2046 (2005) : A

2046 ... accentuates the value and rarity of true love by showing us how badly someone can regret losing sight of it. Worse, it shows what monsters we can become if we demand to obtain it, rather than consent to give it.

21 Grams (2003) : C

21 Grams is a hurricane of melodrama and implausibly accelerating crises that seem orchestrated merely to turn up the intensity.

28 Days Later (2003) : B+

2001: A Space Odyssey : A+, Favorite

2001 speaks instead by monolith — that is, by metaphor, by poetry, and by suggestion. It makes the demands on an audience that the storytelling of any great artist does: "For those who have ears to hear, let them hear." The questions resonate.

300 (2007) guest review: Jason Morehead

8 Mile : C

This is as bleak as evolutionary dramas get. It's survival of the fittest indeed, and you're only going to be 'fittest' if you harden your heart and learn to be eloquently mean-spirited in order to defend you and yours.

A

A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) (2004) : B

Alas, the strengths of Kubrick are undone by Spielberg's weaknesses.

About Schmidt (2002) : C

About Schmidt is like The Straight Story and Ikiru without the beauty, the warmth, the delightful discoveries along the way, or the hope.

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) : C-

... if you want to watch something brainless and immature, this isn't a total waste.

Adaptation (2002) : A-

[Adaptation suggests] that there is something "not of this earth" about humanity, that we are meant for higher, better things than mere adaptation.

The Addiction - guest review: Ron Reed (1995)

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) : A, FAVORITE

Terry Gilliam shows more pure creativity in this film than in any of his others.

The Age of Innocence : A

The Age of Innocence goes against the grain of Hollywood's tendency to champion the desires of the self. ... It also shows that while conformity can stifle honesty and love, acting in mere self-interest can be even more destructive

The Agronomist (2004) guest review: J. Robert Parks

Air Force One (1997) : C+

It's almost embarrassing to see He-Who-Was-Once-Han-Solo hang by a thread ... behind his own 747. And yet, no image better fits that fragile state of Ford's cinematic integrity at this point... he's losing his grip.

Alien Resurrection (1997) : C+

It's time they quit killing the aliens, and just killed the Alien series altogether. ... How the mighty have fallen.

All the King's Men (2006) a guest review by Greg Wright

All the Pretty Horses (2000) : C

...the movie that resulted from the studio's demand for cuts ... is a big-screen Cliff's Notes for the novel.

Almost Famous (2000) : A+, Favorite

There's a magic around everyone and everything here that reminds us of how the world looked when we were still children, still in awe of the world.

Amadeus (1984) : A+, Favorite

It is, in the end, a movie about the need to comprehend God's grace, that he blesses us in spite of our failings, that jealousy is as bad as destructive as any sin, and that there is more to life than fame and fortune.

Amazing Grace (2007): B+

Screenwriter Steven Knight has enlivened what might have been dry and workmanlike, peppering the courtroom scenes with personality and verve, spicing the romance with wit, and spiking the punch of courtly langauge with just enough pizzazz.

Amelie (2001) : A-, FAVORITE

Jeunet's film is an ambitious, rich, and rewarding experience, packed end-to-end with delightful creativity....

America's Heart and Soul (2004) : B+

Just imagine if an experienced cinematographer invited you over for the evening to show you his favorite footage from a career of capturing moments of stunning natural beauty.

American Beauty (1999) : C

American Beauty has an ironclad strategy for pleasing American audiences. First, it appeals to our cynicism. Then... to our self-interest. And finally... to our sense of morality. That's a wicked strategy.

American Pie (1999) : D

...even though the story shows them learning that "relationship is important", the movie's key scenes are all about exploiting women ... [and] getting them into bed. 

American Splendor (2003) : A-

Berman and Pulcini's portrait of Harvey Pekar is primarily an affectionate one, finding nobility and heroism amidst the unhygienic details.

Amistad (1997) : B

Hollywood's master storyteller seems confused about which story he is telling. He moves so fast and so frequently between different contexts that we never find our balance.

Amores Perros (2000) : A-

... this debut from director Alejandro González Iñárritu stares unflinchingly at the cruelty humans exhibit toward each other and to animals.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) : B

We're not laughing at the expense of those he insults, but at the fact that anyone could be so spectacularly oblivious to their own ego, selfishness, and childishness.

