Giannoli) ** 1/4 |
| SINGING
DETECTIVE, THE (2003, d. Keith Gordon) First hour OK; but by end, good
acting & direction didn't solve an offputting script. ** 1/4 |
| SINGING
FOREST, THE (2004, d. Jorge Ameer) Gay melodrama about a couple of Nazi
victims reunited after reincarnation. Horrendously bad in every aspect.
1/2* |
| SINGING
REVOLUTION, THE (2008, d. James & Maureen Tusty) Moving, eloquent
and vital docu of how Estonian freedom is due to the culture of
singing. *** 1/2 |
| SINGLE
MAN, A (2009, d. Tom Ford) Ford's visual sense right on, narrative not
so much. Fine acting; but ambiguous characters detract. Nick Hoult all grown
up & a beauty. *** |
| SISTERS
IN LAW (2006, d. Kim Longinotto) V. Slow but moving docu about justice
for women & children in Camaroon. *** |
| SITA SINGS THE
BLUES (2008, d. Nina Paley) *** 1/4 |
| SIXTY
SIX (2008, d. Paul Weiland) Nicely evoked coming of age about a nerdy
English boy's Bar Mitzvah in 1966. Builds to satisfying climax. *** |
| SKATELAND
(2010, d. Anthony Burns) ** 1/2 |
| SKELETONS
(2010, d. Nick Whitfield) ** |
| SKETCHES
OF FRANK GEHRY (2006, d. Sydney Pollack) *** |
| SKETCHES
(2004, d. Neil Israel) V. TiVo found this unfairly maligned (Ebert 0 stars?!
WTF!) young man dying weeper road picture with a great Jason Bateman
perf. ** 3/4 |
| SKI
JUMPING PAIRS - ROAD TO TORINO 2006 (2006, d. Mashima Riichiro,
Kobayashi Masaki) *** 1/4 |
| SKIES
SATELLITES (2001, d. Lukas Nola) * 1/4 |
| SKIN (2009, d.
Anthony Fabian) ** 3/4 |
| SKIN I LIVE IN, THE
(2011, d. Pedro Almodóvar) Creepy gothic film with Almodovar's patented
gender-tripping. Excellent music & prod. design. Script, not so
great. *** |
| SKIPPED
PARTS (2000, d. Tamra Davis) *** |
| SKULLS,
THE (2000, d. Rob Cohen) ** 1/4 |
| SKY
CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW (2004, d. Kerry Conran) Stylized,
retro futuristic thriller with great sound & design but otherwise
predictable. ** 3/4 |
| SKY
HIGH (2005, d. Mike Mitchell) Fun, unpretentious kid's flick about a
school for kids with super powers. Michael Angarano shines here...ditto Chris
Wynne. ** 3/4 |
| SKYFIGHTERS
(Les chevaliers du ciel) (2006, d. Gérard Pirès) French airforce
fighter pilots intrigue. Well acted, great f/x; but preposterous, elliptical
plot. ** |
| SKYHOOK
(2000, d. Ljubisa Samardzic) ** 1/2 |
| SKYLAB, LE
(2012, d. Julie Delpy) ** 1/2 |
| SLAUGHTER
RULE, THE (2002, d. Alex & Andrew Smith) *** 1/2 |
| SLAVE
OF LOVE (Raba lyubvi) (2008, d. Nikita Mikhalkov)V. Gorgeous, pastoral
love story set in Russian revolution. *** |
| SLEEP
DEALER (2008, d. Alex Rivera) *** 1/2 |
| SLEEPER
CELL 2 (2007, d. various ) V. Similar, but inferior to 1st
series. ** 1//2 |
| SLEEPER
CELL (2006, d. various) V. Extremely plausable & well made
mini-series about Muslim terrorists in a terrifyingly real L.A. *** 1/2 |
| SLEEPING
BEAUTY, THE (La Belle endormie) (2011 d. Catherine Breillat) * 1/2 |
| SLEEPING
DOGS LIE (2006, d. Bobcat Goldthwait) *** |
| SLEEPING
ROUGH (2002, d. Eugene Jansen) ** |
| SLEEPLESS
NIGHTS (2003, d. Hany Khalifa) 3 married and one unmarried
yuppie couple have their marital troubles in this fluffy romantic
comedy. ** 1/2 |
| SLEEPWALK WITH
ME (2012, d. Mike Birbiglia) *** 1/4 |
| SLIM
SUSIE (2004, d. Ulf Malmros) Wild, sometimes clever, often not film
about crazy antics of a bunch of young people in a small Swedish town. ** 3/4 |
| SLINGSHOT
(Tirador) (2008, d. Brillante Mendoza) * 1/2 |
| SLIPSTREAM
(2005, d. David van Eyssen) V. Ridiculous time travel story mixed with a Guy
Richie gang who couldn't shoot straight story. Sean Astin is good,
however. * 1/4 |
| SlLEEPY
TIME GAL, THE (2002, d. Christopher
Münch) *** 3/4 |
| SLOGANS
(2001, d. Gjergi Xhuvani) *** 1/4 |
| SLUMDOG
MILLIONAIRE (2008, d. Danny Boyle) Intense melodrama about boy from
Mombai slums competing in TV game show. *** |
| SLUMMING
(2006, d. Michael Glawogger) *** 1/4 |
| SMALL
CUTS (2003, d. Pascal Bonitzer) Daniel Auteuil! Kristen Scott
Thomas! No chemistry! Drama disguised as silly French
farce. ** |
| SMALL
ENGINE REPAIR (2007, d. Niall Heery) *** 1/4 |
| SMALL
TOWN GAY BAR (2006, d. Malcolm Ingram) ** 3/4 |
| SMALL
TOWN MURDER SONGS (2011, d. Ed Gass-Donnelly) *** |
| SMALL
VOICES (2003, d. Gil M. Portes) Philippines AFF. New teacher in
rural village copes with problems. ** |
| SMALLPOX
2002: SILENT WEAPON (2005, d. Daniel Percival) V. British
tv movie, well done fake documentary with a frightening message. ** 3/4 |
| SMART
PEOPLE (2008, d. Noam Murro) 1st time I liked Ellen Page in a film!
Fine cast, involving indie film. *** |
| SMASH HIS CAMERA (2010, d.
Leon Gast) V. Entertaining & amusing docu about famed paparazzo Ron
Galella. Neat photo montages & well put together material. *** 1/2 |
| SMILEY
FACE (2007, d. Gregg Araki) *** 1/4 |
| SMITH
FAMILY, THE (2002, d. Tasha Oldham) **** |
| SMOKERS
ONLY (2003, d. Veronica Chen) Pretentious, artsy-fartsy Argentine
film about vapid rock chick and male hustler. * |
| SNAKESKIN
(2002, d. Gillian Ashurst) *** 1/4 |
| SNAPPER,
THE (2004, d. Stephen Frears) V. Another wonderful early Frears Irish
family comedy. Humanistic, well acted, effortlessly entertaining.
*** 1/4 |
| SNATCH
(2001, d. Guy Ritchie) ** |
| SNIPER,
THE (2009, d. Dante Lam) *** 1/4 |
| SNOW
(Snijeg) (2008, d. Aida Begic; Bosnia and Herzegovina) *** |
| SNOW
ANGELS (2008, d. David Gordon Green) Another remarkable, difficult
drama by this artist. Great acting. *** 1/2 |
| SNOW
CAKE (2006, d. Marc Evans) *** 3/4 |
| SNOW
WALKER (2004, d. Charles Martin Smith) Clichéd and unlikely story of a
pilot downed in N. Canada along with an ill Inuit woman. Still, effective
storytelling. *** |
| SNOWS OF
KILIMANJARO, THE (2012, d. Robert Guédiguian) *** 3/4 |
| SO
CLOSE, SO FAR (2005, d. Reza Mir Karimi, Iran) *** 1/4 |
| SO
GOES THE NATION (2006, d. del Dio & Stern) V. Fascinating,
gutwrenching docu of both sides of political organizers in Ohio in 2004. ***
3/4 |
| SOAP,
A (2006, d. Pernille Fischer Christiansen) ** 3/4 |
| SOCIAL NETWORK, THE (2010, d.
David Fincher) + Still superb. So impressed by all the actors; but Eisenberg
and Garfield are at top of their game. **** |
| SOCIAL NETWORK, THE (2010, d.
David Fincher) Scintillating flick, perfectly cast, great writing &
direction. I'm still under spell & will probably pay to see it again.
**** |
| SOCIAL NETWORK, THE (2011 d.
David Fincher) V.++ A rarity: a smart movie about smart people which is
totally absorbing & finely crafted. Still, even 3rd time: **** |
| SOL
DEL MEMBRILLO, EL (2003, d. Victor Erice 1992) Arty semi-documentary
about an artist sloooowly painting a quince tree. ** |
| SOLARIS
(2002, d. Steven Soderbergh) ** 3/4 |
| SOLAS
(2000, d. Benito Zambrano) *** |
| SOLDANOS
DE SALAMINA (2004, d. David Trueba) A writer gradually uncovers an
enigmatic incident in the Spanish Civil War. Slow start but big
pay-off. *** |
| SOLDIER'S
GIRL, A (2003, US d. Frank Pierson) True story: an American
soldier falls for a transexual and how the dynamic plays out in his
platoon. *** 1/4 |
| SOLITARY MAN (2010, d.
Koppelman & Levien) V. Saga of a true asshole played convincingly by
Michael Douglas. ** 3/4 |
| SOLITUDE
(2002, d. Susan Kraker, Pi Ware) *** 1/4 |
| SOLO
MIA (2003, d. Javier Balaguer) Sergio Lopez plays abusive macho
husband. Excellent portrait of a bad marriage. *** |
| SOLOIST,
THE (2009, d. Joe Wright) Wright throws every directorial trick in the
book at this sappy script, and Downey & Foxx are fine; but I was bored.
** 1/2 |
| SOLOMON
& GAENOR (2000, d. Paul Morrisson) *** 3/4
|
| SOME
DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS (2010, d. Matt McCormick) *** |
| SOME
GIRL (2003, d. Rory Kelly) V. Ribisi siblings interest me. A charming,
surprisingly involving romantic comedy...young Jeremy Sisto a
revelation. *** |
| SOME
SAY NO (C'è chi dice no) (2012, d. Giambattista Avellino) ** 3/4 |
| SOMEONE
ELSE'S HAPPINESS (2006, d. Fien Troch; Belgium) ** 3/4 |
| SOMEONE
I LOVED (Je l'aimais) (2009, d. Zabou Breitman) *** |
| SOMERS
TOWN (2009, d. Shane Meadows) Delightful and insightful, if slight,
youth dramedy where Midlands youth befriends Polish boy in modern London. ***
1/4 |
| SOMERSAULT
(2004, d. Cate Shortland) Well played slice of life about Australian runaway
teenage girl. *** |
| SOMETHING BORROWED (2012, d.
Luke Greenfield) V. Girl loves best friend's fiancé and the morally suspect
consequences. Enjoyed the actors. ** 1/2 |
| SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE
ART OF RAP (2012, d. Ice-T) V. I've no interest in hip-hop & rap; but his
docu representing won me over with great interviews. *** |
| SOMETHING
LIKE HAPPINESS (Stestí) (2006, d. Bohdan Sláma; Czech Republic)
*** 1/4 |
| SOMETHING
SWEET (2000, d. Olivia Pi-Sunyer) ** 1/2 |
| SOMETHING
VENTURED (2011, d. Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine) ** 3/4 |
| SOMETHING'S GONNA LIVE
(2010, d. Daniel Raim) Pleasant docu about 6 elderly film artists & their
life & work. I knew & worked with Boyle & he shines here at 98.
*** 1/4 |
| SOMETHING'S
GOTTA GIVE (2003, d. Nancy Meyers) I wanted to hate this like every
other Meyers film; but it struck a deep chord of truth. Bravo to all. *** 1/4 |
| SOMEWHAT GENTLE MAN, A (2010,
Hans Petter Moland) Nice turn by Stellan Skarsgard as reformed criminal
released from prison. *** 1/4 |
| SOMEWHERE (2010, d. Sofia
Coppola) Such a great L.A. movie. Dorff pulls off the difficult role of
the Hollywood superstar, and Coppola is a true auteur. *** 1/2 |
| SOMEWHERE
OVER THE DREAMLAND (2003, Taiwan d. Cheng Wen-tang)
Inscrutable film about yearning and lost love...maybe. ** 3/4 |
| SON
FRÈRE (2003, d. Patrice Chéreau) Intimate drama of 2 estranged
brothers, the straight one dying of rare blood disease. Eric Caravaca is
great! *** 1/4 |
| SON
OF A LION (2008, d. Benjamin Gilmour) *** |
| SON
OF BABYLON (2010, d. Mohamed Al-Daradji) ** 3/4 |
| SON
OF RAMBOW (2007, d. Garth Jennings) *** |
| SON
OF THE BRIDE (2001, d. Juan José Campanella) ***
1/2 |
| SON,
THE (Le fils) (2003, d. Dardenne Bros.) Belgium AFF. Spare
drama about carpentery teacher & apprentice who share a secret
history. *** 1/2 |
| SONETAULA
(2008, d. Salvatore Mereu) *** |
| SONG
FOR A RAGGY BOY (2003, Ireland/US d. Aisling Walsh) Drama/exposé
about Catholic workhouse schools for wayward boys in 1939. *** 1/4 |
| SONG
FOR MARTIN, A (2001, d. Bille August) *** 1/4 |
| SONG
OF SPARROWS, THE (Avaze Gonjeshk-ha) (2008, d. Majid Majidi) *** |
| SONG
OF TIBET (2001, d. Xie Fei) *** |
| SONGCATCHER
(2000, d. Maggie Greenwald) *** |
| SONGS
FROM THE SECOND FLOOR (2002, d. Roy Andersson)
*** |
| SONNY
BOY (2011, d. Maria Peters, Netherlands) *** |
| SONNY
(2002, d. Nicolas Cage) *** |
| SONS (Sonner)
(2007, d. Erik Richter Strand) *** 1/4 |
| SON'S
ROOM, THE (2001, d. Nanni Moretti) *** 3/4 |
| SOPHIE
SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS (2005, d. Marc Rothemund; Germany) ** 1/2 |
| SORCERER'S APPRENTICE,
THE (2010, d. Jon Turteltaub)
Well done for what it is: high concept f/x driven drivel. Baruchel shines,
per usual. ** 1/2 |
| SORELLE
MAI (2011 d. Marco Bellocchio) ** 1/2 |
| SORROW
OF MRS. SCHNEIDER, THE (2008, d. Piro & Eno Milkani; Albania) *** |
| SOUL
KITCHEN (2010, d. Fatih Akin) *** |
| SOUL
POWER (2009, d. Jeffrey Levy-Hinte) '74 Zaire concert film, well shot
but music varies in quality. Bill Withers, Celia Cruz & BB King really
impressed. Star James Brown less. *** |
| SOUND
AND FURY (2000, d. Josh Aronson)
*** |
| SOUND
OF NOISE (2011, d. Ola Simonsson & Johannes Stjärne Nilsson)
*** |
| SOUND
OF THUNDER, A (2005, d. Peter Hyams) * 1/4 |
| SOUNDLESS WIND CHIME (2012,
d. Kit Hung) V. Opaque narrative switching between timelines obscures a
beautiful if ponderous gay relationship film. ** 3/4 |
| SOUNDLESS
(2004, d. Mennan Yapo) Excellent, moody thriller about a professional
assassin & the cop who hunts him. Superbly written and directed. *** 1/2 |
| SOUNDS
LIKE TEEN SPIRIT: A POPUMENTARY (2008, d. Jamie Jay Johnson) *** 1/2 |
| SOUNDTRACK
FOR A REVOLUTION (2009, d. Guttentag and Sturman) V. Superb docu of
Civil Rights struggle emphasizing music. Poignant & emotionally
uplifting. *** 3/4 |
| SOURCE CODE (2011, d. Duncan
Jones) Nifty script, well executed by Jones who has stepped up in class. Some
niggling temporal problems; but hugely fun. *** 1/4 |
| SOUTH
DESERT (2009, d. Shawn Garry) ** 3/4 |
| SOUTH
(2004, d. Martin Koolhoven) Well made, viscerally upsetting psychological
drama about a sexually wounded woman who slips into insanity. *** |
| SOUTHERN
COMFORT (2001, d. Kate Davis) *** 3/4
|
| SOUTHERN
ZONE (Zona Sur) (2010, d. Juan Carlos Valdivia; Bolivia) *** 1/4 |
| SOUTHLAND
TALES (2007, d. Richard Kelly) Scrambled script, good f/x, Fifth
Element light. Was Donny Darko a fluke? ** 1/2 |
| SPACE
COWBOYS (2000, d. Clint Eastwood)
*** |
| SPAGNOLA,
LA (2001, d. Steve Jacobs) ** 1/2 |
| SPANGLISH
(2004, d. James Brooks) I loved this observent dark family comedy. Téa Leoni
was bravely over-the-top, Paz Vega is a star & Sandler and Leachman:
wonderful. *** 1/4 |
| SPARE
PARTS (2004, d. Damjan Kozole) Slovenian version of Lichter, a bleak
drama about smugglers who profit from driving 3rd world refugees into
Europe. ** 1/2 |
| SPARKLE (2012, d. Salim
Akil) Hideously bad, cliché filled '70s Motown girl trio story centered on
Jorden Sparks. Costumes & singing are only reason to see this. Ugh.
* 1/4 |
| SPARROW (Man
Jeuk) (2008, d. Johnnie To) ** 1/2 |
| SPARTAN
(2004, d. David Mamet) Twisty and turny thriller about skullduggery in high
places. I like Val Kilmer and this film appealed to my cynical nature.
*** |
| SPEAK
(2004, d. Jessica Sharzer) Excellent, subtle, beautifully acted drama about a
high school freshman traumatized by rape. *** 1/4 |
| SPEAK
(2005, d. Jessica Sharzer) V.+ ** 3/4 |
| SPECIAL
(2008, d. Haberman and Passmore) Michael Rappaport as pathetically needy
meter man who goes psycho on an experimental drug. Minor stuff. ** 1/4 |
| SPEED
RACER (2008, d. Wachowski Bros.) Visually stunning and inventive.
