|
| 1. |
|
06/28/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...its tendency toward realism undermines its own urgency. Even Venice, a visually stunning city in summer, feels like a wasted opportunity..." |
| 2. |
|
07/12/12 |
Very Good |
 "...an impressively taut absurdist drama that's deliberate in its exploration of the value and limits of compassion." |
| 3. |
|
07/26/12 |
Very Good |
 "...audacious... feels instantly fresh, taking bold chances with its characters and gags that pay off in uproariously funny and sometimes heartrending moments." |
| 4. |
|
08/02/12 |
Good |
 "...may be one-sided in its argument, but it's a persuasive one -- and the next time you eat sushi, you may think twice about ordering bluefin." |
| 5. |
|
08/30/12 |
Fair |
 "...a savage B-movie thriller with unrealized aspirations to profundity... With protagonists so callous and defeated, you may be left rooting for the cannibals..." |
| 6. |
|
09/06/12 |
Good |
 "Even as 'The Inbetweeners' revels in the guys' sexual failures, it treats their journeys as the significant experiences they are." |
| 7. |
|
09/20/12 |
Outstanding |
 "...a gleefully audacious, visceral, near-perfect action movie... a singular and exhilarating movie experience. It's savage, beautiful and loads of fun." |
| 8. |
|
10/04/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...casts its satirical net wide, and that breadth of focus sometimes blunts its biting message... an otherwise well-executed farce..." |
| 9. |
|
10/11/12 |
Weak |
 "...mean-spirited... Tragically unfunny... occasionally elevated by some of its gifted and game cast, but the film's nasty, comedically incoherent script limits its potential." |
| 10. |
|
10/18/12 |
Good |
 "...charming yet melancholy... writer-director Stephane Robelin treats aging with humor and grace -- but does not shy away from portraying the characters' vulnerability." |
| 11. |
|
10/25/12 |
Fair |
 "...a heavy and moralistic throwback... the rushed and incoherent ending that the film forces on its protagonist doesn't line up with any of his previous actions." |
| 12. |
|
11/01/12 |
Good |
 "Effectively immersive... slyly orchestrated... it has something to say about the destructiveness of lies and deception in a marriage -- just less than it thinks." |
| 13. |
|
11/20/12 |
Good |
 "...it's about the French speaking to themselves about their own story. It's a mainstream, sentimental drama because it needs to be." |
| 14. |
|
11/29/12 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...a heavy-handed but forceful coming of age story... examines different paths to freedom and the significant costs inherent in each approach." |
| 15. |
|
01/17/13 |
Very Good |
 "...gets childhood-cut-short heartbreakingly right.... Saved from its predictable plotline by a strong cast and a central relationship written and performed with sensitivity..." |
| 16. |
|
02/07/13 |
Weak |
 "The director is clearly having fun with his protagonist's heartbreak -- only Sheen isn't... leaves you wondering whether even a glimpse inside this mind is too much." |
| 17. |
|
02/14/13 |
Good |
 "...isn't always successful -- but it's nearly always entertaining.... Ehrenreich and Englert bring a natural, extremely ingratiating chemistry to their scenes..." |
| 18. |
|
03/07/13 |
Fair |
 "...if you're going to fudge things, at least make it entertaining.... Despite the promising setup, the filmmakers' execution muddles what's inherently dramatic material." |
| 19. |
|
03/21/13 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "...flits along blithely from number to transporting musical number until it ends -- with a sigh -- and dodges any authentic engagement with its own ideas." |
| 20. |
|
03/29/13 |
Good (Not Great) |
 "Dupieux is clearly having an incredible amount of fun. Whether 'no reason' is reason enough to strap in for the ride is less clear." |