Anger Management (2003) : D

Watching Anger Management is like going to the NBA All-Star Game and seeing a fantastic team take the floor, but when the game begins you realize that they left their brains in the locker room.

The Anniversary Party (2002) : B

...this party is hard to enjoy, but [you'll] likely find it fascinating to search for these characters' hearts under the layers of makeup, denial, disguise, excuses, fantasies, and ego.

Antwone Fisher (2002) : B

It is to Washington's credit that he keeps it just real enough to move our hearts and our heads.

Antz : A-, Favorite

...the message of Antz is this: Freedom of choice is important, but one should use their freedom to be decent, responsible, humble, and helpful.

The Apocalypse - a guest review by Matt Page

Apocalypse Now - Redux : A+, Favorite

"Apocalypse Now is great art, powerfully exposing (rather than condoning or merely sensationalizing) evil."

Apollo 13 : B

...tells a gripping true story efficiently. ... And yet, it still feels too packaged, too neat, too clean.

The Apostle : A+, Favorite

...may be the most unapologetic, intimate portrayal of a religious man in the history of American cinema.

Arlington Road : D

It merely exploits our fears and emotions to jerk us around.

Armageddon : B

...true Godzilla-sized blockbuster--an outrageous spectacle, without many brains to speak of, but its heart in the right place.

As Good As It Gets : B

...coaxes us to be more open to each other, more compassionate, and more loving.

(CT) Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) : C-

Atanarjuat - The Fast Runner (2002) : A+

...takes you to a place you've never been and tells a story as profound and ambitious as a Shakespeare play.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire : C

...breathtaking animation ... in service of a story that doesn't hold enough water to drown a rat much less a civilization.

The Aviator (2004) : A-

...the closest thing to a comedy Scorsese has directed since After Hours. You'll laugh, you'll fly.

B

Baadasssss! (2004) guest review: J. Robert Parks

Babe 2 : Pig in the City : A, Favorite

This is the stuff of Dickens, told on the scale of Blade Runner and Brazil, with the madcap spirit of The Great Muppet Caper.

(CT) Babel (2006) : B+

Babel takes us into four strikingly different cultural contexts. In its intricate web of narratives, it is more accomplished and affecting than the Oscar-winning Crash. But it's not likely to be as popular. ... Babel's revelations are more painful to watch, more discomforting, and ultimately humbling.

The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2004) : B+

...wherever human beings go to try and create a utopia, they will bring evil with them, and they will become the very thing they've tried to escape.

Barnyard (2006) guest reviewer: Greg Wright

Barton Fink : A+, Favorite

Barton Fink is a courageous and horrific glimpse through the ego and courage of the human spirit into the emptiness of even the kindest human being's heart.

Batman Begins (2005) : A-

Nolan has directed and co-written what is, in short, the finest, most sophisticated, most meaningful Batman film ever made.

(CT) Be Cool (2005) : C

Like Get Shorty, it has all of the talents it needs to bring things to a rapid boil. But Gray and screenwriter Peter Steinfeld can't take this tepid material to anything more than a simmer.

A Beautiful Mind : C

How far can an artist distort a historical fiction before it goes beyond being merely "adapted and abridged for the screen" and becomes an outright lie?

Before Sunset (2004) guest review: J. Robert Parks

Being John Malkovich : A-

Kaufman's script ... must have seemed too good to be true for those who first looked at the project. The plot boasts the most original and daring comic premise in years.

Best in Show : B+

Best in Show is an excellent example of how funny a movie can be merely by observing human nature honestly, at its brilliant best and miserable worst.

The Best of Youth (2005) guest review: J. Robert Parks

Bewitched (2005) : C+

...the movie becomes something as frivolous and disposable as, well, an episode of "Bewitched."

Big Fish (2003) : B-

[Burton] celebrates the empty imaginings of the lost, because he assumes there is no real liberation, there is no glory awaiting us, except that which we invent for ourselves.

The Big Kahuna : B+

At our best, we admit our faults. And we admit that others, no matter how different or how offensive, might have something to teach us. What a surprising thing to learn from a film.

The Big Lebowski : B+, FAVORITE

No, it's no Fargo. It's the most flamboyant, erratic, spontaneous movie the Coens have ever made.

