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'Ghost Writer' Is A Political Thriller With Biting Humor

by Katie Evarts | March 3, 2010
Senior Editor

The tense thriller balances its moody subject matter and color palette with brilliant pacing, a jittery but playful score, and wonderful performances by just about everyone in the cast. [...]

Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' Is Captivating But Lacks Substance

by Roselle Chen | March 3, 2010
Staff Reporter

The movie is visually stunning, but lacking in everything else. [...]

'Daybreakers' Doleful Directive

by Roselle Chen | February 16, 2010
Staff Reporter

The latest vampire flick is guilty of trying to be too many things at once: kitschy, deep, funny, and scary. Problem is, the director doesn't pull off any of these approaches successfully.
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'Dear John' Is No 'Notebook'

by Catherine Donahoe | February 15, 2010
Staff Reporter

Nicholas Sparks' most recent book-turned-movie doesn't transmit as well on screen as some of his other successful ventures. While the film tugs on our heartstrings in some parts, the ending leaves the audience a bit confused. [...]

How A Hyped Holiday Helps 'Valentine's Day'

by Johnni Macke | February 14, 2010
Contributor

The star-studded romcom reveals the hype and the common misconceptions about love of the nation's most buzzed about holiday.
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Jeff Bridges Is The Right Man For 'Crazy Heart'

by Katie Evarts | February 11, 2010
Senior Editor

With the help of a wonderful supporting cast and a soundtrack that runs through the movie like a heartbeat, Bridges is able to suffuse a fairly straightforward story with power, passion, and subtlety that bring it to a higher level than the writing alone merits. [...]

Two New Hillbillies Set To Take Over Beverly Hills

by Hilary Scurlock | February 7, 2010
Contributor

The precision with which writer-director Eli Craig simultaneously tackles two genres, horror and comedy, will have you covering your eyes one minute and crying with laughter the next.

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It's Best To Skip 'Leap Year'

by Catherine Donahoe | January 24, 2010
Staff Reporter

Predictability is pretty much a given in most romantic comedies, and 'Leap Year' is no different. This one is definitely a renter, one to catch on TV, or at the very best, a matinee. [...]

'Up In The Air' Is Cleared For Takeoff

by Samantha Hermann | January 12, 2010
Contributor

The critically acclaimed film artfully uses the airport to capture both the tenacity and the fragility of human connections. The result is a meaningful (if at times depressing) movie that leaves a lasting impression.

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It's Easy To Like 'It's Complicated'

by Samantha Hermann | January 4, 2010
Contributor

Streep's latest romantic comedy has all the makings of a typical silver screen love triangle -- except this time the players have droopy eyelids, urinary incontinence, and self-help CDs jamming on the radio.
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Why See 'Avatar'? Here's Why

by Hillel Aron | December 19, 2009
Senior Editor

'Avatar' is 'The Matrix' meets 'Dances With Wolves.' But for some reason, I liked it. [...]

'The Princess And The Frog' Is Disney At Its Best

by Elizabeth Geli | November 26, 2009
Staff Reporter

The highly anticipated film marks the studio's return to hand-drawn animation and serves as a bold reminder to Hollywood that the medium is not always the message--a good story is what matters most. [...]

'Fantastic Mr. Fox' Is Fantastically So

by Roselle Chen | November 15, 2009
Staff Reporter

Every frame of the magical film is filled with detail, from a cigarette burning to smoke blowing in the wind to modern jokes here and there that wouldn't otherwise be found in 1970 book.
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Life Isn't So 'Precious'

by Catherine Cronenberg | November 7, 2009
Contributor

Characters in 'Precious' have such tremendous depth and veracity, that for every devil lurking in the shadows of a character's mind, there's a motivation--a hurt, a jealousy, a fear, a love, an exhaustion--that lends justification and reality to such inhumane levels of cruelty. [...]

Where The Wild Things Argh!

by Hillel Aron | October 16, 2009
Staff Reporter

The critically-adored adaptation is supposed to be an exploration of the feelings kids have--they overreact and then feel embarrassed and ashamed. It's a fairly unexploited theme, as far as movie themes go, but it's not quite enough to hang an entire feature on. [...]