But script is so predictable. Interesting cast, though. ** 1/2 |
| SPELLBOUND
(2003, d. Jeffrey Blitz) Involving, well conceived documentary about 8
competitors in the National Spelling Bee. *** 1/2 |
| SPHINX
(Gardiens de l'ordre) (2010, d. Nicolas Bookhrief) *** 1/4 |
| SPIDER-MAN
2 (2004, d. Sam Raimi) Tobey Maguire shines, the f/x much improved over
the original. Satisfying Hollywood tentpole, if ultimately trivial
entertainment. *** |
| SPIDER-MAN
3 (2008, d. Sam Raimi)V. Much better than #2; but too many
villains spoil the plot. ** 1/2 |
| SPIDER-MAN
(2002, d. Sam Raimi) ** 1/2
|
| SPIDERWICK
CHRONICLES, THE (2008, d. Mark Waters) Scary stuff; better than
expected. Fine f/x, nicely acted. *** |
| SPIN
(2003, d. James Redford) A more than credible first feature...'50s coming of
age story centered on flying. Ryan Merriman a young actor to watch! *** 1/4 |
| SPINNING
BORIS (2003, d. Roger Spottiswoode) American political spinsters go to
Russia to work for Yeltsin in this ok Showtime tv movie. ** 3/4 |
| SPINNING
INTO BUTTER (2009, d. Mark Brokaw) Racism in a New England college has
never been so banal or clichéd. * 3/4 |
| SPIRIT
OF THE MARATHON, THE (2008, d. Jon Dunham) Human interest docu about
people who run Chicago marathon. Nicely shot, but of limited interest.
** 3/4 |
| SPIRIT:
STALLION OF THE CIMARRON (2003, d. Kelly Asbury, Lorna Cook) Beautiful
animated film which actually moved me. *** |
| SPIRITED
AWAY (2002, d. Hayao Miyazaki) *** 1/4
|
| SPLIT
ESTATE (2009, d. Debra Anderson) V. Involving, informative muckraking
docu about enviromental hazards to people in pristine oil/gas drilling areas
of Rocky Mts.. *** 1/4 |
| SPOOKY
HOUSE (2002, d. William Sachs) ** |
| SPREAD
(2009, d. David Mackenzie) Kucher is quite fine as successor to Gere's
American Gigalo. Clichés abound, but this is hot, enjoyable, sexy
stuff. *** |
| SPRING
1941 (2009, d. Uri Barbash) * 1/2 |
| SPRING
BREAKDOWN (2009, d. Ryan Shiraki) * 1/4 |
| SPRING
FEVER (2010, d. Ye Lou) * 1/2 |
| SPRING
FORWARD (2000, d. Tom Gilroy)
*** |
| SPRING
OF LIFE (2000, d. Milan Cieslar) *** 1/2 |
| SPRING
SUBWAY (2003, China d. Zhang Yibai) Gorgeous photography &
production design in search of a story to give a damn about. ** 3/4 |
| SPRING,
SUMMER, FALL, WINTER...AND SPRING (2003, d. Kim Ki-duk) Gorgeously
photographed fable about the life of a very human Buddhist monk. ***
1/2 |
| SPUD (2011, d.
Donovan Marsh) *** 1/4 |
| SPUN
(2003, d. Jonas Akerlund) Requiem For a Dream wannabe. Tweaker
farce. Transgressive and fun, but cheesy. ** |
| SPY
GAME (2001, d. Tony Scott)
*** |
| SPY
KIDS 2: THE ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS (2002, d. Robert
Rodriguez) *** |
| SPY
KIDS 3D: GAME OVER (2003, d. Richard Rodriguez) 3D gives me eye strain;
but this kinetic film had a consistent script with miraculous digital
f/x. *** |
| SPY
KIDS (2001, d. Robert Rodriguez)
*** |
| SQUARE,
THE (2009, d. Nash Edgerton) *** |
| SQUARE,
THE (2010, d. Nash Edgerton) + Inadvertently watched again. Still
pretty clever Aussie film noir. *** |
| SQUID
AND THE WHALE, THE (2005, d. Noah Baumbach) *** 1/2 |
| ST.
GEORGE SHOOTS THE DRAGON (2009, d. Srdjan Dragojevic; Serbia) *** |
| STAGE
BEAUTY (2004, d. Richard Eyer) Very disappointing...Shakespeare in Love
lite. Poorly paced & directed, and Crudup miscast, though rest of the
cast was superb. ** 1/4 |
| STALAG
17 (2003, d. Billy Wilder)+ V. Still works as straighforward prison
camp story, though plot and characters now seem pretty stock. Holden
fine. *** |
| STANDARD
OPERATING PROCEDURE (2008, d. Errol Morris) Docu of Abu Ghraib as you
wished it weren't. *** 1/4 |
| STANDARD,
THE (2006, d. Jordan Albertsen) *** 3/4 |
| STANDER
(2004, d. Bronwen Hughes) Thomas Jane is remarkable in this involving,
off-center crime spree tale from S. Africa. *** |
| STANDING
IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN (2002, d. Paul
Justman) *** 1/4 |
| STAR
TREK (2009, d. J.J. Abrams) Spectacular in IMAX, well cast, nothing
special about the plot...but as a summer action flick it is about as good as
they come. *** |
| STAR TREK (2010, d. J.J.
Abrams) + 2nd viewing gives more narrative clarity, but f/x look cheap in new
Avatar world. But casting is *outstanding*! By far best Trek film. *** |
| STAR
WARS EPISODE III: RETURN OF THE SITH (2006, d. George Lucas) Kept my
interest. ** 3/4 |
| STAR
WARS: EPISODE 2 (2003, d. George Lukas) Bombastic, effects heavy...not
as bad as I'd heard. ** 1/4 |
| STARBUCK
(2012, d. Ken Scott) *** 1/4 |
| STARDOM
(2000, d. Denys Arcand) *** |
| STARDUST
(2007, d. Matthew Vaughn) ** 1/2 |
| STARFISH
HOTEL (2006, d. John Williams) * 3/4 |
| STARSKY
& HUTCH (2004, d. Todd Phillips) Better than I expected...no
Charlie's Angels, at least. Stiller & Wilson have chemistry; but Owen is
not a '70s dude! ** 1/4 |
| STARTER
FOR 10 (2006, d. Tom Vaughan) *** 1/2 |
| STARTING
OUT IN THE EVENING (2007, d. Andrew Wagner) Understated, fine
acting. A very adult script. *** 1/4 |
| STARTUP.COM
(2001, d. Jehane Noujaim & Chris Hegedus)
*** |
| STATE
AND MAIN (2000, d. David Mamet)
*** |
| STATE
OF MIND (2007, d. Christopher Menaul) V. Pretty good British tv
forensic psych story...Andrew Lincoln wonderful, per usual. ** 3/4 |
| STATE
OF PLAY (2009, d. Kevin Macdonald) More focused than the BBC series,
Good character driven thriller with fine acting. *** |
| STATEMENT,
THE (2003, d. Norman Jewison) Turgid thriller about a Nazi collaborator
on the run 46 years later. Very disappointing. ** |
| STATEN
ISLAND (2009, d. James DeMonaco) Clever plotting, dynamite acting
(Hawke, Onofrio & esp. Seymour Cassel), different take on gangster film.
Engrossing. *** 1/2 |
| STATION
AGENT, THE (2003, d. Tom McCarthy) David Green territory without his
visual pinache, but real narrative. Fine performances by all 3
leads. *** 1/4 |
| STAY
ALIVE (2006, d. William Bell) Good cast can't save this computer death
game Ringu like film. Weak dialog, reasonable f/x. ** |
| STAY
(2005, d. Marc Forster) *** |
| STEAL
A PENCIL FOR ME (2007, d. Michèle Ohayon) Holocaust docu: Dutch
survivors on their 60th wedding aniv. *** 1/4 |
| STEAL
ME (2005, d. Melissa Painter) Gem of an Amer. indie about a wandering
teenage boy klepto who gets adopted into a good Montana home. *** 1/4 |
| STEAL
THIS MOVIE (2000, d. Robert Greenwald)
** |
| STEALING
HARVARD (2002, d. Bruce McCulloch) * 1/4
|
| STEALING
SINATRA (2004, d. Ron Underwood) V. True
gang-who-couldn't-shoot-straight story. I like Thomas Ian Nicholas as Sinatra
Jr., but film is silly. ** |
| STEALTH (Comme des
voleurs -A l'est) (2007, d. Lionel Baier) *** 1/4 |
| STEALTH
(2005, d. Rob Cohen) Politically dubious, viscerally exciting war as video
game. Surprisingly effective entertainment. Josh Lucas & EDI rule. ** 3/4 |
| STEAM
OF LIFE (2010, d. Joonas Berghäll & Mika Hotakainen;
Finland) ** 3/4 |
| STELLA (2009, d.
Sylvie Verheyde) *** |
| STEP
BROTHERS (2008, d. Adam McKay) 40ish guys playing kids is not funny.
Still, watchable silliness with many groaners. * 1/2 |
| STEP
UP 2 THE STREET (2008, d. Jon Chu) Predictable script; great street
dancing. Robert Hoffman a star? ** 1/2 |
| STEP UP 3D (2010,
d. Jon M. Chu) Clichéd script,
mediocre (or worse) actors & weirdly uneven choreography doom this film
despite a pulsing music track. * 1/4 |
| STEP UP TO THE PLATE (2012, d.
Paul Lacoste) ** 1/2 |
| STEP
UP (2006, d. Anne Fletcher) Clichés abound. Channing Tatum can't act;
but he sure can dance and he's a STAR. ** 1/2 |
| STEPFORD
WIVES, THE (2004, d. Frank Oz) Silly and unfunny satire, another wasted
remake. Watchable for the sets and costumes at least. * 3/4 |
| STEPHANIE
DALEY (2006, d. Hilary Brougher) *** |
| STEVIE
(2003, d. Steve Jones) (V) Documentary about a troubled boy-man, abused
as a kid, who faces prison for child sexual abuse himself. *** 1/4 |
| STIGMATA
(2010, d. Adán Aliaga) ** |
| STILL
ALIVE: A FILM ABOUT KRZYSZTOF KIESLOWSKI (2007, d. Maria
Zmarz-Koczanowicz) ** 1/4 |
| STILL
LIFE (Sanxia Haoren) (2008, d. Jia Zhang-ke) ** 1/2 |
| STILL
ORANGUTANS (2008, d. Gustavo Spoldoro) *** 1/2 |
| STILL
WALKING (2009, d. Kore-ea Hirokazu) *** 1/2 |
| STOKED:
THE RISE & FALL OF GATOR (2004, d. Helen Stickler) Nicely
constructed, fascinating docu about skateboarder/murderer Mark
Rogowski. *** 1/2 |
| STOLEN
CHILDREN (Certi Bambini) (2006, d. Andrea and Antonio Frazzi) ***
1/4 |
| STOLEN
EYES (Otkradnati ochi) (2006, d. Radoslav Spassov; Bulgaria) |
| STONE (2010, d. John
Curran) Norton & Jovovich are superb. But I'm at a loss as to what the
film adds up to...spiritual mumbo-jumbo? Symbolism gone wild? ** 3/4 |
| STONED
(2006, d. Stephen Woolley) Leo Gregory is ok, Paddy Considine better in this
amalgam of Sid & Nancy and Last Days about Brian Jones. *** |
| STOOL
PIGEON (2011, d. Dante Lam) *** 1/4 |
| STOP-LOSS
(2008, d. Kimberly Peirce) Extraordinarily affecting, difficult &
appropos film; superb script & acting. *** 3/4 |
| STORM
OF EMOTIONS (2006, d. Yael Klopmann) V. Very powerful, apolitical docu
of forced evacuation of Gaza settlers. *** 1/2 |
| STORY
OF MY LIFE, THE (2005, d. Laurent Tirard) Fun, well made French
4-character romantic comedy. Only flaw is too pat a resolution. ** 3/4 |
| STORY
OF PAO, THE (2006, d. Ng Quang Hai; Vietnam) *** |
| STORY
OF THE WEEPING CAMEL, THE (2003, d. Byambasuren Davaa) Realistic &
involving saga of Mongolian herder family & little camel rejected by its
mom. *** |
| STORYTELLING
(2002, d. Todd Solondz) *** 1/2 |
| STRACCIATELLA
(2003, d. Adnras Kern) Kern is the Roberto Benigni (or Ed Burns) of Hungary.
Self-indulgant: about conductor having a nervous breakdown. ** 1/4 |
| STRAIGHT-JACKET
(2004, d. Richard Day) Horrendously banal and poorly directed gay romantic
comedy about a Rock Hudson type gay '50s movie star. * |
| STRANDED:
I'VE COME FROM A PLANE THAT CRASHED ON THE MOUNTAINS (2008, d. Gonzalo
Arijon) *** 1/2 |
| STRANGE
CULTURE (2007, d. Lynn Hershman Leeson) **** |
| STRANGER IN US, THE (2012, d.
Scott Boswell) V. Gay film to support, realistic relationships, authentic
S.F. setting. But inept editing & pedestrian direction. ** 1/2 |
| STRANGER
THAN FICTION (2006, d. Marc Forster) Charlie Kaufmanesque script with a
stunning Emma Thompson perf. *** |
| STRANGERS
WITH CANDY (2006, d. Paul Dinello) * |
| STRANGERS
(2008, d. Erez Tadmor, Guy Nattiv) ** 1/2 |
| STRANGLED
LIVES (2001, d. Ricky Tognazzi) W/O+ |
| STRAPPED (2012, d. Joseph
Graham) V. Gay version of No Exit, with real philosophical plot, lots of
soft-core sex & some fine acting (Bonenfant a find). *** |
| STRAWBERRY
STATEMENT, THE (2008, d. Stuart Haggman) V. '69 student tumult in this
non-dated cult film. *** |
| STRAY
GIRLFRIEND, A (Una novia errante) (2007, d. Ana Katz) ** 1/4 |
| STRAYED
(2010, d. Akan Satayev; Kazakhstan) *** 1/4 |
| STRAYED
(2004, d. André Téchiné) Totally absorbing film about a family of refugees in
1940 France. Téchiné is a master of atmosphere & actors. *** 1/2 |
| STREET
DAYS (2011 d. Levan Koguashvili ; Georgia) *** 1/2 |
| STREET
FIGHT (2005, d. Marshall Curry; docu) V. *** 1/2 |
| STREET
KINGS (2008, d. David Ayer) Too many unbelieveable loose ends. Why is
Chris Evans not a star? ** 1/2 |
| STREET
LOVE (2000, d. Asa Faringer) |
| STRICTLY
SINATRA (2001, d. Peter Capaldi) * 3/4 |
| STRIKE (Volker
Schlöndorff) *** 1/2 |
| STRING,
THE (2010, d. Mehdi Ben Attia) *** 1/4 |
| STRINGLESS
VIOLIN, THE (2004, d. Sekar Ayu Asmara) An overamped melodrama mostly
about a brain-damaged child and the woman who cares for him. ** |
| STUCK
ON YOU (2003, d. Bobby & Peter Farelly) Irresistably sweet, hip and
funny. Farellys continue to play with characters' illusions & it
works. *** |
| STUDENT, THE
(2012, d. Santiago Mitre) ** 1/2 |
| SUBMARINE
(2011, d. Richard Ayoade) ** 3/4 |
| SUBMARINO
(2010, d. Thomas Vinterberg) *** 1/2 |
| SUBURBAN
MAYHEM (2006, d. Paul Goldman) *** |
| SUDESTE
(2003, Argentina d. Sergio Diego Bellotti) Torpid drama of a young
river fisherman and his encounter with an outlaw. ** 3/4 |
| SUERTE
DORMIDA, LA (2004, d. Angeles Sinde) Spanish Erin Brokovich with some
fine acting by Adriana Ozores, Jose Soriano, and Felix Gomez (yum!) ***
1/4 |
| SUGAR
(2009, d. Anna Bodin, Ryan Fleck) Fine American indie about a young
Dominican baseball player & his minor league tryout in Iowa. *** |
| SUGAR
(2004, d. John Palmer) A Canadian NC-17 afterschool special about an 18 year
old from the burbs who falls for a crack addict street hustler. Brendan Fehr
shines. ** 3/4 |
| SUICIDALS
(2006, d. Juan Villegas) ** |
| SUITE
HABANA (2004, d. Fernando Pérez) Like Hukkle last year, a music &
sound efx filled 24 hours in the lives of several ordinary people in present
day Havana. *** |
| SULLIVAN'S
TRAVELS (2004, d. Preston Sturges) I just don't find Sturges's rapid
fire dialog, endless montages and liberal messaging all that
interesting or amusing. ** 1/2 |
| SUM OF
ALL FEARS, THE (2002, d. Phil Alden Robinson)
*** |
| SUMMER (2009, d.
Kenny Glenaan) ** 3/4 |
| SUMMER
'04 (2006, d. Stefan Krohmer) *** 1/4 |
| SUMMER
CATCH (2001, d. Michael Tollin) **
1/2 |
| SUMMER
CODA (2011, d. Richard Gray) *** |
| SUMMER
DAY, A (2006, d. Franck Guerin) *** |
| SUMMER
HEAT (2008, d. Monique van de Ven) ** 3/4 |
| SUMMER
HOURS (L'heure d'été) (2009, d. Olivier Assayas) + *** 3/4 |
| SUMMER
IN BERLIN (2005, d. Andreas Dresen) ** 1/2 |
| SUMMER
RAIN (El Camino de los ingleses) (2007, d. Antonio Bandaras) **
3/4 |
| SUMMER
STORM (2005, d. Marco Kreuzpaintner) ++ Yikes! Third time the
charm. Hollywood should only make a teen sex comedy this good! As
if. *** |
| SUMMER
STORM (2005, d. Marco Kreuzpaintner) Pleasant, sexy, gay German
American Pie type film about youthful affairs at a summer rowing camp.
