|
| 1. |
|
01/09/09 |
Poor |
 "...it would be depressing to think that people like this might actually exist. But it's also a little depressing to think that movies like this actually exist..." |
| 2. |
|
01/09/09 |
Weak |
 "What 'The Exorcist' might look like if Madonna rewrote it... silly fright flick finds college student Casey (Odette Yustman) haunted by a Kabbalistic demon." |
| 3. |
|
01/16/09 |
Weak |
 "...more of a numbing experience than a painful one.... James is not exactly a laugh riot, but he is, at least, likable as the hapless Blart..." |
| 4. |
|
01/16/09 |
Excellent |
 "...despite the lack of objectivity - a feeling enhanced by the occasionally overawed script - Tillman weaves his familiar strands into a fascinating tale." |
| 5. |
|
01/16/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...the story feels somewhat familiar. But then, the more you recognize among these lost and lonely characters, the bigger an impact they're likely to make." |
| 6. |
|
01/23/09 |
Good |
 "...sobering documentary about South LA's gangs aims to explain how decades of oppression resulted in so much bloodshed." |
| 7. |
|
01/30/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...even as the drama threatens to tear the clan apart, it winds up bringing them together. This isn't a family -- or a film -- you'll easily forget." |
| 8. |
|
01/30/09 |
Weak |
 "...pretty much your classic been-there, done-that scenario: evil stepmother, clueless father, imperiled teen.... David Strathairn looks completely stranded..." |
| 9. |
|
01/30/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "A limited amount of original footage -- awkwardly enhanced with reenactments -- gives the film a somewhat narrow focus. But in a way, the dry tone fits." |
| 10. |
|
02/06/09 |
Weak |
 "The idea is fun... But the direction is limp, the actors unfocused and the jokes uneven. You know you're in trouble when you trot out William Shatner for your biggest laughs." |
| 11. |
|
02/06/09 |
Weak |
 "Yes, that's an impressive collection of actors. And yes, it's deflating to watch them wandering in and out of half-written scenes with no discernable direction." |
| 12. |
|
02/06/09 |
Very Good |
 "An extraordinary achievement that nevertheless falls short of its full potential... absolutely worth seeing for children and adults alike." |
| 13. |
|
02/13/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "The question is this: is it better to settle for a sure thing, or try to pin down a fantasy?" |
| 14. |
|
02/13/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "The ideal science lesson for a lazy weekend... does look an awful lot like entries in years past. But can you ever have too many shots of cavorting sea lions?" |
| 15. |
|
02/13/09 |
Weak |
 "...only nine months after the 'Sex and the City' movie, and an obsessive spender with an overstuffed closet - and credit card bills to match - no longer seems quite so cute." |
| 16. |
|
02/13/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...there's no Hollywood glamour here. Just a gray, grim reality." |
| 17. |
|
02/20/09 |
Excellent |
 "...intensely compelling... Dews wisely realizes that he needs nothing more than his grandparents' writings, recordings and home movies to portray the stark emptiness..." |
| 18. |
|
02/20/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Fashion fanatics will appreciate the behind-thescenes perspective as Jay McCarroll plans his first show, but others won't care much..." |
| 19. |
|
02/21/09 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Perry only really cuts loose when he dons Madea's housecoat, turning her into a devilishly funny voice of reason.... the movie tenses up when she's offscreen..." |
| 20. |
|
02/27/09 |
Poor |
 "Ever fast-forward through a late-night cable romance just to get to the good parts? This amateurish relationship dramedy features all the stuff you'd skip... Though he pretends to be interested in sex, director Gene Rhee is also afraid of it..." |