'Fame's' Talented Students And All-Star Faculty Fall Short

by Elizabeth Geli | October 8, 2009
Staff Reporter

'Fame' ends up feeling more like a fast-paced music video, jumping from number to number without much dialogue or character development to hold the showstoppers together. [...]

Jews On The March In 'A Serious Man'

by Hillel Aron | October 6, 2009
Staff Reporter

'A Serious Man' manages to be the most thought-provoking film of the year and an immensely entertaining one. The minor characters are the Coens' funniest since 'The Big Lebowski.' To call it a black comedy would be imprecise. It's more like a comedy of moral anguish. [...]

'The Time Traveler's Wife': The Epic Battle of Book v. Movie

by Catherine Donahoe | October 4, 2009
Contributor

Although I enjoyed seeing the movie, and give it credit for sticking with the book for the most part, I felt a bit disappointed walking out of the movie theater. I wish that the movie had gotten into more of the side characters that shaped the relationship of Henry and Clare. I also wish that I could have seen Henry do more of his time travels. [...]

An Unlikely Friendship in 'Let the Right One In'

by Roselle Chen | October 3, 2009
Staff Reporter

Sharp adolescent ache transcends the screen and evokes an intimacy with viewers in this unglamorous 2008 Swedish vampire film. [...]

'We Live In Public' Discusses the Dark Side of the Internet

by Dana Buckley | September 24, 2009
Staff Reporter

Ondi Timoner turns 10 years and 5,000 hours of footage into 'We Live In Public,' a documentary chronicling the experiments and escapades of Josh Harris, 'the greatest Internet Pioneer you've never heard of.' [...]

Back To The 90's, And The Recesses Of A Disturbed Mind

by Olga Khazan | September 23, 2009
Staff Reporter

Steven Soderbergh makes what would otherwise be an unwatchably dull film about mid-90s white-collar crime into a riveting dark comedy. [...]

'Jennifer's Body' Is Killer, Thanks To Diablo Cody

by Elizabeth Geli | September 21, 2009
Staff Reporter

Despite what the commercials would like you to think, 'Jennifer's Body' is not a typical horror film. Sure, there's tons of gore and titillating girl-on-girl action--perfect for teenage boys--but at its heart, the film is about female friendship. [...]

Moore Returns To Familiar Ground In New Film

by Dana Buckley | September 18, 2009
Contributor

"Capitalism: A Love Story" deals with the problems that exist in the American economic system, including the current financial crisis and the ties between Wall Street and the government. In typical Moore fashion, the film is peppered with his own autobiographical moments. [...]

Michael Moore: A Fighter Not A Lover

by Hillel Aron | September 18, 2009
Staff Reporter

Michael Moore's latest film takes on the very idea of a capitalist economy with a scattershot approach, little structure and all the attitude you've come to expect from him. [...]

'The September Issue' Exposes The Making--And Unmaking--Of Vogue

by Hilary Scurlock | September 10, 2009
Contributor

Fashionistas and economists alike will be awed by the behind-the-scenes look at the clothing and creativity that goes into one issue of Vogue. [...]

'Extract' Flavor A Little Mild, Overall Tasty

by Olga Khazan | September 10, 2009
Contributor

Director Mike Judge's latest film tackles the worst of American society, from racism to self-important musicians to ambulance-chasing lawyers. It's not a perfect comedy, but there's plenty to chuckle at. [...]

Life And Love During '500 Days Of Summer'

by Neila Jamee | July 1, 2009
Staff Reporter

The movie is not your typical boy-meets-girl romcom. It's not a traditional love story; in fact, it's not a love story, as the film itself warns. It's more like a 500-day diary of a relationship gone awry. [...]

Paul Giamatti Clears His Mind In 'Cold Souls'

by Neila Jamee | July 1, 2009
Staff Reporter

The movie is a quirky, reality-meets-fantasy film about the business of extracting souls from the body. And it's none other than Paul Giamatti playing himself who humorously and tragically undertakes the uncharted task of becoming soulless. [...]