*** |
| SUMMER
STORM (2005, d. Marco Kreuzpaintner) + Yes, for the first time
ever I watched a film for the 2nd time at SIFF. Blame the fabu eye candy. *** |
| SUN
ALLEY (Sonnenallee) (2000, d. Leander Haussman) *** |
| SUN
ALSO RISES, THE (Tai Yang Zhao Chang Sheng Qi) (2007, d. Jiang
Wen) ** 1/4 |
| SUNNY (2012, d. Kang
Hyoung-chul) *** 1/4 |
| SUNSET
STRIP (2000, d. Adam Collis) *** |
| SUNSET
STRIP (2005, d. Adam Collis) V.+ *** |
| SUNSHINE
CLEANING (2009, d. Christine Jeffs) Enjoyable indie dramedy. Amy
Adams better here than in Doubt. *** |
| SUNSHINE
STATE (2002, d. John Sayles) ***
1/2 |
| SUNSHINE
(2007, d. Danny Boyle) *** 1/4 |
| SUNSHINE
(2000, d. István Szabó) *** 1/2 |
| SUPER (2011, d. James Gunn)
Gory & mildly amusing, film looks terrible (shot on old stock?). Some
fine actors stretching...but too weird for me. ** |
| SUPER
SIZE ME (2004, d. Morgan Spurlock ) Superb, entertaining, shocking doc
about the physical effects of the director's immersion in McDonald's fast
foods for a month. *** 3/4 |
| SUPER-8 (2011, d. J.J.
Abrams) Very ET-retro; high expectations not completely met by script
deficiencies. End credit 8mm "film" better than rest. *** |
| SUPERBAD
(2009, d. Greg Mattola) V.+ One of the rare cases of a film where
the over-the-top raunch works better on video than in the theater. *** |
| SUPERBAD
(2007, d. Greg Mattola) ** 1/2 |
| SUPERCLASICO
(2011, d. Ole Christian Madsen, Denmark) ** 3/4 |
| SUPERMAN
RETURNS (2006, d. Brian Singer) Not a disappointment...Singer did
everything just about right. *** |
| SUPERVOLCANO
(2005, d. Tony Mitchell) V. Scary, involving, high gloss fictionalized
disaster docudrama about Yellowstone eruption. *** |
| SUPPLEMENT
(2002, d. Krzysztof Zanussi) *** |
| SUR
LA TRACE D'IGOR RIZZI (2006, d. Noël Mitrani) ** 1/4 |
| SURF'S
UP (2007, d. Ash Brannon & Chris Buck) ** 3/4 |
| SURROGATES
(2009, d. Jonathan Mostow) Super f/x and makeup almost make this
futuristic potboiler worth watching. But I don't buy the fundamental take on
human nature. ** 3/4 |
| SURVEILLANCE
(2007, d. Paul Oremland) ** 1/4 |
| SURVIVING PROGRESS (2012, d.
Mathieu Roy) V. Another docu decrying man's future; but filled with very
smart talking heads, a fine script, & superb photography. *** 1/2 |
| SUSHI: THE GLOBAL
CATCH (2011, d. Mark Hall) *** 1/4 |
| SUSPECT
ZERO (2004, d. Elias Merhige) Dour, complex SE7EN clone.
Interesting visually; and Eckhart is good, as usual. But script is not up to
snuff. ** 3/4 |
| SWAY (Yureru)
(2007, d. Miwa Nishikawa) *** 1/2 |
| SWEENEY
TODD (2007, d. Tim Burton) Well made; but even Sondheim's lyrics can't
make me love this musical. *** |
| SWEET
16 (2002, d. Ken Loach) *** 1/2 |
| SWEET
AGONY (2000, d. Ali-Reza Davudnezhad) ** |
| SWEET
AND THE BITTER, THE (Il dolce a l'amaro) (2008, d. Andrea Porporati)
*** 1/4 |
| SWEET
CRUDE (2009, d. Sandy Cioffi) *** |
| SWEET
DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS (2002, d. Saso Podgorsek) *** |
| SWEET
HOME ALABAMA (2002, d. Andy Tennant) **
1/2 |
| SWEET
LAND (2006, d. Ali Selim) A 20th century immigrant woman's story;
hardscrabble midwest farmland, slow paced but quite moving. *** |
| SWEET
MUD (2007, d. Dror Shaul; Israel) *** 1/2 |
| SWEET
NOVEMBER (2001, d. Pat O'Connor) * 1/4 |
| SWEETEST
THING, THE (2002, d. Roger Kumble)
* |
| SWEPT
AWAY (2002, d. Guy Ritchie) * 3/4 |
| SWIMFAN
(2002, d. John Polson) ** |
| SWIMMERS
(2005, d. Doug Sadler) American indie with high production values, but a
slow, trivial tv-movie plot which failed to go anyplace. * 3/4 |
| SWIMMING
POOL (2003, d. François Ozon) Somewhat disappointing film from this
always interesting director. Sagnier has grown to a sexy young woman.
** 1/2 |
| SWIMMING
UPSTREAM (2005, d. Russell Mulcahy) Pedestrian bio of early '60s
Australian swimmer (the magnetic Jesse Spenser) & his drunking &
abusive father. ** 1/4 |
| SWIMMING
(2000, d. Robert J. Siegel) *** |
| SWIMSUIT
ISSUE (2009, d. Mans Herngren) ** 3/4 |
| SWINDLED
(Incautos) (2006, d. Miguel Bardem) *** |
| SWING
VOTE (2008, d. Joshua Michael Stern) Costner is ideal
"everyman"; nicely acted (esp. Kelsey Grammar), predictable,
timely. *** |
| SWITCH, THE (2010,
d. Josh Gordon, Will Speck) Enjoyable
for the cute kid & Justin Bateman who excels at this sort of role. But so
predictable. ** 3/4 |
| SWORDFISH
(2001, d. Dominic Sena) * 1/4 |
| SYDNEY
WHITE (2009, d. Joe Nussbaum) V. Clever concept (Snow White & 7
Dorks on university Greek row), but dumb & predictable. Give Jack
Carpenter a leading role. ** 1/4 |
| SYLVIA
(2003, d. Christine Jeffs) Not as bad a biopic as Iris; but it doesn't go
anywhere but the obvious with no insight. Good acting, nowhere script.
** |
| SYMMETRY
(2004, d. Konrad Niewolski) Slow, bleak, well made prison drama of an
innocent convict's assimilation into prison culture. *** 1/4 |
| SYMPATHY
FOR LADY VENGEANCE (2006, d. Park Chan-wook) ** 1/4
|
| SYMPATHY
FOR MR. VENGEANCE (2002, d. Park Chan-wook) *** 1/2 |
| SYMPHONY
OF SILENCE (2001, d. Vigen Chaldranyan) *** |
| SYNECDOCHE,
N.Y. (2008, d. Charlie Kaufman) Excruciating exercise in self
indulgence...but funny in an in-joke kind of way. ** |
| SYRIAN
BRIDE, THE (2005, d. Eran Riklis) Well made, emotionally satisfying
film about a Druze family where the daughter must leave to wed in
Syria. ** 3/4 |
| SYRIANA
(2005, d. Stephen Gaghan) ** 3/4 |
| TAARE
ZAMEEN PAR (2008, d. Aamir Khan; India) ** 3/4 |
| TABLOID (2011,
d. Errol Morris) ** 3/4 |
| TABOO
(Gohatto) (2000, d. Nagisa Oshima) ** |
| TADPOLE
(2002, d. Gary Winick) *** 1/4 |
| TADPOLE
(2002, d. Gary Winick) *** 1/4 |
| TAE
GUK GI: THE BROTHERHOOD OF WAR (2004, d. Kang Je Gyu) Overly
melodramatic Korean war film. Good, bloody battle scenes, if edited too
fast. ** 1/2 |
| TAHAAN - A BOY WITH A
GRENADE (2009, d. Santosh Sivan) * 3/4 |
| TAILOR
OF PANAMA, THE (2001, d. John Boorman) **
3/4 |
| TAIS-TOI!
(2004, d. Francis Veber) Depardieu 100 lbs. lighter & on his game has
true chemistry with Jean Reno in this fast paced buddy/chase comedy.
*** |
| TAKE
CARE OF MY CAT (2002, d. Jeong Jae-eun)
** |
| TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT (2011 d.
Michael Dowse) I don't get Dan Fogler...but Topher Grace and Faris are fine.
Adult Superbad set in '80s & surprisingly fun. ** 3/4 |
| TAKE SHELTER (2011, d. Jeff
Nichols) Effective story of obsession & paranoia, well acted by Chastain
& Shannon; but Apocolyptic plot strained my credulity. ** 3/4 |
| TAKE THIS
WALTZ (2012, d. Sarah Poley) *** 1/2 |
| TAKING
CHANCE (2009, d. Ross Katz) V. Emotionally devastating TV movie about
the consequences of war on the homefront. *** 1/2 |
| TAKING
LIVES (2004, d. D.J. Caruso) I intended to hate this predictable &
implausable thriller; but its atmosphere & good acting (Hawke!) won me
over. ** 3/4 |
| TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 (2011,
d. Tony Scott) V. Skillful, involving thriller which falls apart at end.
Denzel & Travolta have star power. ** 3/4 |
| TAKING
SIDES (2003, d. István Szabó) Umteenth film in a row Harvey Keitel
chews scenery; but Stellan Skarsgard superb. Thoughtful, morally
ambiguous. ** 3/4 |
| TAKING
WOODSTOCK (2009, d. Ang Lee) Very interesting oblique look at the
'60s & seminal event. Henry Goodman deadpan excellent; but Staunton is
fabulous. *** 1/4 |
| TAKVA - A MAN'S FEAR OF
GOD (2007, d. Ozer Kiziltan) *** 1/4 |
| TALE
OF TWO SISTERS (2004, d. Kim Ji-woon) Boring, pointless, confusing
"ghost" story mostly about hysteria, but with a few shocks. *
1/4 |
| TALHOTBLOND
(2009, d. Barbara Schroeder) *** 1/4 |
| TALK
TO HER (2002, d. Pedro Almodóvar)
*** |
| TALK
TO ME ABOUT LOVE (Parlami d'amore) (2012, d. Silvio Muccino) ** 1/2 (but I
loved it.) |
| TALK
TO ME ABOUT LOVE (Parlami d'amore) (2008, d. Silvio Muccino) *** |
| TALK
TO ME (2007, d. Kasi Lemmons) *** 1/4 |
| TALLADEGA
NIGHTS (2006, d. Adam McKay) Finally a really funny stupid satire.
Sasha Baron Cohen a revelation! *** |
| TAMARA DREWE (2010, d.
Stephen Frears) Silly English countryside contempo comedy. What happened to
Frears, he used to be such a good director. ** |
| TAN DE
REPENTE (2003, d. Diego Lerman) Lesbian road film, B&W, like early
Godard or Greg Araki, with sweetly life affirming aftertaste. *** 1/4 |
| TANGLED (2010, d. Greno
& Howard) V. 3D animated musical loosely based on Rapunzel.
Terrible songs & clichés abound; but I'm not the intended aud. * 3/4 |
| TAO OF
STEVE, THE (2000, d. Jenniphr Goodman) ** 3/4
|
| TAPAS
(2007, d. José Corbacho & Juan Cruz) V. *** |
| TAPE
(2001, d. Richard Linklater) *** 1/4 |
| TARGET
FOR RAGE (2004, d. Michael Watkins) V. High tension 1997 film based on
N. Calif. school massacre with excellent acting by Schroder, Winkler &
Prinze. ** 3/4 |
| TARNATION
(2004, d. Jonathan Caouette) Highly charged personal life docu done as
experimental film. Revealing of a screwed up family life, but aroused my
sympathy. *** |
| TASTE
OF OTHERS, THE (2001, d. Agnes Jaoui) *** 1/4 |
| TATSUMI
(2011, d. Eric Khoo, Singapore) *** 1/4 |
| TATTOO
(2002, d. Robert Schwentke) *** |
| TATTOOED
(Tatuado) (2005, d. Eduardo Raspa) ** 3/4 |
| TAXI
TO THE DARK SIDE (2007, d. Alex Gibney) Horrific, difficult docu:
American torture of prisoners since 9/11. *** 1/4 |
| TAXIDERMIA
(2006, d. György Pálfi) ** 3/4 |
| TBILISI-TBILISI
(2005, d. Zakareishvili Levan; Georgia) ** 1/2 |
| TBS [NOTHING TO
LOSE] (2008, d. Pieter Kuijpers) *** 1/4 |
| TCHAO
PANTIN (2009, d. Claude Berri) *** 1/4 |
| TE
DOY MIS OJOS (2004, d. Iciar Bollain) Excellent womans picture about a
wife dealing with an abusive husband. Fabulous acting by Laia Marull and Luis
Tosar! *** 1/2 |
| TEAM
AMERICA: WORLD POLICE (2004, d. Parker & Stone) Surprisingly funny
and relevant puppet comedy, trenchant satire on Bruckheimer films. *** |
| TEAR
THIS HEART OUT (Arráncame la vida) (2008, d. Roberto Sneider, Mexico)
*** 1/4 |
| TEARS
OF APRIL (2009, d. Aku Louhimies) *** 3/4 |
| TEARS
OF THE SUN (2003, d. Antoine Fuqua) White man's burden as American
soldiers save day in Nigeria. Good direction...horrendous script.
* 1/2 |
| TEDDY
BEAR (2008, d. Jan Hrebejk) *** 1/4 |
| TEENAGE ANGST (2012, d.
Thomas Stuber) V. Homoerotic boys school 2008 German flick with a
psychologically weird, senseless S&M plot. Well shot; but unreal.
** |
| TEENAGE PAPARAZZO (2011 d.
Adrian Grenier) V. The ultimate meta-docu, celebrity making a doc about a
14-year old kid paparazzo. But smart & fun & relevant. *** 1/2 |
| TEETH
(2001, d. Gabriele Salvatores) *** |
| TEHROUN (2010, d.
Nader T. Homayoun) ** 1/2 |
| TEKNOLUST
(2002, d. Lynn Hershman-Leeson) |
| TELL
NO ONE (Ne le dit à personne) (2007, d.Guillaume Canet) *** 1/4 |
| TELL
THEM WHO YOU ARE (2004, d. Mark Wexler) Fascinating, very personal docu
about prickley liberal cinematographer by his rebellious son. *** 1/2 |
| TELSTAR (2009, d.
Nick Moran) *** |
| TEMPEST, THE (2010, d.
Julie Taymor) As expected, visually stunning. But I kept phasing out of
opaque Shakespearian narrative. Still, loved Ben Whishaw's Ariel. **
1/2 |
| TEMPESTA
(2006, d. Tim Disney) * 3/4 |
| TEMPLE GRANDIN (2010, d. Mick
Jackson) V. Superb perf by Claire Danes sets this one apart. Moving,
fascinating true study of autism. *** 1/2 |
| TEMPTATION
OF ST. TONY, THE (2010, d. Veiko Ounpuu; Estonia) 3/4* |
| TEMPTATIONS
(2002, d. Zoltan Kamondi) * 1/2 |
| TEN
CANOES (2006, d. Rolf de Heer; Australia) ** 1/2 |
| TEN
WINTERS (Dieci inverni) (2010, d. Valerio Mieli) *** |
| TEN, THE (2007,
d. David Wain) *** 1/4 |
| TENDERNESS (2010, d. John
Polson) V. Jon Foster is quite good as young psychopath in this subtle, slow
folie a deux drama with touch of terror. *** 1/4 |
| TERMINAL,
THE (2004, d. Stephen Spielberg) Logistic triumph, great
cinematography; but a mediocre script. Hanks is turning into the male Meryl
Streep. ** 1/2 |
| TERMINATOR
3 RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003, d. Jonathan Mostow) Good script, great
f/x, one of the most satisfying action thrillers of recent years. ***
1/4 |
| TERMINATOR
4 (2009, d. McG) I love the "Terminator" world, including the
tv-show contrib to the mythos. This film worked, consistent and
thrilling. *** 1/4 |
| TERRAFERMA
(2011, d. Emanuele Crialese, Italy) ** 1/2 |
| TERRI (2011, d.
Azazal Jacobs) *** 1/4 |
| TERRIBLY
HAPPY (2009, d. Henrik Ruben Genz) ** 3/4 |
| TERRORIST,
THE (2000, d. Santosh Sivan) *** 1/4 |
| TESIS
(2003, d. Alejandro Amenabar 1995) Thriller about snuff films on
campus. Amenabar at 23 was already an accomplished creepmeister!
*** 1/2 |
| TESSERACT,
THE (2004, d. Oxide Pang) Complex, stylish thriller about a dope
smuggling deal which goes wrong. *** |
| TESTIMONY
OF TALIESIN JONES, THE (2001, d. Martin Duffy) *** |
| TESTOSTERONE
(2004, d. David Moreton) Nicely done thriller about obsessive love, made in
Argentina with a fine cast. Looks splendid, but some editing decisions
detract. ** 3/4 |
| TESTOSTERONE
(2005, d. David Moreton)V.+ Murky gay doings in Buenos Aires with an
attractive (!) cast & a story of lust and longing which doesn't
work. ** 1/2 |
| TÊTE
DE TURC (2010, d. Pascal Elbé) ** 3/4 |
| TETRO
(2009, d. Francis Ford Coppola) Visually ravishing with creative films
& operas within the film. But the narrative is too over-the-top operatic
for my tastes. ** 3/4 |
| TEXAS
(2006, d. Fausto Paravidino) *** |
| TEY (Aujourd'hui) (2012, d. Alain
Gomis) * 3/4 |
| THANK
YOU FOR SMOKING (2006, d. Jason Reitman) Clever satire with a great
cast. Slightly oversold as the best thing since sliced bread. *** |
| THAT EVENING SUN (2010, d.
Scott Teems) Fine film, if a downer. Holbrook is wonderful; but I felt
for McKinnon's villain, too, surely not intended. *** 1/4 |
| THAT
MAN: PETER BERLIN (2005, d. Jim Tushinski) Interesting docu about
male porn object of the '70s. Nicely made with excellent interviews. *** 1/4 |
| THAT'S WHAT I AM (2012, d.