Blade Runner (1991) : A+, Favorite

The most intelligent and terrifying vision of the future ever conceived for the screen, Blade Runner is ... about the essence of what it is to be human, and the urge to confront one’s creator with questions about our imperfections and the inevitability of death.

The Blair Witch Project : C-

They just want to scare us by confusing us, disorienting us, and by playing a simple trick on our inner ear.

Blue (Three Colors: Blue) : A+, Favorite

Blue is a story about the journey from grief and brokenness to rebirth, told on a woman's face. And Juliette Binoche's face is a rare and expressive canvas. 

Born Into Brothels (2004) : A, Favorite

As bright as a box of new crayons, and just as full of creative potential, the children in Brothels give us vibrant pictures of hope in the midst of oppression.

Bounce : B-

The fact that it remains watchable and enjoyable is a credit to its actors and its writer, who make Buddy and Abby's encounters a delicate dance of humor, affection, tension, and fear.

The Bourne Identity : B+

It's one of the best, most artful action flicks to come along in the past decade. I hope it catches on and becomes a consistent series.

The Bourne Supremacy : A-

Like Spider-man's Peter Parker, [Bourne's] conscience and sense of responsibility set him apart as an admirable hero.

Bowfinger : C

This all has the potential to become a sidesplitting caper.... Unfortunately, only a few of the manic scenes work, and the conversations and relationships that fill the gaps fall flat.

Bowling for Columbine : A-

Even if his information is, oh, even 40% false... the ideas he is presenting need to be heard, examined, and reckoned with, if only because the other 60% of his information is true and vital.

The Boxer : A-

The powerful performances ... raise this film above the ranks of predictable, cheesy, melodramatic love stories to become a lasting testament to the power of love and the damage done by prejudice and hate.

Breaking the Waves : B-

The actors were all superb. The camerawork was innovative and engaging. The stories portrayed definite good and definite evil, and glorified good in the end.... What bothers me ... is this: It is the easiest thing in the world to do... move people by destroying something beautiful.

Bringing Out the Dead : B-

Scorsese seems too preoccupied with the violence and bizarre predicaments that Frank discovers along the way. ... Do we really need convincing that the world is going to hell in a handbasket?

Brokeback Mountain : C+

To borrow a phrase from Professor Dumbledore, we all have to choose between 'what is right and what is easy.' If we decide that love, goodness, rightness, and natural urges are equal, we justify all manner of destructive behavior.... Compassion is essential, and, yes, tolerance too. But we need to look beyond mere impulses to understand what is right and best.

- a second opinion review by J. Robert Parks

Brotherhood of the Wolf : C-

The hero of this story feels free to sleep with any prostitute he likes, even as he's trying to woo what he calls his "true love." Isn't there a conflict of interest there?

The Brothers Grimm : C+

But you can now count screenwriters among the things that spoil Gilliam’s fun. The Brothers Grimm, penned by Ehren Kruger ... feels like a first draft.

Bullets Over Broadway : A, FAVORITE

Its view of human nature is not very flattering, and there isn't much to suggest honorable alternatives to the mistakes these characters make. But the characters are endearing all the same, in spite of their hang-ups.

The Butcher Boy : A

The Butcher Boy reveals how a soul's future, in the early stages of development, is highly influenced by the love—or lack of love—shown to it.

C

Cafe Lumiere : A, FAVORITE

You don’t take this journey for the bends in the road, but the fleeting sights along the way make it memorably rewarding. Trains do figure heavily in the film, signifying, perhaps, the way lives pass each other rapidly and with very little chance of any meaningful connection between them. When someone does form a meaningful bond, it’s a beautiful thing.

- a second opinion review by J. Robert Parks

Capote (2005) : A-

Hoffman deserves the Academy Award.... But screenwriter Dan Futterman should also receive recognition for penning a rare and provocative work....

Capturing the Friedmans (2003) : B

What bothers [me] is Jarecki’s style of shocking the audience, of exploiting his treasure trove of intimate footage by dishing out the juicy bits. Much of this information could have been delivered in a way that respected the Friedmans, even if they did not respect each other.

(SPU) Cars (2006) : A-

Cast Away : B

While his philosophical ventures seem stuck in the shallow end of the pool, Zemeckis is still making an important step here as a filmmaker. The most admirable thing about Cast Away is its restraint. 