'Stoning Of Soraya M.' Sends Brutal Message

by Neila Jamee | June 26, 2009
Staff Reporter

'The Stoning of Soraya M,' based on Freidoune Sahebjam's international bestseller, tells the true story of the tragic consequences of women's rights under the Islamic regime. The horrific stoning grabs viewers' attention and doesn't let go. [...]

A Hangover Never Felt So Good

by Adrianna Weingold | June 8, 2009
Senior Editor

Todd Phillips has outdone himself yet again to create a hilarious film filled with inappropriate, childish humor soaked with sex, drugs, and Vegas baby. [...]

Icy Mammoth Inspires Heartwarming Documentary

by Adriana Dermenjian | June 6, 2009
Staff Reporter

The new film, 'Waking the Baby Mammoth,' documents the discovery of perfectly preserved baby mammoth Lyuba. The story of her discovery is an inspiration for scientists, and the story of her short life tugs at the heartstrings of all viewers alike. [...]

'Up' Soars High And Tugs At Heartstrings

by Neila Jamee | May 31, 2009
Staff Reporter

Like the multicolored balloons that rise and fall in "Up," the film is able to lift and descend the viewer to various depths of laugh-out-loud humor and mature emotional heartache. [...]

Adventureland: A Ride Worth Revisiting

by Michelle Lanz | April 9, 2009
Contributor

Adventureland grapples with post-university angst and the challenges facing the over-educated but under-prepared in a move reminiscent of the works of Linklater, Apatow and Nichols.
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'Duplicity' Packs Star Power But Fails To Deliver

by Elizabeth Geli | April 7, 2009
Contributor

Mega-stars Clive Owen and Julia Roberts sizzle on screen, but it isn't enough to save this corporate spy film. [...]

'Moments' Is Picture Perfect Despite Its Gushy Title

by Michelle Lanz | April 1, 2009
Contributor

Swedish film "Everlasting Moments" poignantly explores the power of a camera to help a turn-of-the-20th century battered wife through difficult times. It's much worthier of your time than its Hallmark name might suggest.
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Crossing Over, But Still On The Wrong Side Of Watchable

by Neila Jamee | March 10, 2009
Staff Reporter

Many films seek to present a touching, cohesive product. Despite decent actor performances, lackluster Crossing Over is neither touching nor cohesive. [...]

Pre-Screening Prep Boosts 'Watchmen' Experience

by Emily Henry | March 15, 2009
Senior Editor

There is nothing better than watching a book-based movie as a scholar among scholars. [...]

Must Go (See), Belgium

by Michelle Lanz | March 6, 2009
Contributor

<b>Wry dramady "Moscow, Belgium" takes a refreshingly real approach to romance in today's Belgium.</b>
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Film Review: 'Spell Your Name' Hardly Spellbinding

by Jenn Harris | March 5, 2009
Staff Reporter

The Holocaust-themed film "Spell Your Name" privileges drab winter scenes over compelling raw interview footage--to the marked dissatisfaction of one of its viewers. [...]

Coraline: A 3-D Romp In The Dark

by Michelle Lanz | February 23, 2009
Contributing Reporter

Selick's newest film is a fun, if not remarkable, adventure through macabre plotlines and long familiar themes. [...]

Watching "Coraline" in 3D

by Zach Gale | February 13, 2009
Staff Reporter

Visually Stimulating Fable Tells Viewers To Be Careful What They Wish For. [...]

"Waltz With Bashir" A Dazzling Dance With War

by Neila Jamee
Staff Reporter

Not Completely "Taken"

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Not Completely "Taken"

by Zach Gale | February 9, 2009
Contributing Reporter

"Taken" is best seen when there's nothing else playing or when someone else is paying.

In its full 93 minutes, never do you experience a "wow, how'd they do that" factor. Nevertheless, there's enough well-paced action to sustain interest throughout the film from when we first meet divorced father Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) watching home videos in a small, dark room to when he finally catches up with his 17-year-old daughter Kim in Paris.

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