Michael Pavone) V. I read that this unknown coming-of-age '60s film was good.
It's better than that! Superior Wonder Years stuff. *** 1/2 |
| THEATER
OF WAR (2008, d. John Walter) ** 1/2 |
| THEM (Ils) (2007,
d. David Moreau and Xavier Palud) ** 3/4 |
| THEN
SHE FOUND ME (2008, d. Helen Hunt) Enjoyable, if predictable, romantic
dramidy. ** 3/4 |
| THERE
GOES MY BABY (2003, d. Floyd Mutrux) V. American Graffiti lite:
high-school grad night set in L.A. during Watts riots. Good music, bad
acting. ** 1/2 |
| THERE
WILL BE BLOOD (2007, d. Paul Thomas Anderson) Respect the filmmaking
more than loved the film. *** 1/4 |
| THESE
FOOLISH THINGS (2007, d. Julia Taylor-Stanley) ** |
| THEY
KILLED SISTER DOROTHY (2008, d. Daniel Junge) Shocking docu about
miscarried justice in the Brazil rainforests. *** 1/4 |
| THEY
(2004, d. Robert Harmon)V. Atmospheric but shlocky horror flick about some
college students who had night terrors as kids & now they're being
harvested by "they". *** |
| THEY
(2002, d. Robert Harmon) ** 1/2 |
| THEY'VE
GOT KNUT (2003, Germany d. Stefan Krohmer) A tedious film about a
group of leftists who meet in a Tyrol ski cabin for fun times &
relating. ** |
| THICKER
THAN WATER (2007, d. Arni Olafur Asgersson) *** 1/4 |
| THIEF
OF PARIS, THE (2003, d. Louis Malle) V. Very cool, young Belmondo in
solid period piece. Malle obviously influenced by Bresson at this
stage. *** |
| THIEVES
AND LIARS (2006, d. Matta & Marichal) *** |
| THIN ICE (2012, d. Jill
Sprecher) A con game thriller with more plot holes than Swiss cheese.
Some good actors defeated by a terrible, gimmicky script. * 1/4 |
| THING
ABOUT MY FOLKS, THE (2005, d. Raymond De Felitta) Touching family
comedy written & acted by Paul Reiser with the great Peter Falk.
*** |
| THINGS
BEHIND THE SUN (2001, d. Allison Anders) **
1/2 |
| THINGS
WE LOST IN THE FIRE (2007, d. Susanne Bier) Fine direction, fantastic
acting (del Toro & Barry) *** 1/4 |
| THINK
IT OVER (2003, d. Katerina Evangelakou) Forgetable romantic comedy:
family where daughter is pregnant by her much younger almost step
brother. * |
| THIRD
PERSON SINGULAR NUMBER (2010, d. Mostofa Sarwar Farooki;
Bangldesh) ** |
| THIRD
WAVE, THE: A VOLUNTEER STORY (2009, d. Alison Thompson) Inciteful
docu of volunteers who went to small Sri Lankan town destroyed by 2004
tsunami. *** 1/4 |
| THIRTEEN
DAYS (2000, d. Roger Donaldson)
*** |
| THIRTEEN
(2003, d. Catherine Hardwick) Hard to watch, authentic, gritty drama about
"good" teen girl going bad. Wood & Hunter truly great!
*** 1/4 |
| THIRTY
DAYS OF NIGHT (2009, d. David Slade) V. Hyper-violent vampire film with
ridiculous script, some bad overacting, but also a scary Arctic atmosphere.
** |
| THIS
CHARMING GIRL (2005, d. Lee Yoon-ki) Tedious, pointless film about a
quietly suffering S. Korean girl wounded inside by sexual abuse. ** 1/4 |
| THIS
FILM IS NOT YET RATED (2006, d. Kirby Dick) V. Amusing indictment of
rating system. Predictable. *** 1/4 |
| THIS
GIRL'S LIFE (2004, d. Ash)V. Extraordinarily powerful film about a girl
in the internet porn biz. Great perfs by James Wood, Kip Pardue and esp.
Juliette Marquis. *** 1/4 |
| THIS
IS ENGLAND (2007, d. Shane Meadows) *** 1/4 |
| THIS
IS IT (2009, d. Kenny Ortega) Valuable testament to MJ's talent. The
show would have been great, and what is on screen is fascinating & near
great. *** 1/4 |
| THIS IS NOT A FILM (2012, d. Panahi
& Mirtahmasb) V. Ardent, poignant, rudimentary slice-of-life docu with
heavy subtext about govt. repression in Iran. Heartbreaking. **** |
| THIS
IS NOT A LOVE SONG (2002, d. Bille Eltringham) ** 3/4 |
| THIS MEANS WAR (2012, d. McG)
A dismal excuse for an action/romance flick. I love Tom Hardy; but he's
miscast. Worst editing in a major film ever! * 1/4 |
| THIS WAY OF LIFE (2010, d.
Thomas Burstyn) V. Docu of New Zealand half-breed family's way of life living
off land. Beautiful, but marred by unknowns & accents. ** 3/4 |
| THOMAS
IN LOVE (2001, d. Pierre-Paul Renders) *** 3/4
|
| THOR (2011, d. Kenneth
Branagh) Not terrible. The f/x & prod. design a little cheesy, acting ok,
script barely ok. Chris H. perfect Thor. ** 1/2 |
| THOSE
HAPPY DAYS (Ces jours heureux) (2006, d. Nackache & Tolédano) OK
summer camp romantic comedy. Got better as it went along. ** 1/2 |
| THOSE
WHO REMAIN (Ceux qui restent) (2008, d. Anne Le Ny) ** 3/4 |
| THOUSAND
CLOUDS OF PEACE, A (2004, d. Julio Hernandez) Pretentious B&W gay
reverie about a teen boy's troubles coming out. Mala Noche from the chicken's
POV. ** 3/4 |
| THOUSAND
FOOLS, A (2011, d. Ventura Pons) ** 3/4 |
| THOUSAND
TIMES STRONGER, A (2011, d. Peter Schildt) *** |
| THREE
BLIND MICE (2008, d. Matthew Newton) *** |
| THREE
BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, THE (2005, d. Tommy Lee Jones) *** |
| THREE
DANCING SLAVES (2005, d. Gaël Morel) Three attractive brothers and
their somewhat eliptical stories. Morel should quit directing & return to
acting. ** 1/4 |
| THREE
DAYS WITH THE FAMILY (2010, d. Mar Col) ** 3/4 |
| THREE
MARIAS (2003, Brazil/Italy d. Aluizio Abranches) Stylish drama of
family feud and revenge. A nothing story gorgeously told. ** 1/2 |
| THREE
MONKEYS (2009, d. Nuri Bilge Ceylan; Turkey) *** 1/2 |
| THREE MUSKETEERS, THE (2012,
d. Paul W.S. Anderson) V. Bloated, excessively modernish production of story.
Fine cast, fabu prod. design (lots of CGI). ** 3/4 |
| THREE
OF HEARTS (2005, d. Susan Kaplan) Interesting docu about a 3-way
"marriage" between two gay men & a straight woman. Fascinating
outcome. *** 1/4 |
| THREE
ON THE ROAD (Baciami Piccina) (2007, d. Roberto Cimpanelli) *** |
| THREE
TIMES (2006, d. Hou Hsiao-hsien) ** |
| THUMBSUCKER
(2005, d. Mike Mills) ** 1/2 |
| THUNDER
SOUL (2010, d. Mark Landsman) *** |
| TIC
CODE, THE (2000, d. Gary Winick) **
1/2 |
| TIGERLAND
(2000, d. Joel Schumacher) *** 1/2 |
| TILL
HUMAN VOICES WAKE US (2004, d. Michael Petroni)V. My low expectations
for this moody romance (man & ghost) were exceded. Bravo Guy
Pearce! *** |
| TILLMAN STORY, THE
(2010, d. Amir Bar-Lev) Muckraking
docu of army coverup: one heroic family's quest for truth. Not innovative
filmmaking; but infuriating. *** 1/4 |
| TILSAMMANS
(2004, d. Lukas Moodysson) V.+ Undeminished a 2nd time. The best film about
the leftist collectives of the '70s ever made. **** |
| TILT (2011, d.
Viktor Chouchkov) *** 3/4 |
| TIME
CHANGER (2003, d. Rich Christiano) Offensive Christian propaganda film
disguised as a SF time travel story. 0* |
| TIME
FOR DRUNKIN HORSES, A (2000, d. Bahman Ghobadi) **
1/2 |
| TIME
MACHINE, THE (2002, d. Simon Wells) *
1/2 |
| TIME
OF FAVOR (2002, d. Joseph Cedar) ** 1/4 |
| TIME
OF FEAR (Salve Geral) (2009, d. Sergio Rezendi; Brazil) *** |
| TIME
OF THE WOLF (2004, d. Michael Haneke) Contextless, disturbing
apocolyptic drama of society's breakdown in rural France. Strong stuff.
*** |
| TIME
OUT (2002, d. Laurent Cantet) *** 1/4
|
| TIME
REGAINED (2000, d. Raoul Ruiz)
** |
| TIME
TO DIE (Pora Umierac) (2008, d. Dorota Kedzierzawska) *** |
| TIME
TO LEAVE (2006, d. François Ozon) **** |
| TIME
TRAVELERS WIFE, THE (2009, d. Robert Schwentke) Glossy, but cheesy
romantic melodrama with SF twist. Well cast; but tries too hard to tearjerk
and only jerks. ** 1/4 |
| TIMECODE
(2000, d. Mike Figgis) *** |
| TIMECRIMES
(2008, d. Nacho Vigalondo) ** 1/2 |
| TIMELINE
(2003, d. Richard Donner) Workmanlike, if eliptical, historical time-travel
story, looked good...but the acting and direction mostly sucked. * 3/4 |
| TIMES
AND WINDS (2008, d. Riha Erdem) *** 1/4 |
| TIMES HAVE BEEN BETTER (2012,
d. Régis Musset) V. Fine, insightful Fr. tv dramedy: bourgeoise
"liberal" couple flip out when 30ish son comes out. *** 1/4 |
| TIN
MINE, THE (2006, d. Jira Maligool; Thailand) ** 3/4 |
| TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER
SPY (2011, d. Tomas Alfredson) Subdued thriller to the point of
somnambulance, yet acting (esp. Tom Hardy) at high level. ** 3/4 |
| TINY FURNITURE (2012,
d. Lena Dunham) V. A more mordant version of "Girls" with
fewer laughs but just as much brilliance. Dunham is her generation's Larry
David. *** 1/4 |
| TIRZA
(2011 d. Rudolf van den Berg; The Netherlands) ** 3/4 |
| TITAN
A.E. (2000, d. Don Bluth & Gary Goldman) *
1/4 |
| TO
BE AND TO HAVE (2003, France d. Nicolas Philibert) Pastoral
documentary about a year in the life of a one-room school in rural
France. *** |
| TO BE
OR NOT TO BE (2003, d. Ernst Lubitch) V. Polish WWII farce with some
clever, if unrealistic, fantasy writing. No trace of the Lubitch
touch. ** |
| TO
DIE LIKE A MAN (d. João Pedro Rodrigues; Portugal) ** 1/4 |
| TO
GET TO HEAVEN YOU FIRST HAVE TO DIE (Bihisht Faqat Baroi Murdagon)
(2007, d. Djamshed Usmonov) *** |
| TO ROME WITH LOVE (2012, d.
Woody Allen) 4 farces stitched together about fickleness of fame. Amazingly
unfunny (exc. for Allen's own schtick). Rome yes, love no. ** |
| TO
SERVE & PROTECT (2004, d. Jean de Segonzac) V. Competent '98 tv
movie about a family of Dallis cops & a serial killer targeting them.
James Franco's 1st role. ** 3/4 |
| TOAST (2011, d.
SJ Clarkson) *** 1/4 |
| TOGETHER
(Tillsammans) (2001, d. Lukas Moodysson) **** |
| TOGETHER
(2003, China/S. Korea d. Chen Kaije) Audience pleaser about a young
violin prodigy facing life in Beijing. *** 1/4 |
| TOI
ET MOI (You and Me) (2010, d. Julie
Lopes-Curval) V.+ Started watching & recognized I'd seen before.
Not quite as fun as I remembered. ** 1/2 |
| TOKYO
NOISE (2002, d. Petri, Roed, Soderberg) ** |
| TOKYO
SONATA (2009, d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa) Excellent screwed-up family drama
& morality tale which is more Kore-eda + Cantet than Kurosawa. ***
1/2 |
| TOKYO!
(2008, d. Michel Gondry, Leos Carax, Joon-ho Bong) ** 1/2, * 3/4, ** 1/2 |
| TOM
BROWN'S SCHOOL DAYS (2005, d. Dave Moore) V. *** 1/4 |
| TOMORROW
MORNING (Sutra ujutro) (2006, d. Oleg Novkovic; Serbia) * 3/4 |
| TOMORROW
WILL BE BETTER (2011, d. Dorota Kedzierzawska) *** |
| TON
OF LUCK, A (2006, d. Rodrigo Triana; Columbia) ** 1/4 |
| TONY
MANERO (2008, d. Pablo Larrain) ** 1/2 |
| TOP PRIORITY: THE TERROR
WITHIN (2012, d. Asif Akbar) V. Possibly overdramatized, but totally
frighteningly effective docu: Bush govt. abuses by Homeland Sec. *** 1/2 |
| TOPP
TWINS, THE: UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS (2010, d. Leanne Pooley) **
3/4 |
| TORREMOLINOS
73 (2004, d. Pablo Berger) Fun satire about an ordinary couple making
home pornos for the Scandinavian market. Candela Peña a standout! *** |
| TORTILLA
SOUP (2001, d. Maria Ripoll) ** 1/4 |
| TOTAL
LOSS (2000, d. Dana Nechushtan) ** |
| TOTAL RECALL (2012, d.
Len Wiseman) F/x heavy futuristic chase film with murky Phil Dickian plot
which isn't as meaningful as 1st film. Farrell is buff, film is fluff. ** 1/4 |
| TOTALLY
PERSONAL (Sasvim Licno) (2005, d. Nedzad Begovic) ** 3/4 |
| TOTALLY
SEXY LOSER (2003, d. Jason Schafer) Low budget, very realistic DV
comedy about a man afraid to commit (fine Chad Lindsey) in a doomed
affair. *** |
| TOUCH (2011, d. Minh
Duc Nguyen) *** |
| TOUCH
OF PINK (2004, d. Ian Iqbal Rachid) Witty, skillful comedy much like
The Wedding Banquet: gay man's Muslim family unaware he's gay. *** |
| TOUCH
OF SPICE, A (2004, d. Tassos Boulmetis) Large scale but intimate
picaresque à la Junot: a Turkish-Greek family, a boy's coming of age
with a heavy food metaphor. ** 3/4 |
| TOUCH
(2003, d. Paul Schrader) V.+ Nice cast, esp. Skeet Ulrich; I hadn't
remembered it at all until the stigmata scene which stuck. ** 1/2 |
| TOUCHING
EVIL (2006, d. var.) V. Eerie English detective miniseries created by
Paul Abbott and Russell Davis with fine cast (Robson Green!) *** 1/4 |
| TOUCHING
THE VOID (2004, d. Kevin Macdonald) V. Recreated docu (with interviews
with original mountain climbers.) Suspenseful, nicely shot, but more fiction
than doc? *** 1/4 |
| TOUGH
ENOUGH (2006, d. Detlev Buck) *** 1/2 |
| TOUR,
THE (2009, d. Goran Markovic; Serbia) ** 1/4 |
| TOURNEUSE DE PAGES, LA (2006, d.
Denis Dercourt) *** 1/4 |
| TOUT
CONTRE LÉO (2003, d. Christophe Honoré) French tv "afternoon
special": 12 yr. old boy whose older brother gets AIDS. Frank, well
acted. ** 1/2 |
| TOUT
UN HIVER SANS FEU (2005, d. Greg Zglinski; Switzerland) ** 3/4 |
| TOWN
IS QUIET, THE (2001, d. Robert Guédiguian) **
1/2 |
| TOWN, THE (2010, d. Ben Affleck) Nobody has ever directed Ben
Affleck as well as Ben Affleck. Remarkable down & dirty crime flick that
has it all. *** 3/4 |
| TOY STORY 3 (2010, d. Lee
Unkrich) Best of recent Pixar films, splendid action sequences plus
emotionally rich evocation of passing childhood. *** 3/4 |
| TRACKER,
THE (2004, d. Rolf de Heer) Spare, well shot drama of white power in
Australia in 1922. The Aboriginal hero was the best thing in the
film. *** |
| TRAFFIC
(2004, d. Eric Bross, Stephen Hopkins) V. 3 part mini-series: new story, many
threads, volently cross-cut, high tension, good acting. *** |
| TRAFFIC
(2000, d. Steven Soderbergh) ***
1/2 |
| TRAINING
DAY (2001, d. Antoine Fuqua) ***
1/4 |
| TRAINWRECK:
MY LIFE AS AN IDOIT (2007, d. Todd Harrison Williams) *** |
| TRAITOR
(2008, d. Jeffrey Nachmanoff) Superior, if predictable, terrorism thriller
with superb perfs by Cheadle and Guy Pearce. *** 1/4 |
| TRANSAMERICA
(2005, d. Duncan Tucker) *** 1/4 |
| TRANSFORMERS 3 (2011, d.