(CT) Catwoman (2004) : F

Reviewing Catwoman, a film critic can take the easy road: find the most readily available derogatory metaphor relating to cats. ... Or, you could question why an Oscar-winning actress would choose a role that reinforces damaging female stereotypes for sex-obsessed male viewers.

Catch Me If You Can (2002) : A

As playful as Catch Me is at heart, it also suggests that Spielberg may have his best work yet in him.

The Cell : D

I got the feeling ... that it wasn't the villain who was most interested in these grisly spectacles. It was the director who was really delighting in them. He was certainly uninterested in his characters, who remain one-dimensional placeholders.

Changing Lanes : B+

Roger Michell is willing to explore a drama that has no heroes, just broken men trying to find some hope in the darkness, some meaning in the madness. ... Hopefully, all of us who see [it] will stop to see ourselves reflected in its mirror and consider its implications.

Chariots of Fire : A+, Favorite

Most sport movies make winning the goal. In this one, running is a metaphor for life, and the way these men run...and WHY they run...tells us volumes about their hearts.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  (2005) : B

The material plays to [Burton's] strengths--it's becoming more and more clear that his fetish for the phantasmagoric makes him more interesting as a stylist than a storyteller. Charlie ... gives him a big, bold framework across which he can drape his latest outrageous decorations.

Chasing Amy (1997) : B+

... an important movie about some young people lost in the labyrinth of Generation X who are really going to give it a try [and] risk their hearts to find some kind of answer. And if that answer has something to do with love, grace, and forgiveness... I think that's a good thing.

Chicago : C

Chicago ... does not explore an issue, stinging us with poignant jabs. It just shows us the problem. It's a pretty song about dry rot. It's a can-can about cancer.

Chicken Run : B+

It's exciting to know that these figures onscreen, like the Muppets, actually exist in three dimensions; and it's a wonder to know that each frame of this film was handmade, not orchestrated by a computer.

(CT) Children of Men (2006) : A, FAVORITE

Seeing so many familiar images of real-world chaos, the viewer can come to a powerful realization of the need for hope beyond ourselves. It's ... a whirlwind tour of the world's worst nightmares, encapsulating just how desperate and dangerous "civilization" has become. The film may not be an immediate box office sensation, but its powerfully convincing spectacle is likely to make it a lasting sci-fi classic on par with Blade Runner.

- a second opinion review by Matt Page

Chocolat : B+

While most movies that criticize rigid and legalistic religion tend to argue for the abolition of such organized institutions, Chocolat actually suggests that the problem might not lie in the church's tradition or foundation, not in Scripture or the teachings of Jesus, but in the way people manipulate and twist those teachings to get what they want. 

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe : B-

While Aslan's intimidating power and glory has escaped them, the filmmakers have "caught" the essence of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Chunhyang : C+

Visually, Chunyang is a gorgeous, elaborate, and consistent film that feels like a fairy tale with a fresh coat of paint. Unfortunately, the paint is the most interesting part....

Cinderella Man : B

The legendary story of Braddock's incredible comeback in the boxing ring is ideal subject matter for the crowd-pleasing director Ron Howard, who's never seen an inspiring and memorable story that he couldn't transform into something commercial, agreeable, and disposable.

The Circle : A

The Circle is like an urgent cry of distress from a princess imprisoned in a tower. But the tower is in the middle of a busy world, bustling with heartless, self-absorbed men who would laugh at the idea of a rescue.

City of Angels - a guest review by Peter T. Chattaway

City by the Sea : B-

Caton-Jones ... understands that this story is not about how all the details work out, but about one man's heart and his slow awakening to moral responsibility.

City of God : A

City of God is not the easiest film to watch, but it is a masterpiece all the same, maybe the best serious crime drama since the Godfather films.

Claire's Knee : A-

The question at the center of this almost Shakespearean comedy is this: Why can't we play around, free of the confines of commitment, when we feel amorous urges? Why is it better to listen to our conscience in matters of love, rather than listen to our wayward, faithless heart?

(CT) The Clearing (2004) : C+

The Clearing starts out like a thriller, but it is far from thrilling. Pieter Jan Brugge's directorial debut is watchable only for its talented cast, a trio of formidable actors who make you wonder what drew them to this particular script.

