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