Michael Bay) Even for Bay this is terrible: assinine script, horrible
3D (except for the CGI effects which are fine), empty clammor. Ugh! * 1/4 |
| TRANSFORMERS
(2007, d. Michael Bay) ** 1/4 |
| TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE
FALLEN (2010, d. Michael Bay) Nobody ever accused Bay of subtlety &
nuance. So glad Cameron kicked his ass. 1/4* |
| TRANSPORTER
2, THE (2005, d. Louis Leterrier) ** 1/2 |
| TRANSPORTER,
THE (2005, d. Louis Leterrier) V. ** 3/4 |
| TRANSPORTER,
THE (2002, d. Cory Yuen) **
1/2 |
| TRANSSIBERIAN
(2008, d. Brad Anderson) *** |
| TRAP,
THE (2008, d. Srdan Golubovic; Serbia) *** 3/4 |
| TRAPPED
(2003, d. Luis Mandoki) V. Greg Iles is one of my fave authors; but his own
screenplay for his worst book was lame. Still, worked as thriller. ** 1/2 |
| TREASURE
PLANET (2003, d. Ron Clements, John Musker) Disney animated Oscar nom
based on Treasure Island. I slept through part of it. * 1/2 |
| TREATMENT
(2011, d. Steven Schardt, Sean Nelson) ** 1/2 |
| TRECE
CAMPANADAS (2003, d. Xavier Villaverde) Brilliantly made Hitchcockian
thriller/ghost story. *** 1/2 |
| TREE OF LIFE, THE (2012, d.
Terrence Malick) + The gorgeous, impressionist take on raising 3 boys is
impressive. The pretentious history of life still stultifies. ***
1/4 |
| TREE OF LIFE, THE
(2011, d. Terrence Malick) Georgeous, ambitious paean to...what?
parenthood? god? the universe? Like 2001...maybe I'd grok it better on LSD.
*** 1/4 |
| TREELESS
MOUNTAIN (2009, d. So-Yong Kim) ** 1/2 |
| TREMBLING
BEFORE G-D (2001, d. Sandi Simcha DuBowski) ***
1/4 |
| TRESPASS (2011, d. Joel
Schumacher) Graphic story of druggies home invading dysfunctional family
situation. Top actors & effective direction can't rescue plot miscues. **
1/4 |
| TRIALS
OF DARRYL HUNT, THE (2006, d. Stern & Sundberg) Almost perfect docu
about failure of justice in N. Carolina. *** 3/4 |
| TRIANGLE
(Tie Saam Gok) (2008, d. Tsui Hark, Johnnie To, Ringo Lam) ** 1/4 |
| TRICK
IN THE SHEET, THE (L'imbroglio nel lenzuolo) (2010, d. Alfonso Arau) ** 1/2 |
| TRICKS
(2009, d. Andrzej Jakimowski; Poland) *** |
| TRILOGY:
AFTER LIFE (2003, France/Belgium d. Lucas Belvaux) Melodrama
about the morphine addict & her flic husband running parallel to
previous. *** |
| TRILOGY:
AN AMAZING COUPLE (2003, France/Belgium d. Lucas
Belvaux 100) Edgy romantic comedy farce of events running
parallel to above. *** |
| TRILOGY:
ON THE RUN (2003, France/Belgium d. Lucas Belvaux) Thriller noir
about prison escapee terrorist, taut and well played. *** 1/2 |
| TRIMPIN: THE SOUND OF
INVENTION (2009, d. Peter Esmonde) ** 1/2 |
| TRIP
TO KHARABAKH (2006, d. Levan Tutberidze) *** |
| TRIP, THE (2002,
d. Miles Swain) ** 3/4 |
| TRIP,
THE (2011, d. Michael Winterbottom) *** |
| TRIPLE
AGENT (2004, d. Eric Rohmer) Cerebrial, talky, involving pre-WWII
thriller about a White Russian general and his Greek wife. *** |
| TRIPLETS
OF BELLEVILLE, THE (2003, d. Sylvaine Chomet) Stylish 2-D animation
feature, weird story: Tour de France race gone very wrong. Not my
cuppa'. *** |
| TRISHNA (2012, d. Michael
Winterbottom) ** 1/2 |
| TRISTAN
+ ISOLDE (2006, d. Kevin Reynolds) Formula period romance with a
charismatic perf by James Franco and a better than average script. **
3/4 |
| TRISTRAM
SHANDY: A COCK AND BULL STORY (2005, d. Michael Winterbottom) *** |
| TRIUMPH
OF LOVE (2002, d. Clare Peploe)
** |
| TRIXIE
(2000, d. Alan Rudolph) ** 1/4 |
| TROLLYWOOD
(2004, d. Madeleine Farley) Poorly edited and photographed doc. about the
homeless in my neighborhood of L.A. * 3/4 |
| TRON: LEGACY (2010, d.
Joseph Kosinski) Visually stunning, of course (incredible strides since the
'80s); but bombastic & video-gamey with silly, predictable plot. ** 1/2 |
| TROPIC
THUNDER (2008, d. Ben Stiller) One of the funniest, most clever set ups
of the movie biz ever. Often silly; but it worked for me. *** 1/4 |
| TROPICAL
MALADY (2005, d. Apichatpong Weerasethakul) Very strange, beautiful
film which starts as a simple gay friendship film & ends as an
allegory. ** 3/4 |
| TROTSKY, THE
(2010, d. Jacob Tierney) *** 1/4 |
| TROUBLE
EVERY DAY (2002, d. Claire Denis) ** 1/4
|
| TROUBLE
THE WATER (2008, d. Deal & Lessin) Docu with amateur video work,
but a strong personalized message about Katrina lessons. *** |
| TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE (2012,
d. Robert Lorenz) Totally predictable baseball film, genial enough. Clint
& Amy are fine; but Timberlake lacks romantic lead stature. ** 1/4 |
| TROUBLED
WATER (2009, d. Erik Poppe) *** 3/4 |
| TROY
(2004, d. Wolfgang Peterson) Much better than expected...a psychologically
apt script and some great battles and superb acting (esp. Peter
O'Toole). *** 1/2 |
| TRUE
ADOLESCENTS (2009, d. Craig Johnson) *** 1/2 |
| TRUE GRIT (2010, d.
Joel & Ethan Coen) A remarkably pure, fun western from the Coens, one of
my faves from them, quite remarkable performances. *** 1/2 |
| TRUE
LOVE (2005, d. Michael J. Saul)V. *** |
| TRUE
STORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, THE (2005, d. Jim Lindsay) V. Quite
informative History Channel 2 1/4 hr. opus, better than the recent feature.
*** |
| TRULY
HUMAN (2001, d. Ake Sandgren) *** 3/4 |
| TRUST (2011, d. David
Schwimmer) Parents do you know who your daughter is chatting and texting?
Well crafted message film; creepy and disturbing. ** 3/4 |
| TRUST
THE MAN (2006, d. Bart Freundlich) Enjoyable adult relationship comedy
which peters out last 1/3. *** |
| TRUTH
ABOUT CHARLIE, THE (2002, d. Jonathan
Demme) * 1/4 |
| TRUTH
AND LIES (2003, d. Piergiorgio Gay) Italian film about a man
discovers the truth about his Fascist father. *** |
| TRY TO
REMEMBER (2003, d. Zabout Breitman) Moving & pathos filled
love story set in rehab hospital. Young woman with Alzheimer's.
*** 1/4 |
| TSAR (2010, d.
Pavel Lungin) ** 1/2 |
| TSATSIKI,
MUM AND THE POLICEMAN (2000, d. Ella Lemhagen) *** |
| TSOTSI
(2005, d. Gavin Hood; South Africa) **** |
| TU
VERRAS, ÇA TE PASSERA (2003, d. Fabrice Cazeneuve) Superb coming out
"afternoon special" tv movie, frank and truthful as only the French
can do. *** 1/4 |
| TUCK
EVERLASTING (2002, d. Jay Russell) **
1/2 |
| TULLY
(2002, d. Hillary Birmingham) *** 1/2 |
| TULPAN
(2008, d. Sergei Dvortsevoy; Kazakhstan) *** 1/4 |
| TULSE
LUPER SUITCASES 1, THE (2004, d. Peter Greenaway) Ambitious multi-media
project, visual jumble, I just couldn't take it for long. W/O |
| TUNNEL,
THE (2001, d. Roland Suso Richter) *** 1/2 |
| TUPAC:
RESURRECTION (2004, d. Lauren Lazin) V. Superbly made docu about life
& death of 2Pac Shakur, ultimately too hagiographic. *** 1/4 |
| TURIN
HORSE, THE (2011, d. Bela Tarr) ** 3/4 |
| TURISTAS
(2010, d. Alicia Scherson) *** |
| TURN
LEFT, TURN RIGHT (2004, d. Johnny To, Wai Ka-fai) Exhillerating
romantic comedy in the Lelouchian And Now My Love mode. *** 1/4 |
| TURNING
GREEN (2009, d. Michael Aimette & John Hoffman) An American
teenager in Ireland goes entrepreneur as porn king. Donal Gallery as the kid
is worth watching. ** |
| TURNING
PAIGE (2002, d. Robert Cuffley) ** |
| TURTLES
CAN FLY (2005, d. Bahman Ghobadi) Powerful, wrenching drama about
damaged Kurdish children in a refugee camp just before Gulf War 2. ***
1/4 |
| TUXEDO,
THE (2002, d. Kevin Donovan)
* |
| TV
JUNKIE (2006, d. Michael Cain) *** |
| TV
SET, THE (2007, d. Jake Kasdan) Spot on satire of tv network/show
running goings on. Great cast, nifty, truthful script. *** 1/4 |
| TWELVE (2010, d. Joel
Schumacher) Gossip Girl + Less Than Zero. Over-use of narration to novelize
doesn't work; but acting & direction first rate. *** |
| TWELVE
AND HOLDING (2006, d. Michael Cuesta) *** 1/2 |
| TWELVE THIRTY (2011 d. Jeff
Lipsky) Fascinating, if talky character study. Groff is fine playing
full-frontal, straight seducer of mom & 2 daughters! (Teorema
lite!) *** 1/4 |
| TWENTY
THOUSAND STREETS UNDER THE SKY (2006, d. Simon Curtis) V. BBC romantic
period '30s drama from 3 points of view. Bryan Dick! *** |
| TWICE
UPON A TIME (Désaccord parfait) (2007, d. Antoine De Caunes) ** 1/2 |
| TWILIGHT
DANCER (2006, d. Mel Chionglo) * 1/4 |
| TWILIGHT
SAGA: NEW MOON, THE (2009, d. Chris Weitz) Lugubrious, short on action
compared to 1st, disappointing even with low expectations. Lautner is *hot*,
though. ** |
| TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING
DAWN PART 1 (2011, d. Bill Condon) Silly, makes-no-sense plot. Even usual eye
candy subdued. * 3/4 |
| TWILIGHT
SAMURAI, THE (2004, d. Yoji Yamada) A masterpiece set in same era
as Last Samurai. Intimate, truthful and emotionally fulfilling.
**** |
| TWILIGHT
(2008, d. Catherine Hardwicke) Paradigmic film with vampirism as metaphor for
teenage insecurities. Strangely beautiful & involving. *** 1/4 |
| TWILIGHT: ECLIPSE (2010, d.
David Slade) Interesting love triangle, lovely to look at with some 1st class
action...but mid-section drags & motivations suspect. ** 3/4 |
| TWIN
SISTERS (2004, d. Ben Sombogaart) 20th cent, epic of 2 twins separated
at 6 yr., one German, one Dutch. Beautifully made in every department.
**** |
| TWIST
OF FATE (2004, d. Kirby Dick) V. Downer docu about angry men who were
molested as teenagers by a Catholic priest in Toledo OH. Incendiary, but sort
of boring. ** 1/2 |
| TWIST
(2004, d. Jacob Tierney) A very bleak, but truthful digital variant on Oliver
Twist characters as Toronto street hustlers. Great acting, but
unremitting. ** 3/4 |
| TWISTED
LOVE (shorts) |
| TWISTED
ROOTS (2010, d. Saara Saarela) *** |
| TWISTED
(2004, d. Philip Kaufman) Utterly predictable, unlikely policier
thriller. Ashley Judd fares well; but the film is pretty bad. *
3/4 |
| TWO
DAYS (2003, d. Sean McGinly) Hip, funny - a 30-something actor (Paul
Rudd at the top of his game) who has a documentary made about his
suicide. *** 1/4 |
| TWO
DRIFTERS (2006, d. João Pedro Rodrigues) ** 3/4 |
| TWO
FAMILY HOUSE (2000, d. Raymond De Felitta) **
1/2 |
| TWO
FOR THE MONEY (2005, d. D.J. Caruso) ** 1/2 |
| TWO FOR THE ROAD (2012, d.
Stanley Donen) ** 1/4 |
| TWO
FRIENDS (2003, d. Scimone, Sframeli) Slice of life drama about 2
roommates, one a mafia hit-man, the other an ordinary joe. Droning,
boring. ** |
| TWO
GREAT SHEEP (2005, d. Liu Hao) Visually stunning Chinese shaggy sheep
story about collectivism gone nuts. I was a little bored. ** 1/2 |
| TWO
IN THE WAVE (Deux de la vague) (2010, d. Emmanuel Laurent) V. *** 1/2 |
| TWO
LOVERS (2008, d. James Gray) *** |
| TWO
SONS OF FRANCISCO (Dois Filhos de Francisco) (2005, d. Breno Silveira;
Brazil) ** 3/4 |
| TWO
TOWNS OF JASPER (2002, d. Whitney Dow, Marco Williams) **
1/2 |
| TWO
WEEKS NOTICE (2002, d. Marc Lawrence)
** |
| TYCOON:
A NEW RUSSIAN (2003, d. Pavel Languine) Fascinatingly dense, overdone
haunting satire about the rise and fall of a modern Russian Oligarch. *** 1/4 |
| TYRANNOSAUR
(2011, d. Paddy Considine) *** 1/4 |
| U-571
(2000, d. Jonathan Mostow) **
1/2 |
| UGLY
TRUTH, THE (2009, d. Robert Luketic) Heigl's a star & there is real
romantic chemistry with Butler; but way too talky & not nearly as clever
as it wants to be. ** 1/4 |
| ULZHAN (2007, d.
Volker Schlöndorff) *** |
| UNBREAKABLE
(2000, d. M. Night Shyamalan) *** |
| UNCERTAINTY
(2008, d. Scott McGehee, David Siegel) ** 1/4 |
| UNCLE
BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES (2010, d. Apichatpong Weerasethakul;
Thailand) ** |
| UNCONSCIOUS
(2005, d. Joaquin Oristell) Sometimes funny, lush Spanish period farce about
sexuality in the days when Freud was current. ** 3/4 |
| UNDEFEATED (2011, d. Lindsay
& Martin) V. Emotionally affecting docu about a black E. Memphis
high-school football team & white coach. Immaculately edited. *** 1/2 |
| UNDER AFRICAN
SKIES (2012, d. Joe Berlinger) *** 1/2 |
| UNDER
ANOTHER SKY (2003, d. Gaël Morel) Go back to acting, Gaël!
Nicolas Cazale was magnetic as French/Algerian youth forced to return to his
roots. ** 1/2 |
| UNDER FIRE: JOURNALISTS IN
COMBAT (2011, d. Martyn Burke) V. Vivid interviews with war correspondents,
emotionally resonant, but scattered. *** |
| UNDER
OUR SKIN (2009, d. Andy Wilson) V. Most shocking adversarial exposé
docu I've ever seen. If not faked, this is a dynamite indictment of medical
establishment. **** |
| UNDER
SUSPICIAN (2000, d. Stephen Hopkins) **
1/2 |
| UNDER
THE BOMBS (2008, d. Philippe Aractingi) ** 1/2 |
| UNDER
THE ICE (2006, d. Aelrun Goette) *** 1/2 |
| UNDER
THE MOUNTAIN (2010, d. Jonathan King) ** 3/4 |
| UNDER
THE SAME MOON (2008, d. Patricia Riggen) Predictable, but the kid is
great & the story just works. ** 1/2 |
| UNDER
THE SAND (2001, d. François Ozon) ***
1/4 |
| UNDER
THE SIGN OF SCORPIO (2003, d. Taviani brothers) 1969 film by filmmakers
I like; but this shipwreck film was boring & thematically opaque * |
| UNDER
THE SUN (2001, d. Colin Nutley) [1998]
*** |
| UNDER
THE TUSCAN SUN (2003, d. Audrey Wells) Romantic woman's pic which
despite predictablilty, pressed all my buttons. Ah, lovely Italy...mi
amore. ** 3/4 |
| UNDERTOE
(2004, d. David Gordon Green) Green has such a unique style. It works here,
with nice acting turns by Jamie Bell and Josh Lukas. Quite affecting.
*** 1/2 |
| UNDERTOW
(2010, d. Javier Fuentes-León; Peru) + Appreciated it much more 2nd
time. Fine print plus more compassion on my part made big
difference. *** 1/4 |
| UNDERTOW
(2010, d. Javier Fuentes-León) ** 1/2 |
| UNEVEN
ROME (La vita dispari) (2011 d. Luca Fantasia) * 1/2 |
| UNFAITHFUL
(2002, d. Adrian Lyne) *** |
| UNFAITHFULLY
YOURS (2003, d. Preston Sturges) V. Deftly written drawing room comedy
- symphony conductor plots to music against wife's infidelity. *** 1/2 |
| UNFINISHED
LIFE , AN (2005, d. Lasse Hellstrom) ** 1/2 |
| UNFINISHED SPACES (2011, d.