Close-Up - guest reviewer: Ron Reed

(CT) Closer (2004) : B

Closer ... has a lot in common with the "smoker's lung" billboard. You know the one—there's a cigarette in the left frame, and a diseased lung on the right. ... Closer works like that. But instead of showing us ruined lungs, it exposes ruined hearts.

Code Unknown (2001) guest reviewer: Stef Loy, FAVORITE,

(CT) Coffee and Cigarettes (2004) : B+

Coffee and Cigarettes is a film for people who want something more than predictable entertainment. It's for people who love to watch people. ... The pleasure of watching this collection of brief meetings is in the contrasting personalities, expressions, and improvisations that fill up the minimalist material.

Cold Mountain (2003) : B+

The scenes feel like dominoes — they once stood in a progression with room to breathe between them, but now they’ve been knocked down. They lay half-covering each other, with their potential energy robbed.

(CT) Collateral (2004) : B+

Foxx's performance is a revelation: he is completely convincing, understated, and moves effortlessly through a wide range of emotions and conflicts both comical and severe.

(CT) Constantine (2005) : C

You'd be hard-pressed to find an adventure film that uses as much Christian terminology and symbolism as Constantine. You'd have a tougher time finding one that's makes a bigger mess of it.

Contact : B

There is also an easy-to-hate scientist who is repulsive simply because he's a two-dimensional, standard villain.... By hating him, the audience feels they have found "the bad guy" and they aren't challenged to see the danger at the root of both Arroway's philosophy or Josse's philosophy.

The Contender : C+

When Republicans speak, it's a bitter voice we hear; when Democrats speak, the music swells proudly. ... There's no worthwhile discussion going on about the subject at all, so it's a personality contest.

Cool and Crazy - guest reviewer: Ron Reed

The Corporation (2004) guest reviewer: J. Robert Parks

The Cotton Patch Gospel - guest reviewer: Ron Reed

The Count of Monte Cristo : B+

I have not read the novel, so I cannot speak to how closely it adheres to its source. I imagine that many complexities are lost.... But for the most part I was encouraged to see an action-adventure challenge its audience to think for a while.

(CT) Crash : B- a review at CT Movies

While each of the characters' hate-filled confrontations is plausible, a two-hour barrage of them leaves us weary and groping for something more meaningful and hopeful than this film has to offer. ... Haggis's attention is focused so narrowly on The Big Issue that his characters seem incapable of talking about anything but prejudice.

crazy/beautiful (2003) guest reviewer: J. Robert Parks

Crossover (2004) guest reviewer: Greg Wright

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon : A

Lo and behold. An action movie that isn't about "seize the day" or "follow your heart" opportunism. Yes, restraint can sometimes be costly and even inappropriate.... But wild abandon leads to carelessness, embarrassing ignorance, and irreparable damage.
 

D

Dancer in the Dark : B

Many will defend [this film], saying they were moved by Selma and her sacrifice. ... I won't argue. I was devastated by it. What bothers me, in both films, is this: It is the easiest thing in the world to do... move people by destroying something beautiful.

Daredevil : C-

...Johnson has assembled an impressive cast, they only look good when they’re real. Daredevil’s digital clone ... seems completely artificial. Worse, Murdock is the only character we get to know....
 

Dark City : A-, Favorite

It’s a bit overbearing the first time you experience it, but the film holds up under repeat viewings, revealing more and more complexity and coherence.

Darwin's Nightmare (2005) guest reviewer: J. Robert Parks

The Day After Tomorrow (2004) guest reviewer - Alan Thomas

Dead Man Walking (1995) : A+, Favorite

The movie is neither indulgent in its portrayal of emotionally-charged subject matter, and while the filmmakers have enough heart to find the deeply damaged boy in the heart of a killer, they do not shy away from portraying the consequences of his sins.

The Departed (2006) : B+

... a film of superior craftsmanship, with dialogue as jarring and relentless as the gunfire ... editing that winds up the tension to almost unbearable levels, and some of the year’s most compelling performances.