Murray & Nahmias) V. Uplifting if dry docu of monumental '60s project
School of Arts buildings that politics ruined. ** 1/2 |
| UNFORGIVABLE
(2012, d. André Téchiné) *** |
| UNIDENTIFIED,
THE (2009, d. Kevin Tucker) *** 1/4 |
| UNION SQUARE (2012, d. Nancy
Savoca) Annoying, overacted small film about 2 estranged sisters. Obvious
script seems like a poorly transformed play, but isn't. * 1/4 |
| UNIT 7 (2012, d. Alberto
Rodriguez) *** 1/2 |
| UNITED
93 (2007, d. Paul Greengrass) V. Impressively subtle. As
close to Cinéma vérité as we're likely to get this century. *** 3/4 |
| UNITED
STATES OF LELAND, THE (2004, d. Matthew Ryan Hoge) Fine cast, but
overwritten and predictable. Manic was similar, but better. Still Ryan
Gosling rules! ** 3/4 |
| UNIVERSALOVE
(2008, d. Thomas Woschitz) * 3/4 |
| UNKNOWN
WHITE MALE (2005, d. Rupert Murray) V. *** 1/2 |
| UNKNOWN,
THE (2007, d. Giuseppe Tornatore) Italy Academy foreign film submission
*** 1/4 |
| UNKNOWN,
THE (2008, d. Giuseppi Tornatore) + *** 1/4 |
| UNLIKELY
HEROES (2003, d. Richard Trank) Doc. about resistance during the
Holocaust. I did considerable work on this, and film/vid/film looks great. **
3/4 |
| UNLOVED
(2001, d. Kunitashi Manda) ** |
| UNMISTAKEN
CHILD (2009, d. Nati Baratz) *** |
| UNO
(2005, d. Aksel Hennie) Tough, violent drama about a good man who can't
escape the consequences of acts beyond his control. *** |
| UNREASONABLE
MAN, AN (2006, d. Mantel an Skrovan) V. Excellent, if mostly talking
head docu about Ralph Nader. *** 1/4 |
| UNSPOKEN
PASSION (2008, d. Roni Bertubin) ** 1/2 |
| UNSTOPPABLE (2011 d. Tony
Scott) Surprisingly affecting and tense film with some dynamite f/x and great
sound. Chris Pine is quite likable. *** 1/4 |
| UNTOLD
SCANDAL (2004, d. E J-yong) Ravishingly visual Korean adaptation of a
17th century Dangerous Liasons. It translates well. *** 1/4 |
| UNTOLD
STORY OF EMMETT LOUS TILL, THE (2005, d. Keith and Kevin Beauchamps) V.
*** |
| UP (3D) (2010, d. Pete
Docter, Bob Peterson) Nice concept, great vocal acting (Jordan Nagai is
phenomenal), really fine 3D animation. But mid-section dragged. *** 1/4 |
| UP
AND DOWN (2004, d. Jan Hrebejk) Involving multi-character comedy about
the intertwined life in Prague today among refugees, emigrées, and all
stratas of society. *** 1/4 |
| UP AT
THE VILLA (2000, d. Philip Haas)
*** |
| UP IN
THE AIR (2009, d. Jason Reitman) Reitman redeems himself for Juno.
Clooney never better; Kendrick & Farmiga are great again. Funny,
trenchant, insightful. *** 1/2 |
| UP
THE YANGTZE (2008, d. Yung Chang) ** 3/4 |
| UPPERDOG
(2010, d. Sara Johnsen) *** 1/2 |
| UPRISING
(2001, d. Jon Avnet) ** 1/2 |
| UPSIDE
OF ANGER, THE (2005, d. Mike Binder) John Gissing was so bad that I
dismissed Binder as a director...mistake. Fine ensemble comedy. *** |
| UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS (2011, d.
Lyn & Metzstein) V. |
| URBAN
SCARECROW (2006, d. Andrew McAllister) ** 3/4 |
| URBANIA
(2000, d. Jon Shear) *** 1/2 |
| URO
(2007, d. Stefan Faldbakken) *** |
| USED
PARTS (2007, d. Aaron Fernandez) *** 1/4 |
| V FOR
VENDETTA (2006, d. James McTeigue) Involving rip-off of 1984. Some good
effects; but Portman's English accent was terrible. *** |
| V.O.S. (2010, d.
Cesc Gay) ** 1/4 |
| VA
SAVOIR (2001, d. Jacques Rivette) ***
1/2 |
| VACATION
(2007, d. Thomas Arslan) ** 3/4 |
| VACATIONLAND
(2006, d. Todd Verow) Gay teens in Bangor, MN...el cheapo production,
mediocre which is an improvement for Verow. ** |
| VAGABOND
(2003, Hungary d. Gyorgy Szomjas) Lousy photography & production
design with virtually no story & incessant folk dancing which bored
me. * |
| VALENTÍN
(2003, d. Juan Luis Iborra) Boring, talky drama about a troup of male
Shakespeare players undone when director falls for the new young actor.
** |
| VALENTIN
(2004, d. Alejandro Agresti) An extraordinarily sympathetic look at a crisis
in the life of an 8 year old boy. *** 1/2 |
| VALENTINO:
THE LAST EMPEROR (2009, d. Matt Tyrnauer)V. Interesting docu,
though somewhat cold. Reminded me of Project Runway in a good way. ***
1/4 |
| VALHALLA RISING (2010, d.
Nicolas Winding Refn) Malick's New World on angel dust. Mads Mikkelsen is superb, it looks great; but
message plot too heavy for me. ** 3/4 |
| VALKYRIE
(2008, d. Bryan Singer) Fine complex action flick with real tension
despite knowing the plot. *** |
| VALLEY OF SAINTS (2012, d. Musa
Syeed) ** 3/4 |
| VAMPIRE (2011, d.
Iwai Shunji) ** 1/2 |
| VANILLA
SKY (2001, d. Cameron Crowe) * 3/4
|
| VANITY
FAIR (2004, d. Mira Nair) Much better than average Masterpiece Theater
for large screen. Reese Witherspoon luminous; and the time flew by. ***
1/4 |
| VANTAGE
POINT (2008, d. Pete Travis) Script doesn't compute; but really
exciting filmmaking wins the day. *** |
| VATEL
(2000, d. Roland Joffé) *** |
| VAYA
CON DIOS (2002, d. Zoltan Spirandelli) *** |
| VENGEANCE
(2010, d. Johnnie To) *** 1/4 |
| VENGO
(2001, d. Tony Gatlif) * 1/2 |
| VENICE (2011, d.
Jan Jakub Kolski) ** 3/4 |
| VENTO
DI TERRA (2005, d. Vincenzio Marra) Quiet, slow, sad film about a young
Napolese boy & his poor family ekeing out a proud existence. *** |
| VENUS
& FLEUR (2005, d. Emmanuel Mouret) Female buddy flick French
style...shy French girl meets vivante Russian girl & blossoms. **
3/4 |
| VENUS
BEAUTY INSTITUTE (2000, d. Tonie Marshall) **
1/4 |
| VENUS
(2006, d. Roger Michell) *** 1/4 |
| VERA
DRAKE (2004, d. Mike Leigh) Superb, utterly right period drama about an
ordinary abortionist. Imelda Staunton perfect. Mike Leigh's most
assured film. **** |
| VERONICA
GUERIN (2003, d. Joel Schumacher) I'm not a reflexive Schumacher hater;
but this tiresome film was too earnest & obvious despite its
"message". * 3/4 |
| VERONIKA
VOSS (2003, d. W.R. Fassbinder) V. Like Sunset Blvd. story of former
star: a morphine addict under spell of evil female doctor. Stunning B&W.
** 3/4 |
| VERTICAL
LIMIT (2000, d. Martin Campbell) ** |
| VERTICAL
RAY OF THE SUN, THE (2000, d. Tran Anh Hung) **
1/2 |
| VERY
ANNIE MARY (2002, d. Sara Sugarman)
* |
| VERY
LONG ENGAGEMENT, A (2004, d. Jean-Pierre Jeunet) Remarkable film,
over-the-top (of course), unabashedly in Jeunet's postmodern style. Superb
filmmaking. *** 1/2 |
| VERY
SERIOUS PERSON, A (2007, d. Charles Busch) ** 3/4 |
| VERY
YOUNG GIRLS (2008, d. David Schisgall) Well meaning, ernest docu about
13-16 year old sexually exploited girls & an organization in N.Y. (GEMS)
to help them. ** 1/2 |
| VIAJE
DE CAROL, EL (2003, d. Imanol Uribe) Touching story of a girl whose
life is shattered by the Spanish civil war. *** 1/4 |
| VICE (Tiski)
(2008, d. Valery Todorovsky) *** |
| VICEROYS,
THE (I Vicerè) (2010, d. Roberto Faenza) *** 1/2 |
| VICKY
CRISTINA BARCELONA (2008, d. Woody Allen) Talky, narration filled,
often clever but (for me) uninvolving dramedy about relationships. **
3/4 |
| VICTOIRE
(2005, d. Stéphanie Murat) Even with Silvie Testud as a serial killer, this
silly black comedy is a waste of time. * 1/4 |
| VIDA
MANCHA, LA (2004, d. Enrique Urbizu) Nicely acted drama about two
half-brothers involved with the same woman. Good chick flick. *** 1/4 |
| VIDA
UTIL, LA (2010, d. Federico Veiroj; Uruguay) ** |
| VIE
D'ARTISTE, LA (2008, d. Marc Fitoussi) *** 1/4 |
| VIE
DES MORTS, LA (2008, d. Arnaud Desplechin) *** |
| VIE
EN ROSE, LA (2007, d. Olivier Dehan) *** 1/2 |
| VIE
PROMESSE, LA (2004, d. Olivier Dahan) Isabelle Hupert once again is
great, though the film, a lost souls road picture isn't. ** 1/4 |
| VIEW
FROM THE TOP (2003, d. Bruno Barreto) Fluffy & charmless comedy
with almost no redeeming qualities except for a luminous Gwyneth
Paltrow. * 1/4 |
| VILLAGE,
THE (2004, d. M. Night Shyamalan) Atmospheric thriller which got to me.
Ron Howard's daughter is wonderfully charismatic. *** |
| VILLAIN,
THE (Le Vilain) (2010, d. Albert Dupontel) ** |
| VINCERE
(2009, d. Marco Bellocchio) *** 1/4 |
| VIOLETA
WENT TO HEAVEN (2011, d. Andrés Wood, Chile) ** 1/2 |
| VIRGEN
DE LA LUJURIA, LA (2003, d. Arturo Ripstein) Arty snoozefest centered
about a waiter in a '30s Mexican cafe and his sexual obsessions. * |
| VIRGIL
BLISS (2001, d. Joe Maggio) ** 3/4 |
| VIRGIN
QUEEN, THE (2005, d. Coky Giedroye) V. ** 3/4 |
| VIRGIN
SUICIDES, THE (2000, d. Sofia Coppola) ** 3/4
|
| VISIONEERS
(2008, d. Jared Drake) 1/2* |
| VISITOR,
THE (2008, d. Tom McCarthy) Heartfelt, distressing film about another
depressed prof. (cf. Smart People) *** |
| VITUS
(2006, d. Fredi M. Murer; Switzerland) *** 3/4 |
| VITUS
(2007, d. Fredi M. Murer) + *** 1/2 |
| VIVA
CUBA (2005, d. Juan Carlos Cremata) ** 1/4 |
| VIVA
LAS NOWHERE (2001, d. Jason Bloom) *** |
| VIVA
RIVA! (2011, d. Djo Tunda Wa Munga) ** |
| VODKA
LEMON (2004, d. Hiner Saleem) A nicely shot but pointless dark comedy
about a poor Armenian village and its benighted inhabitents. ** 1/4 |
| VOLCANO
(Eldfjall) (2012, d. Rúnar Rúnarsson, Iceland) *** 3/4 |
| VOLEURS,
LES (2003, d. André Téchiné) V.+ Better the 2nd time. Téchiné is a
superb director and this family drama is complex and nicely done. ***
1/4 |
| VOLVER
(2006, d. Pedro Almodóvar; Spain) *** |
| VORTEX
(Duburys) (2010, d. Gytis Luksas; Lithuania) *** 1/4 |
| VOW, THE (2012, d. Michael
Sucsy) If this weren't based on true story, it would be unlikely because
stars mismatched w/ little chemistry. But I enjoyed anyway ** 1/2 |
| VOY A EXPLOTAR (I'm
Going to Explode) (2008, d. Gerardo Naranjo) ** 3/4 |
| VULCAN
JUNCTION (2000, d. Eran Riklis) ** |
| W.
(2008, d. Oliver Stone) Well made, if creepy biopic. Drags in the 2nd act.
Brolin is fine; but I'd rather forget that Bush ever existed if I
could. ** 3/4 |
| W.E. (2011, d. Madonna)
Interesting structure and romantic lushness; but current story more cliche
filled than historical story. Oscar Isaac one to watch. *** |
| WACKNESS,
THE (2008, d. Jonathan Levine) *** 1/4 |
| WADD:
THE LIFE & TIMES OF JOHN HOLMES (2001, d. Cass
Paley) ** 1/2 |
| WAGNER'S DREAM (2012, d.
Susan Froemke) V. Unprecedentedly complete "making-of" doc re
Lepage's Wagner Ring Cycle at the Met. Fascinating, awesome. *** 3/4 |
| WAH-WAH
(2006, d. Richard E. Grant) *** |
| WAITER (2007, d.
Alex van Warmerdam) ** 1/2 |
| WAITING
FOR HAPPINESS (2007, d. Abderrahmane Sissako) * 3/4 |
| WAITING FOR SUPERMAN (2010,
d. Davis Guggenheim) V. Gripping, informative, inventive, frightening,
emotionally shattering docu with remarkable point of view. **** |
| WAITING
FOR THE CLOUDS (2005, d. Yesim Ustaoglu) Slow film about an old lady's
guilt at staying in Turkey during the great 1916 expulsion to Greece. ** 1/2 |
| WAITRESS
(2007, d. Adrienne Shelly) Pleasant, well acted & directed romantic
dramedy. Fillion & Russell have true chemistry. *** |
| WAKING
LIFE (2001, d. Richard Linklater) *** 1/4 |
| WAKING SLEEPIING BEAUTY
(2010, d. Don Hahn) Informative, moving docu of the Eisner-Welles-Katzenberg
years at Disney animation with home movie feel. *** 1/4. |
| WALK
HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY (2007, d. Jake Kasdan) Silly fun, but quite
creative, funny pseudo biopic. *** |
| WALK
INTO THE SEA, A: DANNY WILLIAMS AND THE WARHOL FACTORY (2007, d. Esther
B. Robinson) *** |
| WALK
ON WATER (2004, d. Eytan Fox) A truly exceptional film from Israel
about a Mossad assassin. Great script and fine job all around.
*** 3/4 |
| WALK
THE LINE (2005, d. James Margold) ** 3/4 |
| WALK
THE TALK (2007, d. Matthew Allen) ** 3/4 |
| WALK
TO REMEMBER, A (2003, d. Adam Shankman) V. X-tian teenage version of
Love Story. Shane West & Mandy Moore quite good; I ate melodrama
up. *** |
| WALKER,
THE (2007, d. Paul Schrader) Stylish, fine perfs by Harrelson and
Bleibtreu & several aged actresses; but eliptical, senseless plot. ** |
| WALKING
& TALKING (2003, d. Nicole Holofcener 1996) (V) Winning yupster
girl comedy with Keener & Heche. Better than Lovely &
Amazing *** 1/4 |
| WALKING
ON WATER (2003, d. Tony Ayres)+ I forgot I'd already seen this film.
Fine! It's a wonderfully observant, beautifully written & drama.
*** 1/2 |
| WALKING
ON WATER (2002, d. Tony Ayres) **** |
| WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER
SLEEPS (2010, d. Oliver Stone)
Entertaining, if cockeyed look at financial meltdown. Questionable
motivations mar effect. ** 3/4 |
| WALL*E
(2008, d. Andrew Stanton) Technically fine, complex 3-D animation. But
for me lacked entertainment value. ** 3/4 |
| WALLACE
& GROMMET: CURSE OF THE WERE RABBIT (2005, d. Nick Park) V.
*** |
| WALT & EL
GRUPO (2008, d. Theodore Thomas) ** 1/2 |
| WALTZ
WITH BASHIR (2008, d. Ari Folman; Israel) *** 1/2 |
| WANDERING
SHADOWS (2005, d. Ciro Guerra) Unconventional buddy flick amidst the
squalor of Bagota, Columbia. B&W looked digitized. ** 3/4 |
| WANDERING
STREAMS (Les Petits ruisseaux) (2011, d. Pascal Rabaté) *** |
| WANDERLUST (2012, d. David
Wain) Nouveau hippie commune comedy, ribald and at times tasteless; but
gross-out fun, too. Paul Rudd is quite good. *** |
| WANTED
(2009, d. Timur Bekmambetov) + A kinetic thriller even better 2nd time
around. Ridiculous plot; but amazing acting & f/x plus a great cast. ***
1/2 |
| WANTED
(2008, d. Timur Bekmambetov) Totally amazing kick ass film,
MATRIX². McAvoy & Bekmambetov fulfill their destinies. ***
3/4 |
| WAR
DANCE (2007, d. Sean & Andrea Nix Fine) Moving, if somewhat
contrived docu of Ugandan children in camp. *** |
| WAR
GAMES (2008, d. Dariusz Jablonski) Polish docu about the tragic life of
cold war Pole who spied for U.S. Quite creative filmmaking, fascinating but
scattered. *** |
| WAR
LIVE (2001, d. Darko Bajic) ** |
| WAR OF
THE WORLDS (2005, d. Steven Spielberg) Until the mushy, unlikely
ending, one of the great scary thriller SF films ever. Remarkable f/x.
*** 1/4 |
| WAR
PHOTOGRAPHER (2002, d. Christian Frei) **
3/4 |
| WAR
TAPES, THE (2006, d. Deborah Scranton) V. Iraq war from pov of 3 New
Hampshire Nat. Guardsmen with cameras. Most real yet. *** 3/4 |
| WAR
THAT MADE AMERICA, THE (2006, d. Loeterman & Strange) V. PBS
docudrama of the French & Indian War with fine recreations. *** |
| WAR
ZONE, THE (2004, d. Tim Roth) V. Miserabilist film about a troubled
family in Devon. Superb acting, though tough to take. *** |
| WAR
(2003, Russia d. Aleksei Balabanov) Drama of rescue and revenge in
Russo-Chechan war. A testosterone drenched delight. *** |
| WARD
NO. 6 (2009, d. Karen Shakhazarov; Russia). ** |
| WARDEN
OF THE DEAD (Pazachyt na myrtvite) (2007, d. Ilian Simeonov;
Bulgaria) ** |
| WARHORSE (2011, d.
Steven Spielberg) Old fashioned epic, moving even thrilling at times. Great
cinematography, especially the well blocked war scenes. *** 1/2 |
| WARLORDS
(2009, d. Peter Chen, Wai Man Yip) *** 1/4 |
| WARM
SPRINGS (2005, d. Joseph Sergeant) Emotionally satisfying well acted
HBO tv movie about Roosevelt's early years of polio recouperation. *** |
| WARM
WATER UNDER A RED BRIDGE (2002, d. Shohei
Imamura) ** |
| WARMING
UP YESTERDAY'S LUNCH (2003, d. Kostadin Bonev) Bulgaria
AFF. Old lady's memoire of 60 yrs. of Balkan politics. ** |
| WARRIOR
(2005, d. Asif Kapadia) Slow, meditative, almost silent period piece about a
warrior in Kashmir who wants to quit killing. ** 3/4 |
| WARRIOR (2011, d. Gavin
O'Connor) Cliché ridden plot mars otherwise well acted & directed fight
flick. Edgerton especially good, Hardy mannered, but hot. ** 3/4 |
| WARRIORS
OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004, d. He Ping) + I had forgotten I'd seen
it before...not worth another view, though visually it's a treat. **
3/4 |
| WARRIORS
OF HEAVEN AND EARTH (2004, d. He Ping) Gorgeous and gripping, if
somewhat confusing, wide screen Chinese epic historical battle film.
*** |
| WARRIORS
OF THE RAINBOW (2012, d. Wei Te-Sheng, Taiwan) *** 3/4 |
| WARSAW
(2005, d. Dariusz Gajewski) Slightly amusing story of several assorted
characters wandering around Warsaw & sort of connecting one snowy day. **
1/2 |
| WASSUP
ROCKERS (2006, d. Larry Clark) Unlikely story; but Clark's latest
"it boy", Jonathan Valasquez, is worth it. Good bad
film. ** 1/2 |
| WASTE
LAND (2010, d. Lucy Walker) *** 1/4 |
| WASTED
ON THE YOUNG (2011, d. Ben C. Lucas) *** |
| WATCHIER,
THE (2000, d. Joe Charbanic)
** |
| WATCHMEN
(2009, d. Zack Snyder) Fabulous f/x and a script to match.
Brilliantly evocative '80s depiction and superhero deconstruction just
thrilled. *** 3/4 |
| WATER
DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS (Gouttes d'eau sur pierres brulantes) (2000, d.
François Ozon) *** 1/4 |
| WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (2011, d.
Francis Lawrence) |
| WATER
LILIES (2008, d. Céline Sciamma) ** |
| WATER
(2006, d. Deepa Mehta) Gorgeous wide screen intimate epic of plight of a 7
yr. old widow & 34 mil other Indian widows. *** 1/2 |
| WATERCOLORS (2012, d. David
Oliveras) V.+ Coming of age gay film: hi-school love, jock & artist;
romantic, moving, evocative, ok acting. One of the best of genre. *** 1/2 |
| WATERCOLORS
(2008, d. David Oliveras) Touching, beautiful, evocative drama of gay teenage
love. One of the best ever. *** 1/2 |
| WATERLOO
(2005, d. Sergei Bondarchuk) 1970 epic with some incredibly great battle
footage & Steiger's wonderful portrayal of Napoleon. *** 1/4 |
| WATERMARKS
(2004, d. Yaron Zilberman) V. Interesting docu about a Vienna Jewish swimming
club in the '30s & the far-flung survivors' reunion in today's
Vienna. *** |
| WATER'S
EDGE (2003, d. Harvey Kahn) Thriller melodrama about corrupt rural
town. Laughably bad straight to video. 1/2* |
| WATTSTAX:
2003 SPECIAL EDITION (2003, d. Mel Stuart) Newly remixed print of '71
rockumentary...too little music, boring in parts. Rufus rocked. ** |
| WAVE,
THE (Die Welle) (2008, d. Dennis Gansel) *** 1/2 |
| WAY BACK, THE (2010, d.
Peter Weir) A terrific film all around, gorgeous cinematography, gripping
plot. Sturges & Harris especially outstanding. *** 1/2 |
| WAY I
SEE THINGS, THE (2008, d. Brian Pera) New Agey, pretentious, arty gay
film of about recovering from depression. ** 1/4 |
| WAY
I SPENT THE END OF THE WORLD, THE (2007, d. Catalin Mitulescu;
Romania) ** 3/4 |
| WAY OF
THE GUN, THE (2000, d. Christopher McQuarrie)
** 1/2 |
| WAY WE
LAUGHED, THE (2001, d. Gianni Amelio) [1998] **
1/2 |
| WAY
WE LAUGHED, THE (2002, d. Gianni Amelio) ** 1/2 |
| WAY, THE (2011, d.
Emilio Estevez) A "Bucket List" type film of man following a
pilgrimage road through Spain. Lovely travels, affecting personal
story. *** |
| WAYDOWNTOWN
(2002, d. Gary Burns) *** |
| WAYWARD
CLOUD, THE (2006, d. Tsai Ming-liang) *** 1/2 |
| WE
ALL GET OUR SHARE (Ce n'è per tutti) (2010, d. Luciano Melchionna) * |
| WE ARE LEGION: THE
STORY OF THE HACKAVISTS (2012, d. Brian Knappenberger) *** 1/4 |
| WE ARE
MARSHALL (2006, d. McG) Story of real-life football team
resurrected. Well directed and emotionally true. *** |
| WE ARE
TOGETHER (THINA SIMUNYE) (2007, d. Paul Taylor) Moving docu: So.
African orphanage saved by singing. *** 1/4 |
| WE BOUGHT A ZOO (2011,
d. Cameron Crowe) Predictable "family recovering from mother's
death" film with one great scene & a lot of synthetic emotion. **
1/2 |
| WE
DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (2004, d. John Curran) Well acted but
relentlessly downbeat story of 2 couples and their mutual adulteries.
*** |
| WE
GO WAY BACK (2006, d. Lynn Shelton) * 1/2 |
| WE LIVE IN PUBLIC
(2009, d. Ondi Timoner) *** 1/2 |
| WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
(2011, d. Lynne Ramsay) V. Modern "Bad Seed", hard to watch, but
excellent acting & script make for fascination. *** 1/4 |
| WE
SHALL OVERCOME (2006, d. Niels Arden Oplev) *** 1/2 |
| WE WERE HERE (2011, d.
Weissman & Weber) V. Important, truthful docu of S.F. during the AIDS
epidemic. About as resonant for me as docus get. *** 3/4 |
| WE WERE ONE MAN (2012, d.
Philippe Valois) V. WWII Vichy France story ('79) of weird affair between
simpleton Frenchman & handsome German soldier. ** 3/4 |
| WE
WERE SOLDIERS (2002, d. Randall Wallace) **
1/2 |
| WEATHER GIRL (2011, d. Blayne
Weaver) Nice buddies romcom script, great chemistry between faves Patrick
Adams & Ryan Devlin. Lead Tricia O'Kelley weak link. *** |
| WEATHER
MAN, THE (2005, d. Gore Verbinski) ** 3/4 |
| WEATHER
UNDERGROUND, THE (2003, d. Sam Green) Documentary about '70s
American terrorist group. Good footage & well written. ***
1/4 |
| WEBCAM
BOYS (2001, d. RADD) *** 1/2 |
| WEDDING
CAKE, THE (Pièce montée) (2010, d. Denys Granier-Deferre) *** 1/4 |
| WEDDING
CHEST, THE (2006, d. Nurbek Egen; Kyrgyzstan) *** |
| WEDDING
CRASHERS, THE (2005, d. David Dobkin) ** 3/4 |
| WEDDING
DIRECTOR, THE (2011 d. Marco Bellocchio) ** 1/4 |
| WEDDING
SONG, THE (Le Chant des Mariées) (2009, d. Karen Albou) ** 1/4 |
| WEDDING
WARS (2007, d. Jim Fall) V. Very well done issue tv flick (gay
marriage) with a game perf. by John Stamos. *** |
| WEDDING,
THE (2001, d. Pavel Lungin) **** |
| WEEKEND (2011, d.
Andres Haigh) *** 3/4 |
| WEEKEND (2011, d.
Andres Haigh) + 2nd time even better than first time. Most relevant gay
relationship film I've ever seen. Powerful, poignant & truthful.
*** 3/4 |
| WEEKEND,
THE (2000, d. Brian Skeet)
*** |
| WEIGHT
OF WATER (2001, d. Kathryn Bigelow) ** |
| WEIRDSVILLE
(2007, d. Allan Moyle) * |
| WELCOME
(2009, d. Philippe Lioret) *** 3/4 |
| WELCOME
HOME (Bienvenido A Casa) (2007, d. David Trueba) *** 1/4 |
| WELCOME
TO COLLINWOOD (2002, d. Anthony & Joe
Russo) ** |
| WELCOME TO DOE BAY (2012, d.
Nesib Shamah, Dan Thornton) ** 3/4 |
| WELCOME
TO DONGMAKGOL (2006, d. Park Kwang-hyun; Republic of Korea) **
3/4 |
| WELCOME
TO MOOSEWOOD (2004, d. Dan Petrie) Silly, utterly predictable Hollywood fare.
Hackman good, as always; but Ray Romano should stict to TV. * 3/4 |
| WELCOME
TO THE LAND OF CH'TIS (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis) (2008, d. Dany Boone)
** 1/2 |
| WELCOME TO THE RILEYS
(2010, d. Jake Scott) Gandolfini and Leo are fine. The predictable downer
story only fitfully involved me & ultimately I lost interest. ** 1/4 |
| WELCOME
TO THE SOUTH (2011 d. Luca Miniero) ** 3/4 |
| WELL DIGGER'S
DAUGHTER (2012, d. Daniel Auteuil) *** 3/4 |
| WELL,
THE (2005, d. Kristian Petri) Extremely well written documentary tone
poem about Orson Welles' relationship to Spain. *** 3/4 |
| WELLNESS
(2008, d. Jake Mahaffy) ** 1/2 |
| WELTS,
THE (2004, d. Magdalena Piekorz) Polish AFF. Dour, involving story of a
boy whose path to manhood was fixed by his physically abusing, but
well-meaning, father. *** 1/4 |
| WENDY
AND LUCY (2008, d. Kelly Reichardt) Quietly effective character study
which mirrors bad economic times. Michelle Williams very fine here. *** 1/4 |
| WENT
TO CONEY ISLAND ON A MISSION FROM GOD... (2000, d. Richard
Schenkman) ** 1/2 |
| WERE
THE WORLD MINE (2008, d. Tom Gustafson) Good try at a gay
Midsummernight's Dream prep school fantasy. But no cigar. ** |
| WESTENDER
(2003, U.S. d. Bruce Morse) Overblown, tacky, unironic mideval
quest film. * 3/4 |
| WETLANDS
(2012, d. Guy Édoin) *** 1/4 |
| WHALE
RIDER (2003, New Zealand/Germany d. Niki Caro) Wide screen crowd
pleaser about dying Maori traditions & the little girl who changed
things. *** |
| WHAT
A WONDERFUL PLACE (2005, d. Eyal Halfon) ** |
| WHAT
DOESN'T KILL YOU (2008, d. Brian Goodman) *** |
| WHAT
I KNOW ABOUT LOLA (Lo que se de Lola) (2007, d. Javier Rebollo) W/O |
| WHAT
IF...? (Notre univers impitoyable) (2008, d. Léa Fazer) ** 1/4 |
| WHAT
JUST HAPPENED (2008, d. Barry Levinson) Funny, truthful look at
Hollywood from pov of a fading power-broker producer (DeNiro's best role in
years.) *** 1/4 |
| WHAT
LIES BENEATH (2000, d. Robert Zemeckis) *
1/2 |
| WHAT
THE SUN HAS SEEN (2007, d. Michal Rosa) 3 interwoven stories of
impoverishment in modern day Poland. Long & just ok. ** 3/4 |
| WHAT
TIME IS IT THERE? (2001, d. Tsai Ming-liang) *** |
| WHAT
WOMEN WANT (2000, d. Nancy Meyers) **
1/2 |
| WHATEVER
IT TAKES (2004, d. David Ranyr)V. Horny teenage comedy variant on
Cyrano. Trivial stuff; but Shane West and James Franco raise its level a
tad. * 3/4 |
| WHATEVER
WORKS (2009, d. Woody Allen) Pure comedy, sunny & funny throwback
to earlier Allen works. Evan Rachel Wood & Larry David perfect. *** |
| WHAT'S
COOKING? (2000, d. Gurinda Chadha) ***
1/2 |
| WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER (2012, d.
Mark Mylod) V. Pleasantly kooky rom-com (of course Anna Faris!); but a
supremely buff Chris Evans oft naked? Can't resist. *** |
| WHEN
A MAN COMES HOME (2009, d. Thomas Vinterberg) ** 3/4 |
| WHEN
DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER (2008, d. Anand Tucker) *** 1/4 |
| WHEN
MARYAM SPOKE OUT (2003, d. Assad Fouladkar) Lebanon AFF.
Travails of barren wife. *** |
| WHEN
WE LEAVE (2010, d. Feo Aladag) *** |
| WHEN
WILL I BE LOVED (2005, d. James Tobak) V. ** 3/4 |
| WHERE
DO WE GO NOW? (2011, d. Nadine Labaki, Lebanon) ** 1/2 |
| WHERE
THE HEART IS (2000, d. Matt Williams) **
1/2 |
| WHERE
THE TRUTH LIES (2005, d. Atom Egoyan) *** |
| WHERE
THE WILD THINGS ARE (2009, d. Spike Jonze) Laudable attempt at
personalized art film; but not my cuppa...more annoyed by wanton child than
edified. ** 1/2 |
| WHICH
WAY HOME (2009, d. Rebecca Cammisa) V. Heartbreakingly effective docu
about Cent. Amer. children trying to reach the U.S. Real life version of Sin
Nombre. **** |
| WHIP
IT (2009, d. Drew Barrymore) Good: Ellen Page is not annoying, roller
derby is fun. Bad: totally predictable plot, melodramatic &
fake. ** 1/4 |
| WHIRLWIND
(2008, d. Richard LeMay) Multi-character NY gay friends story, mostly poorly
acted and only intermittently involving. ** |
| WHISKY
ROMEO ZULU (2005, d. Enrique Piñeyro) Fascinating aircrash drama based
on fact. The whistleblower pilot (also acted & directed) is
amazing. *** 1/4 |
| WHISKY
(2004, d. Rebella & Stoll) Observent, touching slice-of-life film about
two competitive brothers & their pretenses. *** |
| WHISTLEBLOWER,
THE (2011 d. Larysa Kondracki) *** 1/4 |
| WHITE
CAMELLIAS (2012, d. Russell Brown) *** 1/4 |
| WHITE
COUNTESS, THE (2005, d. James Ivory) *** 1/4 |
| WHITE
IRISH DRINKERS (2011, d. John Gray) *** 1/4 |
| WHITE
LIGHT/BLACK RAIN (2007, d. Steven Okazaki) Comprehensive, clinical docu
about Hiroshima & Nakasaki. *** |
| WHITE
NIGHT WEDDING (Brúdguminn) (2008, d. Baltasar Kormákur) ** 3/4 |
| WHITE
OLEANDER (2002, d. Peter Kosminsky) *** |
| WHITE
PALM (2006, d. Szabolcs Hajdu; Hungary) + *** 1/4 |
| WHITE
PALMS (2006, d. Szabolcs Hajdu) *** |
| WHITE
RIBBON, THE (2009, d. Michael Haneke; Germany) Nobody does enigma
better than Haneke, even when taken to a maddening extreme. Gorgeous film.
*** 1/2 |
| WHITE
SILK DRESS, THE (2008, d. Huynh Luu; Vietnam) ** |
| WHITE
WEDDING (2009, d. Jann Turner; South Africa) ** 1/4 |
| WHITECHAPEL (2011, d.
SJ Clarkson) V. Superbly written British policier chasing a serial
killer Jack the Ripper copycat. Rupert Penry-Jones is excellent.
*** 1/2 |
| WHO
IS HARRY NILSSON (2006, d. John Scheinfeld) *** 1/4 |
| WHO
KILLED BAMBI (2004, d. Gilles Marchand) Creepy, atmospheric French
thriller about a craftily crazy surgeon and an intern nurse. *** |
| WHO
KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR (2006, d. Chris Paine) *** 3/4 |
| WHO
LOVES THE SUN (2006, d. Matt Bissonnette) *** 1/2 |
| WHO
THE HELL IS BOBBY ROOS (2002, d. John Feldman) ***
1/2 |
| WHOLE
NEW THING (2006, d. Amnon Buchbinder) *** 1/4
|
| WHOLE
NINE YARDS, THE (2000, d. Jonathan Lynn)
** |
| WHOLE
TRUTH, THE (2009, d. Coleen Patrick) 0* |
| WHORE
& THE WHALE, THE (2008, d. Luis Puenzo) V. Gorgeous Patagonian
photography, naked women & sexy Leo Sbaraglia. *** 1/4 |
| WICKER
MAN, THE (2008, d. Neil La Bute) V. Hokey, cult-as-bee-colony metaphor
film. Great northwest island homes! ** |
| WICKER
PARK (2004, d. Paul McGuigan) And Now My Love for Gen-Y. Loopy
structure and overall good acting and direction. Absurd; but it kept getting
better as it went along. *** |
| WIDOW
OF SAINT-PIERRE, THE (La veuve de Saint-Pierre) (2001, d. Patrice
Leconte) *** |
| WILBY
WONDERFUL (2005, d. Daniel MacIvor) Slice of life film on the Canadian
island of Wilby. Pleasant trifle with nifty perfs from Paul Gross &
Sandra Oh. ** 3/4 |
| WILD
BEES (2002, d. Bohdan Slama) ** 3/4 |
| WILD
DOGS, THE (2003, Canade d. Thom Fitzgerald) Drama about a
pornographer in Rumania to find women & instead finds wild dogs &
Gypsy slaves. *** |
| WILD
FIELD (2009, d. Mikhail Kalatozishvili) *** 3/4 |
| WILD
FLOWERS (2002, d. F. A. Brabec) ** 1/2 |
| WILD GRASS (Les herbes
folles) (2010, d. Alain Resnais) Poor title translation, should be
called "Loco-weed". Strangely unmotivated goings-on, but
fascinating. ** 3/4 |
| WILD
SIDE (2004, d. Sébastien Lifshitz) Affecting drama about an
unconventional three-way relationship between 2 guys and a pre-op
transexual *** |
| WILD TARGET (2011, d.