The Descent (2006) : guest reviewer : Greg Wright

The Devil's Own : C-

The recurring line "This is not an American story, it's an Irish one" means nothing at the end, because there's nothing distinctly Irish about the characters' predicament. ... Unfortunately, it is a stroy as American as McNuggets — all extra-crispy coating and no real meat underneath.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) guest reviewer : Ken Morefield

(Paste) Dirty Pretty Things : A

Frears refuses to turn sentimental—he keeps both feet on the filthy ground. The bittersweet final scene will stick with you. As irreligious as Okwe claims to be, there is something Christ-like about his selfless care for others, fulfilling the film’s central observation: “There is nothing so dangerous as a virtuous man.”

The Dish : B+

Those who plan their moviegoing by the Top Ten list, or by what gets advertised on TV, will miss it. Those who are paying attention and catch it will tell their friends about it like it's a valuable secret.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story : C-

The film is sloppy, and some of the actors seem like they wish they could pry themselves out of it. Vince Vaughn looks bored to tears, and since he's the central character, that feeling spreads to the viewer. ]

(CT) Dogville : A+

Dogville is, in the end, evidence that von Trier is wrestling with the difference between a God of fire and brimstone ... and a God of grace.... He poses the question: Should human beings who have been given so much be forgiven for their gross abuses of each other?

The Double Life of Veronique : A+, Favorite

While this is the film that set the stage aesthetically for Kieslowski's masterful Three Colors trilogy, it is more mysterious than any of those films.

Down with Love : B

... as light, cheap, and ultimately as insubstantial as cotton candy. It has no further ambitions than to clown around with romantic comedy conventions. And yet, it inadvertently strikes some resonant chords.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas : C

Unfortunately, Ron Howard is the Grinch who stole Christmas from Jim Carrey.

Dreamcatcher (2003) : D-

I challenge you to name a movie with a more convoluted or preposterous storyline.

The Dreamlife of Angels : A

...it may not sound terribly inviting: the story is a simple one about two strangers who become fast friends and then struggle to maintain that friendship the more they learn about each other. But on the screen, two unforgettable characters are revealed, and the truth resonates powerfully through their stories.

E

Election - guest review: Amanda Caldwell

Elephant (2003) guest reviewer: Stef Loy

Elf (2003) : B

In spite of the outrageous premise, Ferrell’s performance is so irresistible and likeable that we end up happy to suspend our disbelief....

Elizabeth : B

In actuality, it only occasionally enthralls; more often than not, it's a watchable and thought-provoking history lesson rather than the captivating, revealing, intimate portrait it wants to be.

Emma : B

While Sense and Sensibility loves subtlety, silence, and space, and Persuasion loves realism, repression, and understatement, Emma loves its star Gwyneth Paltrow and all the colorful scenes she inhabits.

The Emperor's Club : C-

While it does trumpet good virtues and offer good lessons, it does so without grit, passion, or originality. It announces those lessons to us, even forecasts them, rather than letting us work it out for ourselves.

The Emperor's New Groove : B+, Favorite

Comic timing is its masterstroke. Lickety-split banter between brilliantly conceived characters, chase scenes that leave you breathless with laughter and surprise, and how-will-they-get-out-of-this-one predicaments that pay off in the end... this is a whole new ballgame for Disney.

The End of the Affair : C

It seems Neil Jordan, who in interviews has talked detachedly about God being the greatest "invention" humans have created, exhibits a hard heart toward God and religion in this film.

Enemy at the Gates : B

Annaud shows a real knack for hold-your-breath suspense here, enough to make me hope he will do more action-adventure in the future.... Law plays Vassili as an uneducated, frightened, insecure human being who earns our respect ... a complicated, unusual, and exciting hero.

The English Patient : C

It admires, nay, adores a man and a woman who will sacrifice personal commitments to spouses and country in order to jump in the sack.

Entropy : F

Stylish camerawork and a slick soundtrack were the only things that made an impression on this viewer. Clearly, I am supposed to be laughing, but nothing seemed very funny.

Erin Brockovich : A-

So why is this film so nerve-wrackingly entertaining? ... First and foremost, contrary to what you've heard, the real star of this movie is Steven Soderbergh.... It would have seemed impossible to me that a writer could take such a worn-out premise and make it enthralling, but this guy has done it.