Jonathan Lynn) V. A truly ridiculous, but watchable, British caper comedy
with an A cast but a D- plot. Rupert Grint needs to chose better scripts. *
1/2 |
| WILD
THORNBERRYS MOVIE, THE (2003, d. McGrath and Malkasian)
Nickelodian cartoon. * 1/2 |
| WILD
TIGERS I HAVE KNOWN (2006, d. Cam Archer) ** 1/4 |
| WILLFULL
(2001, d. Rebel Penfold-Russell) * 1/2 |
| WILLIAM
KUNSTLER: DISTURBING THE UNIVERSE (2009, d. Sarah Kunstler & Emily
Kunstler) *** |
| WIMBLEDON
(2004, d. Richard Loncraine) Genuine chemistry between Bettany and Dunst
makes for a good romance; but the tennis isn't very realistic. *** |
| WIN A
DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON (2005, d. Robert Lukatik) Fun, if predictable,
romantic comedy which brings stardom to Topher Grace. ** 3/4 |
| WIN WIN (2011 d. Thomas
McCarthy) Fine feel-good film with some excellent acting. Formulaic, but
rings with truth. Alex Shaffer is a find as the teenage wrestler. *** 1/4 |
| WIN/WIN (2011, d.
Jaap van Heusden) *** |
| WIND
JOURNEYS, THE (Los Viajes el Viento) (2009, d. Ciro Guerra; Colombia)
*** |
| WIND
THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, THE (2006, d. Ken Loach) *** 1/2 |
| WINDOW,
THE (2006, d. Ted Tetzlaff) *** 1/4 |
| WINDS
OF SEPTEMBER (Jiu Jiang Feng) (2008, d. Tom Shu-Yu Lin) ** |
| WINDTALKERS
(2002, d. John Woo) ** 3/4 |
| WINE
AND KISSES (Come le Formiche) (2008, d. Ilaria Borrelli) * 1/2 |
| WINGED
MIGRATION (2003, d. Jacques Cluzaud) (V) Docu feature on birds. Visual
tour de force; but poorly constructed. ** 3/4 |
| WINGLESS
(2009, d. Ivo Trajkov; Macedonia) ** |
| WINNING
SEASON, THE (2004, d. John Kent Harrison) V. Sappy nostalgia
baseball flick about a 1985 boy thrown back to 1909 to relate to Honus
Wagner. * 3/4 |
| WINTER
IN WARTIME (2010, d. Martin Koolhoven; The Netherlands) *** 1/2 |
| WINTER
SLEEPERS (2000, d. Tom Tykwer) [1997] ***
1/4 |
| WINTER
SOLSTICE (2005, d. Josh Sternfeld) Quintessential Sundance indie film,
quiet, revelatory, fine acting (Mark Webber & Aaron Stanford rule!)
*** 1/4 |
| WINTER
SOLSTICE (2007, d. Josh Sternfeld) V.+ Quintessential Sundance indie
film, quiet, revelatory, fine acting (Webber & Stanford rule!) *** 1/4 |
| WINTERLAND
(2008, d. Hisham Zaman) ** 3/4 |
| WINTER'S
BONE (2010, d. Debra Granik) *** 1/2 |
| WIRE,
THE - season 4 (2006, d. various) V. The best season of the best
series on TV. How the world really works. **** |
| WITH A
FRIEND LIKE HARRY (2001, d. Dominik Moll) ***
1/4 |
| WITH
A LITTLE HELP FROM MYSELF (Aide-toi, et le Ciel t'aidera) (François
Dupeyron) *** 1/4 |
| WITH
YOUR PERMISSION (Til Doden Os Skiller) (2007, d. Paprika Steen) ** 1/2 |
| WITHOUT A NET (2012, d. Kelly
Richardson) V. Docu of several kids in Rio slums learning ad hoc circus
skills. Interesting enough, but mostly semi-tragic surface view. ** 3/4 |
| WITNESSES
(2003, d. Vinko Bresan) Croatia's Academy sub: Intimate, complex,
big-screen enigma/horrors of war drama. Slow accretion of detail adds
up. *** |
| WITNESSES,
THE (2008, d. André Téchiné) *** 1/2 |
| WOLFMAN, THE (2011 d. Joe
Johnston) Great production design, sets, authentic 1891 period details don't
make up for crappy, cliché ridden script & overacting. ** 1/4 |
| WOLFSBURG
(2003, d. Christian Petzold) Heavy drama - a weak man who makes a fatal
mistake & seeks redemption. Good acting and script; but a
downer. *** |
| WOMAN
IN BERLIN, A (Anonyma - Eine Frau in Berlin) (2009, d. Max Färberböck)
*** |
| WOMAN
IS A HELLUVA THING, A (2001, d. Karen Leigh Hopkins) * |
| WOMAN
ON TOP (2000, d. Fina Torres) **
1/2 |
| WOMAN WHO WASN'T THERE, THE
(2012, d. Angelo Guglielmo) V. Fascinating companion docu to The Imposter.
Nice animation fleshes out ordinary interviews. *** 1/4 |
| WOMAN
WITHOUT PIANO (2009, d. Javier Rebollo) ** 3/4 |
| WOMAN'S
WAY, A (Strella) (2009, d. Panos H. Koutras) *** 1/2 |
| WOMB (2011, d.
Benedek Fliegauf) *** 1/4 |
| WOMEN
ON THE 6TH FLOOR, THE (Service Entrance) (2011, d. Philippe Le
Guey) *** 1/4 |
| WOMEN,
THE (2005, d. George Cukor) V. *** |
| WONDER
BOYS (2000, d. Curtis Hanson)
*** |
| WONDERFUL
NIGHT IN SPLIT, A (2005, d. Arsen Anton Ostojic) Gorgeous, noir B&W
film about a two hour period from 3 different points of view. *** 1/4 |
| WONDERFUL
WORLD (2009, d. Joshua Goldin) ** 1/4 |
| WONDERLAND
(2000, d. Michael Winterbottom) **** |
| WONDERLAND
(2003, d. James Cox) Bravura filmmaking in aid of tawdry true story. Kilmer
& especially Josh Logan are fine. Effectively stomach-turning. *** |
| WONDROUS
OBLIVION (2004, d. Paul Morrison) Heartwarming English film about a
post-War Jewish immigrant family whose son loves cricket. *** |
| WOODSMAN,
THE (2004, d. Nicole Kassell) Excellent, if dour drama about a man
fighting his pederast proclivity with a great perf by Kevin Bacon. *** 1/4 |
| WORD
OF HONOR (2003, d. Robert Markowitz) A favorite novel makes pretty fair
transition to tv thanks to fine acting, albeit too compressed a script.
** 3/4 |
| WORDPLAY
(2006, d. Patrick Creadon) *** 3/4 |
| WORDS, THE (2012, d. Klugman
& Sternthal) 3 levels of narrative structure are just too many to
sustain true insights here. Nicely acted; but I just didn't believe.
** 1/2 |
| WORK
HARD PLAY HARD (Violence des échanges en milieu tempéré) (2006, d.
Jean-Marc Moutou) V. Jérémie Renier fine! *** |
| WORLD
IS BIG AND SALVATION LURKS AROUND THE CORNER, THE (2009, d. Stefan
Komandarev; Bulgaria) *** 1/2 |
| WORLD
TRADE CENTER (2006, d. Oliver Stone) Seamless f/x, affecting,
surprisingly powerful. *** 1/4 |
| WORLD
TRAVELER (2002, d. Bart Freundlich)
** |
| WORLD
WITHOUT THIEVES, A (2005, d. Xiaogang Feng) Clever variant on martial
arts film about thieves on a train going after an innocent patsy. *** |
| WORLDS
APART (To verdener) (2008, d. Niels Arden Oplev; Denmark) *** |
| WORLD'S
FASTEST INDIAN, THE (2006, d. Roger Donaldson) V. Hopkins is fine, as
usual. The film is pretty predictable. ** 3/4 |
| WORLD'S
GREATEST DAD (2009, d. Bobcat Goldthwait) ** 1/4 |
| WRECKING
CREW, THE (2008, d. Denny Tedesco) *** 1/4 |
| WRESTLER,
THE (2008, d. Darren Aronofsky) Despite cringeworthy wrestling action,
humanistic Aronofsky shines. Rourk is phenomenal, as are the women. *** 1/4 |
| WRESTLING
WITH ANGELS: PLAYWRITE TONY KUSHNER (2006, d. Freida Lee Mock) *** 1/2 |
| WRETCHES & JABBERERS
(2010, d. Gerardine Wurzburg) V. Informative, positive docu of world travels
& computer communication of 2 autistic older Vermont men. *** |
| WRIST
CUTTERS: A LOVE STORY (2006, d. Goran Dukic) * 3/4 |
| WRITTEN
ON THE BODY OF THE NIGHT (2002, d. Jaime Humberto
Hermosillo) ** 3/4 |
| WRONG
SIDE UP (Pribehy Obycejneho Silenstvi) (2005, d. Petr Zelenka) ** |
| WTC
VIEW (2005, d. Brian Sloan) Emotionally shattering, brilliantly written
& acted (watch for Michael Urie) story of 9/11's effects on some gay
NYers. *** 1/2 |
| WUTHERING
HEIGHTS (2012, d. Andrea Arnold) ** 1/2 |
| X
(2003, d. Luis Marias) Thriller about cop who may or may not have
murdered his gay trick. *** |
| X2
(2003, d. Bryan Singer) Good efx, a story that held together better than the
usual comic book turned into film. ** 3/4 |
| X-MEN
ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (2009, d. Gavin Hood) Entertaining action, better
than average acting. What did happen to Liev Schreiber's character? **
3/4 |
| X-MEN
(2000, d. Bryan Singer) ** 1/2 |
| X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011, d.
Matthew Vaughn) Superior origins film with a fine, albeit historically silly,
script and successful casting. Best of the series by a good deal. *** |
| X-MEN:
THE LAST STAND (2006, d. Brett Ratner) For my money better than 1 &
2. *** |
| XX/XY
(2002, d. Austin Chick) *** 1/4 |
| XXX
(2002, d. Rob Cohen) ** 1/2 |
| XXY
(2007, d. Lucia Puenzo) *** |
| Y TU
MAMÁ TAMBIÉN (2002, d. Alfonso Cuarón) *** 3/4
|
| YACOUBIAN
BUILDING, THE (2006, d. Marwan Hamed; Egypt) ** 3/4 |
| YARDS,
THE (2000, d. James Gray) ** 3/4
|
| YASMIN
(2005, d. Kenny Glennan) Drama about a family of Pakis in England after 9/11.
Scary and truthful, but as a film sort of primitive. ** 3/4 |
| YEAR
MY PARENTS WENT ON VACATION, THE (2008, d. Cao Hamburger; Brazil) *** |
| YEAR OF GRACE
(2012, d. Ventura Pons) ** 1/2 |
| YEAR
OF THE WOLF, THE (2008, d. Olli Saarela) *** |
| YEAR
WITHOUT LOVE, A (2005, d. Anahi Berneri) Quietly affecting, often
raunchy film journal about an S&M bottom with AIDS. *** 1/4 |
| YEAR
ZERO (2006, d. Joseph Patchhadze) *** 1/4
|
| YELLA (2007, d.
Christian Petzold) *** |
| YELLOW
ASPHALT (2002, d. Dan Verete) *** 1/4 |
| YES MEN FIX THE WORLD,
THE (2009, d. Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno, Kurt Engfehr) *** 1/4 |
| YES
NURSE, NO NURSE (2003, Netherlands d. Pieter Kramer)
Full-on, campy musical in the Singing in the Rain tradition. Silly; but
great fun. *** |
| YES
(2005, d. Sally Potter) Romantic woman's pic in rhymed verse. Joan
Allen exudes sex; but for me Potter remains an elusive taste. ** 1/2 |
| YESTERDAY
(2005, d. Darrell Roodt) Picturesque & heartfelt So. African AFF about a
rural Zulu family ravaged by AIDS. *** |
| YI
YI (2000, d. A One And A Two…) (2000, d. Edward
Yang) *** 3/4 |
| YMCA
BASEBALL TEAM (2003, S. Korea d. Kim Hyeun-seok) Historical
pageant about the first baseball team in Korea as metaphor for national
identity. ** 3/4 |
| YOSSI
& JAGGER (2003, Israel d. Eytan Fox) Unexpectedly
good drama about a gay relationship in the Israeli army. *** 1/4 |
| YOU AGAIN (2010, d. Andy
Fickman) Derivitive plot of 3 generations of girl high school rivalries. Yet
it's surprisingly entertaining farce writing. ** 1/2 |
| YOU
AND ME (2006, d. Julie Lopes-Curval) ** 3/4 |
| YOU
ARE SO HANDSOME (2006, d. Isabelle Mergault) ** 3/4 |
| YOU
BET YOUR LIFE (2006, d. Antonin Svoboda; Austria) ** 1/2 |
| YOU
CAN COUNT ON ME (2000, d. Kenneth Lonergan) ***
1/2 |
| YOU I
LOVE (2004, d. Olga Stopovskaja & Dimitru Troitskji)
Screwball modern day Russian comedy about a bisexual commercial maker who
falls for a guy. * 3/4 |
| YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK
STRANGER (2010, d. Woody Allen) V. Typical late Allen relationship farce,
bitter and ironic. Not well resolved; but diverting. *** |
| YOU,
THE LIVING (2007, d. Roy Andersson; Sweden) ** 3/4 |
| YOU'LL GET OVER IT (2012, d.
Fabrice Cazeneuve) V. Outstanding gay teen coming of age tv "afternoon
special" French style. Julian Baumgartner, wow! *** 1/4 |
| YOUNG
ADAM (2004, d. David Mackenzie) Dark Scottish film, slow & sexy,
visually dull, but unexpectedly poignant. Ewen has never been more
attractive. *** |
| YOUNG ADULT (2011, d.
Jason Reitman) Another overly clever Cody script with a fine male
"buddy" perf by Patton Oswalt & Theron is convincing. But... ** |
| YOUNG
AND THE DEAD, THE (2001, d. Robert Pulcini and Shari
Berman) *** 1/2 |
| YOUNG
BLOOD (Pura Sangre) (2006, d. Leo Ricciardi) ** 3/4 |
| YOUNG
GOETHE IN LOVE (was GOETHE) (2011 d. Philipp Stolzi) ** 3/4 |
| YOUNG
PEOPLE FUCKING (2008, d. Martin Gero) *** 1/4 |
| YOUNG
UNKNOWNS, THE (2003, d. Catherine Jelski) Four screwed up,
overpriveleged L.A. 20-somethings have a memorable night. ** 3/4 |
| YOUNG
VICTORIA, THE (2009, d. Jean-Marc Vallée) I'm a sucker for a great
period love story. This is extraordinary, with Blunt & Friend
superbly matched. Gorgeous. *** 3/4 |
| YOUNG
VICTORIA, THE (2009, d. Jean-Marc Vallée) V.+ Even better 2nd time.
Blunt & Friend superbly matched with regal chemistry. Gorgeous sets,
costumes. *** 3/4 |
| YOUNGEST
SON, THE (Il figlio più) (2010, d. Pupi Avanti) ** 1/2 |
| YOUR
LIFE IN '65 (Tu Vida in 65') (2006, d. Maria Ripoll) *** 1/4 |
| YOUR
NEXT LIFE (2004, d. Manuel Aragón) A satisfying romance/drama about two
feuding farming families in the Pyrannies. ** 3/4 |
| YOUR SISTER'S SISTER (2012,
d. Lynn Shelton) Nice concept, improvised (according to Duplass in
Q&A) indy rom-com, with great ensemble 3-some & lovely scenery.
*** 1/4 |
| YOUTH
IN REVOLT (2009, d. Miguel Arteta) *** |
| YOUTH RUN AMOK (Short
program) |
| YOUTH
WITHOUT YOUTH (2007, d. Francis Ford Coppola) Beautiful, Roth is fine;
but wha....!? ** 1/2 |
| YUMA,
LA (2010, d. Florence Jaugey; Nicaragua) ** 3/4 |
| Z
CHANNEL: A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION (2005, d. Alexandra Cassavettes) V.
Well made, informative docu on Jerry Harvey with great movie clips. ***
1/2 |
| ZACK
AND MIRA MAKE A PORNO (2008, d. Kevin Smith) Intermittantly funny and
Rogan is the perfect pomo hero...still, Smith's script sucks. ** 1/2 |
| ZATOICHI
(2004, d. Takeshi Kitano) Sorry, I was sort of bored...but the Japanese
"Riverdance" rhythmic stuff was fun, if weird. ** 1/2 |
| ZELARY
(2004, d. Ondrej Trojan) Beautifully realized WWII story of a nurse who
escapes from the Gestapo to a small Czech village & finds herself. ***
1/2 |
| ZÉRO DE CONDUITE (2011, d.
Jean Vigo) V. I can see where Truffaut was influenced; but honestly Vigo's
anarchism & style of filmmaking doesn't appeal in this film. ** 1/2 |
| ZHOU
YU'S TRAIN (2004, d. Sun Zhou) Elliptical romantic drama about a
woman torn by conflicting love for two men. Confusing and overwrought.
* 3/4 |
| ZIFT
(2009, d. Vladislav Todorov; Bulgaria) *** |
| ZIM
AND CO. (2005, d. Pierre Jolivet) *** |
| ZODIAC
(2007, d. David Fincher) Fascinating procedural which plays like All the
Presidents Men rather than Se7en. *** 1/4 |
| ZOE
(2001, d. Deborah Attoinese) ** 1/2 |
| ZOMBIELAND
(2009, d. Rubin Fleischer) Eisenberg is always good; and there are some
amusing things here; but I guess that I'm just immune to zombies. **
1/2 |
| ZOOKEEPER,
THE (2002, d. Ralph Zian) *** |
| ZOZO
(2005, d. Josef Fares; Sweden) *** |
| ZUS
& ZO (2003, d. Paula van der Oest) Netherlands
AFF. Family farce about 3 sisters and their gay brother. *** 1/4 |
|
|