(CT) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) : A+

Most Hollywood films tell us we have everything we need within ourselves. Eternal Sunshine indicates that we need each other, even in those times when togetherness disrupts happiness. Happiness is based on temporal, unstable things, but joy comes from transcending the temporal and holding on through all the waves of infatuation and falling out, lust and letdown, delight and disappointment.

Evelyn : C+

Evelyn works as a modest parable, the truth shining through in spite of the filmmakers' unfortunate oversimplifications.

(CT) Evening (2007) : C

Everyone's Hero (2006) a guest review by Jenn Wright

(SPU) The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) : B+, published in Response Magazine

Audience members are thus likely to come away discussing and debating the merits of the Catholic church’s teachings on the devil, instead of chatting about their favorite thrills. That should please Derrickson, whose goal is to confront audiences with a vision of darkness that might nudge them toward rewarding discussion, perhaps even to the light.

Exotica : A-

This movie takes us into dark and disturbing places. But its intent is not to ultimately disturb us, but to look closely at people at their wits' end, desperate, and sad, in hopes of finding absolution for them.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2002) guest reviewer - Ron Reed

Eyes Wide Shut : B+

...Kubrick gave audiences quite a bit of what most of them had paid to see--inappropriate sex on display--but he didn't enhance it with seductive music or the kind of enhancements that usually deceive people into desiring such experiences for themselves. He gives you all the nervousness, fear, anger, and shame that a healthy heart would suffer in such circumstances.

F

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) : C

a second opinion: guest review: J. Robert Parks

a third opinion: guest review: Peter T. Chattaway

Far from Heaven : B

The best reason to see Todd Haynes' new film Far from Heaven is to watch Julianne Moore give one of her finest performances.

Fargo : A

It was one of my favorite movies of 1996 because it's good storytelling — hilarious, disturbing, tragic, and hopeful. But it's not for the squeamish. ... What sets Fargo apart from the [other Coen Brothers' films] is that it is the first with a hero that is basically a good person.

Fast, Cheap and Out of Control : A+, Favorite

It's an enthralling exploration of creativity, science, and imagination. As these four committed visionaries tell their compelling stories, their faces come alive. Don’t we all wish we could find as much fulfillment in our work as these guys do?

Fay Grim (2007) : B-

This isn’t Hartley’s best film, but it’s certainly his most ambitious. Fans will love Posey’s performance, even if they have a little trouble following the rather contrived adventure, which is so talky it's tiresome.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas : B+

It wouldn’t be honest to say that drugs are completely a drag. ... As was the message in the film Trainspotting, drugs are appealing. And, yes, they will destroy you. It's honest about that too. So honest, in fact, that when the film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, many walked out because they got sick watching it.

The Fellowship of the Ring (See Lord of the Rings)

Fight Club : B+

In the future, all manner of society's ills in the future will be blamed on this movie, just as some have accused Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers of 'causing' real-world killings. They're wrong. This is a film that exposes evil, not one that glorifies it.

a second opinion: guest review: Ron Reed

The Fighting Temptations (2003) : D

The storyline is sharply dissonant with the messages of the songs. You might think this prodigal would learn to take responsibility for his lies ... or humbly accept the consequences of his crimes and change. ... In fact, the film's loudest message is that we should not only stop judging wrongdoers, but we should embrace sinners and ignore their misbehavior.

Final Fantasy-The Spirits Within : C

It's a colossal disappointment to see that, even in the world of the digitally perfect, a black hero is still doomed to be a disposable sidekick... a hero is cursed to be a square-jawed white man ... andthe heroine is cursed to work overtime representing every feminist ideal at once.....

Final Solution : B-

For his success in adhering to higher standards of art—for his restraint and honesty—I applaud Cristóbal Krusen. His first film is a promising work.

Finding Nemo (2003) : A+, Favorite

Pixar has seized the throne of family filmmaking not just because they’re the best animators, but because they pay such close attention to storytelling. Their films end up being richer, funnier, and more rewarding than most films for grownups. Finding Nemo is not just the best family film of the year so far ... it's one of the year's best films period.

Finding Neverland (2004): A- (capsule review in the 2004 Favorites list)

Finding Neverland is about the importance of hanging on to that belief in something that transcends the empirical world. It's a small, gentle, graceful motion picture...

a second opinion - a guest review by J. Robert Parks

The Fisher King : A+, Favorite

The Fisher King whi